Chapter Summaries

Menma secured Orochimaru’s agreement to take Suigetsu and prepared to use a cell-activation fluid to strengthen himself enough to break the Eight Trigrams Seal. The chapter ended as Menma began the risky experiment to gain access to the Nine-Tails’ Chakra.

• Menma asked Orochimaru to let him take Suigetsu, and Orochimaru agreed.
• Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to accelerate the Rinnegan experiment and investigate Hyuga Clan members, including capturing Branch Family members alive.
• Menma resolved to accelerate his growth by mastering the Nine-Tails’ Chakra and set up a personal laboratory in Takigakure.
• Menma and Karin prepared to test a cell-activation fluid intended to improve Menma’s physical strength and help him withstand the Nine-Tails’ Chakra.
• Despite Karin’s concerns, Menma decided to attempt to break the Eight Trigrams Seal without the key held by Jiraiya.

Menma endured a painful experiment to improve his body’s ability to withstand the Nine-Tails’ Chakra, but the results fell far short of expectations. He and Karin proceeded with their plan to reverse the Four Symbols Seal and remove the Eight Trigrams Seal as soon as possible.

• Menma injected the special liquid while Karin monitored his cellular changes, and his cell division rate rose to just below the critical threshold.
• After the experiment, Menma sensed only a slight improvement in his vitality and compatibility with the Nine-Tails’ Chakra.
• Karin worried that Menma’s suffering had brought little benefit, but Menma reassured her that the experiment had still helped.
• Menma explained that he needed to master the Nine-Tails’ Chakra quickly to face Nagato, Obito, and their threats.
• Karin agreed to support Menma as they prepared to reverse the Four Symbols Seal and break the Eight Trigrams Seal.

Menma attempted to remove the Eight Trigrams Seal so he could gain access to Kurama’s power, but a Chakra imprint of his father, Namikaze Minato, appeared and stopped him. Menma refused to speak with Minato privately and confronted him about knowing of his suffering and choices, leaving Minato visibly guilty and Kurama watching with amusement.

• Menma rested, then entered his inner world and told Kurama he was willing to risk losing control if unsealing the seal was his only chance to survive.
• Menma persuaded Kurama to cooperate by explaining that the organization was gathering the Tailed Beasts and its leader possessed the Rinnegan.
• Menma began the Four Symbols Unsealing Technique and reached for the sealing talisman, but Minato’s Chakra imprint appeared and grabbed his hand.
• Menma refused Minato’s offer to move their conversation to a separate mental space, insisting Kurama remain present.
• Menma challenged Minato for knowing about his life and choices, and Minato apologized as Kurama watched his guilt with delight.

Menma and Minato discussed Menma’s resentment toward Konoha, his plans for revenge, and his relationship with Naruto. As Minato’s chakra faded, Menma revealed that Obito Uchiha was the masked man behind the Nine-Tails’ attack and explained Akatsuki’s plan to capture the Tailed Beasts.

• Menma recognized Minato and Kushina as his parents but explained that Konoha’s failure to care for him had fueled his resentment.
• Minato acknowledged Konoha’s responsibility and respected Menma’s choices, while asking him not to harm innocent people.
• Menma said he would target only specific enemies and had no interest in killing Konoha’s civilians unless they stood in his way.
• Minato asked Menma not to kill Naruto, and Menma promised he would try not to kill his younger brother.
• Minato warned Menma about the masked man who called himself Madara Uchiha, but Menma identified him as Obito Uchiha and revealed Akatsuki’s goal of gathering the Tailed Beasts.

Menma told Minato about Obito, Madara, and the three former disciples of Jiraiya, then asked his father for jutsu knowledge and the other half of the Nine-Tails’ chakra. Minato agreed before disappearing, leaving Menma to prepare to break the Eight Trigrams Seal.

• Minato concluded that Obito had fallen into darkness because of Rin and asked Menma about Jiraiya’s three disciples.
• Menma explained the fates of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, their connection to Obito, and Madara Uchiha’s role in the Akatsuki’s plans.
• Menma asked Minato to teach him the core principles of important jutsu, help undo the Eight Trigrams Seal, and provide the Nine-Tails chakra sealed within him when Menma summoned him.
• Minato agreed to give Menma the Flying Thunder God Technique’s principles and the Nine-Tails chakra, but warned that Menma had to resolve the Reaper Death Seal’s side effects first.
• Minato apologized and vanished into golden light, and Menma returned to the sealing paper and promised Kurama he would break the seal soon.

Menma used the Eight Trigrams Reverse Unsealing to free Kurama from its seal, then warned him that their fates were still linked. Kurama agreed to hear Menma’s information and asked whether Madara Uchiha was alive; Menma said Madara was dead but waiting for the right time to be revived.

• Menma used Minato’s sealing formulas to prepare and activate the Eight Trigrams Reverse Unsealing.
• Menma broke the Sealing Lock, freeing Kurama from the Metal Bars and the seal’s restraints.
• Kurama considered attacking Menma to seize his body, but Menma calmly warned that Kurama would eventually face their enemies alone if Menma died.
• Kurama relented and asked Menma to reveal what he knew, especially whether Madara Uchiha was still alive.
• Menma told Kurama that Madara was dead but was the mastermind behind events and was waiting for a chance to be revived.

Menma persuaded the Nine-Tails to trust him, freed himself from the Eight Trigrams Seal, and gained Minato’s technique formulas. After spending several days compiling laboratory data with Karin, Menma began his first official day as a deputy in Takigakure’s Defense Squad.

• Menma warned the Nine-Tails that Madara Uchiha planned to revive himself and gather the Tailed Beasts, convincing Kurama that Menma might be connected to Hagoromo Otsutsuki.
• Menma returned to the real world and told Karin that everything had gone smoothly; he had undone the Eight Trigrams Seal and received Minato’s formulas for the Flying Thunder God Technique and other techniques.
• Menma and Karin spent the next two or three days compiling their experimental data, especially the Cellular Activation results, while postponing further tests.
• Menma went to Takigakure’s Government Hall to begin his duties as deputy captain of the Defense Squad, while Karin joined the medical corps.
• Menma greeted the guard at the Defense Squad building and met Ajun, who asked why he had arrived before his settling-in period was over.

Menma joined Takigakure’s Defense Squad and earned Ajun’s trust enough to review the village’s sensitive defense plans. After assessing the weak arrangements, Menma pointed out that Takigakure lacked an outer Perception Barrier, leaving Ajun to consider his proposal.

• Menma accepted defense-related administrative duties from Ajun and reviewed the village’s daily reports.
• Menma asked to examine Takigakure’s defensive layout and personnel assignments, and Ajun gave him the confidential scroll.
• Menma studied the defenses and concluded that Takigakure had declined badly from its former strength.
• Menma declined Ajun’s offer to take on broader defense responsibilities before he had become familiar with the village and his colleagues.
• Menma told Ajun that Takigakure lacked an outer Perception Barrier and called the omission a serious security problem.

Menma persuaded Shibuki to support building a Perception Barrier across Takigakure, giving him a way to strengthen the village and recruit loyal subordinates. After selecting young Waterfall Ninja for training, Menma began his first Barrier class.

• Menma told Ajun he could teach Takigakure ninjas to establish a village-wide Perception Barrier using formulas inherited from Minato.
• Ajun brought Menma to Shibuki, who approved manpower and funding for the Barrier project.
• Menma said he would obtain specialized instruments through other channels, and Shibuki agreed that the village would cover legitimate project expenses.
• At Menma's request, Ajun transferred eighty Waterfall Ninja, and Menma selected young candidates with strong Chakra control for training.
• Menma gathered the personnel in his assigned open space and began his first Barrier class.

Menma trained Waterfall Ninja to form a village-wide Perception Barrier while putting Suigetsu in charge of the group and trying to win his cooperation. As the training continued for two months, Baki became Sunagakure’s Fifth Kazekage, Kumogakure reinforced the area near the Land of Hot Water, and Ōnoki remained unmoved.

• Menma taught the Waterfall Ninja the fundamentals of Barrier Jutsu and began intensive training to improve their Chakra control.
• Menma told Suigetsu he would lead the team, promised to help him pursue his ambitions, and canceled his guard duties so he could focus on training.
• Menma returned to his laboratory and worked to prevent the planned Perception Barrier deployment from failing.
• After two months of training, Sunagakure chose Baki as its Fifth Kazekage with Chiyo and Ebizo’s support, and he reaffirmed the alliance with Konohagakure.
• Fourth Raikage A sent additional troops toward the region around the Land of Hot Water, while Ōnoki watched the developments without concern.

Menma led Takigakure in setting up a Super Large Perception Barrier, securing the village and strengthening his standing there. The barrier worked, and Shibuki and the other Waterfall Ninja confirmed that it could detect people crossing the village perimeter.

• Ōnoki viewed his alliance with Menma as a way to strike Konoha while keeping the option to capture Menma and seize the Nine-Tails if the plan went wrong.
• After months of preparation, Menma directed Waterfall Ninja at twelve locations around Takigakure to ready the barrier formations.
• Menma activated the central array with Karin and Suigetsu, and the twelve teams synchronized their formations to create the barrier around Takigakure.
• Menma and Shibuki tested the completed barrier and confirmed that it detected people crossing the perimeter.
• Shibuki praised Menma for improving Takigakure's security, while Ajun, Doran, and Fushimi reacted with mixed feelings to Menma's success and influence.

Takigakure successfully deployed a village-wide Perception Barrier, boosting Shibuki and Menma’s standing as the village celebrated. Menma warned that other villages would investigate, and Shibuki agreed to strengthen security while keeping Menma’s identity secret.

• Doran, Fushimi, and other Jonin worried that Menma’s power and Shibuki’s trust in him would diminish their influence, but they saw no way to resist.
• Shibuki announced the Barrier’s successful deployment, and Takigakure’s villagers celebrated the increased protection.
• Fū saw the Barrier surrounding her home and began to recognize the value Menma had brought to Takigakure.
• Shibuki assigned Ajun and Menma to coordinate the village’s security and defense work.
• Menma warned Shibuki that other villages would investigate the Barrier and could expose his identity, so they needed to prepare their defenses.
• Ajun recommended strengthening eastern border security against Kumogakure, and Shibuki agreed to address internal defenses before discussing border changes.

Menma asked Shibuki to let him recruit Kirigakure’s rogue Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, for Takigakure. Shibuki feared the risks of sheltering another village’s Jinchuriki, but Menma argued that Takigakure was already committed to opposing Konoha and should pursue the gains instead.

• Shibuki ordered more patrols and instructed the Defense Squad to arrest suspicious people without mercy.
• Menma told Shibuki he planned to leave Takigakure for up to half a month and might return with a companion, and Shibuki readily approved.
• Menma revealed that he wanted to recruit Kirigakure’s Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, whose whereabouts he had learned through Orochimaru’s investigation.
• Shibuki worried that taking in Utakata would put Takigakure on a collision course with both Konoha and Kirigakure.
• Menma reminded Shibuki that his own identity and desire for revenge against Konoha already made conflict inevitable, and urged him to focus on what Takigakure could gain.

Menma secured Shibuki’s trust in Takigakure’s future and arranged for Suigetsu to manage the Barrier Squad while he was away. Before leaving the village, Menma planned to await Orochimaru’s intelligence and meet one more person—or beast.

• Shibuki accepted that Takigakure had no path back and promised to rely on Menma, who pledged his loyalty to the village.
• Menma discussed the Barrier Squad and Defense Squad with Shibuki, then left the Government Hall.
• Menma assigned Suigetsu temporary responsibility for the Barrier Squad and told four promising Waterfall Ninja to follow their established arrangements.
• Menma asked Karin to keep watch over Suigetsu while he was away, explaining that the two of them were too weak to accompany him.
• Menma told Karin he would wait for Orochimaru’s intelligence and meet one more person—or beast—before departing.

Menma received Kabuto Yakushi’s intelligence that Utakata had been located in the small country of Spring and set out to meet him. Before leaving, Menma privately asked Fū to help him meet the Seven-Tails, and they entered the Mental Space together.

• Menma received word from Kabuto Yakushi that Utakata had appeared in Spring and was being followed by Kirigakure’s Anbu Pursuit Squad.
• Menma went to Fū’s training grounds and asked to speak with her privately, so Fū sent Echizen and Sasaki outside.
• Menma told Fū that he wanted to meet the Seven-Tails and asked her to bump fists with him.
• Fū heard a voice from within, overcame her hesitation, and touched fists with Menma.
• Menma and Fū were drawn into the Mental Space, where two enormous figures appeared behind them.

Menma met Fū and Chōmei in their mental space and obtained a portion of Chōmei’s Chakra to advance his plan to grow stronger. After Menma left, Fū was left demanding to know who the mysterious “Old Man” was.

• Menma greeted Chōmei, and Chōmei was shocked to learn that Menma knew his name and knew about the Old Man.
• Menma explained that he wanted to gather Chakra from the tailed beasts to strengthen himself before his identity brought danger to him and Takigakure.
• Chōmei agreed to give Menma some of his Chakra, which Menma sealed inside his body.
• Fū asked Menma to teach her the method if it worked and requested some of Kurama’s Chakra; Menma said he would consider it but could not promise it would work for her.
• Fū pressed Menma to explain who the Old Man was, but Menma left the mental space and departed, leaving her to question Chōmei.

Menma left Takigakure pleased after sensing that the Seven-Tails' Chakra might have activated his cellular factors. Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Naruto received intelligence about the Six-Tails Jinchuriki in the Land of Spring and set out to investigate, while Danzō also learned the target's location and saw a chance to seize the Six-Tails.

• Menma departed Takigakure, hoping to verify whether the Seven-Tails' Chakra had made his cellular factors more active.
• Naruto trained his Rasengan with Jiraiya, who regretted that he had not kept Menma and Naruto together as they grew up.
• Jiraiya received Tsunade's message that Orochimaru's people were searching for someone in the Land of Spring, where the Six-Tails Jinchuriki was believed to be.
• Naruto urged Jiraiya to go to the Land of Spring, and Jiraiya agreed after warning him to stay close and follow instructions.
• Danzō learned that the Six-Tails Jinchuriki was in the Land of Spring and prepared to pursue the opportunity for himself.

Danzo sent Ryoma and Root squads to the Land of Spring to capture the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, while Tsunade learned of the mission and asked Jiraiya to assess the situation. Menma met Kabuto at their rendezvous on the southern coast of the Land of Fire and set out to find Utakata.

• Danzo ordered Ryoma to lead two Root squads, including Shin and Ino, to bring back the Six-Tails Jinchuriki safely.
• Tsunade learned that Danzo's forces had left and told Shizune to send the information to Jiraiya instead of intercepting them.
• Menma traveled south while avoiding main roads and monitoring for White Zetsu, then reached the agreed coastal rendezvous.
• Kabuto confirmed that Utakata was in the Land of Spring and reported that the Mist Ninja pursuit squad had suffered injuries but no deaths or reinforcements.
• Menma decided to find Utakata first and asked Kabuto to guide him.

Menma and Kabuto Yakushi arrived in the Land of Spring to find Orochimaru’s intelligence base destroyed, complicating their search for Utakata. Elsewhere, Darui and the Cloud Ninja confronted Utakata and moved to capture him.

• Menma and Kabuto Yakushi found Orochimaru’s northern port base in ruins, with no signs of survivors or chakra beneath the rubble.
• Menma suspected the Mist Ninja, the Six-Tails, or Shimura Danzō’s forces had destroyed the base and pressed Kabuto Yakushi to locate Utakata quickly.
• Kabuto Yakushi reported the destruction to Orochimaru and sent personnel to search the Land of Spring for the trackers assigned to Utakata.
• Darui and a group of Cloud Ninja surrounded Utakata and declared that they would take him to Kumogakure by the Raikage’s order.
• Utakata refused to go peacefully, and Darui launched the attack with a bolt of black lightning.

Utakata used a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb to break free of Darui’s Cloud Ninja unit, killing most of them before escaping badly injured. As Cloud and Konoha forces pursued him, Kabuto Yakushi learned that Orochimaru’s trackers had lost Utakata and suffered heavy casualties.

• Darui and his elite Cloud Ninja weakened Saiken with coordinated attacks and trapped him in a sealing net.
• Utakata fired a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb, killing more than ten Cloud Ninja and forcing himself back into human form.
• Utakata fled, and Darui led the surviving Cloud Ninja in pursuit.
• Konoha Anbu found the battlefield, sent an urgent report to Jiraiya, and pursued the fading trail.
• Kabuto Yakushi contacted Orochimaru’s trackers and learned that they had lost Utakata after a clash with the Mist Ninja that left two dead and one survivor.