Chapter Summaries

Kawafune and Orochimaru plotted to drug Blue B and remove his Iron Armor Seal after the Sealing Squad reinforced it. They agreed to wait for Kawafune to arrange a meal, while Orochimaru cooked for him at home.

• The Sealing Squad captain reinforced the Iron Armor Seal on Blue B, restoring its restraint over Gyuki, and the squad discussed ways to strengthen it further.
• Blue B left the Sealing Squad's discussion, and Kawafune waited for Orochimaru before they returned home together.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had visited the Raikage and seen a Lightning Release Armor training scroll on his desk.
• Kawafune asked Orochimaru for a powerful drug, then proposed slipping it into Blue B's wine at a meal with the Sealing Squad.
• Orochimaru agreed to the plan and said undoing the Iron Armor Seal would be easy, while Kawafune promised to arrange the opportunity.
• Orochimaru cooked dinner after Kawafune ordered him to, and Kawafune teased him with a promise of meals back in Konoha.

Kawafune and Orochimaru drugged Blue B during a Sealing Squad meal and released the Eight-Tails from its seal. Blue B lost consciousness as the Eight-Tails rampaged through the barbecue restaurant, while the two Konoha agents escaped.

• Kawafune invited Blue B and the Sealing Squad to lunch, and Orochimaru joined them after leaving the Raikage Building.
• Orochimaru secretly added a drug to Blue B's wine, then used the moment Blue B collapsed to strike his chest and release the seal.
• Kawafune kicked the squad captain aside while Orochimaru fought off nearby Cloud Ninja, and the pair escaped.
• The squad captain ordered reinforcements and civilians evacuated, but he could not get back up to reseal Blue B.
• Scarlet Chakra erupted from Blue B, destroyed the barbecue restaurant, and formed the Eight-Tails as Blue B remained unconscious.

Gyuki broke free and rampaged through Kumogakure, but the Third Raikage stopped his attack and had both of them teleported to the coast. The village’s immediate crisis passed, while the Raikage and Gyuki continued fighting as Cloud Ninja prepared to seal the Eight-Tails.

• Gyuki emerged in Kumogakure, demolished buildings, and killed Cloud Ninja as villagers struggled to evacuate.
• Gyuki fired a Tailed Beast Bomb toward the Raikage Building, but the Third Raikage intercepted it.
• The Third Raikage fought Gyuki while a Cloud Ninja raised a barrier around them and used the Heavenly Transfer Technique to teleport them to the coast.
• Cloud Ninja rescued survivors amid the destruction, then elite forces headed to the shore with the Amber Purifying Pot to seal Gyuki.
• The Third Raikage and Gyuki fought to a standstill at the coast while Cloud Ninja watched from a distance.

Hatake Kawafune and Orochimaru abducted Jonael, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and demanded Kumogakure's Lightning Release Armor in exchange. After the Raikage and the Eight-Tails collapsed from their three-day battle, the Raikage learned of the abduction and ordered his subordinates to find a solution while he rested.

• Kawafune and Orochimaru defeated the Cloud Ninja guarding Jonael and had Orochimaru's storage snake swallow the unconscious Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Kawafune left the Raikage a message demanding Lightning Release Armor and naming Crescent Moon Island as their meeting place, then went with Orochimaru to the Land of Hot Water.
• The Raikage and the Eight-Tails fought for three days and nights before both collapsed, and the Cloud Ninja sealed the beast in the Amber Purifying Pot.
• The Raikage ordered Blue B's body secretly buried and told his men to guard the Amber Purifying Pot while they searched for Kawafune and Orochimaru.
• A Cloud Ninja reported that Jonael had been abducted, and the furious Raikage went to the house and read Kawafune's demand.
• The Raikage told his subordinates to devise a foolproof solution before he woke, then collapsed onto Jonael's bed and fell asleep.

Kawafune and Orochimaru waited in the Land of Hot Water while the Third Raikage recovered, then confronted him on Crescent Moon Island over the Two-Tails and Kumogakure’s secret technique. Kawafune broke through the Raikage’s strongest defense, and their close-quarters battle continued with neither willing to yield.

• Kawafune and Orochimaru waited in the Land of Hot Water while Katsuyu’s clone watched Crescent Moon Island for the Raikage’s arrival.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that the Eight-Tails had gone berserk and feared Kawafune and Orochimaru might uncover Konoha’s involvement, while Fugaku and Tsunade checked on Kawafune’s mission through the Slug Sage.
• The Slug Sage spotted the Third Raikage arriving at Crescent Moon Island, and Kawafune and Orochimaru left the restaurant to confront him and his Cloud Ninja.
• Orochimaru separated the Cloud Ninja from the Raikage, and Kawafune clashed with the Raikage using his sword and Flying Thunder God.
• Kawafune’s Fire Lightning God sword technique broke against the Raikage’s One-Finger Nukite, but Kawafune wounded the Raikage’s finger with a follow-up strike.
• Kawafune and the Raikage resumed fighting hand to hand, and Kawafune’s healing ability kept him in the battle despite sustaining several wounds.

Orochimaru entered Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode and overwhelmed Dodai and the Cloud Ninja with enhanced abilities and Sage Art techniques. As Orochimaru slaughtered the Cloud Ninja, the Raikage tried to rush to their aid but Kawafune blocked him.

• Orochimaru was trapped inside Dodai's Scorch Release: Rubber Ball and struck by the Cloud Ninja's coordinated Lightning Release attacks, but the target was only a clone.
• Orochimaru revealed his Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode and used Sage Art: Inorganic Reanimation to pierce several Cloud Ninja with spikes rising from the ground.
• Orochimaru broke through the Cloud Ninja's reinforced Earth-Style Wall, beheaded one of them, and dodged their Lightning Release attacks with enhanced senses.
• Orochimaru used Sage Art: White Rage Technique to blind and immobilize the Cloud Ninja, then began killing them as the Raikage turned to intervene.
• Kawafune stopped the Raikage, while Orochimaru grabbed a Cloud Ninja by the hair and slit his throat in front of him.

Kawafune and Orochimaru exchanged Jonael for Kumogakure’s secret technique after fighting the Raikage and his forces. Kawafune confirmed the scroll was genuine and gained valuable insight before he and Orochimaru left, while the Raikage returned to Kumogakure with Jonael and the surviving Cloud Ninja.

• The Raikage used Black Panther against Kawafune, who escaped with Flying Thunder God and then rescued Orochimaru from the Raikage’s charge.
• The Raikage and the surviving Cloud Ninja recovered, and Kawafune demanded the secret technique in exchange for Jonael.
• The Raikage handed Kawafune the Secret Technique Scroll, and Kawafune and Orochimaru examined it and confirmed it was genuine.
• Kawafune and Orochimaru left Jonael behind and vanished, and the Raikage carried Jonael away with Dodai and the other survivors.

Kawafune told Orochimaru that he was arranging for Tsunade to become Hokage, and Orochimaru agreed to stay out of the matter. After the Third Raikage returned from his defeat, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura tried to cover up their role in the mission and ordered witnesses killed.

• Kawafune and Orochimaru agreed to remain in the Land of Hot Water, and Kawafune shared the secret technique scroll with Orochimaru.
• Kawafune told Orochimaru he wanted Tsunade to become Hokage and explained that he had set the opportunity in motion.
• Orochimaru said he would not interfere because Sarutobi Hiruzen was his teacher, and asked that Tsunade free Pakura.
• The Third Raikage returned to Kumogakure with only three of the fifteen Jonin who had accompanied him, and news of the defeat reached Konoha.
• Mitokado Homura told Sarutobi Hiruzen about the battle, and Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to welcome Kawafune and Orochimaru back while denying involvement.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Mitokado Homura to eliminate the two other people who knew about the matter, then stared at Kawafune's mission card.

Kawafune and Orochimaru returned to Konoha after completing their mission, and Orochimaru reported its success to Sarutobi Hiruzen. At home, Orochimaru and Pakura grew closer as she considered the possibility of living an ordinary life.

• Kawafune left Orochimaru to turn in the mission, and Orochimaru reported that the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki had gone berserk and Kumogakure had suffered devastating losses.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Orochimaru the document to collect the mission payment, and Orochimaru left with it.
• Kawafune chatted with Tsunade at the hospital about Orochimaru and Pakura's developing romance.
• Orochimaru brought dango home for Pakura and gave her the mission payment to keep.
• Pakura told Orochimaru she had been learning to cook and care for the home, and she said she was not in a hurry for him to remove her seal.

Kawafune and Tsunade enjoyed a peaceful morning with their family before Kawafune took Yahiko and Konan for training. After Yahiko declared he would someday defeat the Raikage, Kawafune began a practical combat lesson by challenging both students at once.

• Kawafune and Tsunade woke late, teased each other, and joined Sakumo, Nayuki, and the children for breakfast.
• Kawafune held Kakashi while he ate, and Nayuki and Tsunade stopped him and Sakumo from bickering.
• Tsunade took Nagato with her to the hospital, while Kawafune brought Yahiko and Konan to the Training Hall.
• Yahiko asked about Kawafune's fight with the Raikage, and Kawafune said they had fought to a draw.
• Yahiko vowed to defeat the Raikage someday, and Kawafune encouraged him before challenging Yahiko and Konan to a practical combat lesson.

Kawafune tested Yahiko and Konan by having them fight his Shadow Clone, then criticized their teamwork and combat judgment. After Yahiko insisted he would still save Konan in the same situation, Kawafune made her carry him back to the Hatake Clan as punishment.

• Kawafune challenged Yahiko and Konan to fight his Shadow Clone, offering a request as the reward and a punishment for losing.
• Konan and Yahiko attacked together, using explosive paper techniques and Water Style, while the clone blocked, countered, and gave them advice.
• Yahiko and Konan tried a coordinated attack, but the clone kicked Konan out of the air and struck Yahiko when he rushed to catch her.
• Kawafune ended the fight and told them their adaptability and real-combat judgment were lacking; Yahiko admitted he would still save Konan.
• Kawafune ordered Konan to carry Yahiko back to the Hatake Clan, and she reluctantly carried him in a princess hold.

Tsunade and Orochimaru cultivated Seven-Tails cells and extracted cells from the Two-Tails for a new research project, while Nagato watched and studied. They prepared to receive Uchiha-provided test subjects soon, and Tsunade said Kawafune was busy teaching his disciples.

• Tsunade explained to Nagato that the Seven-Tails cells from Chōmei’s wings would take a long time to cultivate.
• Orochimaru arrived with blue powder collected from the Two-Tails and helped Tsunade extract its cells.
• Nagato fetched a petri dish, watched the experiment, and then went outside to read a book on cellular knowledge.
• Tsunade told Orochimaru that Uchiha test subjects should arrive within a few days and warned him not to exceed her limits.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru stored the extracted Two-Tails cells as a new research project.
• Orochimaru said he had seen Konan carrying Yahiko home, and Tsunade wondered what Kawafune had done to the children.

Kawafune and Fugaku prepared to launch an operation against Sarutobi Hiruzen, while Kawafune asked Fugaku to investigate a troubling suspicion. As the net began closing, Kawafune reassured Tsunade that the conflict would be settled peacefully, then joined her in the bath.

• Kawafune told Fugaku that it was time to close the net, and Fugaku agreed to prepare the operation for the next day.
• Kawafune quietly instructed Fugaku to investigate a suspicion about Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Fugaku sent a trusted Uchiha Jonin to look into it.
• Fugaku told his subordinate to keep the investigation secret, then spent time with Mikoto.
• That night, Fugaku notified Ao to begin closing the net while Sarutobi Hiruzen worried about Kawafune's lack of action.
• Kawafune told Tsunade that a good show was coming and promised to settle matters peacefully, then joined her in the bath.

Sarutobi Hiruzen faced a growing crowd of villagers demanding to know why he had not gone to the front lines, while Fugaku and Ao watched from the shadows. Hiruzen apologized and prepared to explain himself as grief and questions stirred the crowd again.

• An Anbu ninja woke Sarutobi Hiruzen and told him villagers had gathered outside the Hokage Building to demand an explanation.
• Hiruzen ordered that no force be used and asked Mitokado Homura to help arrange his response.
• Fugaku praised Ao’s role in the unrest, and they watched Hiruzen arrive and take the stage.
• Hiruzen apologized to the villagers for failing in his duty and bowed to them.
• An elderly woman asked why Hiruzen had not gone to the front lines, renewing the villagers’ demands for an explanation.
• An Anbu ninja asked his captain the same question, but the captain had no answer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen calmed angry villagers by promising compensation, though Fugaku and Ao suspected Kawafune had another move planned. After waking late, Kawafune heard the protest had been settled and later met with Fugaku again, leaving the next step unresolved.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen defended his decision not to go to war, promised compensation, and persuaded most of the villagers to disperse.
• Fugaku and Ao watched the crowd break up, and Fugaku said the matter was not over.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Mitokado Homura to distribute compensation and keep watch for Kawafune's next move.
• Tsunade woke Kawafune, who said there was another act to come, and the butler told them the Hokage Building disturbance had been settled.
• Tsunade went to the hospital, while Kawafune returned to the Uchiha compound and spoke with Fugaku.

Sarutobi Hiruzen used a new Police Force appointment to expand his clan’s influence at the Uchiha’s expense. Fugaku restrained his anger after Kawafune urged him to wait, and the two agreed to expose something without delay.

• Mitokado Homura and Sarutobi Hiruzen concluded that Kawafune had no further plans, then discussed taking control of part of the Police Force.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen appointed Mitokado Jirō deputy captain and gave him command over some Police Force personnel, angering the Uchiha.
• Fugaku prepared to confront Sarutobi Hiruzen, but Kawafune stopped him and asked whether he could reverse the appointment or kill the Hokage.
• Fugaku sent the protesting Uchiha clansmen away and discussed Kawafune’s plan with him in the Quiet Room.
• Kawafune said there was no need to wait to expose the matter, and Fugaku agreed.

Uchiha Fugaku helped steer villagers toward the Sarutobi Clan grounds after leaflets accused Sarutobi Hiruzen of embezzling compensation for fallen ninjas. As Fugaku offered to prove Hiruzen’s innocence, the Sarutobi clan’s refusal to let the crowd enter deepened their suspicions and left a confrontation looming.

• Uchiha Ao led squads distributing leaflets accusing Sarutobi Hiruzen of taking bereavement compensation for his clan.
• Villagers read the leaflets, gathered in the streets, and headed toward the Sarutobi Clan grounds, while an Anbu captain reported the crowd to Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered the Anbu to stop the villagers from entering and authorized the use of force.
• Uchiha Fugaku appeared before the crowd, urged them to stay calm, and promised to lead them inside if Hiruzen did not arrive.
• A Sarutobi Clan ninja refused to let the villagers enter, and Fugaku challenged him as his Three-Tomoe Sharingan appeared.

Uchiha Fugaku led villagers to Sarutobi Hiruzen’s clan grounds to investigate rumors, forcing Hiruzen to decide how to respond. After secretly ordering money destroyed, Hiruzen showed the villagers the compound and treasury, where they found nothing, and sent them home.

• Fugaku pressured the Sarutobi Clan’s guards and told the villagers to wait one hour for Hiruzen to appear.
• A Sarutobi Clan ninja reported Fugaku’s threat, and Hiruzen ordered him to burn all the money before coming outside.
• Hiruzen arrived, blamed troublemakers for the rumor, and invited Fugaku to lead the villagers through the grounds.
• Fugaku accepted and led the villagers through the compound and treasury, but they found nothing unusual.
• Hiruzen declared the matter cleared up and had his clansmen escort the villagers home.

Fugaku exposed Sarutobi Hiruzen’s embezzlement of the compensation money, destroying the Hokage’s standing with Konoha’s villagers. After celebrating with Kawafune and Tsunade, Fugaku left as the village’s clan heads wondered who would become the next Hokage.

• Fugaku used the Sharingan to make a Sarutobi Clan ninja confess that the clan had burned the compensation money, and Hiruzen failed to convince the villagers the confession was false.
• The villagers confronted and shoved Hiruzen, and his clansmen dragged him away before forcing the crowd out of the compound.
• Fugaku left with disguised Uchiha clansmen, then went to the Hatake Clan and told Kawafune and Tsunade that the matter had been handled.
• Kawafune told Tsunade to leave what came next to him and promised Fugaku that he would help him change territory.
• News of Hiruzen’s embezzlement spread throughout Konoha, leaving his reputation in ruins as the clan heads wondered who would become Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Hyuga Nobunaga and offered to recommend him as the Fourth Hokage, hoping to retain power behind the scenes. Nobunaga saw through the plan and refused, leaving Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura frustrated.

• A Shadow Guard delivered Sarutobi Hiruzen's invitation to the Hyuga Clan, and Hyuga Nobunaga decided to meet him despite Hiashi and Hizashi's concerns.
• Mitokado Homura welcomed Nobunaga and brought him to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen, who offered him the position of Fourth Hokage.
• Nobunaga recognized that Hiruzen intended to make him a puppet Hokage and keep control of Konoha.
• Nobunaga declined the offer and left, while Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura looked furious.