Chapter Summaries

Natsume faced Deva Path Pain and the Akatsuki Organization’s attack on Konoha, effortlessly overcoming several of the Six Paths of Pain. Obito Uchiha intervened with Wood Style, but Natsume’s Mangekyō Sharingan forced him to retreat and question Natsume’s identity.

• Deva Path Pain asked Natsume about the Nine-Tails and launched Banshō Ten'in, but Natsume remained unmoved.
• Deva Path Pain hurled a massive rock and used Shinra Tensei, but Natsume’s Wood Locking Wall blocked the attacks.
• Nagato sent Asura Path, Human Path, and Preta Path against Natsume, who blocked the laser and shattered the two charging Paths with Sage Art: Super Strength.
• Obito Uchiha attacked Natsume with Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence, but Natsume used Tsukuyomi and forced Obito to flee.
• Obito Uchiha asked how Natsume had the Mangekyō Sharingan and wondered whether he could be the Wood Style master from the Night of the Massacre.

Natsume stopped Deva Path Pain’s Planetary Devastation and faced his final attack with Sage Art Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands. Deva Path Pain’s Super Shinra Tensei failed to damage the Buddha Statue, leaving him silent as Nagato’s last resort was spent.

• Natsume used Sage Art Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence to bind Deva Path Pain’s black sphere and prevent Planetary Devastation from taking effect.
• Deva Path Pain merged the other five Paths into his body, then ordered Kakuzu and Obito Uchiha to hold Natsume back while he prepared Super Shinra Tensei against Konoha.
• Natsume summoned Sage Art Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands, astonishing Kakuzu, Obito Uchiha, and Deva Path Pain.
• Deva Path Pain unleashed Super Shinra Tensei, but Natsume’s Thousand-Armed Buddha Statue absorbed the blast while the Forest of Death’s trees shielded Konoha from the shock waves.
• Deva Path Pain saw the Buddha Statue remain unharmed and fell silent after exhausting his final resort.

Natsume defeated Pain’s forces and pursued Nagato while Kaguya Ōtsutsuki stopped Obito Uchiha and Kakuzu from escaping. The chapter ended as Black Zetsu attacked Nagato, leaving Natsume’s attempt to confront him unresolved.

• Deva Path Pain called on Obito Uchiha for help, but White Zetsu knocked him unconscious and revealed that Black Zetsu had gone to Nagato.
• Natsume used Sage Mode to locate Nagato and teleported away with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Obito Uchiha tried to escape with Kakuzu, but Kaguya Ōtsutsuki stopped Kamui and overwhelmed both of them with a barrage of punches.
• Natsume reached Nagato’s hiding place, introduced himself, and urged Nagato to accept that he had lost.
• Nagato refused and considered summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, while Black Zetsu fired a beam of black light at him.

Natsume stopped Black Zetsu from taking Nagato’s Rinnegan and summoned Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, who took Black Zetsu away to fight. He then tried to recruit Nagato and Konan to Konoha, using a loan contract to pressure them.

• Black Zetsu attacked Nagato to seize his Rinnegan, but Natsume’s Otsutsuki Chakra broke his control.
• Natsume confronted Black Zetsu, who proposed they cooperate because he thought they shared a goal.
• Natsume rejected Black Zetsu’s offer, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki appeared and took him away through Amenominaka.
• Natsume asked Nagato and Konan to join Konoha, but Nagato refused.
• Natsume showed Konan the loan contract she had signed and reminded her that the Akatsuki Organization should repay its debts.

Natsume revealed his control over the conflict to Konan and Nagato, then sent them back to Amegakure while the battle at Kirigakure continued. He arrived at the deserted island to find the Akatsuki fighters struggling, while Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha faced each other under guard.

• Konan realized Natsume was Kishi and asked to return to Amegakure with Nagato, but Natsume gave them time to consider joining Konoha.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki appeared and confirmed that Black Zetsu had been dealt with, and the Sacred Ring of Destiny awarded Natsume five hundred Destiny Points.
• Natsume sent Konan and Nagato to Amegakure, then told Kaguya Ōtsutsuki to wait for him in the office.
• Natsume traveled to Kirigakure and found Kisame Hoshigaki, Deidara, and Sasori each fighting multiple opponents and falling behind.
• Natsume joined Kurenai Yuhi and Uzuki Yugao as they guarded Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha's battle, and he considered but dismissed bringing Mikoto Uchiha to watch.

Sasuke Uchiha regained his composure and fought Itachi Uchiha with his Mangekyō Sharingan, bringing out Susanoo and forcing Itachi to reveal his own. As their Susanoo clashed, Kisame Hoshigaki fled from Zabuza Momochi and Utakata, but Natsume captured him and ordered Uzuki Yugao to take him to Konoha.

• Itachi Uchiha taunted Sasuke Uchiha until Sasuke remembered his teacher, Natsume, and steadied himself.
• Sasuke Uchiha used Tatekoto against Itachi Uchiha, who countered with Amaterasu and caught Sasuke in Tsukuyomi.
• Sasuke Uchiha broke free of Tsukuyomi and summoned a third-stage Susanoo, prompting Itachi Uchiha to summon his own red Susanoo.
• Kisame Hoshigaki created a vast lake with Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, fused with Samehada, and escaped beneath the water while fighting Zabuza Momochi and Utakata.
• Natsume used Sage Art Wood Style Wood Dragon Technique to drain the lake, capture Kisame Hoshigaki, and render him unconscious.
• Natsume ordered Uzuki Yugao to take Kisame Hoshigaki back to Konoha.

Deidara used C0 to self-destruct, but Natsume reduced the blast and captured Sasori and the Third Kazekage after they tried to escape. Mei Terumi considered how Konoha’s strength would shape Kirigakure’s future, while the fight between Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha remained unresolved.

• Deidara activated C0, and Natsume’s Wood Dragon absorbed enough of the blast to greatly reduce its range.
• Sasori used the distraction to flee with the Third Kazekage, whom he had secretly turned into a Human Puppet.
• Gaara recognized the Third Kazekage and attacked, but Sasori and the puppet resisted his Sand Prison Spear Attack.
• Natsume used Sage Art Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence to trap Sasori and the Third Kazekage in vines and bring them down.
• Mei Terumi reflected on Konoha’s power, while Zabuza Momochi and Utakata moved closer to her in concern.
• Mei Terumi turned her attention to the still-ongoing battle between Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha.

Sasuke Uchiha defeated Itachi Uchiha by using his Mangekyō Sharingan to make luck turn against him, then chose to spare him until Mikoto Uchiha could decide his fate. After Natsume returned the group to Konoha, he reassured Mei Terumi that Kirigakure would continue to exist.

• Sasuke Uchiha used Magatsuhi to cause Itachi Uchiha's Amaterasu to fail and leave his vision fading.
• Sasuke Uchiha knocked Itachi Uchiha unconscious instead of killing him, intending to wait for Mikoto Uchiha before deciding his fate.
• Natsume ordered Itachi Uchiha imprisoned and arranged for everyone who participated in the battle to receive credit for an S-rank mission.
• Natsume used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return the group to Konoha and gained 1,300 Destiny Points.
• Mei Terumi asked Natsume about Kirigakure's future, and he promised that the village would continue to exist.

Mei Terumi weighed Kirigakure’s response to Konoha’s overwhelming victory before spending time with Natsume. After returning to Konoha, Natsume reunited with Tsunade, who complained that he had left her out of the battle.

• Ao reported that Konoha’s victory had left Kumogakure and Iwagakure unable to rescue their captured Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts.
• Mei Terumi told Ao that Kirigakure would make no response and continue its alliance with Konoha.
• After Ao left, Natsume revealed himself to Mei Terumi, and they shared a private moment before he helped her bathe and put her to bed.
• Natsume waited until Mei Terumi fell asleep, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to Konoha.
• Tsunade greeted Natsume and told him to take her with him next time, insisting that she was strong enough to help.

Natsume arranged for Yugito Nii to watch over Tsunade and Shizune, then met with Samui and learned that the Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage were coming to negotiate. He also ordered Konoha to summon Amegakure, leaving the coming meetings and Samui’s brother’s fate unresolved.

• Natsume asked Yugito Nii to look after his daughter and promised not to kill anyone from Kumogakure, telling her and Samui to speak with the Fourth Raikage when he arrived.
• Natsume found Samui in the Hokage's Office and asked whether she wanted to reunite with her younger brother, Atsui.
• Samui massaged Natsume’s feet, hoping to persuade him to spare Atsui.
• Kurenai Yuhi reported that the Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage intended to visit Konoha together.
• Natsume told Kurenai Yuhi to arrange proper reception and send Amegakure a letter asking them to come soon.

Natsume considered the peace proposals from Iwagakure and Kumogakure and decided Konoha would return the captured Jinchuriki but keep the Tailed Beasts. As the delegations arrived, he sent Yugito Nii and Samui to negotiate with the Fourth Raikage and ordered that Mabui stay behind.

• Samui learned from Yugito Nii that she had accepted Natsume's arrangement to help save Kumogakure, and Samui said she would make the same sacrifice.
• The Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage arrived in Konoha seeking peace, but Hizashi Hyuga welcomed them instead of Natsume.
• Mabui and Kurotsuchi submitted peace proposals asking for an alliance, an end to war, and the return of the Jinchuriki.
• Natsume decided Konoha could return the Jinchuriki while keeping the Tailed Beasts, and he ordered Kurenai Yuhi to add the Task Wristband condition and delay the reply for two days.
• Natsume sent Yugito Nii and Samui to negotiate with the Fourth Raikage and instructed them to keep Mabui in Konoha.

Natsume visited Mikoto Uchiha at the Daimyo's Mansion and told her that Itachi Uchiha had been captured after Sasuke defeated him. After spending the night with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Natsume returned to the Hokage's Office, where Yugito Nii joined him in bed.

• Natsume dodged Tayuya's kunai, teased her, and watched her vanish in embarrassment when Mikoto Uchiha appeared.
• Natsume relaxed with Mikoto Uchiha, who said she trusted him and asked whether his visit concerned Itachi Uchiha.
• Natsume told Mikoto Uchiha that Itachi Uchiha had been captured and that Sasuke had defeated him, then reassured her that Sasuke wanted her to decide what happened next.
• Natsume invited Mikoto Uchiha to dinner, then left and spent the night with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki as Uzumaki Ena and Kazahana Koyuki joined them.
• Natsume returned to the Hokage's Office the next day, and Yugito Nii appeared, undressed, and slipped into bed with him.

Natsume learned that the Fourth Raikage had accepted Konoha’s terms and considered how to deal with the Akatsuki Organization. He ordered Kakashi Hatake to interrogate the masked man known as Madara Uchiha and summoned Mabui to his office.

• Yugito Nii told Natsume that the Fourth Raikage had agreed to Konoha’s conditions after Mabui persuaded him to calm down.
• Natsume rested with Yugito Nii and Samui, then left them and reviewed a document about handling the Akatsuki Organization.
• Natsume asked Kurenai Yuhi to summon Chiyo, Rasa, and Kakashi Hatake to Konoha Village.
• Natsume told Kakashi Hatake that the masked man called Madara Uchiha had masterminded the Nine-Tails Attack, then sent him to interrogate the prisoner.
• Natsume asked Samui to bring Mabui to his office, and she returned with her.

Mabui accepted her role as Natsume’s secretary while Obito Uchiha remained imprisoned in Konoha. Kakashi Hatake discovered Obito’s identity and confronted him about his crimes and plan to create a new world through the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

• Natsume appointed Mabui as his secretary and told her to have Yugito Nii show her around Konoha when she woke up.
• Natsume visited Obito Uchiha in prison, where Obito remained confused about his capture and feared Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
• Kakashi Hatake entered Obito’s cell to interrogate the prisoner he believed was Madara Uchiha.
• Obito Uchiha removed his mask, and Kakashi Hatake recognized his former teammate as alive.
• Obito Uchiha admitted that he caused the Nine-Tails Attack and killed Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, blaming Minato for Rin Nohara’s death.
• Obito Uchiha explained his plan to gather the Tailed Beasts, become the Ten-Tails’ Jinchuriki, and use the Infinite Tsukuyomi to create a world where Rin would be reborn.

Natsume offered Kakuzu a chance to work with Konoha, then visited the secretary’s office and became intimate with Kurenai Yuhi. He returned to his office and, while Samui helped him bathe, Mabui joined them.

• Natsume told Kakuzu that the others were alive and that Deva Path Pain and Konan had agreed to join Konoha, then offered him a chance to work with Konoha.
• Natsume met Ino Yamanaka and carried her documents to the Hokage Secretary’s Office.
• Natsume took Kurenai Yuhi to her room, where they were intimate, and left a note before returning to the Hokage’s Office.
• Samui helped Natsume bathe, and Mabui joined them.

Natsume decided to publicly execute Obito Uchiha and set the date for next Saturday, while Kakashi struggled with the decision. The next morning, Natsume delayed his meeting with the Sunagakure delegation, leaving Chiyo, Rasa, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro waiting in the conference room.

• Kakashi Hatake gave Natsume his interrogation report on Obito Uchiha and asked how he would be punished.
• Natsume declared that Obito would be publicly executed in Konoha next Saturday and allowed Rin Nohara to see him beforehand.
• Kakashi accepted Natsume's decision and left, troubled by the impending loss of his reunited friend.
• Natsume asked Yugito Nii to show Samui and Mabui around Konoha, then spent the night at home with Tsunade.
• Kurenai Yuhi told Natsume that Chiyo and Rasa had arrived, but Natsume kept her in his office for an hour before going to the meeting.
• Natsume reached the conference room, where Chiyo, Rasa, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro had waited nearly an hour.

Natsume forced Sunagakure’s leaders to accept Temari as Kazekage, a deal to return Sasori in exchange for Temari’s freedom to choose whether to marry a Konoha shinobi, and the extraction of Shukaku as long as Gaara survived. He left the stunned delegation to face the upheaval, then returned to his office, where Kurenai Yuhi remained unconscious.

• Natsume proposed making Temari the Kazekage, and Rasa agreed after Chiyo asked whether Sunagakure could handle opposition itself.
• Natsume revealed that Konoha had captured Sasori of the Red Sands and offered to return him in exchange for Temari marrying a Konoha shinobi, though he said she could choose whether and whom to marry.
• Chiyo and Rasa accepted Natsume’s deal to return Sasori.
• Natsume informed Rasa that Konoha would extract Shukaku as long as Gaara’s life was guaranteed, and Chiyo agreed to cooperate.
• Natsume returned to the Hokage’s Office and found that Kurenai Yuhi had not woken up.

Natsume spent time with Samui and Mabui in the Hokage's Office before Nagato and Konan arrived and agreed to temporarily join Konoha. He ordered the Jinchuriki brought in and planned for the newcomers to learn how Konoha operated, while considering healing Nagato's legs.

• Natsume visited the Hokage's Office, where Samui was compiling documents and Mabui was learning about Konoha, and later Kurenai Yuhi took Mabui to the Secretary's Office for instruction.
• Natsume rested in the office, then shared lunch with Samui, Yugito Nii, Mabui, and Kurenai Yuhi.
• Two days later, Nagato and Konan arrived and told Natsume they had decided to temporarily join Konoha.
• Konan brought the Jinchuriki, and Natsume ordered Kurenai Yuhi to have them gathered and locked up.
• Natsume told Nagato and Konan to familiarize themselves with Konoha's operations and assigned Samui to look after them.

Natsume brought Ōtsutsuki Kaguya to the Land of Wind to gather the nine Tailed Beasts and summon the Ten-Tails, which would let her undo Ōtsutsuki Isshiki’s seal. The Sealing Team began extracting the Tailed Beasts, starting with Gaara.

• Ōtsutsuki Kaguya appeared and pulled Natsume into an intimate encounter, but he stopped her to handle important business.
• Natsume told Ōtsutsuki Kaguya he would let her summon the Ten-Tails so she could free herself from Ōtsutsuki Isshiki’s seal.
• Natsume and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya traveled to a protected desert in the Land of Wind, where the nine Jinchuriki and other representatives had gathered.
• Natsume reassured Naruto Uzumaki that he would be able to see Kurama through the Sky Net after the Tailed Beasts were gathered.
• Nagato and Konan arrived with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and Nagato guessed that Natsume intended to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Natsume signaled the Sealing Team to begin extracting the Tailed Beasts, starting with Gaara.

Natsume had Kaguya Ōtsutsuki oversee the release of the nine Tailed Beasts, then offered to heal Nagato in exchange for his and Konan’s service to Konoha. After Kaguya Ōtsutsuki restored Nagato’s legs, she used the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to absorb the Tailed Beasts and revive the Divine Tree, just as the Sage of Six Paths appeared.

• The Sealing Team removed Shukaku from Gaara, and Shukaku obeyed Kaguya Ōtsutsuki after sensing her overwhelming aura.
• The Sealing Team released the other Tailed Beasts, which also became terrified of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki; Natsume sent several Jinchuriki and their companions away while taking the rest back to Konoha.
• Natsume offered to heal Nagato if he joined the Hokage Guard and Konan became the Hokage’s secretary, while they continued managing Amegakure; Nagato and Konan agreed.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki replenished Nagato’s Chakra, restoring his legs, and he stood and walked again.
• Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki absorbed the nine Tailed Beasts into it, restoring the Divine Tree.
• The Sage of Six Paths appeared before Natsume, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Nagato, and Konan.