Chapter Summaries

Hagoromo’s team withdrew from the Land of Rain after Akatsuki intervened and allowed them to leave, though Hagoromo remained unsure why. The chapter revealed that Nagato had already used the Rinnegan to nullify Pakura’s Scorch Release, while Pakura’s next move remained unknown.

• The injured Hagoromo Team rode the Splitting Dog away from the battlefield, and Hagoromo wondered why Akatsuki had let them retreat.
• Asuma asked whether Pakura could handle the Amegakure shinobi, and Hagoromo replied that he did not know.
• Hagoromo recalled that Nagato had nullified Pakura’s Scorch Release without being injured, leading him to suspect Nagato had begun controlling the Rinnegan.
• Yahiko asked why the Konoha shinobi had entered the Land of Rain, and Hagoromo improvised a story about stopping Pakura from crossing into the Land of Fire.
• Yahiko asked the Konoha and Sunagakure shinobi to leave peacefully, and Hagoromo agreed that his team would withdraw.
• Hagoromo revealed Pakura’s identity and abilities to Akatsuki as his team departed.

The Hagoromo Team escaped the Land of Rain after completing its reconnaissance mission, while Hagoromo weighed what intelligence he could safely report. Just before they crossed the border, an unknown attacker ambushed them, and Hagoromo realized the figure was Pakura’s mission target.

• Hagoromo and his team left Amegakure’s core territory as its shinobi gathered to respond to Pakura’s conspicuous fight.
• Hagoromo judged the reconnaissance mission completed despite the team’s injuries and planned to report only the intelligence they could justify.
• The team raced toward the Land of Fire, with Hagoromo keeping watch as dawn broke.
• A silver segmented weapon wrapped around the Splitting Dog and hurled it and the four shinobi through the air.
• Hagoromo landed safely, saw a short figure emerge from the woodland, and recognized it as Pakura’s mission target.

Hagoromo recognized the ambusher as Sasori of the Red Sand, a powerful rogue ninja, and realized his team could not safely fight him together. He sent his injured teammates to carry their intelligence back to Konoha while he prepared to hold Sasori off.

• Hagoromo identified the figure inside Hiruko as Sasori of the Red Sand, the rogue ninja who had killed the Third Kazekage.
• Hagoromo offered Sasori a chance to pass without fighting, but Sasori tightened Hiruko's tail around the Splitting Dog and refused to make peace.
• Yuhi Kurenai and Asuma joined Hagoromo while Yamashiro Aoba stayed back, and Hagoromo ordered them to retreat and regroup at Outpost B.
• Hagoromo revealed Sasori's identity to his teammates and gave Yamashiro Aoba the intelligence map to take back to Konoha.
• Hagoromo created a Shadow Clone and stepped toward Sasori, intending to draw his real body out of Hiruko.

Hagoromo kept Sasori of the Red Sand occupied while his clone evacuated their teammates, then coordinated attacks to cut off Hiruko’s poisoned tail. Sasori remained in the fight, and Hagoromo was left facing him with an apparent advantage in fighting style.

• Hagoromo’s clone sent Splitting Dog back to Shikkotsu Forest and summoned Yata Crow to carry the other three ninja toward the Land of Fire.
• Hagoromo charged Sasori of the Red Sand with Chidori Current, dodged Hiruko’s poisoned tail, and evaded a barrage of Poison Needles.
• Hagoromo’s clone completed a Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, striking Hiruko and drawing out its tail attack.
• As the tail reached its limit, Hagoromo slashed it in two with Chidori Sharp Spear.

Kamishiro Hagoromo used Chidori Current, Magnetic Field Defense, and a Shadow Clone’s suicide attack to destroy Sasori’s Hiruko puppet and force Sasori out into the open. Sasori emerged unharmed, confronted Hagoromo, and blamed his white hair for reminding him of the White Fang of Konoha.

• Hagoromo grabbed Hiruko’s severed tail with Chidori Current and hurled the burning puppet toward his Shadow Clone while deflecting Sasori’s Poison Needles with Magnetic Field Defense.
• Hagoromo’s clone charged Hiruko, pierced it with Lightning Blade, and detonated Exploding Tags at close range, destroying the puppet as the clone was spent.
• After dawn broke and the smoke cleared, Hagoromo waited rather than attacking again.
• Sasori emerged without substantial injuries, acknowledged that Hagoromo had destroyed Hiruko, and said Hagoromo’s white hair irritated him.

Hagoromo survived Sasori’s attacks and faced the Puppet Master’s Third Kazekage puppet. After leading Sasori from the Land of Rain into the Land of Fire, Hagoromo turned and fired his fastest technique at him.

• Sasori questioned how Hagoromo had evaded Hiruko’s Poison Needles, but Hagoromo refused to explain.
• Sasori revealed his identity and summoned his Third Kazekage puppet to test it against Hagoromo.
• Hagoromo ran from Sasori and the pursuing puppet, leading them from the Land of Rain back to the Land of Fire.
• Hagoromo turned in midair and fired Thunderbolt Spear at Sasori.

Hagoromo caught Sasori off guard with his Thunderbolt Spear, but only severed Sasori’s already-puppeted arm. As Sasori attacked with iron sand, Hagoromo seized control of it, formed an Iron Gourd, and challenged him.

• Hagoromo used a surprise Thunderbolt Spear attack that nearly severed Sasori’s neck but instead cut off his puppeted right arm.
• Sasori continued advancing and used the Third Kazekage puppet to unleash Magnet Release: Iron Sand Shower.
• Hagoromo drew Sasori’s iron sand to himself and condensed it into a large Iron Gourd.
• Hagoromo hoisted the Iron Gourd onto his shoulder, aimed it at Sasori, and called out to him in a sing-song voice.

Hagoromo countered Sasori’s Third Kazekage puppet with electromagnetic force and seized its iron sand, then fought off Sasori’s Puppet Show of Fifty-Six Machines while retreating into the Land of Fire. Sasori withdrew after Hagoromo destroyed half his puppets, leaving Hagoromo exhausted but alive.

• Hagoromo used electromagnetic force to take control of the Third Kazekage puppet’s iron sand, forcing Sasori to put the puppet away.
• Sasori brought out fifty-six red-clothed puppets and attacked Hagoromo, who defended himself with iron sand and Lightning Glow while retreating.
• Hagoromo and Sasori’s battle crossed from the Land of Rain into the Land of Fire as Hagoromo drew Sasori toward the border.
• Hagoromo fired a Railgun through the rain and destroyed several puppets, bringing Sasori’s losses to about half his force.
• Sasori withdrew rather than enter the Land of Fire, and Hagoromo survived the fight exhausted and bedraggled.

Hagoromo escaped Sasori after using his Railgun to keep the missing-nin from pursuing him, then returned to his teammates with important intelligence about Sasori and Pakura. The team prepared to leave immediately and report to headquarters.

• Sasori decided against pursuing Hagoromo, wary of his powerful long-range technique and unwilling to fight a Kage-level opponent while still incomplete.
• Hagoromo confirmed Sasori had retreated and headed back to the agreed meeting place, realizing he had learned why Pakura had entered the Land of Rain.
• Hagoromo signaled the hidden base and reunited with Yuhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yamashiro Aoba, who were relieved to see him alive.
• Hagoromo told the team they had major intelligence to report and ordered Yamashiro Aoba to carry the injured Asuma as they set out for headquarters.

Hagoromo returned to Konoha’s front-line headquarters with his team and reported that Sasori had killed the missing Third Kazekage. Jiraiya received the intelligence, while Sasori was believed to be hiding in the Land of Rain.

• Hagoromo told his skeptical teammates that Sasori had withdrawn rather than risk being surrounded by Konoha ninja.
• Hagoromo led the injured team along a safer route to headquarters, where Kurenai took Asuma to the hospital and Aoba filed the mission report.
• Hagoromo met Jiraiya alone and reported encountering Pakura and Sasori of the Red Sand near the Land of Fire’s border.
• Hagoromo told Jiraiya that Sasori had used a puppet made from the corpse of the missing Third Kazekage and inferred that Sasori had killed him.
• Jiraiya was stunned by the revelation, and Hagoromo reported that Sasori had likely returned to hide in the Land of Rain.

Hagoromo explained to Jiraiya how he identified Sasori and the Third Kazekage, then demonstrated how his Lightning Release could let him escape. Jiraiya found the explanation plausible, though Hagoromo’s surging powers drew the guards’ attention and threatened the tent.

• Jiraiya asked how Hagoromo knew the Puppet Master was Sasori, and Hagoromo cited his oppressive presence and control of fifty-six puppets.
• Hagoromo said Sasori had identified the Third Kazekage puppet and showed Jiraiya iron sand he had stripped from its hands.
• Jiraiya questioned how Hagoromo had survived Sasori’s attack, and Hagoromo demonstrated his Lightning Release-enhanced speed.
• Jiraiya accepted that Hagoromo could escape Sasori, while Hagoromo’s display nearly tore the tent apart and drew the guards over.

Hagoromo reported Sasori's killing of the Kazekage to Jiraiya, who believed him and planned to inform the Hokage. After Hagoromo disclosed the young peace-seeking ninja he had encountered in the Land of Rain, Konoha ordered him to return for questioning.

• Hagoromo told Jiraiya that Sasori had killed the Kazekage and that he had escaped using his Lightning Release, and Jiraiya decided to report the intelligence to the Hokage.
• Jiraiya asked about Hagoromo's team and Lightning Garden Heavy Country, and Hagoromo said the technique would need at least another year to charge.
• Hagoromo told Jiraiya that three young ninja in the Land of Rain had stopped his battle with Pakura and let his team leave safely.
• Hagoromo's team stayed to recover, and he received an order to return to Konoha for questioning by the higher-ups.

Hagoromo returned to Konoha and briefed the Third Hokage and the village’s senior leaders on the intelligence he had gathered. Afterward, he reunited with Kushina and spotted two familiar-looking figures in green suits.

• Hagoromo returned to Konoha after the Third Hokage summoned him to report his intelligence.
• Hagoromo briefed the Third Hokage, Torune Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzo, answering their questions.
• Hagoromo left the Hokage Office Building and went to see Kushina, whom he regarded as a source of home and belonging.
• Hagoromo and Kushina greeted each other warmly, and Kushina put an arm around his shoulders.
• Hagoromo noticed two figures with bowl cuts, green skin-tight suits, thick brows, and large eyes.

Hagoromo explained to Kushina why he had escaped Sasori, then met Might Guy for a spar before the Chunin Exams. Guy opened four gates of the Eight Gates Formation, and Hagoromo prepared to counter with his new Lightning Release: Raiden Mei.

• Hagoromo told Kushina that he had fled Sasori because Sasori was an S-Rank Missing-nin and Kage-level fighter, and he had already given Sasori Kushina's name as she had requested.
• Might Guy came to see Hagoromo, and they discussed their separate frontline experiences as they walked to a training ground.
• Guy challenged Hagoromo to test his forbidden technique before the Chunin Exams, saying Hagoromo was a wall he wanted to overcome.
• Guy dropped his weights and opened the first four gates of the Eight Gates Formation.
• Hagoromo activated Lightning Glow and spread iron sand around himself, naming his new technique Lightning Release: Raiden Mei.

Hagoromo tested Might Guy’s speed and strength after Guy opened four Gates, using iron sand and Lightning Release while limiting himself to Nintaijutsu. Guy endured and countered Hagoromo’s attacks, then charged through a barrage of iron sand weapons as Hagoromo retreated.

• Hagoromo formed an iron sand spear and hurled it at Might Guy to gauge his four-Gate speed.
• Might Guy caught the spear, absorbed its momentum by retreating, and threw it back at nearly the same speed.
• Hagoromo blocked and reassembled the spear with iron sand as Might Guy began a full-speed charge.
• Hagoromo retreated and sent a lightning-charged barrage of iron sand shuriken and kunai toward Might Guy.

Kai and Hagoromo fought at full power, trading taijutsu attacks and testing each other’s defenses. The spar continued with Hagoromo still standing as Kai retreated out of his Lightning Release range.

• Kai dodged Hagoromo’s thrown weapons, closed the distance, and struck him with Konoha Strong Whirlwind.
• Hagoromo used iron sand to soften his landing after Kai kicked him away, then discarded the Iron Gourd and prepared to fight with taijutsu.
• Hagoromo charged Kai with a Lightning Release-boosted Konoha Strong Whirlwind, and Kai blocked the attack while gripping Hagoromo’s ankle.
• Kai tried to counter with Reverse Lotus, but Hagoromo unleashed Lightning Release and forced him out of range.

Hagoromo and Kai ended their exhausting spar in a draw after both held back, and Kai left to recover before the Chunin Exams. Hagoromo then spoke with the Third Hokage, who confirmed Konoha would share his intelligence with Sunagakure, before Hagoromo asked him to treat a possible fracture.

• Hagoromo and Kai stopped their spar when Hagoromo’s chakra and Kai’s endurance were running low, agreeing that the match was a draw.
• Kai left after giving Hagoromo another speech about youth, while Hagoromo worried that Kai’s injuries would affect his performance in the Chunin Exams.
• Hagoromo collected the iron sand and called the Third Hokage out from the shadows.
• The Third Hokage told Hagoromo that Konoha had decided to inform Sunagakure about the intelligence he had brought back.
• Hagoromo asked the Third Hokage, whom he called Doctor, to treat what he thought might be a bone fracture.

Hagoromo returned to Konoha and was assigned to proctor the Chunin Exams, where he stopped dangerous fights and studied the abilities of Konoha’s clans. The matches continued without Might Guy or Dai advancing, while Hagoromo remained on duty as the exams proceeded.

• After receiving ordinary treatment for his arm, Hagoromo accepted a B-rank assignment to proctor the Chunin Exams instead of returning to the front lines immediately.
• Hagoromo joined Shisui Uchiha and other proctors for the combat stage, where Shisui announced the randomly selected matchups.
• Hagoromo watched the Genin fight viciously and restrained a Hyuga shinobi with a black chain before he could seriously injure his unconscious opponent.
• Hagoromo used the matches to observe the secret techniques and combat abilities of Konoha’s major and minor clans.
• Might Guy and Dai were eliminated; Guy was still recovering from his earlier battle with Hagoromo, and Dai struggled against an Aburame shinobi’s insects.

After Amegakure withdrew from the border, Jiraiya told Hagoromo's team that Konoha would send Shimura Danzo to negotiate peace with Hanzō. Hagoromo realized his team was assigned to monitor Danzo rather than guide him, leaving their mission poised to begin.

• After Asuma recovered, Hagoromo's team resumed border patrols but found Amegakure ninja withdrawing and clashes dwindling.
• Jiraiya recalled Hagoromo's team and explained that Hanzō had requested peace, so Konoha planned to send a goodwill ambassador to Amegakure.
• Hagoromo worried that openly entering enemy territory with his small team would expose them to danger, then learned they were only responsible for guiding the ambassador.
• Jiraiya named Shimura Danzo as the ambassador, surprising Hagoromo, who questioned why Danzo needed their guidance.
• Jiraiya clarified that Danzo's people would guide Hagoromo's team, while Hagoromo's team was expected to guide Danzo, making clear they would be monitoring him.

Hagoromo Team accompanied Danzo to Amegakure for peace talks, but Danzo’s subordinates tried to invade Hagoromo’s mind along the way. Hagoromo resisted, and Danzo abandoned the attempt, leaving both groups to continue toward the village as if nothing had happened.

• Asuma reported that Amegakure ninja had arrived to escort the group, and Danzo signaled for the team to continue toward Amegakure Village.
• Hagoromo suspected Danzo’s group was using the mission as cover for secret actions and stayed wary as the Amegakure ninja led them onward.
• After they left the Land of Fire, Danzo’s side launched a mental attack on Hagoromo, causing sparks of electricity to burst around his head.
• Hagoromo’s electromagnetic barrier and Uzumaki seals blocked the intrusion, and he prepared to retaliate against Danzo’s group.
• Danzo stopped Yamanaka Renmu and Aburame Santong, praised Hagoromo’s defenses, and ordered the group to keep moving without discussing the attack.