Chapter Summaries

Kushina told Hagoromo the history of Loulan and the Dragon Vein, prompting him to suspect Minato’s mission might connect to the Ten Tails. After Minato’s team missed its return deadline, Hagoromo got permission to go meet them and reached Loulan at dawn.

• Kushina recounted how the Divine Tree was destroyed, its remaining energy became the Dragon Vein, and Loulan grew around it.
• Hagoromo learned that Minato had gone to investigate abnormal Dragon Vein fluctuations and energy leakage.
• Hagoromo finished his assignment, applied to the Hokage to join Minato’s overdue team, and received approval.
• Six days after Minato’s team departed, Hagoromo flew toward Loulan on the Yata Crow.
• Hagoromo neared Loulan at dawn and saw a massive shadow through the morning mist.

Hagoromo arrived in devastated Loulan and found Minato's Team with Queen Sara after their mission to investigate and seal the Dragon Vein. Minato's Team had erased their memories, leaving Hagoromo puzzled about why Sara seemed to recognize him and call his name.

• Hagoromo flew to Loulan and found its empty city wrecked by a battle.
• Hagoromo followed chakra fluctuations underground, where he encountered Minato's Team and an unfamiliar red-haired girl.
• Minato introduced the girl as Queen Sara, and Hagoromo asked why she seemed to know him.
• Minato explained that he had used a memory-erasure ninjutsu, leaving the team with only the mission's major details and no way to restore their memories.
• Kakashi said he did not remember hearing anyone call Hagoromo's name, while Hagoromo remained certain that Sara had called out to him.

Hagoromo questioned Sara about her erased memories, then argued that Minato’s seal could not permanently protect the Dragon Vein and proposed destroying it. Sara drew her blade after Hagoromo suggested blowing up Roran along with the Dragon Vein.

• Sara recalled a vague impression of a blond young ninja protecting and encouraging her, and Hagoromo mistakenly suspected Minato had been involved with her.
• Hagoromo inspected Minato’s seal on the Dragon Vein and said the seal would eventually weaken or be deliberately broken.
• Hagoromo proposed detonating the Dragon Vein to prevent anyone from exploiting its power, despite the risk of destroying Roran.
• Minato warned that detonating the Dragon Vein would destroy the entire country, while Sara drew her blade in anger at Hagoromo’s proposal.

Hagoromo persuaded Sara and Konoha to evacuate Rōran and destroy the dangerous Dragon Vein. The demolition caused a tremendous blast, leaving Minato stunned as he looked toward the devastated city.

• Hagoromo persuaded Sara that Rōran’s citizens would be safer if they relocated to the Land of Fire, and Minato secured Konoha’s approval to destroy the Dragon Vein.
• Sara convinced Rōran’s citizens to leave, and the Loulan Country Demolition Plan began.
• Minato prepared the sealing formula while Hagoromo covered the Dragon Vein’s pillar with Exploding Tags, then they teleported to a hillside with Kakashi, Aburame Shibi, Akimichi Chōza, and Sara.
• The Dragon Vein detonated in a blinding explosion, and Hagoromo summoned Rashomon to shield the group from the blast winds.
• After the winds subsided, Minato climbed atop Rashomon and stared toward Rōran in disbelief.

Hagoromo, Minato, and their team surveyed the ruins of Loulan after the Dragon Vein explosion and confirmed the city had been completely destroyed. They verified the Dragon Vein was no longer usable, avoided a confrontation with Sunagakure, and returned to the Land of Fire.

• Hagoromo flew the Konoha group and Sara over former Loulan, where he assessed the blast as having annihilated all structures and presumed all life within its range dead.
• Sara grieved over the loss of the city where she had grown up, and Hagoromo’s blunt attempt to comfort her made her glare at him instead.
• Minato checked the blast site and reported that the Dragon Vein’s power had dissipated, though he felt troubled by Loulan’s destruction.
• Aburame Shibi spotted a Sunagakure squad inside the blast zone, but Minato ordered the team to retreat rather than attack their current allies.
• Sunagakure ninja recognized Hagoromo’s Yata Crow, while rumors later blamed the White Yaksha for Loulan’s destruction; Hagoromo and the others returned to the Land of Fire.

After escorting Sara to her people’s new home, Hagoromo returned to Konoha and prepared for the war’s expected final battle. He warned Obito to stay alive, then received orders transferring him to the Kirigakure front under Orochimaru.

• Hagoromo escorted Sara to the former citizens of Loulan and wished her and her people well before leaving.
• Back in Konoha, Hagoromo rested and trained in another nature transformation while anticipating the war’s final battle.
• Hagoromo encountered Obito training for the Chunin Exams and warned him not to die in the coming fighting.
• Hagoromo received orders transferring him from the Kumogakure front to the Kirigakure front, where Orochimaru would oversee him.

After months of calm, Konoha prepared to resume the war with an offensive on every front. Newly promoted Jonin Hagoromo arrived at the Land of Water front and attended Orochimaru's strategy meeting, where the planned attack was announced.

• Sunagakure's repeated attacks failed to push Iwagakure out of the Land of Wind or break the stalemate.
• Konoha completed three months of recuperation and prepared more than ten thousand shinobi to resume the war on the offensive.
• Hagoromo arrived at the front facing the Land of Water as Orochimaru's subordinate and reorganized the ninja tools Kushina had packed for him.
• Hagoromo attended Orochimaru's strategy meeting as a newly promoted Jonin, drawing interest because his Lightning Release technique had pierced the Raikage's defenses.
• Orochimaru announced that Konoha would launch an offensive against the Land of Water.

Konoha committed two thousand ninja to a surprise sea assault on a Kirigakure coastal stronghold, with Hagoromo among the first assault squad. After the misty approach was detected, Hagoromo’s summoned Bicorn Rhinoceros smashed through the stronghold’s outer wall, and Shisui raced inside ahead of him.

• Orochimaru led a two-thousand-ninja force across the sea to destroy a Kirigakure stronghold holding military supplies.
• Kirigakure detected the approaching Konoha force about five kilometers from shore, so the Konoha ninja charged forward.
• Hagoromo surged to the front with Chidori Current and avoided Kirigakure defenders as he raced toward the stronghold.
• Hagoromo summoned the Bicorn Rhinoceros, which charged through the stronghold’s outer wall.
• Shisui used Body Flicker to enter the stronghold ahead of Hagoromo, who followed him inside.

Hagoromo led the assault into a Kirigakure outpost and rapidly killed the defenders with taijutsu and a stolen sword. When Konoha’s main force entered, they saw why he was known as White Yaksha and received special stipends from the Konoha Council.

• Hagoromo’s Summoning Beast smashed through the outpost wall, opening a breach for Konoha’s ninja.
• Hagoromo followed a comrade into the smoke-filled outpost and charged into the gathered Kirigakure defenders.
• Hagoromo dodged attacks, struck down enemies, and used Shuriken to hit targets closing in around him.
• Hagoromo snapped one enemy’s neck, took his sword, and cut down another Kirigakure Ninja.
• Konoha’s main force rushed inside and witnessed Hagoromo’s rapid killing of the outpost’s defenders.

Hagoromo and Shisui tore through the Kirigakure ranks as the Konoha forces joined the battle. When Hagoromo tried to fall back, Suikazan Fuguki confronted him with Great Sword Samehada, setting up a one-on-one fight.

• Hagoromo darted through the enemy formation, striking Kirigakure shinobi and preventing them from safely using large-scale ninjutsu.
• Shisui used his speed, Sharingan genjutsu, and Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique to inflict heavy losses on the enemy.
• The Konoha ninja shook off their brief distraction and joined the attack, prompting Hagoromo to retreat toward his allies and hunt from the shadows.
• Suikazan Fuguki hurled Great Sword Samehada at Hagoromo, who dodged the strike and identified the Mist swordsman.

Hagoromo fought Suikazan Fuguki and discovered that Samehada was a living weapon capable of absorbing chakra. After confirming its ability, Hagoromo drew his Iron Sand Sword and prepared to seize Samehada.

• Hagoromo noticed Samehada’s exposed barbs and questioned Fuguki about the sword’s abilities.
• Fuguki attacked Hagoromo with Samehada, which grew larger and absorbed Hagoromo’s Chidori Current as it cut his waist.
• Hagoromo used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to force Fuguki to defend himself and create distance.
• Hagoromo tested Samehada with Chidori Current and Chidori Sharp Spear, confirming that it absorbed chakra.
• Hagoromo declared his interest in taking Samehada and drew his Iron Sand Sword.

Hagoromo fought Suikazan Fuguki to claim Samehada, using the Iron Sand Sword and a trap to kill him. He then stunned the living sword with electricity and tried to make it accept him as its new owner.

• Hagoromo drew the Iron Sand Sword and charged at Suikazan Fuguki, who blocked his attack with Samehada.
• Hagoromo's vibrating blade cut into Samehada, making it scream, before Fuguki unleashed a chakra burst to drive him back.
• Hagoromo discovered that Samehada could release stored chakra, then used alternating lightning and a retreat to lure Fuguki toward a trap.
• Hagoromo sprang his iron-sand trap, fatally wounding Fuguki, who died from his injuries.
• Samehada crawled toward Fuguki's corpse, and Hagoromo grabbed it and used electricity to paralyze it while trying to win it over.

Hagoromo used Iron Sand and electricity to kill Suikazan Fuguki, then charged Kirigakure’s forces with Samehada as Konoha’s attack overwhelmed the base. As Orochimaru’s Summoning Beasts demolished the main building, Manda threatened to eat friend and foe alike, leaving Kamishiraishi in danger.

• Hagoromo’s Iron Sand trapped and pierced Suikazan Fuguki, while electric chains kept him from escaping.
• Hagoromo charged the Kirigakure Ninja with Samehada, smashing through an enemy and scattering others.
• Konoha’s forces pushed the Kirigakure Ninja toward collapse while specialized ninja set fire to and blasted the base’s main building.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda and a three-headed snake, and the two Summoning Beasts crushed the main building.
• Manda refused to return without eating, and Kamishiraishi was caught among the Kirigakure enemies he might devour.

Hagoromo fought Manda after the snake attacked him, eventually forcing it to flee to Ryūchi Cave with Katsuyu’s corrosive mucus. He then wondered whether Manda had survived and why Samehada had suddenly vanished from his hands.

• Hagoromo attacked Manda with giant Shadow Shuriken and Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, but Manda shed its skin and emerged from underground.
• Manda knocked Hagoromo into the air, and Samehada vanished as he prepared to strike; Hagoromo then fell into Manda’s mouth and pierced its left eye with Chidori Sharp Spear.
• Hagoromo summoned Katsuyu inside Manda, and she burned through the snake’s belly with corrosive mucus.
• Manda fled to Ryūchi Cave, leaving Hagoromo and Katsuyu behind; Hagoromo asked whether Manda would survive and where Samehada had gone.

Hagoromo lost Samehada when a Hozuki shinobi summoned it away, then learned Kirigakure reinforcements had arrived and joined Konoha’s retreat. Konoha withdrew after destroying Kirigakure’s forward base and supplies.

• Samehada vanished after a Hozuki shinobi used the clan’s summoning scroll to retrieve it.
• Orochimaru appeared beside Hagoromo and explained that Manda would recover from its injuries.
• Orochimaru told Hagoromo that Kirigakure reinforcements had arrived and ordered Konoha to retreat.
• Hagoromo released Katsuyu and stayed with the rear guard as Konoha shinobi used ninjutsu to obstruct pursuit.
• Konoha completed its retreat after destroying Kirigakure’s forward base and a large supply stockpile.

Hagoromo chose to infiltrate the Land of Water alone, despite Orochimaru questioning his decision. Three days later, he crossed the sea concealed inside Katsuyu and emerged in the forest, beginning his solo mission.

• Hagoromo insisted that operating alone would make the infiltration mission more convenient and reduce the risk of exposure.
• Orochimaru warned Hagoromo to be careful and told him the mission would begin in three days.
• Three days later, Hagoromo swam across the sea inside Katsuyu to conceal his approach.
• Hagoromo emerged from Katsuyu in the inland forest of the Land of Water and began his infiltration.

Hagoromo infiltrated the Land of Water in disguise, but encountered a four-person Kirigakure patrol near the coast. He used Darkness Genjutsu to blind the patrol and silently eliminate them, leaving his infiltration underway.

• Hagoromo entered the Land of Water in his ordinary appearance, relying on his harmless look to avoid suspicion.
• Hagoromo discovered a four-person Kirigakure squad approaching and decided to take them out silently.
• The Kirigakure ninja discussed the war and dismissed the possibility that Konoha had already infiltrated the area.
• Hagoromo cast the First Hokage's Darkness Genjutsu, blinding the four ninja and killing them without raising an alarm.

Hagoromo continued his covert mission in the Land of Water, gathering intelligence while Kirigakure searched for Konoha infiltrators. As he considered his next move, he spotted someone following a Kirigakure Ninja and wondered why that person had appeared so openly.

• Hagoromo used disguises and covert attacks to avoid detection while eliminating Kirigakure teams and interrogating survivors for intelligence.
• Hagoromo learned Kirigakure had considered sending elite shinobi to sabotage the Land of Fire, but expected the plan to be delayed while Kirigakure dealt with Konoha's infiltrators.
• Hagoromo decided against infiltrating Kirigakure Village because heightened security made it too dangerous.
• Hagoromo noticed someone openly following a Kirigakure Ninja and wondered who they were and why they were there.

Hagoromo followed Sunagakure’s Pakura and a Kirigakure ninja, suspecting they were involved in diplomacy between their villages. He discovered Kirigakure had poisoned the mist in a valley and entered it after taking antidotes, while Pakura remained unaware of the trap.

• Hagoromo recognized Pakura and a Kirigakure ninja passing by and secretly followed them.
• Hagoromo recalled his earlier fight with Pakura and considered whether she had come to the Land of Water as an envoy seeking peace.
• Hagoromo followed the pair from afternoon into evening and closed the distance as they entered hilly terrain.
• Hagoromo tested the valley mist and discovered it contained poison gas.
• Hagoromo took several antidote pills and entered the valley, where he heard Pakura and her guide exchange falsely cordial words.

Hagoromo discovered that Kirigakure’s ambush squad had poisoned and betrayed Pakura as part of a deal with Sunagakure, then attacked the squad to save her. After killing all four enemies, he checked whether Pakura was still alive.

• Hagoromo followed Pakura through the poisonous mist and saw a Kirigakure Ninja stab her from behind after the poison left her unable to react.
• Three more Kirigakure Ninja attacked Pakura with shuriken, and their leader revealed that her death was meant to secure peace between Kirigakure and Sunagakure.
• Hagoromo learned that Pakura had been betrayed by her own village and decided she was worth saving.
• Hagoromo and his Shadow Clone used Darkness Genjutsu to blind the four Kirigakure Ninja, then cut them down with Chidori Sharp Spear.
• Hagoromo checked Pakura’s neck for a pulse to see whether he could save her.