Chapter Summaries

Ming Jing altered Tsukikyuu Shang Mei’s barriers across Amegakure, while Jiraiya confronted Pain and learned that his plan for peace was to use forbidden weapons made from the Tailed Beasts. As Tsukikyuu Shang Mei and Hidan approached the village, they noticed that the rain had stopped.

• Ming Jing modified the barriers Tsukikyuu Shang Mei had placed throughout Amegakure to give her a surprise when she returned.
• Jiraiya met the Animal Path and recognized his former student Nagato, then fought off its summoned crab and chameleon.
• Jiraiya questioned Pain about Yahiko, and Pain claimed that war had changed him into a god.
• Pain revealed that he planned to create a forbidden weapon from the Tailed Beasts and spread it among nations to make them fear war.
• Jiraiya summoned Gama Ken, stumbled when the toad moved, and was mocked by Pain for still being clumsy.
• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei and Hidan reached the outskirts of Amegakure and noticed that it was no longer raining.

Jiraiya and Gama Ken battled the Animal Path’s endlessly multiplying Split Dogs while Jiraiya tried to buy time to enter Sage Mode. Elsewhere, Ming Jing discovered that Tsukikyuu Shang Mei, one of his former disciples, was alive and had come looking for him.

• Jiraiya began preparing to activate Sage Mode and asked Gama Ken to protect him while he summoned the two Sages.
• The Animal Path sent the Chameleon and then a Three-Headed Dog against Jiraiya and Gama Ken; the dog repeatedly split into smaller dogs and overwhelmed Gama Ken.
• Jiraiya used Reverse Summoning to send the Split Dogs into the Stone Lodging Giant Toad’s stomach, then attacked the Animal Path from behind with Gama Ken.
• The Animal Path summoned a giant bird to attack Jiraiya.
• Ming Jing noticed that the altered barrier seal formula had lost contact and left his lookout; Tsukikyuu Shang Mei arrived moments later and declared that she wanted to witness her teacher’s strength.
• Ming Jing watched Tsukikyuu Shang Mei and realized that at least one of his disciples had survived.

Ming Jing watched as Jiraiya and the two Mount Myōboku sages fought the Animal Path and two other Paths of Pain. Jiraiya’s Sage Art fire attack was absorbed by the Deva Path, so he switched to close combat and launched a Super Giant Ball Rasengan.

• Ming Jing found Jiraiya after a giant water buffalo had rammed him into a wall, and Jiraiya emerged in Sage Mode with Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima.
• Sage Shima sniffed out the invisible chameleon and exposed the Animal Path, while Sage Fukasaku cut the summoned creature in two.
• The Animal Path summoned two more Rinnegan-wielding figures, and Jiraiya recognized his former student as an enemy he had to defeat.
• Jiraiya, Sage Fukasaku, and Sage Shima unleashed Sage Art: Fire Style: Blast Furnace, but the Deva Path absorbed the attack.
• Jiraiya strengthened his body, formed a Super Giant Ball Rasengan, and charged into close combat.

Jiraiya and Ming Jing faced Pain’s shared-vision abilities, then retreated while discussing what little they knew about the Six Paths and Pain’s connection to Hanzō’s death. Ming Jing was intercepted by Tsukikyuu Shang Mei, who defended Akatsuki’s plan to make the world suffer, and he challenged her belief that it would bring lasting peace.

• Jiraiya discovered that the Deva Path could absorb ninjutsu and that the Three Paths coordinated through Shared Vision, so he withdrew with the two Sages.
• Ming Jing told Jiraiya that Pain consisted of six people with different abilities and suggested Danzo might know more about Pain’s connection to Hanzō’s death.
• Jiraiya and the Sages considered separating Pain’s bodies and using Genjutsu, but Ming Jing cut off contact when Tsukikyuu Shang Mei caught up with him.
• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei told Ming Jing she had joined Akatsuki because she agreed with its leader’s plan to make the world feel pain before it could value peace.
• Ming Jing argued that people forget past suffering and warned Shang Mei that Akatsuki was becoming like the people it hated.

Tsukikyuu Shang Mei, Tamamura, and Kōsuke attacked Ming Jing, but he escaped after countering their techniques. Jiraiya fought the Six Paths of Pain, recognized Yahiko in the Deva Path, and was crushed into the lake as a toad tongue dragged the Animal Path underwater.

• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei trapped Ming Jing with a Shadow Binding Barrier, but Ming Jing evaded her genjutsu and counterattacked with the Hundred Steps Barrier.
• Tamamura attacked Ming Jing with Storm Style: Light Fang, and Kōsuke and Tsukikyuu Shang Mei followed with fire and barrier techniques.
• Ming Jing countered the returned Wind Cutters with an Earth Flow Wall and vanished behind the dust.
• The other three Paths appeared beside the three Jiraiya had defeated, and Deva Path Pain declared that all six together were the Six Paths of Pain.
• Jiraiya recognized the Deva Path as Yahiko and demanded to know why he had Nagato’s Rinnegan, but Pain attacked him and smashed him into the lake.
• Two toad tongues dragged the Animal Path underwater, and Deva Path Pain noticed that its Chakra had disappeared.

Ming Jing and Jiraiya fought Pain’s Paths and were trapped inside Tsukikyuu Shang Mei’s Nine-Palace Flying Stars Barrier. Ming Jing began searching for the barrier’s auspicious star while Jiraiya tried to endure his injury.

• Ming Jing and Jiraiya discovered that the Animal Path was a former ninja Jiraiya had fought, while Jiraiya refused to retreat before confirming Pain’s identity.
• When Pain’s forces found them, Ming Jing entered Sage Mode and fought alongside Jiraiya, who realized that each of Pain’s Paths was someone he had met before.
• Ming Jing and Jiraiya coordinated attacks against the Paths, but Tsukikyuu Shang Mei activated the Nine-Palace Flying Stars Barrier and trapped them with the Human Path.
• Ming Jing explained that they had to identify the barrier’s auspicious star to escape, while Jiraiya said his severed arm left him only about two days to hold on.

Ming Jing used Genjutsu to escape a barrier in Amegakure with Jiraiya, then caused flooding to distract the rain ninja and flee to the Land of Fire. They rested in safety, where Ming Jing explained his technique and urged the injured Jiraiya to recover rather than return to Konoha immediately.

• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei let Deva Path and Deva Path enter the barrier, while Ming Jing prepared to escape with Jiraiya.
• Ming Jing released his Mirror Flower Technique, making Jiraiya appear outside the barrier and trapping the Paths of Pain in his Genjutsu.
• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei failed to undo the barrier after Ming Jing altered its seals, and Nagato's Paths could not break through it.
• Ming Jing and Jiraiya fled Amegakure after his preparations caused fountains to flood parts of the village and distract its rain ninja.
• Ming Jing explained that he had used the Mirror Flower Technique on Jiraiya, Sage Fukasaku, the Paths of Pain, and Tsukikyuu Shang Mei.
• Ming Jing advised Jiraiya to recuperate away from Konoha, while Jiraiya joked about teaching him how to attract women.

After escaping the Five Paths of Pain, Ming Jing learned that Sasuke and Kisame had been spotted at an Akatsuki hideout and hurried to join the Konoha team sent there. Sasuke reunited with Itachi, who lured him toward the Uchiha hideout, while Naruto’s clone led Kakashi’s team to Sasuke and his companions.

• The Deva Path and Zetsu discussed the escape of Jiraiya and Akira Kurama and the hunt for the Nine-Tails.
• Ming Jing treated Jiraiya, then learned from Taichi that Sasuke and Kisame had been found and that Kakashi was leading a team to the hideout.
• Ming Jing sent Taichi back to Konoha for Mirai and emergency medical supplies, then set out toward the Uchiha hideout while recovering from his depleted Chakra.
• Sasuke entered a cave alone, confronted Itachi, and pierced him with a Chidori Sharp Spear, but Itachi vanished as a flock of crows and directed Sasuke to meet him at the Uchiha hideout.
• Sasuke led Jugo, Suigetsu, and Kabuto onward, dispersed Naruto’s Shadow Clone, and prompted Naruto to guide Kakashi’s team toward them.

Sasuke continued alone toward his duel with Itachi while Kisame stayed behind to face Suigetsu. Tobi trapped Yakumo in a Genjutsu that harmed her body, and Hinata tried to save her by sealing her Chakra points with the Gentle Fist.

• Kisame blocked Sasuke’s path and told his companions that Itachi had ordered Sasuke to proceed alone, so Sasuke charged ahead while the others stayed behind.
• Suigetsu identified himself to Kisame and challenged him to fight while Naruto’s group hurried onward.
• Tobi appeared in front of Naruto’s group, dodged Naruto’s Shadow Clone attack, and drew Yakumo into a Genjutsu before escaping over a cliff.
• Shikouin’s attack failed to stop Tobi, while Yakumo suffered lightning burns inside the illusion and Karin’s attempt to disrupt her Chakra flow failed.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to locate Yakumo’s Chakra points and sealed sixty-four of them with the Gentle Fist, prompting Tobi to praise the idea of using it against Genjutsu.

Kakashi’s team fought Tobi as they tried to reach Sasuke, while Ming Jing recovered and hurried toward the Uchiha Clan compound. Sasuke confronted Itachi there and attacked him with Chidori Stream.

• Kakashi’s team regrouped and launched a coordinated assault on Tobi, but he used his passage technique to block their attempts to advance.
• Kakashi and Uzuki Yugao recognized they would have to defeat Tobi seriously before they could continue.
• Ming Jing recovered his Chakra in the carriage, then flew toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
• Sasuke entered the compound and faced Itachi, declaring that he could see Itachi being killed by him.
• Itachi disarmed Sasuke during their exchange, and Sasuke unleashed Chidori Stream across the ground toward him.

Sasuke confronted Itachi with illusions and demanded the identity of the other Uchiha involved in the clan massacre. As the brothers prepared to continue their fight, Ming Jing diverted from the Uchiha stronghold after sensing Yakumo and Hinata in danger.

• Sasuke used a series of illusions to attack Itachi and asked who the third Mangekyō Sharingan user was.
• Itachi named Uchiha Madara and claimed that Madara was still alive, while Sasuke rejected the idea.
• Sasuke revealed that he had seen through Itachi's illusion, and Itachi questioned whether Sasuke had gained the same eyes as him.
• White Zetsu spotted a powerful person approaching, then identified the arrivals as Kurama Yakumo and Hinata, whom Ming Jing had stopped to save.

Ming Jing rescued Yakumo from her Thunder Illusion Realm by taking control of it and breaking it apart. Meanwhile, Itachi began explaining the Mangekyō Sharingan’s cost and Madara Uchiha’s secrets to Sasuke.

• Hinata told Ming Jing how she had used the Gentle Fist to stop Yakumo’s Chakra from flowing, and he praised her.
• Ming Jing entered Yakumo’s illusion and found her crying on a stone mountain.
• Yakumo questioned Ming Jing about his relationships with young women, then agreed to keep quiet about crying if he saved her.
• Ming Jing used Genjutsu: Tōshō Daigongen to take control of the Thunder Illusion Realm and shatter it, waking Yakumo.
• Ming Jing explained Yakumo’s injuries to her, and she shouted at him when he poked her wound.
• Itachi told Sasuke that using the Mangekyō Sharingan led to blindness and explained that Madara Uchiha had discovered another secret of the eyes.

Itachi revealed the Uchiha Clan’s history and his plan to take Sasuke’s eyes, then overwhelmed Sasuke in their fight and reached for his Sharingan. Elsewhere, Akira Kurama concealed himself and surveyed the forest, wary that Obito and Zetsu might discover his actions.

• White Zetsu reported that Akira Kurama had left, and Black Zetsu ordered him to keep a close watch on Akira’s powerful Genjutsu.
• Itachi used Genjutsu to show Sasuke the Uchiha Clan’s bloody history and declared that he would kill Sasuke to obtain his eyes.
• Sasuke rejected Itachi’s explanation and prepared to fight, while Itachi taunted him for lacking the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• The brothers exchanged Shuriken and fought at close range until Itachi’s clone and crow attack let him knock Sasuke down and pin him against a wall.
• Itachi reached for Sasuke’s eye, saying he would take his light.
• Akira Kurama hid himself with Genjutsu, flew above the forest, and surveyed the area while worrying that Obito and Zetsu would learn of his actions.

Sasuke broke Itachi’s Tsukuyomi and gained control of their duel, while Itachi prepared to escalate the fight with Amaterasu. Ming Jing watched from concealment and agreed not to interfere as the battle continued.

• Itachi gouged out Sasuke’s left eye, but Sasuke released the Cursed Seal and used its power to break Tsukuyomi.
• Black Zetsu realized Sasuke had broken the illusion, and Itachi acknowledged Sasuke’s strength before preparing to fight seriously.
• Sasuke interrupted Itachi’s Hand Seals with a Fuma Shuriken attack and wounded his thigh with a hidden blade fragment.
• Sasuke followed up with a Great Fireball Technique and Chidori, while Itachi evaded and countered with the Fire Dragon Technique.
• Ming Jing appeared on the Uchiha crest wall and mentally agreed with Itachi not to interfere in the duel.

Sasuke and Itachi fought across the rooftop, with Itachi using Amaterasu and Sasuke evading it with a substitution technique before counterattacking with fire. As Sasuke prepared his final ninjutsu beneath the storm clouds, Itachi watched from above and Ming Jing worried about Itachi’s failing health.

• Sasuke protected himself from Itachi’s Fire Dragon Technique with his fleshy wings, and the brothers clashed with Great Fireball Techniques.
• Itachi used Amaterasu, but Sasuke evaded the black flames with an Orochimaru-style Substitution Technique.
• Itachi coughed up blood, and Ming Jing asked whether guilt, disappointment, and pressure were making him give up on living.
• Sasuke attacked from inside the building with three Fire Dragon Techniques, burning Itachi’s right hand and damaging the rooftop.
• Sasuke left Cursed Seal State and announced that his next ninjutsu would be impossible to evade as rain began to fall.

Sasuke used Kirin to devastate the Uchiha compound, but Itachi survived and revealed Susanoo. When Orochimaru emerged from Sasuke’s Cursed Seal, Itachi sealed him with the Ten-Tails Sword, while Ming Jing watched for what would happen next.

• Sasuke summoned Kirin from the storm clouds and struck Itachi, destroying much of the Uchiha compound.
• Itachi rose despite his wounds, revealed Susanoo, and summoned its armored form with a sword and shield.
• Orochimaru burst from Sasuke’s Cursed Seal as the Eight-Branched Serpent and fought Itachi’s Susanoo.
• Orochimaru emerged from the serpent and attacked with the Kusanagi Sword, but Itachi pierced him with the Ten-Tails Sword.
• Itachi’s sword dragged Orochimaru into its gourd and sealed him away as Ming Jing looked toward the sky.

Ming Jing replaced Itachi’s body with a prepared corpse and had Mirai attempt to save him, while Obito took Sasuke to a hideout and began revealing Itachi’s secrets. Sasuke’s Mangekyo Sharingan activated and triggered the Amaterasu Itachi had implanted to protect him, leaving Sasuke demanding answers from Obito.

• Ming Jing used Genjutsu to replace Itachi with a prepared corpse, preserved Itachi’s eyes, and carried him away.
• Mirai and Karin treated Itachi in Ming Jing’s rescue carriage after his heart stopped.
• Obito retrieved the corpse and carried the unconscious Sasuke away, while White Zetsu briefly suspected that something about Itachi’s eyes felt wrong.
• Obito told Sasuke that he knew the truth about Itachi, prompting Sasuke to awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan and unleash Amaterasu on him.
• Obito explained that Itachi had implanted Amaterasu in Sasuke to protect him from Obito, and Sasuke demanded to know why Itachi had done it.

Obito tried to convince Sasuke that Itachi had sacrificed himself to protect him, while Ming Jing rushed Izumi out of Konoha because Itachi needed her. Danzo suspected his plans had been exposed, and Tsunade prepared to investigate Root with help from Might Guy's team and the Hyuga and Kurama Clans.

• Mirai warned that Itachi might not survive the three-hour journey because Shikouin had nearly exhausted his Chakra and Itachi had no will to live.
• Obito told Sasuke that Itachi had acted to protect him and explained how Akira Kurama had disrupted his meeting with Itachi on the night of the massacre.
• Sasuke struggled to reconcile his memories of Itachi as a loving brother and a ruthless enemy, then became agitated and coughed.
• Ming Jing entered Konoha, carried Izumi away to help Itachi, and used Genjutsu to put four Anbu to sleep when they tried to stop him.
• Danzo ordered Root to investigate and detain suspicious members after learning that Ming Jing had taken Izumi.
• Tsunade discussed Root's interest in Izumi with Shizune and decided to wait for Might Guy's team, with the Hyuga and Kurama Clans as potential allies.

Obito began revealing to Sasuke that Itachi massacred the Uchiha Clan on Konoha’s orders, and Sasuke agreed to hear the truth. In a dark afterlife, Itachi reunited with Fugaku, who urged him to return and tell Sasuke that he trusted him.

• Obito told Sasuke that Konoha ordered Itachi to kill the Uchiha Clan, and Sasuke asked him to explain what happened.
• Itachi wandered through a dark place until he found Fugaku sitting beside a campfire.
• Itachi recounted his life and admitted that he had underestimated Sasuke and should have trusted him.
• Fugaku and Itachi discussed the Uchiha Clan’s pride and how Akira Kurama had helped the Kurama Clan rise in strength and status.
• Lightning appeared in the darkness, and Fugaku urged Itachi to go tell Sasuke that he believed in him.

Obito told Sasuke his version of the Uchiha Clan’s history, from its rivalry with the Senju to the suspicion and surveillance that followed the Nine-Tails Invasion, and claimed Itachi’s path to hell began when he was planted as a spy. Elsewhere, Ming Jing asked Izumi to help the gravely ill Itachi regain the will to live, and she held his hand in silence.

• Obito said he had taken his younger brother’s eyes to protect the Uchiha Clan and described opposing peace with the Senju before the clans helped establish Konoha.
• Obito recounted how the Uchiha rejected his bid to oppose Hashirama, leaving him to challenge Konoha and supposedly die at the Valley of the End.
• Obito told Sasuke that the Uchiha were isolated and monitored after the Nine-Tails Invasion, despite the disaster having nothing to do with them.
• Obito said Konoha’s leaders planted Itachi as a spy in the Uchiha Clan, beginning Itachi’s path to hell.
• Ming Jing showed Izumi the injured, seriously ill Itachi and asked her to help him recover his will to live.
• Izumi grasped Itachi’s hand and silently prayed for him.