Chapter Summaries

The Sound Four trapped the Third Hokage and Orochimaru inside a barrier while disguised Sound Ninja attacked the arena. Ming Jing fought Rasa and then struck Shukaku with a wind hammer, sending the beast flying.

• The Sound Four formed the Four Violet Flames Formation around the Third Hokage and Orochimaru, killing an Anbu who touched the barrier.
• Kakashi released Sakura from Genjutsu and sent Sasuke from his training to the competition arena as the attack spread.
• Disguised Sound Ninja revealed themselves among the spectators, while Kakashi and Might Guy recognized the threat.
• Rasa confronted Ming Jing and admitted that he wanted Shukaku to go berserk, but Ming Jing left to stop the beast.
• Ming Jing battered Shukaku with wind techniques, blocked its Tailed Beast Ball, and struck it with a Storm Hammer that sent it flying.

Ming Jing fought Rasa and Shukaku while the Kurama-Hyuga force battled its way through Konoha. The Third Hokage faced Orochimaru, and the chapter ended with Shukaku’s Tailed Beast Ball blasting through the forest as Ming Jing and Rasa remained in danger.

• Orochimaru revealed that Izumi Uchiha was his primary target and confronted the Third Hokage, who vowed to resist him.
• Chiyo, Tokuma Hyuga, and Taichi defeated a group of Sound Ninja blocking the Kurama-Hyuga force’s escape.
• Chiyo and Taichi severed the heads of a giant three-headed python, and Yuexi restrained its body with ice so the group could pass.
• Ming Jing and Rasa exchanged attacks, including a Tailed Beast Bomb, while Rasa used Wind Release techniques against Ming Jing.
• Shukaku unleashed Sandstorm Burial, and Ming Jing answered with Great Exploding Water Wave before Shukaku fired a Tailed Beast Ball.

Sasuke stumbled into the aftermath of Rasa and Ming Jing’s battle, where their speed and powerful techniques devastated the forest. Rasa’s Magnet Release: Atomic Collision appeared to erase Ming Jing, but Ming Jing emerged unharmed and explained that he had identified the technique’s hidden core.

• Sasuke entered the village, saw the destruction and Sound Ninja corpses, and fled into the forest as Rasa and Ming Jing’s attacks created a desert, waves, and a hurricane.
• Rasa struck Ming Jing with a sudden attack and pursued him with Wind Blades, then used his Super Magnetic Field to move at incredible speed.
• Ming Jing activated Sage Mode and fought Rasa at close range, while Sasuke watched their figures flash throughout the forest.
• Rasa unleashed Magnet Release: Atomic Collision, erasing a vast section of the forest and leading Sasuke to believe Ming Jing had been killed.
• Ming Jing appeared beside Sasuke unharmed and told Rasa he had discovered the hidden object that powered the technique.

Ming Jing questioned Rasa about his Magnet Release and learned how Rasa used it to move quickly and silently. Meanwhile, Yuexi’s group encountered the reincarnated Sakumo Hatake, who overwhelmed them in battle and left them searching for a way to stop him.

• Ming Jing asked Rasa how he moved so fast and quietly, and Rasa explained how his Super Magnetic Field used elements in the soil and his body.
• Sakumo Hatake appeared before Yuexi’s group, and Hyuga Hiashi recognized the legendary Konoha ninja in his Impure World Reincarnation state.
• Sakumo Hatake praised the young Hyuga and Kurama Clan members, then lost control as the reincarnation took over and warned Hiashi to watch his waist, not his blade.
• Sakumo Hatake defeated Qing Yan and Chiyo and nearly killed Tokuma Hyuga before Yuexi blocked his strike with an ice wall.
• Neji and Hyuga Hiashi explained Sakumo’s Rock Breaker technique, and Hiashi revealed that Sakumo had died by suicide.

Qing Yan and the others coordinated an attack that broke Sakumo Hatake’s katana and trapped him in ice, but Jiraiya warned that he remained dangerous. Yuexi used a powerful ice technique to freeze him more than a thousand meters underground, leaving herself badly injured but convinced he could not escape.

• Yuexi organized Qing Yan, Chiyo, Yami, Taichi, and Hyuga Hiashi to restrain Sakumo Hatake and destroy his katana.
• Qing Yan pinned Sakumo Hatake while Taichi broke the sword, and Yuexi sealed him inside an Ice Coffin.
• Jiraiya arrived and used Swamp of the Underworld to sink the Ice Coffin, warning that Sakumo Hatake could break free.
• Yuexi unleashed Ice Release Secret Technique: Dawn Goddess's Forgiveness, freezing Sakumo Hatake and the surrounding ground to more than a thousand meters below.
• Yuexi collapsed with half her body turned to ice, but she told Qing Yan that the temperature had fallen to negative two hundred and seventy degrees and Sakumo Hatake could not escape.

The Third Hokage and Orochimaru fought on the rooftop, but Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage with Impure World Reincarnation. The Hokage recognized Yuexi’s powerful Ice Release in the distance, while Orochimaru prepared to continue the battle.

• The Third Hokage dodged Orochimaru’s attacks and struck back with combined Earth and Fire Release techniques.
• Orochimaru summoned two coffins with Impure World Reincarnation, while the Third Hokage stopped a third coffin from appearing.
• The First and Second Hokage emerged and recognized the Third Hokage, who faced the prospect of fighting them.
• The Second Hokage sensed another battle nearby, and Orochimaru saw Yuexi suppressing Sakumo Hatake with a powerful Ice Release technique.
• The First Hokage praised Yuexi’s Ice Release, while the Third Hokage rebuked Orochimaru for defiling the dead.

Ming Jing confronted Rasa over his scheme against Yuexi and rejected the Kazekage’s demands, then pursued him after Rasa escaped. The chapter ended with Rasa counterattacking by spreading gold dust across the forest.

• Ming Jing learned that Rasa had arranged for Sakumo Hatake to confront Tsukishiro Yuexi and demanded terms to protect her.
• Rasa demanded an alliance placing the Land of Fire under the Land of Wind, clan exchanges, and tariff-free access to Fire Country’s markets, but Ming Jing refused.
• Ming Jing attacked Rasa, who escaped inside a hollow gold dust wave and fled toward One-Tails Shukaku.
• Ming Jing caught up with Rasa and Shukaku, whose Tailed Beast Ball met Ming Jing’s Wind Style: Thousand Blades, flattening the forest.
• Ming Jing sensed Rasa underground, blasted him into the air with Earth Style: Updraft Trench, and Rasa covered the forest in gold dust with Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial.

Ming Jing defeated and killed Rasa after the Fourth Kazekage fought desperately, while Gaara realized his father would not return and led Temari and Kankuro away. The Sunagakure siblings retreated, leaving Rasa dead in a forest within Konoha.

• Rasa trapped Ming Jing with gold dust and attacked him with Magnet Release: Glass Fragmentation, then tried to escape when the attack failed.
• Ming Jing confronted Rasa, who explained he had fought partly to gather intelligence and protect Sunagakure.
• Ming Jing spotted Gaara’s Third Eye and realized Gaara had suppressed Shukaku after waking from the Feigned Sleep Technique.
• Gaara told Temari and Kankuro that Rasa would not return and led them toward Sunagakure.
• As Rasa’s strength faded, Ming Jing pierced him with the Azure Luan Blade, killing the Fourth Kazekage.

After defeating Rasa, Ming Jing reunited with Yami and learned that Yuexi had survived her battle but was recovering from severe cold injuries. He then reached the arena, where Jiraiya told him the Third Hokage had chosen Tsunade as his successor.

• Ming Jing buried Rasa and explained to Sasuke that he had escaped the Magnet Release attack using Genjutsu.
• Ming Jing found Sakumo Hatake frozen in an ice sculpture, then met Yami, who assured him Yakumo and Hinata were safe.
• Yami took Ming Jing to the Hyuga Clan compound, where Mirai explained that Yuexi was recovering after freezing part of her body with her ability.
• Ming Jing and Yami went to the arena and saw that the rooftop had been transformed by the First Hokage's Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence.
• Jiraiya told Ming Jing that the Third Hokage had chosen Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage, and Ming Jing agreed to support her ascension.

Ming Jing and Jiraiya watched the Third Hokage battle Orochimaru and the Edo First and Second Hokage, then left the rooftop to begin Konoha’s counterattack. Jiraiya summoned a giant toad to crush a rampaging snake as Ming Jing agreed to help give the Third Hokage hope.

• The Edo First Hokage’s Wood Release bound the Third Hokage, but Enma arrived and transformed into the Adamantine Staff to free him.
• The Third Hokage fought Orochimaru with the staff, but the Edo First and Second Hokage overwhelmed him and Orochimaru struck him down.
• The Third Hokage tripped Orochimaru and Enma caught him by the throat, but Orochimaru escaped by shedding his body and was kicked away.
• The Third Hokage damaged the Edo Hokage with Explosive Tags, then realized they could only be stopped by targeting the souls bound by Edo Tensei.
• Jiraiya and Ming Jing left the arena to begin Konoha’s counterattack, and Jiraiya summoned a giant toad that crushed a rampaging two-headed snake.

Naruto and Shikamaru gathered Neji and Shino to track down Sasuke, but Kimimaro reached him first. Kimimaro overwhelmed Sasuke in the Northern Village-Guarding Forest, and the chapter ended with Sasuke scrambling to evade his attacks.

• Naruto and Shikamaru encountered Kimimaro, who passed them while searching for Sasuke, so they sought help from Neji and Shino.
• Neji and Shino helped locate Sasuke in the Northern Village-Guarding Forest, and the four hurried toward him.
• Kimimaro confronted Sasuke and demanded that he come with him to serve Orochimaru; Sasuke refused and fought back.
• Kimimaro outmatched Sasuke, pierced his thigh, and split the crystallized tree where Sasuke had taken cover.

Sasuke and Neji fought Kimimaro as he tried to take Sasuke to Orochimaru, while Naruto’s clones joined the battle. Neji created an opening for Sasuke, who charged at Kimimaro with Chidori.

• Kimimaro attacked Sasuke, who used his Sharingan to dodge and counter before Kimimaro overpowered him and sent him flying.
• Neji caught Sasuke and challenged Kimimaro, then struck him with Gentle Fist: 128 Palms and Bagua: Vacuum Palm.
• Sasuke resolved to surpass Neji, Kakashi, and Ming Jing as he watched Neji’s strength.
• Kimimaro recovered and attacked again, but Naruto’s clones swarmed him until Kimimaro cut them down with bone spikes.
• Neji defended Naruto from Kimimaro’s Finger Bullet and held off the Dance of the Larch while Sasuke prepared a decisive attack.
• Neji blasted Kimimaro back with Bagua: Vacuum Palm, and Sasuke charged at him with Chidori.

Neji, Shikamaru, Shino, and Naruto coordinated their attacks against Kimimaro after he trapped Sasuke in a Bone Prison. Their combined assault sent Kimimaro flying, but he rose again as a destructive Chakra spread through his body.

• Kimimaro used his Shikotsumyaku and activated his Earth Curse Mark, then fought Neji in Cursed Seal State One.
• Naruto struggled to free Sasuke from the Bone Prison while Shikamaru and Shino watched and prepared Plan B.
• Neji used Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation to send Kimimaro flying, creating an opening for Shikamaru and Shino to restrain him.
• Naruto's clones struck Kimimaro with a Rasengan, Shino slammed him into the ground, and Neji followed with Eight Trigrams Empty Palm Strike.
• Naruto's clones vanished after revealing that Naruto had already fled to the village with Sasuke, while Neji and the others checked Kimimaro.
• Kimimaro slowly sat up as destructive Chakra spread from the mark on his chest, alarming Neji, Shikamaru, and Shino.

The Third Hokage battled Orochimaru, who revealed his Living Corpse Reincarnation and plan to take Sasuke’s body. The Third Hokage used the Reaper Death Seal to free and seal the First Naruto and Second Naruto, but Orochimaru remained defiant.

• Orochimaru revealed that he had changed bodies through Living Corpse Reincarnation and planned to take Sasuke’s body as his next vessel.
• Orochimaru and the First and Second puppets attacked the Third Hokage inside the barrier while he defended Konoha and completed the Reaper Death Seal.
• The Third Hokage pulled the First Naruto’s and Second Naruto’s souls from their puppets and sealed them, revealing that the puppets had been Orochimaru’s dead subordinates, Kin and Zaku.
• The Third Hokage condemned Orochimaru for sacrificing his subordinates, and Orochimaru dismissed his concern.

Ming Jing arrived in Konoha and rallied its ninja to counterattack the invaders, while the Third Hokage faced Orochimaru in a desperate fight. The chapter left the Third Hokage wounded but pulling Orochimaru’s soul out with the Reaper Death Seal.

• Jiraiya summoned a giant toad to crush the Three-Headed Serpent, and Ming Jing kicked Jiraiya off its head before calling Konoha’s ninja to counterattack.
• Hyuga Hiashi and Koji Kurama rallied their clans to leave their compounds and fight the invaders.
• Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi fought Sound and Sand Ninja, while Shikaku Nara discussed Danzo’s failed scheme with Inoichi.
• Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao killed seven Sand Ninja in an alley and went to support the other Konoha ninja.
• The Third Hokage used the Reaper Death Seal against Orochimaru, was pierced by Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword, and continued pulling Orochimaru’s soul from his body.

The Third Hokage used the Reaper Death Seal to take away Orochimaru’s ability to perform ninjutsu, then died from his wounds. Orochimaru escaped after the Sound Four stopped the pursuing Anbu, while Kabuto Yakushi vanished after Kakashi exposed him.

• The Third Hokage struggled to pull out Orochimaru’s soul as Orochimaru drove the Kusanagi Sword deeper into his body and threatened Konoha.
• The Third Hokage sealed Orochimaru’s hands and ninjutsu, declaring that the Konoha Crush Plan had failed.
• The Third Hokage died, and Enma pulled the Kusanagi Sword from his body before disappearing.
• Orochimaru ordered the Sound Four to end the battle and retreat, and Kidomaru’s spider web struck down three pursuing Anbu.
• Kakashi stopped Might Guy from chasing Orochimaru and exposed Kabuto Yakushi, who removed his Anbu mask and vanished.

Orochimaru and the Sound Four retreated from Konoha, but Ming Jing and his allies intercepted them at the outskirts. Orochimaru agreed to Ming Jing’s demands, including returning Izumi Uchiha unharmed.

• Tayuya delivered Orochimaru’s order to withdraw, and Kimimaro ended his fight with Neji before leaving with her.
• Shikamaru and Shino rested after the crisis eased, while Neji returned to check on the village.
• Kidomaru attacked Ming Jing’s group with a spiderweb, but Ming Jing’s Wind Cutters sliced it apart.
• Kimimaro tried to stab Ming Jing from behind, but Hizashi Hyuga destroyed his bone spear with Palm Rotation.
• Ming Jing demanded Orochimaru’s research reports, Akatsuki intelligence, and Izumi Uchiha’s safe return.
• Faced with Ming Jing, Hizashi, and Takuo Kurama, Orochimaru accepted the demands.

Ming Jing organized Konoha’s recovery after the Third Hokage’s funeral while Itachi and Kisame infiltrated the village under cover of fog to find Naruto. They reached Ichiraku Ramen, then moved to a nearby snack shop as Kakashi and Sasuke prepared to meet outside.

• Ming Jing reviewed the list of 279 severely wounded ninja and planned to place those unable to return to duty in the Ninja Academy or Police Department.
• Ming Jing received reassuring border reports and authorized Elder Zuo Yang to command the Police Department for a month while Elder Takuo returned to the Royal Capital.
• Itachi and Kisame entered Konoha under Genjutsu and searched for Naruto, whom they found at Ichiraku Ramen.
• Itachi led Kisame from Ichiraku Ramen to a snack shop and ordered anko dumplings, natto, and green tea.
• Kakashi met Kurenai and Asuma outside the snack shop and said he was waiting for Sasuke, who arrived and remarked that he hated natto and sweets.

Asuma and Kurenai confronted Itachi and Kisame at Konoha’s moat, and the battle escalated when Kakashi arrived. The chapter ended with Kakashi facing Itachi and questioning why he had returned to the village.

• Asuma and Kurenai intercepted the robed strangers, and Itachi and Kisame revealed their identities as wanted S-rank criminals.
• Asuma attacked Kisame while Kurenai used a surprise Genjutsu against Itachi, but Itachi reflected it and trapped her in an illusion.
• Asuma rescued Kurenai and countered Itachi with Wind Release, while Kisame blocked the attack and launched a Water Dragon Bullet.
• Asuma countered Kisame’s water technique with a wall of magma, but Itachi circled behind Asuma and Kurenai.
• Kakashi appeared beside Itachi, and he and Itachi faced each other as Kakashi asked why Itachi had returned to the village.

Itachi and Kisame confronted Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai, and Itachi overwhelmed Kakashi with Tsukuyomi. Itachi said he had come to search for the Fourth Hokage’s legacy, which Kakashi identified as Naruto.

• Kisame challenged Kakashi and clashed with Asuma while Itachi warned that they needed to avoid delay.
• Itachi attacked Kakashi with Water Release, then used Clone Explosion to blast Kakashi and Kurenai with towering waves.
• Itachi trapped Kakashi in Tsukuyomi, making him endure what felt like seventy-two hours of torture in an instant.
• Kakashi recovered enough to ask whether Itachi had come for Sasuke, and Itachi said he sought the Fourth Hokage’s legacy.
• Kakashi realized the legacy Itachi meant was Naruto.