Chapter Summaries

Aoba fought Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, and shrugged off his powerful Boil Release attacks with his extraordinary defenses. Han transformed into his half-tailed-beast form and began gathering a Tailed Beast Ball as Aoba powered himself up with a Big Bandage.

• Han struck Aoba with a boosted Jet Kick, but Aoba endured the blow and slammed Han into the ground repeatedly.
• Aoba cut through Han’s armor with Black Jade, forcing Han to activate Overheat Overload and charge again.
• Han used distorted light to mislead Aoba and send him flying, but Aoba stood up unharmed while Han suffered the reflected impact.
• Aoba revealed his Flesh Escape ability, and Han entered his Half-Tailed Beast Transformation after his Boil Release attacks failed to overcome Aoba’s defenses.
• Aoba dodged Han’s attacks and wounded him with Black Jade, but Han quickly healed and began forming a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Aoba attached a Big Bandage to his wrist and drew on its chakra as his aura rose.

Aoba used his lightning techniques to overpower Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, while Sasori intervened to capture him alive. Han began resisting the seal, and Sasori detonated the gold-dust pyramid to stop him.

• Aoba struck Han with a rapid barrage, then used Six Prisons Suppression to pin him down and attacked him with a lightning Kui Ox.
• Sasori returned and saw Han badly injured after the Kui Ox explosion, but Han suddenly lunged at Aoba again.
• Sasori used the Fourth Kazekage puppet to trap Han in a Great Gold Dust Burial Seal, and Aoba told him not to interfere again.
• Han made the pyramid tremble as he prepared to transform, so Sasori detonated the gold-dust seal to injure and restrain him.

Qingyu and Sasori captured Han and returned to the cave, where Akatsuki sealed the Five-Tails. After Iwagakure elites led by Kitsuchi entered the Land of Grass to search for Han, Pain ordered Qingyu and Sasori to intercept them.

• Qingyu knocked Han unconscious before he could complete his Tailed Beast Transformation, and he and Sasori carried Han out of the Land of Earth.
• Qingyu and Sasori returned to the cave with Han, and Pain began sealing the Five-Tails while Zetsu watched for pursuers.
• After three days, Zetsu reported that thirty Iwagakure elites had entered the Land of Grass, and Pain sent Qingyu and Sasori to deal with them.
• Qingyu and Sasori left to intercept the Iwagakure force, while Kitsuchi led his team forward despite White Zetsu clones creating distractions.
• Kitsuchi ordered his team to ignore the suspicious sightings and stay alert for an ambush; his daughter Kurotsuchi was among the searchers.

Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi defended the Iwagakure shinobi against Sasori’s iron-sand attacks, but Sasori broke through their counterattack. Aoba stayed out of the fight to eat while Sasori sent Rasa’s gold dust surging toward the enemy.

• Kitsuchi blocked Sasori’s Sand Iron Rain with an Earth Wall, and Kurotsuchi reinforced it with her lime-type Lava Release.
• Kitsuchi recognized Akatsuki and demanded to know whether they had captured Han, while Sasori taunted him.
• Aoba sat down to eat his boxed lunch, so Sasori challenged Kitsuchi and attacked with an iron-sand pyramid.
• Kitsuchi’s Earth Style and the Iwagakure shinobi’s attacks pressured Sasori’s Gold Dust Wall, while Kurotsuchi watched Aoba warily.
• Sasori freed the iron-sand pyramid and spun it into a top that shattered Kitsuchi’s mountain technique and rushed toward the Iwagakure shinobi.
• Rasa joined the assault under Sasori’s control, sending a massive Gold Sand Wave at the Iwagakure forces.

Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi led the Iwagakure shinobi in a counterattack against Scorpion, but their assault forced him to reveal his real appearance and unleash his ultimate technique. The chapter ended with hundreds of red-robed puppets appearing behind the Iwagakure forces.

• Kitsuchi and the Iwagakure shinobi dug a trench and sealed it with cement to withstand Scorpion's Iron Sand Drizzle and Gold Dust attacks.
• Kitsuchi burst from underground and smashed Hiruko with an Earth Style punch, while Kurotsuchi shielded him from Scorpion's poisoned needles with volcanic rock.
• Kitsuchi ordered the Iwagakure shinobi to attack the Kazekage puppets as he and Kurotsuchi charged Scorpion, but Scorpion's mechanical arm forced them to stop and defend.
• Scorpion emerged from Hiruko, revealing his handsome appearance, while Kitsuchi remained unaware that it was not Scorpion's true body.
• Scorpion unsealed a scroll and used Red Secret Technique: Hundred Puppet Performance, summoning hundreds of red-robed puppets behind the Iwagakure shinobi.

Sasori unleashed 300 puppets and overwhelmed Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and the Iwagakure forces. Ōnoki arrived and turned the battle around, but Aoba rose from his meal and prepared to confront him.

• Sasori sent 298 human puppets alongside the Third and Fourth Kazekage puppets, crushing the Iwagakure front line with their numbers and poisoned weapons.
• Kitsuchi protected Kurotsuchi behind an Earth-Style Wall and urged her to escape underground while he held off the puppets.
• Kurotsuchi refused to leave, but she began preparing to flee when Kitsuchi shouted at her to go.
• Ōnoki arrived and destroyed one-third of Sasori’s puppets with Dust Release, easing the pressure on the surviving Iwagakure shinobi.
• Aoba stood up, strapped on his swords, and fixed his killing intent on Ōnoki.

Aoba used the Zanpakuto Pisces to absorb Ōnoki’s Dust Release and fire it back at him, leaving the Iwagakure shinobi stunned. He told Ōnoki to stop attacking because he was winning anyway.

• Aoba grew furious when Ōnoki’s sudden attack ruined his bento and recognized him as an Akatsuki enemy.
• Aoba drew Pisces and released its Shikai as Ōnoki attacked with Dust Release.
• Aoba absorbed Ōnoki’s Dust Release with one blade and returned it through the other.
• Ōnoki countered the reflected attack with his own Dust Release, and the collision sent him tumbling through the air.
• Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and the surviving Iwagakure shinobi wondered whether Ōnoki could defeat Aoba, while Sasori remained confident in him.
• Aoba told Ōnoki to stop making moves because he was winning anyway.

Aoba used Pisces to turn Ōnoki’s Dust Release against Iwagakure and badly injure Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi. Ōnoki discovered that physical attacks could bypass Pisces, but Aoba used its ability to redirect force to topple his rock monster and keep him from escaping.

• Ōnoki fired another Dust Release attack, and Aoba absorbed it and aimed its reflected power at Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi.
• Ōnoki tried to shield Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi from the blast, but the explosion left Kurotsuchi unconscious and Kitsuchi gravely injured.
• Ōnoki vowed revenge on Akatsuki and tried to carry the injured pair away, but Aoba attacked him.
• Ōnoki blocked Aoba with a Rock Fist Technique and used Super Heavy Rock Technique to send him flying, discovering that physical attacks could hurt him.
• Ōnoki summoned a rock monster to hold Aoba back while he tried to escape with Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi.
• Aoba redirected the rock monster’s punch and toppled it, using Pisces to overcome its force.

Aoba fought Ōnoki and forced him to flee, but a new mission ordered Aoba to bring about the Five Kage Summit and defeat at least three Kage. Aoba caught up with Ōnoki in the sky and punched him toward the ground, leaving Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi falling as well.

• Aoba used his twin blades to wound Ōnoki as he flew away carrying Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi.
• The system issued Aoba a Gold-class mission to arrange the Five Kage Summit and defeat at least three Kage within three months.
• Aoba decided to keep Ōnoki alive to help organize the summit, then activated his Holy Spirit Form and pursued him.
• Aoba caught Ōnoki with the Yin-Yang Chakra Diagram and punched him toward the ground.
• Ōnoki lost his grip on Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi, sending them plummeting after him.

Aoba defeated Ōnoki and took Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi hostage, demanding that Ōnoki unite the Five Great Shinobi Villages and hunt him down within two months. Ōnoki survived and set out to recover, build the alliance, and rescue his family.

• Ōnoki rescued Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi from their fall, but Aoba kicked him from behind and attacked his Rock Clones.
• Aoba overwhelmed Ōnoki in close combat, leaving him gravely injured and unable to fight back.
• Ōnoki begged Aoba to spare Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi, and Aoba said he needed Ōnoki alive to arrange a Five Kage Summit.
• Aoba identified himself as Yasuo, the Blood Moon Cult's current ritual executor, set a two-month deadline, and flew away with Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi.
• Ōnoki suspected Yasuo had an ulterior motive but decided to unite the Five Great Shinobi Villages and rescue his family.

Aoba handed Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi over to Scorpion, whose misunderstanding of Aoba’s advice led him to rethink his puppet designs. After Aoba left to prepare for his next task, Black Zetsu watched from hiding and worried about Yasuo’s growing strength and intentions.

• Scorpion felt disappointed that Aoba had not brought back the old man who used Dust Release, and Aoba promised to deliver him later if he got the chance.
• Aoba suggested Scorpion stop hiding inside Hiruko, and Scorpion interpreted the advice as a profound lesson about focusing his puppet designs and pursuing True Eternal Beauty.
• Aoba left Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi in Scorpion’s custody and warned him not to kill them because he still had a use for them.
• Aoba departed to prepare for his next task, while Black Zetsu emerged from a tree and wondered whether Nagato and Obito could deal with Yasuo.
• Black Zetsu decided to inform Nagato and Obito so they could respond if Yasuo’s actions caused trouble.

Hidan and Kakuzu captured Yugito after a deadly battle, while Ōnoki sought an alliance of the Five Great Shinobi Villages against Akatsuki Organization. Kumogakure and Konoha accepted his invitation but each demanded to host the summit.

• Yugito lured Hidan and Kakuzu into a cave and fought them in Tailed Beast Transformation, but Hidan used her blood to defeat her and they took her captive.
• Kakuzu repaired Hidan, and the two left with the unconscious Yugito before Kumogakure shinobi could investigate.
• Ōnoki sent the other major Shinobi Villages a warning about Akatsuki Organization and invited their Kage to Iwagakure to discuss an alliance.
• After the Two-Tails Jinchuriki went missing, the Raikage agreed to join the effort against Akatsuki but insisted Kumogakure host the summit.
• Konoha also agreed to the alliance and demanded that the summit be held in its territory.

The Five Great Shinobi Villages agreed to hold a summit in the Land of Iron one month later to discuss destroying the Akatsuki Organization. Jiraiya asked Tsunade to manage Konoha while he attended, and the other Kage began preparing for their departures.

• Ōnoki proposed holding the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron with Mifune as host, and the villages agreed to meet there in one month.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade that the Akatsuki Organization’s hunt for tailed beasts made a united response necessary and asked her to temporarily assume the Hokage’s duties.
• Tsunade accepted Jiraiya’s request despite warning him to return safely, then left the tavern after drinking only one bottle.
• The Kage of the other great shinobi villages arranged for their absences and considered how to protect their villages and Jinchuriki from possible Akatsuki attacks.

Aoba returned to the Land of Falls and speculated that Takigakure’s Hero Water might have been used with Earth Grudge Fear to explain Kakuzu’s power. Three days later, the Five Kage Summit began in the Land of Iron, where Ōnoki’s opening jab drew a sharp retort from Jiraiya.

• Aoba considered whether Kakuzu had used Earth Grudge Fear and the Hero Water together to increase his power, but decided he would not imitate the transformation.
• Mifune kept the gathered visitors separated for three days to reduce the chance of fighting before the summit.
• The Five Kage Summit began with Mei Terumi, Baki, Jiraiya, Ōnoki, and the Fourth Raikage seated at the conference table.
• Ōnoki mocked the changes among the Kage, including the Sixth Hokage and Sunagakure’s acting representative.
• Jiraiya replied that old leaders should retire or return to the earth, then challenged Ōnoki to consider which fate awaited him.

At the Five Kage Summit, the Raikage demanded that the other villages answer for their ties to the Akatsuki, provoking arguments over the organization’s use as a mercenary force. Mei Terumi defended Kirigakure while warning that Yasuo and the Akatsuki were far more dangerous than the others realized.

• Mei Terumi asserted that Genji had formally handed her the Mizukage’s hat, while Baki announced that he was the Fifth Kazekage and criticized Ōnoki for seeking help after losing a Jinchuriki.
• Ōnoki explained that controlling a Tailed Beast required time and skill, and the Raikage smashed the table when Killer B was mentioned, prompting the guards to intervene before the Kage ordered them to stand down.
• The Raikage accused the villages of Konoha, Iwa, Suna, and Kiri of producing Akatsuki members and demanded that they be held responsible for the organization’s crimes.
• Ōnoki admitted that villages had hired the Akatsuki as a low-cost mercenary force, and Jiraiya challenged him over that practice.
• The Raikage accused Sunagakure of using the Akatsuki in the attack that killed the Fourth Kazekage and Third Hokage; Baki acknowledged Sunagakure’s fault and said the village had already paid for it.
• The Raikage accused Kirigakure of colluding with the Akatsuki, so Mei Terumi said Yagura had likely been controlled by the organization and warned that Yasuo was unfathomably powerful.

The Five Kage debated forming an alliance against the Akatsuki, but their talks were interrupted when an attacker killed Mifune and a samurai. The attacker revealed himself as Yasuo, leaving the Five Kage facing him.

• The Raikage dismissed Yasuo as a threat, prompting Jiraiya and Ōnoki to argue with him over the Akatsuki and Kumogakure.
• Mifune proposed that the Five Great Shinobi Villages form an alliance with unified command to fight the Akatsuki.
• Ōnoki and the Raikage clashed over who should command the alliance, while Mifune offered to propose a candidate.
• An armored figure stabbed Mifune and killed a samurai before the Five Kage and their guards could react.
• The attacker removed his armor and revealed himself as Yasuo.

Qingyu revealed himself as Yasuo at the Five Kage Summit and challenged the Five Kage, rejecting Jiraiya’s attempt to turn him against Akatsuki. The Raikage attacked first, but Qingyu sent him crashing through a wall with one punch, and the Raikage returned unharmed and demanded a fight to the death.

• Mei Terumi recognized Qingyu as Crimson Blademaster Yasuo, and Aoba used his Byakugan to confirm that Yasuo had come alone.
• Qingyu told the Five Kage that he had come to join the excitement and fight all of them.
• Jiraiya questioned why Yasuo had joined Akatsuki, but Yasuo declared that he would follow his own path to the end.
• The Raikage charged Qingyu, who countered with a powerful punch that sent him through the wall of the summit hall.
• The Raikage returned without serious injury and challenged Qingyu to a fight to the death.

Yasuo challenged the Five Kage to a fight to the death and effortlessly killed two Wind Shadow guards when they attacked him. The Five Kage went outside to face him while their guards remained behind to fight the Seven Ninja Sea Pirates, and Obito decided to wait and exploit the outcome.

• The Raikage accepted Yasuo’s challenge, but two Wind Shadow guards attacked Yasuo before the other Kage responded.
• Yasuo shrugged off their wind blades and poisoned needles, then swiftly beheaded both guards despite Baki’s warning to retreat.
• Yasuo summoned the Seven Ninja Sea Pirates and told the Kage guards they could leave if they wanted to live.
• Yasuo led the Five Kage outside, while Mei Terumi tasked Aoba with recovering the Ninja Swords and the guards stayed behind to fight the puppets.
• Obito and Zetsu watched from outside the building, and Obito chose to wait until Yasuo and the Five Kage had weakened each other.

Aoba, posing as Yasuo, fought the Five Kage, who tried to restrain him with coordinated attacks after Ōnoki warned them he could absorb ninjutsu. The battle left off with Aoba killing Baki under cover of mist, while the others struggled to understand how he had gotten behind them.

• Aoba attacked Baki, but the Raikage interrupted with a Lariat and knocked him into a wall.
• Mei Terumi's lava attack followed, and Ōnoki warned the others that Aoba could absorb and return ninjutsu.
• Jiraiya, Ōnoki, and the others trapped Aoba in a swamp, covered it with toad oil, and set it ablaze before Mei extinguished the fire with Water Release.
• Aoba used the mist to conceal his presence and stabbed Baki through the chest with [Black Jade].
• Jiraiya realized he had briefly sensed Aoba in the mist but had somehow ignored the figure.

Aoba killed Baki with one strike, then faced the other Kage and Jiraiya as they attacked together. After the Raikage injured him, Aoba released his Zanpakuto, revealing a massive blade that blocked the Raikage’s next blow.

• Aoba killed Baki easily and considered which of the remaining Kage to target.
• The Raikage charged Aoba, and Ōnoki, Mei Terumi, and Jiraiya joined the attack.
• The Raikage struck Aoba with a Liger Bomb, shattering his throat, but Aoba recovered through his rapid regeneration.
• Aoba drew his Zanpakuto and released its Shikai, naming it Norenzangyo.
• The Raikage attacked with Lightning Style: Violent Thunder Blade, but Aoba blocked him with the enormous Zanpakuto.