Chapter Summaries

While Ye Zi prepared for Impure World Reincarnation and her group settled into the base, Minato returned to Konoha and visited Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. Obito asked to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Minato agreed to teach him, leaving Obito determined to master it.

• Scorpion acquired ten human puppets in the Land of Water, then parted from Ye Zi, who returned to the Land of Earth base with Kimimaro.
• Juzo recovered, Kakuzu obtained a new heart, Shin adapted to his regrown limbs, and Kimimaro joined the children at the base.
• Ye Zi began preparing for Impure World Reincarnation and had White Zetsu gather information about powerful figures from history.
• Minato returned from Mount Myōboku training and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to visit Kakashi, where he found Obito and Rin as well.
• Obito declared that he wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Minato agreed to teach him if he wanted to try.
• Obito, Kakashi, Rin, and Minato joked about Obito's future title, while Obito vowed to master the technique and surpass Kakashi.

Ye Zi continued using Impure World Reincarnation to prepare an army and brought back Hatake Sakumo, whom he sealed away after they spoke. Sakumo asked to face Kakashi if Ye Zi ever attacked Konoha, and Ye Zi moved on to the remaining souls.

• Ye Zi stored another coffin in the Summoning Space and prepared the thirty-first reincarnation while waiting for White Zetsu to gather more DNA.
• Ye Zi used Impure World Reincarnation on a Hashirama Cells clone to bring back Hatake Sakumo, then placed a personality-suppressing curse seal in his head and gave him White Fang.
• Sakumo recognized the jutsu, tested whether he could attack Ye Zi, and confirmed that its control prevented him from doing so.
• Sakumo asked Ye Zi to let him fight Kakashi if Ye Zi attacked Konoha, believing Kakashi would be able to stop him.
• Ye Zi sealed Sakumo in a coffin and noted that about twenty more reincarnations remained.

Nagato and Konan traveled to Takigakure to capture the sealed Seven-Tails, while Ye Zi remained unaware of their operation. Nagato summoned the Pain Six Paths to attack the village, and the chapter ended as Takigakure's ninjas faced the six invaders.

• Nagato chose Takigakure's Seven-Tails as Akatsuki's next target and decided to lead the operation with Konan.
• Nagato and Konan secretly traveled to the Land of Waterfalls, avoiding detection by the major ninja villages.
• Konan flew Nagato over the waterfalls, and they located Takigakure from the air.
• Nagato summoned the Animal Path, then watched from a cliff with Konan as it landed in the village.
• The Animal Path summoned the other five Pain Six Paths, and Takigakure's ninjas gathered to confront them.

Nagato directed the Six Paths of Pain in an assault on Takigakure, using summoned beasts and their varied abilities to disrupt and overwhelm the Waterfall ninja. As Human Path and Hell Path searched for the Seven-Tails’ seal, Nagato kept the attack focused on locating it.

• Nagato ordered Animal Path to summon beasts, Deva Path, Asura Path, and Preta Path to fight the main force, and Human Path and Hell Path to search for the Seven-Tails’ seal.
• Animal Path summoned a Three-Headed Hellhound and Yata Crow, while Deva Path repelled the Waterfall ninja’s attacks with Shinra Tensei and Preta Path absorbed their Dotonjutsu.
• Human Path and Hell Path left the battle to gather intelligence and locate the Seven-Tails.
• The Three-Headed Hellhound split into multiple bodies as the Waterfall ninja attacked it, while Yata Crow was brought down and killed.
• Animal Path summoned a Giant Centipede and Horned Rhino, and Asura Path fired missiles into the surrounding Waterfall ninja and buildings.
• Nagato kept the Six Paths fighting in formation and prioritized finding the Seven-Tails over destroying Takigakure.

Nagato’s Pain Six Paths battled the Waterfall ninja while the Human Path and Hell Path searched the village for the Seven-Tails’ seal. After finding the underground chamber and surviving its trap, the Human Path lifted the urn containing the Seven-Tails.

• The Deva Path used Shinra Tensei to repel a charge by more than a hundred Waterfall ninja, and the Asura Path cut down nearly a hundred more with its transformed saw teeth.
• The Preta Path absorbed incoming ninjutsu while the Animal Path’s summoned beasts shielded the other Paths, allowing the Waterfall ninja to identify several of their abilities.
• The Human Path and Hell Path searched the village, reading memories and extracting souls until they learned that the Seven-Tails was sealed underground in the village’s southern part.
• The Human Path and Hell Path entered the underground chamber, where a hidden Wind Release trap tore the Human Path apart.
• The Hell Path revived the Human Path with King Yama, and the Human Path lifted the urn containing the Seven-Tails.

Nagato sent Tendo toward the altar to help Human Path and Hell Path escape with the Seven-Tails, leaving the other Paths to hold off Takigakure’s forces. Shigetora destroyed Asura Path but was shaken by Animal Path’s ruthless sacrifice and escape.

• Nagato failed to summon Human Path and Hell Path through the underground barrier, and nearly a hundred Waterfall ninja trapped them inside as they tried to take the Seven-Tails urn.
• Nagato sent Tendo toward the altar to assist Human Path and Hell Path, leaving Animal Path, Asura Path, and Preta Path to face the Waterfall ninja.
• Shigetora attacked Asura Path with a tagged kunai, then kicked Animal Path toward the ensuing explosion.
• Animal Path summoned Asura Path into the blast’s path and escaped, destroying Asura Path while Shigetora was badly injured.
• Shigetora watched Animal Path’s emotionless actions and wondered what kind of beings he and the other Paths were.

Nagato and the Pain Six Paths seized the urn containing the Seven-Tails and devastated Takigakure with Shinra Tensei. Nagato and Konan departed for Amegakure, unaware that a White Zetsu clone was watching them.

• Shigetora and the Waterfall ninja defeated Asura Path, while the Deva Path reached the underground altar and collapsed its building with Shinra Tensei.
• The Deva Path recovered the intact urn and the bodies of Human Path and Hell Path from the rubble, then headed toward Preta Path and Animal Path.
• The Waterfall ninja defeated Animal Path and Preta Path, but Nagato used King Yama to restore all five fallen Pain Six Paths.
• Nagato left Takigakure with Konan, the five Pain Six Paths, and the urn as the Deva Path unleashed a powerful Shinra Tensei that reduced the village to a crater.
• Nagato coughed from the technique's side effects, explained that Takigakure had to lose its ability to resist, and set out with Konan for Amegakure, unaware of the White Zetsu clone.

After sealing the Seven-Tails, Akatsuki chose Ye Zi to capture the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and planned to suspend further captures afterward. Ye Zi then obtained White Zetsu's memories of Nagato's battle to capture the Seven-Tails.

• A White Zetsu clone emerged after Nagato left the devastated Takigakure and tried to follow him to report his abilities to Ye Zi.
• Nagato showed Akatsuki the vessel containing the Seven-Tails and assigned Ye Zi to capture the Five-Tails Jinchuriki after he left Iwagakure.
• Nagato explained that Akatsuki would suspend the plan after capturing the Five-Tails because the remaining Jinchuriki were dangerous or politically unsuitable targets.
• Akatsuki sealed the Seven-Tails over three days, and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path opened another eye as its Chakra increased.
• Ye Zi waited for White Zetsu, then used the Spirit Transformation Technique to take the clone's memories of Nagato's Seven-Tails battle.

After learning from the White Zetsu clone’s memories how powerful Nagato was, Ye Zi resolved to grow stronger and considered seeking help from Orochimaru. He prepared powerful Impure World Reincarnations and then left with Kotoha and Shin to pursue Iwagakure’s Five-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Ye Zi judged that his current abilities and Impure World Reincarnation would not be enough to defeat Nagato, and considered borrowing Orochimaru’s abilities to become stronger.
• Over the following month, Ye Zi reincarnated the Impure World materials he had and began preparing powerful ninja whose DNA White Zetsu collected.
• Ye Zi continued monitoring Orochimaru and training the children at the base, where Kimimaro’s talent and hard work quickly brought him into the top ten.
• White Zetsu reported that Iwagakure’s Five-Tails Jinchuriki had left the village, and Nagato summoned Ye Zi to tell him the opportunity had arrived.
• Ye Zi notified Kotoha and Shin, spoke briefly with Nanako, and set out with Kotoha and Shin to track the Five-Tails Jinchuriki.

Han led three Stone ninja into the Land of Iron to hunt Snow Bears for a wealthy patron, while Ye Zi and his companions moved ahead to ambush them. As they waited in the snowy wilderness, White Zetsu spotted a large bear approaching their position.

• Han traveled with three reluctant Stone Jonin, who kept their distance and looked at him with contempt.
• The Stone ninja team entered the Land of Iron to hunt Snow Bears, whose paws were prized by a wealthy family head in the Land of Earth.
• White Zetsu tracked Han's team as Ye Zi, Kotoha, and Shin hurried ahead into the Land of Iron to prepare an ambush.
• While the three waited on a snowy plain, White Zetsu sensed a large bear approaching and warned Ye Zi that it seemed to have mistaken them for food.

Ye Zi killed a Chakra-wielding Snow Bear and stored its corpse, then offered Kotoha and Shin summoning contracts with the Ryūchi Cave clan. White Zetsu detected the approaching Five-Tails Jinchuriki’s team, and Ye Zi led the others toward the Stone ninja to attack.

• The Snow Bear charged at Ye Zi, Kotoha, and Shin, but Ye Zi cut off its claws and decapitated it with his lightning-wrapped blade.
• Ye Zi stored the Snow Bear’s corpse and told Kotoha and Shin he would arrange summoning contracts with the Ryūchi Cave clan after their mission.
• White Zetsu detected four approaching people, and Ye Zi identified them as the target’s group.
• Ye Zi assigned the three Stone ninja to Kotoha and Shin, then advanced with them toward the approaching team while White Zetsu hid in the snow.
• The Stone ninja spotted Ye Zi’s squad and immediately treated them as enemies.

Ye Zi fought Han across the snowfield, using a Lightning Clone and an underground ambush to trap him with Lightning Release and Wood Release. Han transformed into a Tailed Beast state, but Ye Zi’s giant tree restrained him and drained his Chakra; Ye Zi then turned toward Kotoha and Shin, who had defeated the three Stone ninja.

• Han charged at Ye Zi while Kotoha and Shin moved away to face the three Stone ninja.
• Ye Zi dodged Han’s first punch and attacked with his blade and Spirit Transformation Jutsu, but Han released a burst of steam and evaded both attacks.
• Han pursued Ye Zi through a smoke screen and struck a Lightning Clone, then stomped the snowfield when he sensed movement beneath him.
• Ye Zi emerged from the ground behind Han and used a lightning beam to activate a lightning net around him.
• Ye Zi restrained Han with Wood Release pillars and bound him in a giant tree that absorbed his Tailed Beast Chakra.
• Ye Zi confirmed Han was imprisoned and looked toward Kotoha and Shin, who had finished defeating the three Stone ninja.

Ye Zi captured Han and traveled with his group toward the Land of Fields, where White Zetsu detected a hidden observer. Ye Zi pursued Hyuga Ryo, a Root intelligence gatherer, but Hyuga Ryo sent a report to Danzo by white eagle before Ye Zi could stop it.

• Ye Zi released Han from the Wood Release restraints, ordered Shin to carry him, and led the group toward the Land of Fields.
• White Zetsu detected a hidden ninja near the border, and Ye Zi rushed toward the reported location.
• Hyuga Ryo, Danzo's Root subordinate and a member of the Hyuga Clan, spotted Ye Zi and fled while recording intelligence for Danzo.
• Hyuga Ryo sent his report away with a white eagle, and Ye Zi's wooden spike failed to stop the bird.
• Ye Zi closed to within about a hundred meters of Hyuga Ryo and pursued him with killing intent.

After Hyuga Ryo sent intelligence about Ye Zi’s plans to capture the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, he committed suicide to avoid interrogation, but Ye Zi devoured part of his soul and uncovered his ties to Danzo and Root. Ye Zi recovered Hyuga Ryo’s Byakugan, planned to relocate the exposed outpost, and considered using the eyes to strengthen a Hashirama Cells clone.

• Hyuga Ryo sent intelligence by white eagle, then stabbed himself in the heart as Ye Zi caught up to him.
• Ye Zi used Spirit Transformation Jutsu to devour what remained of Hyuga Ryo’s soul and learned that Danzo’s Root had been gathering intelligence on him.
• Ye Zi discovered that the Land of Earth outpost’s general location had been exposed and decided to move it before meeting Orochimaru.
• Ye Zi removed Hyuga Ryo’s Byakugan, burned his body, and questioned White Zetsu about failing to detect him.
• Ye Zi rejoined Kotoha and the other person, considering whether Byakugan and Sharingan could improve his Hashirama Cells clone.

After Akatsuki sealed the Five-Tails, Ye Zi moved his exposed base from the Land of Earth to the Land of Stone and prepared a trap at the abandoned site for Danzo. The chapter ended with Ye Zi returning to the old base to set up his “gift.”

• Nagato summoned Akatsuki to seal the Five-Tails from Han, then ordered the group to recruit new talent while tailed-beast captures paused.
• Ye Zi took DNA tissue from Han’s corpse and told Kotoha and Uchiha Jin to prepare to relocate the exposed base.
• Ye Zi chose the Land of Stone for the new base and gave Nanako three Byakugan to test in clones, promising to find her Sharingan if the experiment worked.
• Ye Zi and Fish helped Nanako pack the important equipment and materials, and White Zetsu helped move the personnel and clones.
• Ye Zi used Wood Release to build an underground base in the Land of Stone, then assigned Fish to oversee its completion.
• Knowing Danzo would send people to the exposed old base, Ye Zi returned there to prepare a trap for him.

Danzo ordered Root to locate and raid the base for records about Wood Release, while Ye Zi moved his people to a new base and set out to find Orochimaru. Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Tsunade continued searching for Ye Zi and learned from Minato’s letter that he and Kushina had taken on disciples.

• Danzo ordered Root’s First, Fourth, and Fifth Squads to locate and raid the base, but warned them to ensure Ye Zi was absent and obtain all its records.
• Ye Zi left a trap in the old base that would collapse it on intruders, then moved everyone and their equipment to the new base in the Land of Stone.
• Ye Zi arranged for Nanako to prepare a Byakugan transplant experiment and had Kotoha and Shin sign the Ryūchi Cave summoning contract before leaving them to train the children.
• Ye Zi set out to find Orochimaru in the Land of Lightning, guided by White Zetsu’s intelligence.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade received Minato’s letter, which said Minato and Kushina had taken Kakashi, Obito, and Rin as disciples.

Orochimaru and Ye Zi met in the Land of Lightning and revealed the ambitions driving their partnership: Orochimaru sought eternal life and historical truth, while Ye Zi wanted power and a way back to his original world. Orochimaru accepted Ye Zi’s otherworldly origin and wondered what the world would become if Ye Zi succeeded.

• After searching the Land of Wind for historical fragments, Orochimaru traveled to the Land of Lightning, where Ye Zi followed him using reports from a White Zetsu clone.
• Ye Zi joined Orochimaru at a mountain lake and admitted that he had been monitoring Orochimaru’s movements.
• Orochimaru said he was seeking lost fragments of history to uncover the truth and escape time through eternal life.
• Ye Zi said he wanted power, then revealed that he also wanted to return to the world where his soul originated.
• Orochimaru accepted Ye Zi’s revelation with little surprise and asked what the world would look like if Ye Zi succeeded.

Ye Zi and Orochimaru discussed their shared pursuit of power and truth as Orochimaru explained his search for ancient ruins and an energy unlike Chakra. Ye Zi became interested in helping investigate the ruins, and Orochimaru also planned to explore the Land of Whirlpools for Uzumaki sealing jutsu.

• Ye Zi asked Orochimaru whether the lake was connected to the ruins he had found in the Land of Wind.
• Orochimaru discussed his research into ancient shinobi history and said knowledge was a means of obtaining power.
• Orochimaru sent a python into the lake to check for a former tailed-beast habitat, but it found nothing there.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had found energy unlike Chakra near ruins resembling a shrine used to seal the One-Tail, and planned to locate other ruins before investigating it further.
• Ye Zi became eager to investigate the unknown energy, while Orochimaru said he also intended to seek Uzumaki sealing jutsu in the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools.
• Orochimaru and Ye Zi left the lake.

Ye Zi and Orochimaru left the Land of Lightning and traveled to the Five Bamboo Forest in the Land of the Moon, where they searched for ruins and encountered chakra-using cheetahs. They found a clearing filled with ruined stone structures.

• After finding no ruins in the Land of Lightning, Orochimaru took Ye Zi to the Land of the Moon to search the Five Bamboo Forest.
• Ye Zi and Orochimaru reached the forest at sunset and moved through its narrow bamboo canopy before continuing on foot.
• Cheetahs ambushed the pair, but Ye Zi killed them easily as they advanced deeper into the forest.
• A giant black cheetah with chakra in its claws attacked, and Ye Zi disabled it without killing it.
• Ye Zi and Orochimaru reached a clearing scattered with stone pillars and building fragments.

Orochimaru and Ye Zi discovered a dangerous, unfamiliar energy beneath the ruins at Five Bamboo Forest and left it untouched as they headed toward the Land of Earth. Meanwhile, Danzo's Root team entered Ye Zi's old base, triggered its defenses, and was trapped when the mountain above it collapsed.

• Orochimaru found nothing useful among the ruins at Five Bamboo Forest, but Ye Zi sensed faint, dangerous energy beneath the ground.
• Orochimaru and Ye Zi decided not to investigate the energy recklessly, memorized its location, and left for the Land of Earth.
• Danzo's Root team sent Shadow Clones into Ye Zi's old base, where traps eliminated several clones and revealed a sealed central room.
• The Root captain split his team among the four doors and ordered them to break the barriers simultaneously.
• The barriers vanished, the base began shaking, and falling rocks crushed Root members as the mountain collapsed.