Chapter Summaries

Naruto trained with Killer B to learn to control the Nine-Tails’ power, but he confronted the Raikage over Kumogakure’s past attempt to kidnap a Hyuga girl. The Raikage defeated Naruto and ordered Killer B and Yugito Nii to watch him, leaving Naruto captured in the Land of Lightning.

• Yugito Nii arrived at Cloud-Thunder Gorge and learned that Killer B was training Naruto to control the Nine-Tails’ power.
• Naruto explained that he had undone the Nine-Tails’ seal and agreed to train with Killer B, while Yugito questioned why Killer B was helping him.
• The Raikage arrived to send Killer B on a mission, and Naruto accused him of ordering the attack on the Hyuga Clan during peace talks.
• Naruto attacked the Raikage with shadow clones and a Rasengan, but the Raikage easily defeated him with his lightning-enhanced speed and strength.
• The Raikage ordered Killer B and Yugito to watch Naruto and threatened them if he escaped.

After losing badly to the Raikage, Naruto refused to give up and asked Killer B to train him to control the Nine-Tails' power. He learned to calm the Three-Tails State by turning his attack on himself, then lost consciousness when he tried the Four-Tails power.

• Naruto admitted to Minato that the Raikage had defeated him, then vowed to become powerful enough to match him.
• Minato and the Nine-Tails warned Naruto not to face the Raikage head-on and said he needed to control the Four-Tails' power.
• After waking, Naruto asked Killer B to train him, and Yugito left after hearing that he still intended to challenge the Raikage.
• Killer B restrained Naruto in the Three-Tails State and urged him to think of the people important to him, but Naruto became more violent and broke free.
• Naruto redirected his clawed attack into his own face, calmed the Demon Fox Cloak, and regained control of the power.
• Killer B encouraged Naruto to try the Four-Tails power, and Naruto transformed into a miniature Nine-Tails before losing consciousness.

Naruto trained to control the Nine-Tails' power in Cloud-Thunder Gorge for half a year, enduring brutal sparring with Killer B and the Raikage. Yugito took him to Kumogakure for the first time, where he learned she was buying supplies for an orphanage.

• Naruto woke after losing control of the Nine-Tails' power and learned that he had wrecked Cloud-Thunder Gorge and beaten up Killer B.
• Killer B agreed to train Naruto once a day, while the Nine-Tails boasted about its strength and Gyuki warned Naruto that the Nine-Tails was far more powerful than the Two-Tails.
• Half a year later, the Raikage sparred with Naruto in his miniature Nine-Tails form and knocked him unconscious, while Killer B and Yugito watched.
• Killer B asked Yugito to take the unconscious Naruto around Kumogakure, and she reluctantly carried him into the village.
• Naruto woke on Yugito's back, then followed her as she bought snacks, toys, and clothes for an orphanage.
• Yugito told Naruto that she was an orphan and that the supplies were for the orphanage before leading him inside.

Yugito took Naruto to an orphanage, where he helped entertain the children and learned more about her hopes and loneliness as a Jinchuriki. After returning to Killer B’s home, Naruto met Matatabi and obtained her Chakra for the Nine-Tails.

• Yugito brought Naruto to an orphanage, where he used Shadow Clones to help care for the children.
• The children admired Naruto and asked him to teach them the Clone Technique, while Yugito told them to master the Ninja Academy lessons first.
• Yugito explained that she cared for orphans because she liked children and confided that she did not expect anyone to marry a Jinchuriki.
• Naruto told Yugito that Hinata was his future wife, making Yugito grab his cheeks in frustration over his romantic luck.
• After Naruto and Yugito returned to Killer B’s home, Yugito let Naruto meet Matatabi.
• The Nine-Tails threatened Matatabi into giving him Chakra, and Naruto left with the character for two imprinted on his tail.

Naruto fought the Raikage at Cloud-Thunder Gorge while struggling to resist the Nine-Tails’ malicious chakra. He broke free of its influence and unleashed the Void Dog Cannon against the Raikage’s strongest technique, leaving the battle unresolved.

• The Raikage confronted Killer B, Yugito, and Naruto for allowing Naruto into Kumogakure, and Naruto challenged him to a fight.
• Naruto used his tails and altered the battlefield to evade and counter the Raikage, drawing Killer B and Yugito’s attention to his unusual composure.
• Inside his consciousness, Naruto rejected the Nine-Tails’ offer of power for killing and broke free of the chakra that had bound him for nearly half a year.
• The Raikage grabbed a Shadow Clone, while the real Naruto appeared behind him and swallowed a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Naruto fired the Void Dog Cannon as the Raikage used Secret Technique: Wrath of the Thunder God Axe, and their attacks devastated part of Cloud-Thunder Gorge.

Naruto fought the Raikage, learned the truth behind the attempted abduction of a Hyuga during peace talks, and earned the Raikage’s respect. Yugito and Killer B helped Naruto escape the Land of Lightning, where Naruto accidentally defeated the pursuing Raikage with Sexy Jutsu.

• Naruto lost his fight with the Raikage but gained his respect, and the two ended their clash on friendly terms.
• Killer B and Yugito explained that Kumogakure’s ninjutsu development department had planned the Hyuga abduction, while the Raikage accepted responsibility for failing to restrain his subordinates.
• The Raikage invited Naruto to become a Lightning ninja, but Naruto declined because he wanted to become Hokage and return to Konoha.
• Yugito and Killer B took Naruto out of the Land of Lightning, but the Raikage pursued them and knocked Killer B into a rock wall.
• Naruto used Sexy Jutsu to transform into Naruko, and the Raikage fainted before he could strike her.
• Yugito punched Naruto back to normal, and Naruto safely escaped the Land of Lightning.

Naruto and Jiraiya reached Takigakure, where they found Fū, the Seven-Tails' Jinchuriki, fleeing an attack on her village. After Fū led them to the village and Naruto recognized Mei Terumi as the mastermind, he defeated her three accomplices, leaving Mei to face him again.

• Naruto and Jiraiya arrived at the Land of the Waterfall and found the injured Fū near its great waterfall.
• Fū explained that Suigetsu and his allies had taken Takigakure villagers hostage, and Jiraiya discovered a Five Elements Seal disrupting her Chakra.
• Fū led Naruto and Jiraiya through a cave behind the waterfall to Takigakure, where Mei Terumi guarded the hostages.
• Naruto recognized Mei Terumi and challenged her after she ordered Suigetsu and two accomplices to attack him.
• Naruto used his Demon Fox Cloak and Rasengan to bind and blast all three attackers into the giant tree's roots.

Mei Terumi came to Takigakure seeking the Seven-Tails, but Shibuki revealed that it could not simply be taken. Outside, Naruko comforted Fū by offering her friendship, while Mei chose to stay and learn the truth about the beast.

• Mei Terumi prepared to fight Naruko until she recognized Jiraiya and called off her ANBU.
• Mei freed Takigakure’s villagers, and Shibuki introduced himself as the village leader before bringing everyone to his home.
• Mei said Kirigakure wanted the Seven-Tails and the Hero’s Water, and explained that her village had lost its two tailed beasts.
• Jiraiya sent Naruko and Fū outside as Shibuki began revealing Takigakure’s secret about the Seven-Tails; Mei decided to stay and see what happened.
• Fū told Naruko about the kind woman who had disappeared after trusting a man, and Naruko comforted her with a promise of lifelong friendship.

Naruto and the Nine-Tails discovered that Chōmei had metamorphosed and learned that the chakra-rich shell he shed had become a dangerous creature. When it emerged from the Divine Tree, Fū steadied herself for battle with Naruko’s encouragement.

• The Nine-Tails mistook Chōmei’s transformed form for an impostor and attacked him until Fū explained insect metamorphosis.
• Chōmei revealed that his shed shell had become a powerful creature that had repeatedly threatened Takigakure, forcing him to stay behind.
• The Divine Tree began shaking as the creature sensed the Nine-Tails’ chakra, and the Nine-Tails left the Sealing Space to prepare for battle.
• Fū trembled at the prospect of fighting, but Naruko encouraged her to believe in herself and protect her village.
• A giant caterpillar-like creature with seven tails emerged from the Divine Tree and roared, beginning the battle.

Naruto and Fū fought the rampaging Seven-Tails, and Naruto uncovered that it had been lashing out because it felt abandoned by Chōmei. Six months later, the Seven-Tails had reunited with Chōmei, and Naruto left Takigakure after saying goodbye to Fū.

• Mei Terumi fled Takigakure, while Jiraiya and Shibuki activated a barrier to suppress the Seven-Tails and Jiraiya removed Fū’s Five Elements Seal.
• Naruto and Fū summoned the Nine-Tails and Chōmei to battle the Seven-Tails, but the Nine-Tails withdrew and urged Naruto to fight on his own.
• The Nine-Tails helped Naruto use the other Tailed Beasts’ Chakra to overwhelm the Seven-Tails, and Naruto protected it from Chōmei’s Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Naruto understood that the Seven-Tails had felt abandoned and helped it and Chōmei reconcile, after which the Seven-Tails became docile.
• Half a year later, Naruto said goodbye to Fū and departed Takigakure after their joking conversation about Fū’s sister.

Jiraiya and Naruto reached a hidden fortress in the Land of Fire to investigate Utakata, a ninja from another country. Jiraiya persuaded the family sheltering him to let them stay, while warning Naruto that he would eventually have to manage on his own.

• Jiraiya gave Naruto a modified forehead protector, and they raced across a trap-filled plain toward a cylindrical hill.
• Naruto tried to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to beat Jiraiya, but Jiraiya knocked his kunai aside and won the race.
• Naruto suggested breaking through the barrier with a Rasengan, and Jiraiya did so, explaining that they had already revealed their presence by triggering the traps.
• Jiraiya recognized the old man as Tonbei, then accused him of harboring a ninja from another country.
• Hotaru tried to defend Utakata, who scolded her for revealing that he was being sheltered.
• Jiraiya said he and Naruto would stay to investigate Utakata, and Naruto praised Jiraiya's ability to handle people.

Naruto confronted Utakata over his refusal to teach Hotaru and learned that Utakata distrusted master-disciple bonds because his own master had used him as a Jinchuriki. After Utakata tested Naruto’s loyalty by threatening Jiraiya, Naruto left him to his fate, and Jiraiya later learned the secret behind Hotaru’s burden.

• Hotaru pleaded with Utakata to teach her ninjutsu, but Utakata refused and reacted with Killing Intent when she called him her master.
• Utakata told Naruto that his master had treated him as a container for the Six-Tails, and Naruto angrily defended Jiraiya when Utakata questioned their bond.
• Utakata trapped Naruto in a water-filled bubble, then warned him not to bring up the subject again.
• Naruto found Utakata tying Jiraiya to a stake for peeping at Hotaru while she bathed, but refused to save him when Utakata challenged him to prove their bond.
• Tonbei explained to Jiraiya that Hotaru carried the Tsuchigumo Clan’s Forbidden Jutsu to protect her clan, and Jiraiya sympathized with her.

Naruto and Utakata fought after the Six-Tails took control, and Naruto learned that Utakata’s master had planned to sacrifice himself to save his disciple. After Saiken and Utakata reconciled and Jiraiya recovered from his injuries, Naruto agreed to return to Konoha, though the Three-Tails remained unaccounted for.

• Naruto taught Hotaru Water Walking, and Utakata took over her ninjutsu training after Naruto provoked him.
• Utakata lost control of the Six-Tails, so Naruto and Jiraiya fought him; Jiraiya shielded Naruto from the Six-Tails’ acid and helped him form a fire-natured Rasengan.
• Naruto confronted Utakata in the sealing space, where Saiken revealed that Utakata’s master had intended to give his life to save him.
• Utakata resolved to face Saiken and live on according to his master's wish, while Saiken gave the Nine-Tails his Chakra.
• Jiraiya recovered overnight after being healed by Natural Energy, and Naruto agreed to return to Konoha with him.
• The Nine-Tails said it could not sense the Three-Tails, which might be dead or sealed inside an infant.

Naruto returned to Konoha after two and a half years and reunited with his friends, while Tsunade scolded him for causing trouble across the Five Great Nations. He went to see Hinata, who greeted him with her Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists.

• Naruto climbed a utility pole to look over Konoha, then reunited with Sakura and Konohamaru.
• Sakura dragged Naruto to Tsunade, who confronted him about complaints from the Raikage, Fifth Mizukage, Tsuchikage, and Gaara.
• Temari told Naruto that Gaara had become Kazekage and that he missed him.
• Tsunade embraced Naruto, welcomed him home, and gave him two days off.
• Naruto went to the Hyuga Clan estate and greeted Hinata, who attacked him with her Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists.

Naruto returned to Konoha and reunited with Hinata and Hanabi, who both reacted to how he had changed during his two-and-a-half-year absence. He left the chapter battered by Hanabi’s Gentle Fist and still unaware of why she was upset.

• Hinata tested Naruto’s strength with a jealous flurry of attacks, then believed his explanation about the movie and welcomed him home with a hug.
• Naruto and Hinata admired each other’s changes and nearly kissed before Hanabi arrived.
• Naruto gave Hanabi souvenirs and bragged about his training, but she doubted him when he would not demonstrate his Forbidden Jutsu.
• Naruto used his Demon Fox Cloak to lift Hanabi like a child, prompting her to strike him with Eight Trigrams: Thirty-two Palms.
• Hanabi cursed Naruto in her room, then smiled that he had not changed and wondered whether to grow her hair out.

Naruto and Sakura entered the Chunin Exams and proved their growth by defeating Kakashi in a bell test. Afterward, Naruto taught Konohamaru an improved Sexy Jutsu and began showing him how to learn the Rasengan.

• Shikamaru invited Naruto to enter the Chunin Exams and revealed that Hinata was also still a genin because she had deliberately failed her exams.
• Naruto and Sakura met Kakashi for a test, then worked together to evade his attacks and claim both bells.
• Kakashi recognized Naruto's Chakra Nature Transformation and declared that Naruto and Sakura had graduated from his guidance.
• Naruto found Konohamaru hiding and taught him the modified Sexy Jutsu and the basics of the Rasengan.
• Naruto advised Konohamaru to use Shadow Clones to overcome training bottlenecks, and Konohamaru promised to challenge him for the Sixth Hokage position.

Deidara attacked Sand Village to capture Gaara, but Gaara and Shukaku defeated him, while Scorpion escaped with Kankuro as a hostage. Tsunade sent Team Kakashi to aid Gaara, and Naruto left for Sand Village after arranging to see Hinata through a Shadow Clone.

• Scorpion revealed that Yura had been his planted spy and left Deidara to attack Sand Village.
• Deidara’s explosive clay forced Gaara to exhaust his Chakra protecting the village, but Shukaku emerged and captured Deidara.
• Shukaku announced that he would protect Sand Village with Gaara, and Gaara told Baki they were partners rather than master and beast.
• Baki gave Gaara Scorpion’s letter, which demanded a hostage exchange within a week and prompted Gaara to request aid from Konoha.
• Tsunade assigned Team Kakashi an S-Rank mission to help Gaara, and Naruto agreed to go.
• Naruto sent a Shadow Clone to visit Hinata before setting out with Kakashi and Sakura, then admitted that Hinata had kissed him.

Naruto reunited with Gaara in Sunagakure, where they prepared to exchange the captured Deidara for Kankuro. Naruto recognized Deidara as an old friend, and Gaara and Deidara competed over who had been closer to him.

• Naruto's group arrived in Sunagakure, and Naruto greeted Gaara with a hug and playful teasing.
• Temari asked Gaara about Kankuro, and Gaara explained that Kankuro was being held for a hostage exchange.
• Gaara led Naruto, Kakashi, and the others to the prison to see the captured Akatsuki member.
• Naruto recognized Deidara and learned that Deidara had joined Akatsuki after meeting a woman who shared his interest in art.
• Deidara and Gaara compared their past closeness with Naruto, and Gaara claimed Naruto had slept in his bed for a month.

Gaara led Kakashi, Naruto, and Chiyo to exchange Deidara for Kankuro, where Itachi trapped the group in Genjutsu and tested Naruto with Tsukuyomi. Naruto resisted through his determination to save Sasuke, and Itachi disappeared after thanking him, as Kakashi’s illusion was about to end.

• Gaara ordered Temari to stay in Sunagakure and protect the village while he left with Chiyo and the others to rescue Kankuro.
• At the exchange site, Kakashi exposed Itachi’s hiding place, but Itachi trapped everyone in Genjutsu and used Tsukuyomi on Naruto.
• Itachi stabbed Naruto repeatedly inside Tsukuyomi and challenged his ability to bring Sasuke back, while Naruto insisted he would keep trying because they were friends.
• Naruto awakened a crimson-eyed state, recalled telling Sakura he could not hate Itachi, and struck him with a multicolored Rasengan.
• Itachi tapped Naruto’s forehead, thanked him, and vanished as the Tsukuyomi space collapsed.

Scorpion and Itachi’s plan lured Shukaku into battle, where Kisame severed his tail and left him near death. The Nine-Tails shared Chakra to keep Shukaku alive, while Scorpion refused to withdraw and pursued the fight.

• Gaara freed Kankuro and faced Scorpion’s puppet army, while Scorpion revealed his human-puppet body and summoned the Third Kazekage.
• Gaara agreed to let Shukaku emerge, and Shukaku transformed the forest into a desert and destroyed many of Scorpion’s puppets, including the Third Kazekage.
• Kisame Hoshigaki struck from hiding and cut off Shukaku’s tail, then escaped with Itachi as Kakashi was blocked by Amaterasu.
• Naruto entered the Sealing Space with Gaara and learned from the Nine-Tails that Shukaku was dying because most of his Chakra was in his tail.
• The Nine-Tails gave Shukaku enough Chakra to survive, and Gaara promised to share a drink with him after the battle.
• Zetsu withdrew, but Scorpion stayed behind to pursue his revenge for the destroyed puppets.