Recaps

Hiruzen removed Danzō as Hokage advisor but refused to let Orochimaru move against him, warning that doing so could complicate Orochimaru’s succession. At Orochimaru’s home, Tsunade decided to take Kinoe in and give him the Senju name, and Orochimaru named him Yamato.

• Kakashi gave Hiruzen records from Root, but Hiruzen crushed them and removed Danzō from his position as Hokage advisor.
• Danzō stormed out after threatening Hiruzen, while Tsunade left with Kakashi and Guy and vowed to keep watching him.
• Orochimaru told Hiruzen that Danzō had gone too far, but Hiruzen defended his decision to avoid unsettling the village’s older leaders during the succession.
• At home, Orochimaru scolded Tsunade about her kitchen mishaps, and Shizune and Kakashi offered to learn or help with cooking.
• Tsunade asked to take Kinoe in and have him inherit the Senju name because of his Wood Release and Senju heritage.
• Orochimaru suggested the name Yamato, and Kinoe accepted it.

Orochimaru studied the Space Gem’s ability to cut through space before being inaugurated as Konoha’s Fourth Hokage. The chapter ended with Jiraiya inviting Minato to celebrate and newly pregnant Kushina insisting on going along to supervise.

• Orochimaru defeated Shimura Danzō in the village votes, secured the Daimyo’s approval, and received increased funding for Konoha’s postwar reconstruction.
• Orochimaru tested the Sky Sword and found that its blade cut a Kunai with no visible seam, suggesting it could cut through space and ignore defenses.
• Orochimaru accepted the Hokage hat from Hiruzen Sarutobi and declared himself Konoha’s new Hokage as the villagers cheered.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on his teacher Tobirama, while Tsunade watched Orochimaru and thought of her grandfather and her pregnancy.
• Jiraiya invited Minato Namikaze to celebrate Orochimaru’s inauguration, and Kushina insisted on joining them despite being pregnant.

Danzo ordered an experimental transplant to strengthen himself as Orochimaru became Hokage. At a celebratory gathering, Tsunade revealed she was pregnant, and Minato and Kushina settled on names for their child.

• Danzo asked his researcher about transplanting the First Hokage's Cells and learned a new subject could accept foreign tissue without rejection.
• Danzo ordered the researcher to begin the transplant immediately, using the subject's arm as a medium.
• Orochimaru joined Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kushina, and Minato Namikaze at a gathering after work.
• Tsunade revealed she was pregnant, and Orochimaru wondered whether Tsunade's or Kushina's child would be born first.
• Jiraiya jokingly proposed the name Little Orochimaru, but Kushina rejected it and approved Minato's suggestion of Naruto, with Naruko as a girl's name.

Orochimaru installed J.A.R.V.I.S. to help with technology and administrative work as Pain defeated Hanzō and took control of Amegakure. The chapter ended with Orochimaru sending Minato home to spend time with pregnant Kushina while he planned to delegate the remaining paperwork to J.A.R.V.I.S.

• Orochimaru activated J.A.R.V.I.S., which offered advanced technology but warned that its current computer limited its processing power.
• Orochimaru asked J.A.R.V.I.S. to help him build a more powerful computer and scan and revise administrative documents.
• Pain defeated Hanzō and condemned him for betraying the people of the Land of Rain.
• Pain and the other Pains used Shinra Tensei, then Pain told Konan to take over Amegakure for Akatsuki.
• Pain and Konan discussed Madara's proposal to join forces against Konohagakure, but Pain postponed the decision until later.
• Orochimaru told Minato to leave work early and spend time with pregnant Kushina, saying he would have J.A.R.V.I.S. handle the remaining documents.

Orochimaru prepared for the Nine-Tails’ attack during Kushina’s delivery, moving the birth to a guarded base outside Konoha. Naruto was born safely, but Obito and Pain attacked, forcing Minato to move Kushina and Naruto to safety as Orochimaru confronted the intruders.

• Orochimaru arranged extra preparations for the Nine-Tails’ rampage and warned Tsunade to be careful at Sasuke’s one-month banquet.
• Two months later, Ayaka Kimura delivered Kushina and Minato’s healthy son, Naruto, at a guarded Anbu base outside Konoha.
• Orochimaru sensed Obito’s arrival and attacked him with the Sky Sword, but Pain intervened and killed Ayaka Kimura.
• Minato took Naruto to Kushina, then moved them both away and returned to face Obito and Pain.
• Orochimaru created a Shadow Clone to protect Naruto and Ayaka Kimura’s body while confronting Obito and Pain.

Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze fought Obito Uchiha and the Six Paths of Pain, using Sage techniques and Flying Thunder God coordination to wound their enemies. Obito escaped into the Kamui Dimension with Pain, but Orochimaru’s Sky Sword struck through the space-time barrier and left Obito grievously injured.

• Minato Namikaze dodged Pain’s space-time attack while Orochimaru summoned beasts and launched Sage Art: White Agitation Technique.
• Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze swapped places with Flying Thunder God: God Speed, letting Minato strike Pain with Sage Art: Super Ultimate Invincible Wind Style White Rasengan Zero.
• Orochimaru cut off half of Obito Uchiha’s body with the Sky Sword, and Obito tried to escape with Deva Path Pain.
• Obito released the Nine-Tails in Konohagakure, distracting Minato long enough for Obito and Pain to retreat into the Kamui Dimension.
• Orochimaru hurled the Sky Sword into the Kamui Dimension, where it struck Obito and split his body while Pain struggled against falling debris.

As the Nine-Tails escaped and attacked the village, Kakashi and Yamato rescued Kushina and Naruto and brought them to a shelter where Tsunade went into premature labor. Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha and Shikun Mitarashi confronted Root ninja obstructing the evacuation, and the Uchiha moved to protect the villagers.

• Kakashi and Yamato ambushed Black Zetsu as he tried to reach Kushina, but he escaped by merging with White Zetsu and fleeing underground.
• The Nine-Tails went berserk, and two young children guided Kakashi and Yamato, carrying Kushina and Naruto, to a shelter.
• Biwako Sarutobi organized the shelter and assigned Shizune to help deliver Tsunade's baby while other ninja prepared to guard the area and summon Minato.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Shikun Mitarashi confronted Root ninja who tried to obstruct the evacuation under Danzo's orders.
• After hearing Minato's order to treat anyone obstructing rescue operations as a traitor, the Root ninja withdrew, and Fugaku ordered the Uchiha to protect the villagers and stop the Nine-Tails.

The Konoha shinobi trapped the rampaging Nine-Tails in the Four Red Yang Formation while Fugaku Uchiha weakened the Sharingan control over it. Orochimaru arrived and pinned the Nine-Tails beneath red torii gates as Minato Namikaze went to retrieve Kushina.

• Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Might Duy attacked and restrained the Nine-Tails, while Fugaku Uchiha joined the battle.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Fugaku Uchiha to help form the Four Red Yang Formation, and Shikun Mitarashi transported Fugaku into position.
• Fugaku Uchiha used his Mangekyō Sharingan to break the control over the Nine-Tails, but the beast became more enraged when it saw his eyes.
• Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze arrived, and Orochimaru took over while Minato went to bring Kushina back.
• Orochimaru summoned red torii gates with Sage Art: Heavenly Hand of God and pinned down the Nine-Tails.

Minato and Kushina chose to split the Nine-Tails’ chakra between Kushina and their infant son, Naruto, with Orochimaru performing the sealing. The Two Forms Seal began to divide the Nine-Tails as the chapter ended.

• Orochimaru examined Kushina and said he could save her, but explained that her weakened life force meant she could no longer suppress the entire Nine-Tails.
• Kushina woke and insisted that Naruto should bear half of the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
• Minato agreed with Kushina and sent Shikun Mitarashi to bring Naruto from the shelter.
• Minato and Orochimaru began the Eight Trigrams and Reverse Eight Trigrams sealing techniques to split the Nine-Tails between Kushina and Naruto.
• The Two Forms Seal activated, covering the Nine-Tails in moving sealing runes while the Gate of the Great God kept it from struggling.

After the Nine-Tails was sealed into Naruto and Kushina, Orochimaru welcomed the birth of his twins, Yu and Kyu, and began gathering support against Danzo. Danzo planned to strike first, while Hiruzen rejected his attempt to gauge support for rebellion.

• The Nine-Tails split into two smaller beasts and was sealed into Naruto and Kushina, while the battle’s damage to Konoha remained limited.
• Shisui Uchiha told Orochimaru and the others that Tsunade had gone into labor, and Orochimaru rushed to her side.
• Tsunade gave birth to twins, and she approved Orochimaru’s names for them: Yu and Kyu.
• Shibi Aburame delivered a report detailing Danzo’s plans and Root’s obstruction of the Uchiha during the Nine-Tails attack, as influential clans backed Orochimaru.
• Danzo confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi to test his attitude toward a rebellion, but Hiruzen reminded him that Orochimaru was Hokage, and Danzo left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted his quiet life after stepping down, while Orochimaru prepared to confront Shimura Danzō over his past crimes. Danzō was escorted to a meeting of village leaders and found the accusations laid out before everyone, then angrily claimed Orochimaru had framed him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on Orochimaru's leadership and hoped Shimura Danzō would avoid provoking the new Hokage.
• Shikun Mitarashi and Fugaku Uchiha surrounded Danzō after Orochimaru had his movements monitored, and Shikun summoned him to the Hokage Building.
• Danzō chose to go with them rather than give Orochimaru an excuse to arrest him for attacking fellow ninja.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and leaders of Konohagakure's major clans gathered with Orochimaru for a meeting, and Danzō grew alarmed at the large assembly.
• Danzō opened a dossier listing his crimes, including the cases of Konoha's White Fang and Dan Katō, and shouted that Orochimaru had framed him.

Orochimaru exposed Shimura Danzō’s crimes, stripped him of Root, and ordered its personnel transferred to the Anbu. Danzo escaped the meeting and fled across Konoha, aided by loyal Root ninja as Hiruzen Sarutobi pursued him.

• Orochimaru confronted Danzo with evidence, and Hiruzen urged him to step down before the crisis worsened.
• Danzo resisted arrest, but Orochimaru removed him as Root’s leader, disbanded Root, and placed its former members under Shikun Mitarashi’s command in the Anbu.
• Yūhi Shinku arrived with evidence of Danzo’s crimes, and Danzo fled from the meeting.
• Hiruzen summoned Enma and pursued Danzo while Shikun used Flying Thunder God to slip away.
• Danzo raced across Konoha rooftops as Anbu and clan forces tried to block him, but loyal Root ninja emerged and opened an escape route.

Shimura Danzō escaped Konohagakure’s borders but was confronted by Hiruzen Sarutobi, who fought to keep him from dying at someone else’s hands. Danzō revealed his transplanted Sharingan and trapped Hiruzen in the Mirror of the Outer Clouds, leaving him to battle his own reflection.

• Shimura Danzō escaped Konohagakure with help from his Root ninja, but Hiruzen Sarutobi intercepted him in the forest.
• Hiruzen and Danzō exchanged Wind Release and Fire Style attacks, and Hiruzen countered Danzō’s techniques.
• Danzō summoned Baku and used Wind Release, but Hiruzen evaded the attack and discovered Danzō could use Wood Release.
• Danzō revealed the Sharingan hidden beneath his bandages and activated the Mangekyo technique Mirror of the Outer Clouds.
• Danzō trapped Hiruzen in a mirror world where he had to defeat his own reflection to escape.

Shimura Danzō survived Hiruzen Sarutobi’s apparent killing and escaped Konohagakure, where Konan confronted him and offered him refuge with the Akatsuki Organization. Danzō recognized the organization’s name and clothing as he considered her offer.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi stabbed Shimura Danzō, who confessed that he had killed Kagami before collapsing and transforming into a tree.
• Shikun Mitarashi examined the tree, but Danzō later emerged alive after using Izanagi and left Konohagakure.
• A white face watched Danzō’s escape from a tree outside Konohagakure’s barrier.
• Konan confronted Danzō beneath a stone bridge and offered Akatsuki’s protection, warning that his enemies would hunt him if they learned he was alive.
• Danzō recognized Konan’s Red Cloud Black Robes and began connecting Akatsuki to the Nine-Tails Incident.

Danzo joined the Akatsuki Organization under the code name Kōchin, while Orochimaru revealed to Minato Namikaze that Madara had manipulated Obito and discussed preparing Kakashi to oppose him. Orochimaru introduced Senju Yamato as one possible way to address the strain Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan placed on him.

• Danzo accepted Konan’s offer to join the Akatsuki Organization, intending to undermine it for Konohagakure, and learned his code name was Kōchin and that joining required painting his nails.
• Orochimaru told Minato Namikaze that the Masked Man was Obito and explained that Madara had chosen him to inherit his unfinished plan.
• Orochimaru showed Minato the White Zetsu specimens and described how Madara’s clone had stopped him from reaching the Iwa Front when Obito supposedly died.
• Minato and Orochimaru agreed to keep Obito’s identity from Kakashi until he was older and stronger, and Orochimaru confirmed Kakashi’s eye was a Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Minato worried that using the Mangekyō would burden Kakashi’s body, so Orochimaru introduced Senju Yamato as one possible solution.

Orochimaru planned to strengthen Kakashi with Yamato’s cells and White Zetsu serum, with Minato and Kushina assisting through Sealing Jutsu. Meanwhile, Obito recovered with a White Zetsu half-body and offered Nagato a way to restore his strength as Akatsuki recruited new members; Kakashi and Yamato were prepared for the procedure.

• Orochimaru explained that Yamato’s modified cells and a measured dose of White Zetsu serum could safely help Kakashi, and Yamato and Minato agreed to assist.
• Obito adapted to his White Zetsu half-body and decided he needed to strengthen Pain to stand against Orochimaru.
• Obito told Nagato that White Zetsu’s vitality could repair his legs and restore the life force drained by the Rinnegan, allowing Pain to become stronger.
• Nagato said Akatsuki needed more combat power and named Kirigakure rogue ninja Juzo Biwa and Kagami Uchiha as possible recruits.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade prepared Kakashi and Yamato on operating tables while Might Guy encouraged them and Minato wondered at Guy’s behavior.

Orochimaru prepared to treat Kakashi by sealing part of his Sharingan’s power and strengthening him with Yamato’s and White Zetsu’s cells. Meanwhile, Obito’s white substance restored Nagato’s vitality and helped him stand, though Obito warned that he would reclaim the gift if Nagato failed to defeat Orochimaru.

• Orochimaru connected Kakashi to monitoring equipment and explained his cautious plan to balance the Sharingan’s strain with seals and cell transplants.
• Tsunade prepared an injection while Kushina carved a sealing formula around Kakashi’s Sharingan, and Shizune organized the equipment.
• Might Duy rushed Might Guy out of the laboratory, then challenged him to run laps and complete exercises as their daily youth training.
• Obito’s white substance spread over Nagato, replenishing some of his vitality and restoring feeling to his legs.
• Nagato stood without support for the first time in years, and Obito warned Konan and Nagato that he would take back his help if they could not defeat Orochimaru.

Kakashi and Shisui sparred to test Kakashi’s strength, with both young shinobi using their Sharingan and specialized techniques. The fight continued as Shisui revealed his powerful Fire Release after tricking Kakashi with a Shadow Clone.

• Yamato asked Orochimaru to let him fight Kakashi, but Orochimaru judged Kakashi too strong for him.
• Kushina questioned whether Shisui was a suitable opponent for Kakashi, and Minato explained how Shisui’s Sharingan and speed could challenge him.
• Shisui opened the spar with kunai, then used his grandfather’s Mirror Clone technique and Uchiha Style: Halo Dance to surround Kakashi.
• Kakashi blocked Shisui’s attacks with a dog-head Earth Style Wall and countered with Chidori Senbon, forcing Shisui’s Mirror Clones to return to him.
• Kakashi struck what he believed was Shisui’s real body, but it was a Shadow Clone, and Shisui launched a powerful Great Fireball Technique from above.

After Yamato's cells were transplanted into Kakashi, he tested his improved physical condition in a spar with Shisui. Kakashi won, and the group decided to celebrate with food and a trip to the casino.

• Nagato reached the doorway at dawn, felt his strength restored, and declared that he was beginning a new life as a god.
• Orochimaru and J.A.R.V.I.S. recorded Kakashi's physical changes after Yamato's cells were transplanted into him.
• Kakashi and Shisui sparred at the training field, trading sword strikes and copying each other's ninjutsu.
• Kakashi defeated Shisui, while Tsunade assured Shisui that he had already reached Jōnin strength.
• Tsunade and Kushina proposed celebrating with a meal and a casino visit, making Minato worry about the cost.

Orochimaru’s former client Kakuzu was lured out by Danzo and Pain, who sought to recruit him into Akatsuki. Kakuzu’s escape attempt failed, leaving him held by Pain.

• Orochimaru reflected on his finances and planned to sell mature experimental technologies through Snake Shadow’s Trade Association.
• Kakuzu counted his earnings in the Land of Grass and resented Orochimaru for no longer giving him work.
• Danzo revealed that he had used his knowledge of Kakuzu to lure him near the black market, accompanied by Pain.
• Pain invited Kakuzu to join Akatsuki, and Kakuzu prepared to fight after recognizing Pain as a dangerous opponent.
• Kakuzu unleashed a powerful combined attack and tried to flee, but Pain deflected the attack and pulled him back with Banshō Ten'in.
• After shuriken cut Kakuzu’s threads, Pain grabbed him by the throat and lifted him into the air.

Pain recruited Kakuzu into Akatsuki by offering him a salary and control of the organization’s finances, while Danzo secretly plotted to seize Nagato’s Rinnegan. In the desert, Konan invited Sasori to join Akatsuki, but he refused and prepared to fight.

• Danzo concealed his ambition to take Nagato’s Rinnegan as Pain subdued Kakuzu and offered him a place in Akatsuki.
• Kakuzu accepted after Pain promised a salary and responsibility for the organization’s finances.
• Danzo gave Kakuzu an Akatsuki uniform, ring, and nail polish, and Pain led the group away.
• Sasori searched a desert village for materials to make Human Puppets and learned that Konan had come to recruit him.
• Konan offered Sasori a place in Akatsuki, but Sasori refused and put his hand on the scroll on his back.

Sasori attacked Konan, while Kikyo confronted the Fourth Mizukage and questioned his place in the Mist. Meanwhile, Pain headed to find Hiruko, and Orochimaru successfully created a conscious clone body, which he prepared to examine.

• Sasori summoned the Third Kazekage puppet and attacked Konan with Sand Iron, but she reformed from scattered paper and prepared to resist him.
• Kikyo confronted Kusagakure over Samehada and asked whether he was a friend or enemy of the Mist; Kusagakure revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan as a dark figure appeared behind him.
• Pain flew toward the Kinrin Mountain Range, hoping Hiruko would help counter Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru activated his newly developed Clone Body Technique and awakened a conscious clone in the laboratory.
• The clone described its weaker body and shorter lifespan, then dressed and lay on the operating table to attach examination instruments himself.

Orochimaru’s Clone Doppelganger tested its limited Chakra and returned to the laboratory when Tsunade called for help with Yuu. Konan defeated Sasori and recruited him, while Orochimaru cared for the children as Tsunade went shopping with Kushina and Mikoto.

• Orochimaru’s Clone Doppelganger sparred with him, and J.A.R.V.I.S. reported that the clone had only a fraction of Orochimaru’s Chakra reserves and recovery speed.
• Tsunade called for Orochimaru to buy diapers after Yuu wet the bed, so the Clone Doppelganger used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to the laboratory.
• Konan’s Paper Dance countered Sasori’s Third Kazekage Puppet, and Sasori surrendered and agreed to join the organization.
• Sasori said he wanted to meet the organization’s other members and find new materials and artistic inspiration, while secretly considering how to injure Konan.
• Orochimaru watched over Yuu while Shizune soothed him and Qiong laughed, as Tsunade went shopping with Kushina and Mikoto.
• Kakashi and Yamato carried the women’s shopping bags while Might Guy praised Kakashi’s shopping-trip training, and Tsunade looked forward to visiting the Casino.

Yuu began repairing Orochimaru’s robot while Qiong peed on Orochimaru, and a Konoha squad headed to the Land of Snow to protect Kazahana Koyuki and oppose Kazahana Dōtō’s rebellion. The squad reached Snow Capital as it burned, while Dōtō demanded the Hexagonal Crystal from Kazahana Sōsetsu.

• Yuu assembled nearly half of the robot using the same steps Orochimaru had used, while Qiong peed on Orochimaru’s neck.
• Shisui joined Kurenai Yūhi, Asuma, and Anko Mitarashi in place of Kakashi for an S-rank mission to protect Kazahana Koyuki and stop Kazahana Dōtō.
• Asuma awkwardly denied that his urine had frozen in the Land of Snow’s cold, and Shisui redirected the squad to discuss their mission.
• The squad reached Snow Capital and saw the city engulfed in flames as samurai fought throughout its streets.
• Kazahana Dōtō defeated Kazahana Sōsetsu’s guards, declared his intention to become Daimyo, and demanded the Hexagonal Crystal that opened the Yukigakure Clan’s secret treasure.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu mocked Dōtō’s ambitions and insisted that he was wrong.

Konoha’s team protected Kazahana Koyuki after Kazahana Sōsetsu was killed and fought Kazahana Dōtō and the Snow Ninjas for the Hexagonal Crystal. Shisui and Kurenai subdued several enemies, while Asuma disarmed Dōtō and the battle remained underway.

• Kazahana Dōtō stabbed Kazahana Sōsetsu after learning that Koyuki and the Hexagonal Crystal had been sent away with Konoha’s protection.
• Koyuki arrived with Shisui, and Nadare Rōga showed her Sōsetsu’s corpse before Dōtō ordered the Snow Ninjas to capture her.
• Nadare Rōga unleashed an avalanche that buried the palace tower, but Shisui protected Koyuki and the team with Susanoo.
• Shisui trapped Nadare Rōga in the Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique, while Kurenai and Anko captured Dongxiong Bingyu and Tsurugi Fubuki.
• Asuma struck Dōtō’s tachi from his hand and dodged his next punch.