Chapter Summaries

Naruto studied Shen Nong’s Body Revitalization technique and explained why neither Zero-Tails nor a Jinchuriki’s condition made it a true Tailed Beast substitute. As Akatsuki’s ultimatum neared, Naruto prepared the Sky Fortress to move closer to Konoha while remaining out of sight.

• Naruto concluded that Zero-Tails absorbed negative Chakra rather than Natural Energy, while the Ryūmyaku could serve as a Tailed Beast substitute.
• Shen Nong pledged allegiance to Naruto, and Naruto continued learning the Body Revitalization technique.
• Naruto told Shen Nong to move the Sky Fortress as close to Konoha as possible and wait until Akatsuki’s ultimatum expired before approaching.
• Naruto asked about Rōran’s Folding Gliding Wing Aircraft as Cang Xia developed trade routes and prepared to transport Dragon Scale Stone.
• Akatsuki’s declared deadline approached, and the other ninja villages waited to see whether Konoha or Akatsuki would prevail.

As Akatsuki prepared to challenge Konoha, Kushina and Konoha’s leaders reviewed defenses and preparations for the coming battle. After clan heads challenged her leadership and accused her of mishandling the war, Kushina announced she would resign as Hokage after the war and left the meeting.

• Akatsuki set out from Amegakure to confront Konoha, while Biwa Juzo worried that the leader might have discovered he was an undercover agent.
• Kushina gathered Konoha’s clan heads and remaining leaders to review defenses, including the Gravity Array and Jiraiya’s ambush force.
• Utatane Koharu reported that the Gravity Array could create ten times normal gravity and disrupt the Akatsuki leader’s attraction and repulsion techniques.
• Ten clan heads accused Kushina of harming Konoha’s interests by declaring war on the Four Great Shinobi Villages and questioned her leadership.
• Kushina said she would voluntarily resign as Hokage after the war, then walked out of the conference room.

Akatsuki attacked Konoha, and Kushina confronted Nagato at the gates. After Nagato's Planetary Devastation threatened her, Anju took control of Kushina's body and launched attacks at both Nagato and the Akatsuki members, leaving Nagato forced to choose whom to protect.

• Konoha's ninja spotted Akatsuki at the gates, and Kushina used the Flying Thunder God Formation to appear there and bind the Hellhound with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Nagato and Kushina argued over their agreement before Nagato used True · Almighty Pull to target her, but Kushina escaped the lock with Gravity Disturbance and counterattacked with a Rasengan.
• Nagato absorbed Kushina's Rasengan, and Anju took control of Kushina's body after she refused to summon Minato Namikaze's Impure World Reincarnation Body.
• Nagato launched Planetary Devastation as Anju formed a giant Nine-Tails Chakra Cloak and prepared nine Flame Sun Courage attacks and a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Anju fired Nine Twists Interlocking at the Akatsuki members and sent the Tailed Beast Ball toward Nagato, forcing him to choose between protecting them and blocking the Tailed Beast Ball.

Anju survived Nagato’s Planetary Devastation and overwhelmed him, while Konoha suffered heavy damage from the explosion. Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Shimura Danzō to the battlefield, where Jiraiya’s squad arrived to face them.

• Nagato’s attack destroyed part of Konoha and injured the Akatsuki members, while Jiraiya protected his ambush squad with Gamayose.
• Nagato emerged from the rubble, but Anju revealed he had escaped Planetary Devastation and battered Nagato while interrupting his Chakra flow.
• Konan tried to rescue Nagato, but Anju’s Flame Sun Courage orb burned much of her paper form.
• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Shimura Danzō, then sent the First and Second Generation Hokage to attack Anju.
• Jiraiya’s squad reached the battlefield, and Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Shisui activated their Three Tomoe Sharingan after spotting Danzō’s Sharingan.

Anju fought Nagato and Konan while the First and Second Hokage attacked him under Orochimaru’s control. As Anju’s Sage Chakra ran low, Tobirama’s explosive tags interrupted his Tailed Beast Ball and forced him to deploy the Flame Sun Courage.

• Anju repeatedly whipped Nagato, while Konan shielded him and was badly injured by the attacks.
• Anju disrupted Nagato’s attempts to use his Rinnegan and struck Konan until she fainted while protecting Nagato.
• The First and Second Hokage used Wood Release and Water Release to restrain Anju as he realized Orochimaru had revived them and was controlling them.
• Anju asked Kushina to use her trump card, but she did not respond as his Sage Chakra dwindled.
• Tobirama used Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags to interrupt Anju’s Tailed Beast Ball, so Anju deployed the three Flame Sun Courage.

Nagato and Konan recovered after Anju's attack while Orochimaru summoned Sasori and the Third Kazekage to fight Jiraiya's squad at Konoha's gates. The battle continued as Obito appeared beside Orochimaru and questioned whether he still needed help.

• The Yatagarasu brought Nagato and Konan to the ground, where the King of Hell healed them and Asura Path Pain gave Nagato an Akatsuki robe.
• Reanimation Danzo kept Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Shisui occupied while Orochimaru summoned the Third Kazekage and Sasori to face Jiraiya's squad.
• Orochimaru gave Sasori scrolls containing four Human Puppets, and Sasori sent them to fight Jiraiya's four Jonin and Special Jonin.
• Jiraiya fought the Third Kazekage while watching Orochimaru, worried that Orochimaru might summon the First and Second Hokage again.
• Obito Uchiha appeared beside Orochimaru and mocked him for handling the battle without help, while Orochimaru left the question unanswered.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade joined the fight at Konoha’s gates, where the controlled First and Second Hokage attacked them while Kushina was caught in an explosive trap. Anju’s defenses nearly failed, and the chapter ended with Jiraiya summoning Minato to aid the endangered ambush squad.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen led Konoha reinforcements to the Tree Sea and attacked Hashirama with a Five-Style Great Combo.
• Hashirama’s curse tag took control, and he sent roots after Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade as they charged in to restrain him.
• Three Flame Sun Courages blasted Kushina clear of the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, interrupting the explosions and allowing Tobirama to re-form.
• Tobirama’s curse tag took control of him, and he attacked Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade with a wave of water.
• Anju, nearly drained while protecting Kushina, called for reinforcements as Jiraiya summoned Minato to support the ambush squad against Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation ninja and a masked space-time ninja.

Reanimated Minato Namikaze attacked Orochimaru, while Obito Uchiha fled to aid the leader. Orochimaru’s attempt to escape underground brought a mass of White Zetsu Clones and several Akatsuki members into the fight, leaving Jiraiya facing a much larger battle.

• Obito Uchiha recognized Reanimated Minato Namikaze and vanished with Kamui, while Minato attacked Orochimaru with Flying Thunder God and a Lightning Release Rasengan.
• Kiesuna Shota’s Iron Sand shield helped Orochimaru escape Minato’s attack, but Jiraiya held Kiesuna back with a Fire Release technique.
• Minato used an Earth Release Rasengan to drag Orochimaru, Hidan, Kakuzu, Biwa Juzo, and more than a hundred White Zetsu Clones from underground.
• Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima to help him enter Sage Mode, then unleashed Sage Art: Goemon against the White Zetsu Clones.
• Kiesuna Shota attacked Jiraiya with an Iron Sand tornado, forcing him to retreat, while the interrupted Sage Jutsu burned most of the White Zetsu Clones and injured Orochimaru and Biwa Juzo.

Biwa Juzo fled the battle while Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu discussed Nagato and watched events unfold. Naruto, Izumi, and Cang Xia arrived over Konoha, and the chapter left Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade fighting Impure World Reincarnation Hashirama and Tobirama with help from Tsunade’s summoned slug.

• Biwa Juzo decided to escape, and Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Hidan, and Black Zetsu let him go.
• Obito Uchiha asked Black Zetsu about Nagato, then told him to watch Teacher's Wife while Obito stayed to observe the battle.
• Naruto, Izumi, and Cang Xia descended over Konoha, and Naruto sent Izumi and Cang Xia to assist Third Hokage.
• Impure World Reincarnation Tobirama attacked Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade, while Impure World Reincarnation Hashirama's roots threatened to surround them.
• Tsunade summoned a slug, released her Yin Seal, and used the slug's healing and corrosive mucus to help her and Sarutobi Hiruzen withstand the attack.

Kushina ambushed Nagato with gravity formations, genjutsu, and chakra-draining torture tools, briefly capturing him before Obito rescued him into the Kamui Dimension. Nagato left behind a hidden Rinnegan shadow there, giving him a trump card against Obito.

• Kushina activated a Gravity Array that pulled Nagato and his Yatagarasu toward the ground, forcing Nagato to use Shinra Tensei to stop his descent.
• Kushina combined Gravity Interference Formations, genjutsu scrolls, and sealing techniques to restrain Nagato, then used chakra-draining tools to pierce him and extract his Chakra.
• A space-time disturbance let Nagato escape into the Kamui Dimension, where Obito criticized him for being captured again and Nagato said he had been careless and would adjust his mindset.
• Obito prepared to take Nagato out of the Kamui Dimension, unaware that Nagato had left behind a hidden shadow called the Reincarnation Graveyard Keeper.
• Nagato used the shadow as a precaution against Obito, giving himself a way to counter him if Obito turned against him.

Uchiha Izumi and Cang Xia arrived to help Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade fight the Impure World Reincarnation Hokage brothers while Naruto stayed hidden. Izumi and Cang Xia battled Hashirama as Hiruzen began preparing to seal Tobirama.

• Naruto remained aboard the Gliding Wing Aircraft after Anju warned him to stay hidden while Nagato was missing.
• Uchiha Izumi and Cang Xia joined Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade, and Tobirama attacked Izumi with Water Release and Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.
• Izumi escaped Tobirama's explosive attack and asked Hiruzen how to seal him, while Hiruzen began forming Hand Seals.
• Cang Xia struggled against Hashirama's roots as his Dragon Scale Stone's Chakra supply dwindled, and Izumi's Tears Swamp failed to affect Hashirama's Impure World Reincarnation body.
• Izumi used Sage Art: Toad Oil Flame Bullet to set Hashirama and the surrounding trees ablaze, while Hashirama privately hoped Hiruzen could seal him and Tobirama.

Jiraiya and Reanimated Minato fought the Six Paths of Pain after Orochimaru released his reanimated forces and escaped. Jiraiya’s allies joined the battle, but Deva Path Pain remained between them and their retreating enemy.

• Sasori held back against the Konoha shinobi while Shisui and Itachi repeatedly blasted Reanimated Danzo without being able to seal him.
• Nagato’s retreat signal reached Orochimaru, and Kakuzu and Hidan withdrew as the Six Paths of Pain arrived to cover the retreat.
• Orochimaru escaped and released Impure World Reincarnation, causing the reanimated ninja to vanish as Deva Path Pain drove Jiraiya and Reanimated Minato back.
• Jiraiya and Reanimated Minato attacked Preta Path Pain, and Jiraiya’s Sage Art: Super Big Ball Rasengan shattered its absorption shield.
• Two allies launched Fire Release and Water Release Rasengan attacks at Deva Path Pain, while Jiraiya struck Asura Path Pain with Hair Needle Senbon.

Nagato’s Pains unleashed Super Shinra Tensei against Konoha, but Naruto interrupted the attack and turned the Deva Path Pain into a painting. Nagato retreated with Konan after losing control of Yahiko’s corpse, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Reanimated Minato pinned the Animal Path Pain and used a dual-attribute Flash Dragon Control Style to scatter the Human Path and Naraka Path Pain, while Sage Shima dissolved the Human Path with acid.
• The Deva Path Pain rose into the air and unleashed Super Shinra Tensei, threatening to destroy all of Konoha as Sage Jiraiya protected the younger ninja.
• Naruto entered Sage Transformation and used Sage Guiding Path to interrupt the Deva Path Pain’s technique.
• Naruto activated Sage Art: Picture Scroll and turned the Deva Path Pain into a painting, severing Nagato’s control over Yahiko’s corpse.
• Konan stopped Nagato from rushing out, and Nagato gathered the remaining Pains and retreated.

Naruto defeated Deva Path Pain and ended the Akatsuki's assault on Konoha, revealing his identity to the gathered ninjas. As Konoha rebuilt and the other villages withdrew, Naruto visited the Uchiha Clan with Hinata and promised to teach Sasuke, Hinata, and Itachi Sage Mode when they were ready.

• Naruto turned Deva Path Pain into a painting, and Sarutobi Hiruzen recognized him as the masked Rōran minister from years earlier.
• Cang Xia explained that he was one of Rōran's Dragon Vein Ninjas and that Queen Sara had sent him to scout trade routes with Konoha.
• Naruto landed, Kushina removed his Bronze Fox Mask, and Konoha's victory caused the other ninja villages to withdraw their troops.
• Konoha began rebuilding and expanding, while Ōnoki sent envoys to discuss compensation and Uchiha Izumi received support from her clan.
• Naruto and Hinata visited Fugaku's house, where Sasuke urged Naruto to teach him Sage Mode and Naruto promised to train him, Hinata, and Itachi when they were ready.

The Uchiha debated using the scandal around Danzo’s Sharingan to pursue the Hokage position, but Izumi warned that Naruto held the real power in Konoha. At an impeachment meeting, Kushina defended her secret agreement with Akatsuki by pointing to the preparations that had helped Konoha defeat them, leaving the room silent.

• Uchiha elders urged Fugaku to pursue the Hokage position over Danzo’s possession of a Uchiha Sharingan, but Fugaku refused to openly oppose Kushina.
• Izumi told the clan that Naruto controlled forces and influence beyond the Hokage’s office, then left with Itachi to spar.
• Anju gathered nearly two hundred Jonin outside the Hokage Building meeting as clan leaders and representatives prepared to question Kushina.
• Anju presented Kushina’s agreement with Akatsuki, and Kushina explained that keeping it secret had allowed Konoha to prepare before confronting the enemy.
• Kushina asked whether Konoha could have defeated Akatsuki without the Gravity Array research and prior preparations, leaving the meeting silent.

Kushina rejected attempts to impeach her over Konoha’s war damage and announced that she would overthrow the Land of Fire Daimyo and centralize power. Konoha’s shinobi erupted in disagreement as they realized she was serious and that the village was still technically at war with the other great villages.

• Kushina challenged the Shimura Clan Head’s accusations and dismissed the Neutral Faction Clan Heads’ complaints about her conduct.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to redirect the meeting toward the Akatsuki, while a Neutral Faction Clan Head proposed Jiraiya as Sixth Hokage and faced a wave of objections.
• Kushina accused the Daimyo of directing the effort to impeach her and declared that she would replace him and centralize power across the Land of Fire.
• Naruto worried that Anju was breaking the rules, while Kurama suggested Naruto could become Daimyo and offered to help him govern.
• Kushina declared that she would carry out an armed coup, pointed out that Konoha had never agreed to a ceasefire, and left the conference room divided over her plan.

Nagato dealt with Akatsuki’s losses and arranged to recruit new members while Biwa Juzo was ordered to help approach a candidate. Meanwhile, Konoha’s army appeared at the borders of the Land of Fire as Naruto seized the capital and demanded that the nobles submit to Rōran.

• Nagato discussed ransoming Deva Path Pain from Konoha, and Konan said Akatsuki would pay while seeking to have Konoha’s war debt written off.
• Orochimaru proposed recruiting Hiruko and his young assistant, while Zetsu asked him to restore Sasori’s Impure World Reincarnation Body; Orochimaru agreed to summon Sasori again using White Zetsu Clones as sacrifices.
• Nagato ordered Biwa Juzo to accompany someone on a mission to invite a new Akatsuki member, and Orochimaru told him they would leave in three days.
• The Four Great Shinobi Villages lost contact with their delegations and spies in Konoha, then saw Konoha’s Shinobi Army appear around the borders of the Land of Fire.
• Kushina moved Konoha’s forces to guard the borders while Naruto, wearing a Bronze Fox Mask, announced that Rōran had taken over the Land of Fire and demanded the nobles submit.

Naruto seized control of the Land of Fire capital and discussed the daimyo system’s history with the Land of Fire Daimyo, who warned that centralizing the nation would make it an enemy of the other great nations. Naruto let the daimyo escape under a new identity, while a staged fire made the world believe he and his family had died.

• Naruto and the Sky Ninja restored order in the capital after capturing the Land of Fire Daimyo and defeating his guards.
• The Land of Fire Daimyo recognized Naruto and explained that the daimyo feared powerful shinobi villages and had united to destroy the centralized Land of Whirlpools.
• The Land of Fire Daimyo warned that Kushina’s plan to centralize the Land of Fire would provoke the other daimyo, but Naruto dismissed his concerns.
• Naruto revealed that the Land of Fire Daimyo was officially considered dead and offered to arrange his escape to Hakoami Castle under a new name.
• A fire consumed the capital castle, and Munetera Kaito left the capital, hoping Naruto would transform the Land of Fire.

Naruto seized the Land of Fire Capital under Rōran’s name while Kushina prepared Konoha to take control of the country. After Rōran’s Minister of Military Affairs surrendered and brought the Sky Ninja to Konoha, nobles across the Land of Fire began pledging allegiance.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clone learned that Shen Nong had secured the Land of Fire Capital and explained to Cang Xia that he was borrowing Rōran’s name.
• Kushina’s rapid preparations left Konoha’s leaders unable to oppose her plan, while Reanimated Minato chose to support her and Naruto.
• Kushina told Konoha’s leaders she would go to the capital, and Sarutobi Asuma learned that the Minister of Military Affairs was Naruto.
• Konoha’s other villages and major powers reacted with alarm when the Minister of Military Affairs surrendered, brought the Sky Ninja to Konoha, and the Sky Fortress appeared.
• Kushina took control of the Land of Fire as Fifth Hokage, and nobles across the country pledged allegiance as Konoha’s Root Ninja pressured them.

After Kushina took control of the Land of Fire, the other daimyos pressed their ninja villages to attack Konoha, but most Kage chose caution and sent troops only to the borders. Ōnoki hired Akatsuki to trouble Konoha, and Nagato prepared the organization to act against it.

• Raikage A rejected the Land of Lightning Daimyo’s demand to attack Konoha, though he deployed Kumogakure forces to the border.
• Rasa likewise refused to risk an attack on Konoha and moved Sunagakure troops to the border.
• Karatachi Yagura agreed to send more than a thousand Kirigakure ninja, while Ōnoki sent five thousand Iwagakure ninja to the border.
• Ōnoki hired Akatsuki to keep Kushina occupied, and Akatsuki accepted the mission against Konoha.
• Nagato gathered Akatsuki, welcomed Hiruko and Kaguya Kimimaro as new members, and ordered the group to operate in pairs against Konoha.