Chapter Summaries

Nagato and Kakuzu continued acting like carefree guests in Kumogakure while Third Raikage A prepared to hand over the Two-Tails. They left with the beast sealed in a black jar after visiting the Ninja Academy, though Third Raikage A remained uneasy about Nagato.

• Nagato hinted to Kakuzu to stay cautious while they drank tea and discussed building a school in Akatsuki Hidden Village.
• Third Raikage A ordered his people to invite Nagato and Kakuzu to the conference room and prepare to transfer the Two-Tails.
• Third Raikage A explained that the Amber Purifying Pot would not be given to them and that the Two-Tails would be moved into another sealing container.
• Nagato and Kakuzu visited Kumogakure's Ninja Academy the next day while maintaining their carefree act.
• Nagato and Kakuzu left Kumogakure with the Two-Tails sealed in a black jar, escorted by Third Raikage A and the others.

Nagato and Kakuzu returned to the Land of Rain with the Two-Tails sealed in a black jar and reunited with Yahiko, Konan, and Nonō. After the jar shook violently and Kakuzu warned that its seal was unreliable, Nagato decided to deal with the Two-Tails immediately.

• Nagato and Kakuzu crossed the Land of Iron and the Land of Waterfalls to return to the Land of Rain.
• Yahiko, Konan, and Nonō greeted Nagato and Kakuzu at the village entrance with teasing jokes.
• Kakuzu took the black jar containing the Two-Tails from a scroll and showed it to the others.
• The jar shook as Nonō approached, startling her and prompting Nagato to protect her.
• Kakuzu explained that the old jar had a weak seal and advised them to deal with the Two-Tails quickly.
• Nagato decided they would handle the Two-Tails immediately.

Nagato and the others sought a barrier ninjutsu to contain the Two-Tails, so Tsunade and Kawafune searched Konoha’s Forbidden Jutsu room. They found the Four Red Yang Formation, giving the group a way to attempt the release safely.

• Nagato asked Kakuzu whether he knew a barrier ninjutsu, but Kakuzu admitted he could not trap a tailed beast.
• Yahiko suggested asking Tsunade, and Nonō summoned Katsuyu to contact her.
• Tsunade said she could not recall a suitable barrier and cut off the shared vision to search with Kawafune.
• Tsunade and Kawafune searched the Forbidden Jutsu room until Tsunade found the Four Red Yang Formation.
• Kawafune recognized the technique after seeing its name, and Tsunade asked why he had not remembered it sooner.

Kawafune and Tsunade helped Nagato and the others prepare to capture a tailed beast using the Four Red Yang Formation. The team successfully raised the barrier, and a huge cat made of blue Chakra appeared inside it.

• Tsunade showed Nagato and the others the technique, and Nonō copied it onto a scroll.
• Kawafune assigned Kakuzu to join Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato in forming the barrier.
• The group went to the valley where Hanzō had died, and Nagato smashed the black jar.
• Yahiko, Konan, Kakuzu, and Nagato failed twice before raising the Four Red Yang Formation on their third attempt.
• Nagato shattered the jar, releasing a huge cat covered in blue Chakra flames inside the barrier.

Tsunade and the others watched Nagato face the Two-Tails after it broke free of its seal. Nagato refused to release the beast and prepared to fight it.

• Konan and Nonō admired the Two-Tails, while Tsunade compared its looks unfavorably with Chōmei.
• Chōmei protested Tsunade’s insult from inside her, but she threatened him until he backed down.
• Kawafune redirected everyone’s attention to the barrier, where Nagato and the Two-Tails had been facing off.
• The Two-Tails sensed Nagato’s powerful Chakra and demanded that he let it out.
• Nagato laughed, refused to release the Two-Tails, and warned that it would suffer less if it behaved.

Nagato fought the Two-Tails and revealed his Rinnegan, terrifying the tailed beast. He continued attacking as the Two-Tails lashed out in desperation.

• The Two-Tails charged Nagato, but a mechanical arm caught its claw and held back its strength.
• Nagato revealed his Rinnegan, and the Two-Tails recognized the Sage of Six Paths' eyes and tried to flee.
• Nagato pierced the Two-Tails' hind legs with black rods while keeping its forelimb restrained.
• The Two-Tails attacked again with its forelimb burning with blue flames, and Nagato released it and retreated while firing another black rod.

Nagato fought the Two-Tails inside the barrier, countering its attacks with the Rinnegan’s abilities and turning its Tailed Beast Bomb back on it. The Two-Tails survived the blast but was left badly wounded and slowly healing.

• The Two-Tails tried to remove the black rods from its body, but Nagato skewered it with Earth Style: Earth Prison Coffin.
• The Two-Tails broke free of the earth spikes with its blue flames, healed its injuries, and fired a blazing attack at Nagato.
• Nagato absorbed the Two-Tails’ fireball with the Preta Path, then used Shinra Tensei to send its Tailed Beast Bomb back at it.
• Nagato used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to clear the smoke, revealing that he was unharmed while the Two-Tails stood wounded in a crater and slowly healed.

Nagato forced the Two-Tails to submit, using a powerful Water Style technique that left it badly wounded. The Two-Tails launched a final Tailed Beast Bomb at the Four Red Yang Formation, and the chapter ended as it struck Kakuzu and exploded.

• Tsunade admired Nagato’s Shinra Tensei, and Kawakune hinted that the Rinnegan had an even more powerful sealing technique.
• Nagato confronted the Two-Tails and demanded that it accept black rods, refusing to let it negotiate or live unrestrained.
• Nagato unleashed Water Style: Water Dragon Biting Explosion, drowning and hurling the Two-Tails into the pit.
• The wounded Two-Tails fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at Kakuzu and the Four Red Yang Formation.
• Kakuzu tried to pull away, but his hands would not move, and the Tailed Beast Bomb exploded in the barrier.

After the Akatsuki Hidden Village subdued the Two-Tails, Kawafune predicted Kumogakure would soon move against the Land of Wind and involve them in fighting Iwagakure. Half a month later, Fourth Raikage A arrived with orders for them to attack the Land of Earth in two days, leaving Yahiko stalling while Nagato went to check the situation.

• Nagato's group found the Two-Tails unconscious, teased it, and then settled it in a forest after Tsunade assured them it would survive.
• Kakuzu left in a reflective mood, realizing that he had bonds with the others.
• Kawafune explained that Kumogakure would likely attack the Land of Wind and expect the Akatsuki Hidden Village to help fend off the Rock Ninja.
• Half a month later, Fourth Raikage A arrived alone and asked the Akatsuki Hidden Village to attack the Land of Earth in two days while the Third Raikage attacked as well.
• Fourth Raikage A explained that Kumogakure planned to catch Iwagakure off guard, and Yahiko stalled for time as Nagato hurried outside to check the situation.

Nagato and Yahiko agreed with the Fourth Raikage A to coordinate an attack on Iwagakure, with Akatsuki Hidden Village striking first to draw its main force away. After the Fourth Raikage A departed, Nagato told Yahiko the plan had come from their teacher’s wife, while Kawafune was likely holding an emergency meeting.

• Nagato returned and told the Fourth Raikage A that orders had been given and they would reach the Land of Earth’s border in two days.
• Nagato proposed that Akatsuki Hidden Village attack first and draw Iwagakure’s main force over before Kumogakure joined the battle.
• The Fourth Raikage A accepted the plan and promised to personally watch the timing of Kumogakure’s attack.
• Yahiko offered to arrange entertainment for the Fourth Raikage A, who declined because his father was waiting for his report.
• After the Fourth Raikage A left, Yahiko asked whether their teacher had devised the plan, and Nagato said it had been their teacher’s wife’s idea.

Tsunade convened Konoha’s clans to discuss an impending war between Kumogakure and the Akatsuki Hidden Village against the Land of Earth. After the attendees chose between joining the war or waiting, Tsunade concluded that Konoha would wait and watch, while warning everyone that war was coming.

• Tsunade gathered representatives from every clan and had Shota announce that a major war would begin in two days, though Konoha was not its target.
• The attendees argued over whether Konoha should join the war or wait for a clearer opportunity.
• Tsunade revealed that Kumogakure and the Akatsuki Hidden Village were preparing to attack the Land of Earth.
• Tsunade ordered those who favored joining the war to stand on the right and those who favored waiting to stand on the left.
• After the attendees formed two groups, Tsunade saw that more favored waiting and declared the decision settled.

After learning that Kumogakure had moved against the Land of Earth, Konoha’s leaders prepared for the coming conflict. At home, Kawafune and Tsunade agreed to let Kakashi and Ginji gain battlefield experience under Minato, while Orochimaru’s research into the tailed beasts left Kawafune wondering about the possibility of recreating the Ten-Tails.

• Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Fugaku, Sakumo, Kawafune, and the others discussed Kumogakure’s attack on the Land of Earth and made plans for the coming war.
• Kawafune visited Orochimaru’s laboratory, where Orochimaru revealed his theory that the tailed beasts shared an origin and his attempt to fuse their cells.
• Kawafune speculated at home about whether Orochimaru could create the Ten-Tails’ cells, then joined Ginji for dinner with his family.
• Kakashi asked Tsunade to let him go to the battlefield, and Kawafune agreed that he could follow Minato.
• Ginji asked to join Kakashi, and Kawafune agreed to let both boys follow Minato into the war.

Nagato led Akatsuki Hidden Village ninja across the border into the Land of Earth, staging an attack to draw out Iwagakure's forces. Ōnoki sent Rōshi and Kitsuchi to confront them as Nagato's force advanced deeper into the country.

• Nagato and Nonō watched Nakamura Daiki lead the attack on the lax Land of Earth border patrol, leaving survivors to carry news of the invasion.
• Nakamura Daiki defeated the border soldiers and spared several, while Nagato praised him and ordered the force to continue advancing into the Land of Earth.
• Ōnoki erupted in anger over the surprise attack and declared that the invaders must be wiped out.
• Rōshi volunteered to face Nagato, and Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to accompany him because Han was not in good condition.
• Ōnoki sent Rōshi and Kitsuchi out with a force, then dismissed the remaining officials and vowed revenge on Nagato and Akatsuki Hidden Village.

Nagato deliberately exposed the Akatsuki Hidden Village’s camp to lure the Rock Ninja into an attack. When Rōshi and Kitsuchi arrived, Nagato intercepted them with Almighty Push, leaving their forces scattered across the ground.

• Nagato reassured Nakamura Daiki and teased Nonō while the Akatsuki Hidden Village camped conspicuously on the plain.
• Rōshi led Kitsuchi and the Rock Ninja toward the exposed campsite, though Kitsuchi suspected the obvious location was a trap.
• Nagato sensed the approaching Rock Ninja at night, woke Nonō, and prepared the Akatsuki Hidden Village for battle.
• Rōshi transformed into his four-tailed form and began charging a Tailed Beast Bomb while Kitsuchi prepared to draw Nagato away.
• Nagato rushed the Rock Ninja, shattered Kitsuchi’s Earth-Style Wall with Almighty Push, and sent Rōshi, Kitsuchi, and their troops flying.

Nagato fought Kitsuchi and Rōshi while holding back to keep Iwagakure focused on Kumogakure, as Kawafune had ordered. Nonō and the Akatsuki Ninja battled the Rock Ninja, and Fourth Raikage A quietly returned to the ship.

• Nagato appeared after the Tailed Beast Bomb and mocked Kitsuchi and Rōshi when they demanded a reason for the invasion.
• Rōshi attacked with Scorch Release Chakra Mode while Kitsuchi sent an Earth Style dragon at Nagato, who absorbed the dragon and restrained Rōshi with mechanical arms.
• Kitsuchi used Earth Style: Rock-Cutting Blade to break Nagato's mechanical arms and free Rōshi, leading them to suspect Nagato's absorption ability had a cooldown.
• Nagato unleashed a Lightning-Water Shockwave and then kicked Kitsuchi away while fighting Rōshi hand to hand, deliberately controlling his strength.
• Nonō and the Akatsuki Ninja fought the Rock Ninja as Fourth Raikage A quietly returned from the Land of Earth to the ship.

Kumogakure launched an invasion of the Land of Earth, and Third Raikage A led the attack against Iwagakure’s coastal defenders. After receiving word of the assault, Ōnoki gathered Iwagakure’s forces and led them into battle.

• Third Raikage A ordered Kumogakure’s fleet to sail toward the Land of Earth after learning Iwagakure had moved against the Akatsuki ninja.
• A Rock Ninja captain tried to stop the unidentified ships, but Third Raikage A killed him and routed the defenders.
• A surviving Rock Ninja escaped to report the attack, and Ōnoki suspected Kumogakure and the Akatsuki Hidden Village had conspired against Iwagakure.
• Ōnoki stripped the intelligence chief of his position and ordered all available Iwagakure ninja to assemble.
• Ōnoki rallied the assembled forces and led them toward Kumogakure’s invasion.

Kawafune, Tsunade, and Shota discussed the fighting in the Land of Earth and waited for Ōnoki and Third Raikage A to clash. Ōnoki weakened Third Raikage A with a weight technique, but the Cloud Ninja gained the advantage, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Kawafune read reports that Nagato had the upper hand against Rōshi and Kitsuchi, while Tsunade complained that Nagato was not attacking Iwagakure directly.
• Kawafune, Tsunade, and Shota discussed the approaching clash between Ōnoki and Third Raikage A and hoped the two sides would weaken each other.
• Ōnoki launched Earth Style: Earth Spikes against the Cloud Ninja, killing or injuring many before Third Raikage A led a counterattack.
• Ōnoki fought Third Raikage A with a Rock Fist Technique, then revealed that he had used Super Added-Weight Rock Technique to slow him down.
• Ōnoki and Third Raikage A continued fighting, while the Cloud Ninja gradually gained the upper hand against the divided Rock Ninja.

Fourth Raikage A and Killer B fought Han of Iwagakure as he drew on the Five-Tails’ power, while Dodai restrained him long enough for the brothers to use their Double Lariat. Han and the Five-Tails Kokuō died, and the battle ended with the Cloud brothers standing over their fallen foe.

• Han overpowered Fourth Raikage A’s attack and fought Killer B, who used Tailed Beast Chakra to hold him back.
• Han transformed further and charged at Fourth Raikage A and Killer B, forcing them to defend the Cloud Ninja behind them.
• Killer B drew on more of the Eight-Tails’ power, and he and Fourth Raikage A clashed with Han in a contest of strength.
• Dodai arrived and bound Han with Scorch Release: Rubber Coffin, but Han’s Tailed Beast Chakra continued to swell.
• Fourth Raikage A and Killer B struck Han’s neck together with Double Lariat, killing him and the Five-Tails Kokuō.

Ōnoki lost Han and used Dust Release and Earth Release to split the battlefield, forcing Iwagakure to retreat. Third Raikage A stopped his son from pursuing, and both sides withdrew after vowing to fight again.

• Third Raikage A blocked Ōnoki as Han died, and Ōnoki roared in grief.
• Ōnoki fired Dust Release at Third Raikage A, who evaded it with his Lightning Release Armor.
• Ōnoki used Earth Flow Divide to raise the battlefield and split the Iwagakure and Kumogakure forces, leaving a few ninjas trapped and killed.
• Ōnoki ordered the Rock Ninja to retreat, and Third Raikage A stopped Fourth Raikage A from pursuing them.
• Ōnoki and Third Raikage A each vowed to settle the conflict another day, and Third Raikage A struck his son for his impulsiveness.

After the Cloud Ninja won the battle, Ōnoki struggled to find a way to save the Land of Earth and decided to ask Konoha for aid. The chapter ended with Nakano Daisuke setting out with Ōnoki’s sealed letter to Tsunade.

• The Fourth Raikage A admitted he had been too impulsive and ordered the Cloud Ninja to gather their dead and evacuate the wounded.
• Ōnoki questioned his demoralized surviving commanders, who could offer no plan to defeat the Cloud Ninja or deal with the Akatsuki Hidden Village.
• Ōnoki decided to send an envoy to Konoha to request aid, and Nakano Daisuke volunteered for the mission.
• Ōnoki privately told Daisuke that seeking Konoha’s help was their last resort and accepted that Daisuke might not return if it failed.
• Ōnoki wrote a letter to Tsunade, sealed it, and entrusted it to Daisuke, hoping Iwagakure could hold out until reinforcements arrived.