Chapter Summaries

Ming Jing reassured Hinata about Itachi’s recovery, then took her into the clouds, where they shared a romantic moment and watched the sunset. After they returned to the group, Ming Jing offered to treat everyone to dinner in Konoha.

• Mirai reported that Itachi’s heartbeat had strengthened, and Ming Jing left him in her care before reassuring Hinata that he was fine.
• Ming Jing carried Hinata into the sky and set her down on soft clouds, promising they would travel together once everything was over.
• Ming Jing kissed Hinata and recited a poem praising her beauty, while Hinata blushed and leaned against him.
• Ming Jing and Hinata watched the sunset together, then descended and met Uzuki Yugao, Shino, and Kiba.
• Ming Jing said they were an hour from Konoha and offered to pay for dinner, prompting Kiba to vow that the group would eat him broke.

After returning to Konoha, Ming Jing explained to Hinata why he had altered Uzuki Yugao, Shino, and Kiba’s memories to protect the secret that Itachi might still be alive, and Hinata reaffirmed her trust in him. Meanwhile, Sasuke formed an alliance between Taka and Akatsuki to hunt Tailed Beasts, with Taka assigned the Eight-Tails.

• Uzuki Yugao apologized for failing to protect Yakumo, and Ming Jing reassured her before revealing to Hinata that he had altered Yugao’s, Shino’s, and Kiba’s memories.
• Ming Jing told Hinata that he had hidden the truth about Itachi to prevent greater trouble, and Hinata kissed him and said she believed him before fainting in his arms.
• Sasuke recalled that Itachi had cried on the night of their family’s deaths, rejected transplanting Itachi’s eyes, and declared that he would revive the Uchiha in his own way.
• At a meeting with Taka and Akatsuki, Suigetsu challenged Obito and admitted he had joined Sasuke to get Samehada, but Sasuke told him he could not defeat Kisame yet.
• Obito offered Taka Tailed Beasts in exchange for working with Akatsuki, and the two groups agreed to hunt the remaining three; Taka would pursue the Eight-Tails while Akatsuki handled the others, including Naruto.

Ming Jing discussed Danzo, Itachi, and the rescued life-form with Tsunade in the Hokage Office, then Killer B faced Team Taka at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. After defeating Suigetsu and Jugo, Killer B prepared to fight Sasuke.

• Tsunade asked Ming Jing why he would not help her deal with Danzo, and Ming Jing said Danzo’s troubles kept the Police Department from becoming a target.
• Ming Jing told Tsunade that Itachi had died from illness and that he had taken Izumi to try to restore Itachi’s hope, but he withheld details about the wounded life-form.
• Killer B emerged from his training grounds and met Sasuke, Suigetsu, Jugo, and Kabuto, who had come to capture him.
• Suigetsu attacked Killer B with the Kubikiribōchō, but Killer B stopped the blade and knocked it away.
• Jugo transformed and charged Killer B, who dodged his attack and knocked him unconscious with a punch.
• Sasuke stepped forward to fight Killer B after Suigetsu and Jugo were defeated.

Sasuke and Taka fought Killer B, whose bizarre seven-sword style overwhelmed Sasuke before Suigetsu and Jugo joined the battle. Killer B escaped their combined attack and prepared to use his eighth blade after Kabuto sensed his hiding place.

• Sasuke initially outmaneuvered Killer B, but Killer B switched to his seven-sword style and wounded Sasuke with a rapid series of attacks.
• Killer B blocked Sasuke’s Chidori-coated sword, then stabbed him with six blades; Suigetsu intervened, and Jugo knocked Killer B away while Sasuke disrupted his Lightning Release.
• Kabuto removed the blades from Sasuke and treated his wounds, and Sasuke agreed to fight alongside Suigetsu and Jugo.
• Suigetsu trapped Killer B with his liquid body, allowing Sasuke to strike them both with Chidori, and Jugo followed with a crushing blow.
• Killer B evaded Jugo’s attack and hid on a mountain peak a thousand meters away, but Kabuto sensed him and pointed out his location.
• Killer B realized Kabuto was a Sensor Ninja and decided to use his eighth blade.

Sasuke and his team fought Killer B, but Killer B’s Eight-Tails transformation overwhelmed them even after Jugo saved Sasuke from a fatal wound. The chapter ended with Suigetsu unconscious, Sasuke and Jugo weakened, and Killer B closing in as the team struggled to escape.

• Sasuke dodged Killer B’s attack with his Sharingan, but Killer B destroyed the platform and forced Jugo to carry Suigetsu and Kabuto to safety.
• Sasuke trapped Killer B in a genjutsu, but Killer B broke free and struck Sasuke with a Liger Bomb, gravely injuring him.
• Jugo gave Sasuke his Chakra and flesh to heal him, shrinking into a child in the process, while Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails.
• Kabuto tried to flee with Sasuke and Jugo as Suigetsu used Water Release to block Killer B and hold him back.
• Killer B fired a Tailed Beast Bomb, blasted Suigetsu unconscious, and destroyed the hills ahead of Kabuto, leaving Jugo asking what they could do.

Ming Jing learned that Akatsuki had captured the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and told the newly awakened Itachi to stay hidden and prepare for the coming war. Meanwhile, Tsunade sent Team 7 to protect the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden technique at Mount Katsuragi Fortress.

• After Itachi’s condition stabilized, Ming Jing adjusted the medical shifts and Mirai praised Karin’s talent.
• Yuexi returned with news that the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki had disappeared, and Ming Jing concluded that Akatsuki had captured him.
• Itachi awoke and told Ming Jing he had given his ocular power to Sasuke before he expected to die.
• Ming Jing told Itachi that Sasuke had joined Akatsuki and captured the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, then urged him to recover and remain hidden.
• Tsunade learned that Mount Katsuragi Fortress was under attack by people seeking the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden technique and ordered Team 7 to protect it.

Hinata won a ramen eating contest while Ming Jing learned that the Six-Tails Jinchuriki had disappeared. Naruto then confronted Ming Jing about Jiraiya's disappearance, and Ming Jing challenged him to face the truth.

• Hinata entered the ramen contest for a penguin plushie and won after eating forty-five bowls.
• Taichi told Ming Jing that the Six-Tails Jinchuriki had disappeared.
• Sage Fukasaku told Tsunade and Naruto that Jiraiya had vanished after investigating Akatsuki in Amegakure, where he discovered Pain was his former student Nagato.
• Naruto went to find Ming Jing, who was escorting Hinata home, and asked about Jiraiya.
• Ming Jing sent Chiyo and Mirai to escort Hinata, then asked Naruto whether he dared to hear the truth about Jiraiya.

Ming Jing showed Naruto an illusion of Jiraiya’s death to make him face his grief, and Naruto later found comfort in Iruka and Yuexi. The chapter left Naruto feeling supported and ready to move forward, while Yuexi returned to Ming Jing and playfully challenged him.

• Ming Jing used an illusion of Jiraiya’s death to make Naruto confront his loss, and Naruto questioned why Ming Jing had not saved him.
• Naruto wandered through the village alone, then met Iruka, who reminded him that Jiraiya had been proud of him and encouraged him to keep going.
• Yuexi joined Naruto and Iruka, sharing that Jiraiya was someone Ming Jing admired and urging Naruto to become someone Jiraiya would be proud of.
• Naruto realized that Iruka and Yuexi cared about him, and Iruka sent him home to rest.
• Yuexi returned to the Kurama Clan compound, where Ming Jing teased her and assigned her to make wontons for breakfast.

Ming Jing learned that Akatsuki planned to attack Konoha and accepted a summons to the Valley of the End, while arranging for the Kurama and Hyuga clans to shelter there. Obito prepared to kill Ming Jing at the Valley of the End with Sasuke as backup, as Ming Jing set out with Qing Yan and Yuexi.

• Ming Jing received a message demanding that he come alone to the Valley of the End to save Konan, and suspected Obito was behind it.
• Ming Jing warned Koji Kurama that Akatsuki would attack Konoha and said he intended to keep the appointment; Koji Kurama revealed a shelter in the Forest of Death and agreed to bring Hinata there.
• Ming Jing summoned Qing Yan and the Four Brothers, assigned Takuo Kurama to guard the house, and left for the Valley of the End with Qing Yan.
• Yuexi brought Ming Jing wontons and changed into combat attire to accompany him.
• Obito told Sasuke he planned to kill Ming Jing at the Valley of the End, and Sasuke agreed to test Ming Jing's strength.

Ming Jing fought Obito at the Valley of the End, repeatedly countering his Kamui and concealing his attacks with Wind Release. The battle ended with both of them apparently phasing through each other, leaving Sasuke and the others unable to explain what they were seeing.

• Ming Jing attacked Obito with Wind Blades, Mirror Flower, a sword strike, and a Water Dragon Bullet while Obito used Kamui to evade him.
• Suigetsu, Jugo, Kabuto, and Sasuke watched as Sasuke explained that Ming Jing understood and anticipated Obito better than Obito understood himself.
• Ming Jing entered Sage Mode and accelerated with Sage Art: Wind Control, while Obito used Rain Tiger at Will to try to sense his concealed attacks.
• Ming Jing scattered Obito's rain with a hurricane and declared that he could command the wind.
• Ming Jing and Obito traded attacks that passed through each other's bodies, confusing Kabuto, Jugo, and Sasuke.

Ming Jing used Sixth Sense Manipulation to trap Obito in an illusion and nearly force him to reveal Konan’s location, but Sasuke interrupted him. Ming Jing then fought Obito and Sasuke, ending the chapter as he summoned the Wind King and Obito urged Sasuke to evade its Storm Hammer.

• Obito recognized Ming Jing’s Sixth Sense Manipulation, while Sasuke and the others realized Ming Jing was keeping watch on them.
• Ming Jing trapped Obito in an illusion and tried to question him about Konan, but Sasuke’s Amaterasu broke the illusion before Ming Jing could get an answer.
• Ming Jing declared he would keep Obito and Sasuke there for three days, and Sasuke charged him as Obito attacked with his chains.
• Ming Jing’s sensory Genjutsu failed when Sasuke and Obito dispelled it through each other’s Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Ming Jing summoned the Wind King and prepared its Storm Hammer, prompting Obito to grab Sasuke and warn him to avoid the attack.

Hinata learned that the Hyuga and Kurama Clans were preparing for a crisis as Konoha mobilized after receiving secret intelligence. When Shikamaru, Sakura, and Naruto stopped her, Hinata explained that the clans were protecting their families but were not abandoning the village, and that Ming Jing had gone to intercept a powerful enemy.

• Hinata Mai told Hinata that Hizashi had taken Hanabi and that they were heading to the Kurama Clan at its head’s request.
• Hizashi sent Tokuma to deliver the Hyuga Clan’s intelligence to Tsunade, who ordered Konoha to enter its highest state of alert.
• Shikamaru concluded that the Hyuga and Kurama Clans might withdraw, and he, Sakura, and Naruto set out to find Hinata and ask her to keep them in the village.
• Shikamaru, Sakura, and Naruto intercepted Hinata’s carriage before it reached the Kurama Clan Compound and asked her to help Konoha.
• Hinata told Naruto that protecting their families was also a shinobi’s duty and revealed that Ming Jing had left to intercept a powerful enemy while the Hyuga jonin remained ready for Tsunade’s orders.

Qing Yan and Yuexi learned that Konan was in the Land of Hot Water but decided to continue the rescue plan. In Konoha, Hinata persuaded the Kurama Clan to leave some fighters behind to defend the village and was tasked with recruiting them.

• Yuexi received Ming Jing's intelligence and learned that Konan was in the Land of Hot Water, so she and Qing Yan set out to follow the original plan with Chief Yagyu.
• Naruto, Shikamaru, Sakura, and Hinata asked Koji Kurama to have the Kurama Clan help defend Konoha.
• Hinata urged the clan to leave some fighters behind and offered to command them, and Koji agreed to her proposal.
• Koji made Hinata responsible for persuading volunteers to stay, and Karin, Chiyo, and Yami offered to help her.
• Up declined to stay because the Four Brothers had a mission, while Right promised to find Hinata a helper and Taichi volunteered to fight.

Ming Jing fought Sasuke and Obito at the Valley of the End, but Obito struck him with Wood Release: Piercing Wood Technique. Ming Jing tore the branches from his chest and remained conscious, though Sasuke approached to finish him.

• Ming Jing's Storm Hammer swept away the lake, forcing Obito and Sasuke into Kamui Space until the technique faded.
• Sasuke attacked Ming Jing with shuriken, his sword, Chidori Stream, and Fire Dragon Bullet, but Ming Jing countered with Earth Flow River and Vacuum Sphere.
• Sasuke used Amaterasu to evade Ming Jing's strike, while Ming Jing mocked Obito and drew him into the fight.
• Obito caught Ming Jing with Kamui, but Ming Jing's Hundred Step Railing barrier forced him to retreat and blocked Sasuke's Chidori Sharp Spear.
• Obito impaled Ming Jing with Wood Release: Piercing Wood Technique, and Ming Jing tore the branches from his chest as Sasuke walked over to finish him.

Ming Jing activated Heavenly Court Mode, healed from his injuries, and overwhelmed Sasuke and Obito in battle. He entered Kamui Space and returned with them to the real world, leaving both men shocked and unsure how he had done it.

• Ming Jing activated Heavenly Court Mode, healed his chest wound, and sent Sasuke flying with a sudden attack.
• Ming Jing used Earth Release and Barrier: Rebound to catch Obito off guard, break part of his mask, and knock him away.
• Sasuke and Obito attacked Ming Jing together, but he matched them in taijutsu using Wing Chun and blocked their combined ninjutsu with Barrier: Void Break.
• Ming Jing entered Kamui Space after Obito and Sasuke, struck them, and snapped his fingers to return all three to the real world.
• Sasuke demanded to know what was happening, while Obito shouted in disbelief at how Ming Jing had entered Kamui Space.

As Konoha prepared for Pain’s attack, Naruto learned that he could not defeat Pain without becoming stronger. Sage Fukasaku took Naruto to Mount Myōboku to train in Sage Art, while Tsunade and the others stayed to defend the village.

• Konoha began moving civilians and Ninja Academy students into shelters, and Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sakura reported the Kurama Clan’s promise to Tsunade.
• Tsunade explained that Pain had six bodies with abilities including summoning, resurrection, and absorption, while Shizune’s autopsy of a corpse would take at least a week.
• Naruto tried to rush off to avenge Jiraiya, but Sage Fukasaku warned him that he would die if he fought Pain as he was.
• Sage Fukasaku offered to take Naruto to Mount Myōboku and teach him Sage Art, and Naruto agreed to train.
• Sage Fukasaku used the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to take Naruto away, while Tsunade and the others returned to their work defending Konoha.

At the Valley of the End, Ming Jing and Sasuke spoke over food while remaining poised to fight Obito. Outside Konoha, Nagato and Konan planned to wait for Naruto to leave the village before capturing the Nine-Tails.

• Ming Jing warned Sasuke that Obito was dangerous, but Sasuke insisted that they were partners with a shared enemy.
• Ming Jing brought out a lavish meal and offered food to Sasuke, who accepted and asked what Ming Jing knew about Obito.
• Ming Jing told Sasuke that Obito was talented but foolish, and reminded him that his best friend and older brother had protected him.
• Konan concealed Nagato, the Six Paths of Pain, and Tsukikyuu Shang Mei near Konoha as Nagato sensed the village's emergency preparations.
• Nagato found that Naruto's Nine-Tails Chakra was not in Konoha and decided to wait for civilians to leave their shelters so they could lure Naruto out.

Konoha lured the Six Paths of Pain into attacking after civilians began leaving the shelters, using disguised ninja to divide the battlefield into six units. Hinata’s unit confronted Deva Path, who overwhelmed Taichi and Chiyo and began draining their Chakra.

• Tsunade accepted Shikaku Nara’s plan after scouts found no enemies, while Nagato and Konan waited in the Forest of Death.
• After three more days, civilians emerged from the shelters, and Nagato decided the time had come to attack.
• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei took control of Konoha’s defense barrier, allowing the Six Paths of Pain to enter and the Asura Path to bombard buildings.
• Konoha’s disguised ninja revealed themselves and split into six units, with Hinata leading the group facing Deva Path.
• Taichi and Chiyo attacked Deva Path with flaming and lightning-enhanced swords, but Deva Path blocked them, seized their wrists, and began absorbing their Chakra.

Hinata’s team defeated Deva Path in the first area and moved to support the second, where Asuma fought the Animal Path’s summons. In the fifth area, Kakashi confronted Deva Path, but the enemy repelled his attacks and pulled him toward himself.

• Hinata ordered Yami to strike Deva Path while Taichi and Chiyo held him down, and Yami’s kick left him motionless in a crater.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to confirm Deva Path’s Chakra was dissipating, then sent the sealing squad to collect him and led the others toward the second area.
• Asuma cut a giant centipede into pieces, but the Animal Path summoned a giant rhino that charged through an office building.
• Kakashi rescued Iruka from Deva Path and told him to evacuate the wounded.
• Kakashi fought Deva Path with Earth Release and Lightning Release techniques, but Deva Path repelled his attacks and blasted away the surrounding area.
• Deva Path used an unseen force to pull Kakashi toward him.

Guy's team encountered Konan and Tsukikyuu Shang Mei while investigating the attack on the village, and learned that the Akatsuki were searching for Naruto. Guy fought back with his powerful taijutsu, while Konan and Tsukikyuu Shang Mei continued their assault.

• Neji spotted the village attack with his Byakugan, and Konan ambushed Guy's team with paper spears as they hurried back.
• Neji and Tenten attacked Konan, but her paper body and a barrier thwarted their strikes and explosions.
• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei questioned Neji about Akira Kurama's fiancée, while Guy and Lee shared an exuberant moment before Konan demanded Naruto's whereabouts.
• Guy opened the Sixth Gate and used Morning Peacock, but Konan avoided the attack when Tsukikyuu Shang Mei's Void Break barrier failed to stop the taijutsu.
• Tsukikyuu Shang Mei sent Tamamura to attack Guy, but Guy knocked him away and countered Konan's paper swarm with Night Phoenix.