Chapter Summaries

The Cloud Ninja continued pressing the Rock Ninja while Nakano Daisuke reached Konoha to seek the Hokage’s aid. When the gate guards refused to let him in, Daisuke attacked them to force his way inside.

• Third Raikage A learned from Dodai that Nagato’s forces had not yet defeated the Rock Ninja, but he remained confident that the Cloud Ninja’s steady advance would prevail.
• Fourth Raikage A reported that the interrogation was complete and the traps ahead had been marked, then led Killer B at the front of the advancing Cloud Ninja.
• Nakano Daisuke arrived at Konoha’s gates and asked the guards to arrange an audience with the Hokage on Ōnoki’s orders.
• The Konoha guards rejected Daisuke’s request, and he knocked both Chunin to the ground with a punch and a kick.

Nakano Daisuke entered Konoha to seek aid for the defeated Land of Earth and was captured before he could reach the Hokage. Fugaku agreed to let him deliver Ōnoki’s letter himself, leaving Daisuke with a chance to present his plea to Tsunade.

• Nakano Daisuke surrendered to the Konoha ninja who surrounded him at the gate and was beaten and taken to an Interrogation Department cell.
• Fugaku learned that the captured Rock Ninja had come at Ōnoki’s order to meet the Hokage, so he went to question him.
• Daisuke told Fugaku that the Land of Earth had suffered defeats against the Cloud Ninja and Akatsuki and asked Konoha for aid.
• Daisuke offered Ōnoki’s handwritten letter for the Hokage, and Fugaku told him to deliver it himself before leaving to handle the matter through Tsunade.

Tsunade received Ōnoki’s plea for aid and discussed Konoha’s choices with Fugaku, Shota, and Kawafune. Kawafune recommended supporting the Land of Earth to bog down the Cloud Ninja while preserving Konoha’s strength, but no decision was made.

• Fugaku brought Nakano Daisuke, an Iwagakure jonin, to Tsunade, who agreed to hear his request for aid.
• Tsunade read Ōnoki’s letter, which apologized for past hostilities and offered secret techniques, territory, reparations, and even his resignation in exchange for help.
• Tsunade asked Fugaku and Shota for their views; Shota favored staying out of the conflict, while Fugaku supported getting involved without backing the Rock Ninja.
• Kawafune argued that attacking the Land of Earth could unite the Shinobi World against Konoha, while doing nothing would leave Konoha competing for spoils and facing war with the Cloud Ninja.
• Kawafune recommended supporting the Land of Earth to stall the Cloud Ninja, preserve Konoha’s forces, and leave Konoha with room to maneuver.

Tsunade agreed to send Nawaki and Minato to the Land of Earth as reinforcements, with orders to keep the country from falling while cooperating with the Rock Ninja. The two accepted the command, though they remained unsure why Konoha was helping its former enemy.

• Shota and Fugaku supported Kawafune’s proposal to aid the Land of Earth, despite Tsunade’s initial objections.
• Tsunade recognized the mission as a chance for Nawaki and Minato to build prestige as potential Hokage successors, while Shota suggested his nephew Shikaku as a future assistant.
• Tsunade summoned Nawaki and Minato and told them they would lead reinforcements to the Land of Earth.
• Kawafune instructed Nawaki and Minato to ensure the Land of Earth did not fall, while leaving other decisions to them.
• Tsunade warned the pair not to let the Rock Ninja push them around, and they accepted the mission and began preparing.

Nawaki and Minato led a Konoha force that included a group of eager children toward the Land of Earth, while Nakano Daisuke tried to persuade them to cross the Land of Rain. The chapter ended with Minato rejecting the route and warning Nakano Daisuke not to interfere.

• Ginji and the other children insisted that Nawaki let them take part in the fighting, and Nawaki agreed while telling them to stay close.
• Kakashi confidently accepted Ginji's challenge as the other children traded boasts and jokes on the march.
• Nakano Daisuke asked Nawaki and Minato which route they would take, and Nawaki chose the Land of Grass.
• Nakano Daisuke urged the force to cross the Land of Rain to arrive sooner and put pressure on Akatsuki Hidden Village.
• Minato rejected the plan, and Nawaki pretended to leave the decision to him while the two concealed their true allegiance to Akatsuki Hidden Village.
• Nakano Daisuke abandoned his request after Minato scolded him and warned him not to keep giving orders.

Nakano Daisuke led Nawaki and Minato’s Konoha force into the Land of Earth and found the Iwagakure camp. After meeting Kitsuchi and Rōshi, Nawaki and Minato realized Rōshi was the Four-Tails Jinchūriki and a mortal enemy of the Uchiha.

• Nakano Daisuke led the Konoha force across the Land of Grass and into the Land of Earth, where Nawaki agreed to follow his plan to seek the Akatsuki.
• Nakano Daisuke found traces of Rōshi’s Chakra at a battlefield and later followed markers to Iwagakure’s hidden sentries.
• Nakano Daisuke identified the Konoha force as reinforcements from Konoha, and the sentries escorted them to the Iwagakure camp.
• Nawaki and Minato met Kitsuchi and Rōshi, who discussed the fight against the Akatsuki and introduced themselves.
• Rōshi revealed that he was the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, and Nawaki and Minato recognized him as a mortal enemy of the Uchiha.

Nawaki and Minato met with Kitsuchi and Rōshi to discuss Akatsuki’s strength and divide the Konoha reinforcements. The next morning, Nawaki departed with part of the force to find Ōnoki’s unit, while Minato stayed behind to face Akatsuki.

• Nawaki asked Kitsuchi and Rōshi about Akatsuki, and they described Nagato’s abilities and their recent retreat.
• Nawaki reasoned that Akatsuki would come to attack once Konoha’s reinforcements arrived, and Minato agreed to stay and help repel them.
• Nawaki arranged to leave with the remaining Konoha ninja and Nakano Daisuke to find Lord Tsuchikage’s unit the next morning.
• Nawaki and Minato said goodbye, while Ginji and Kakashi exchanged words before Nawaki led his group out.

Minato led Kitsuchi, Rōshi, and their forces to draw Akatsuki into battle, where Nagato confronted them and fought all three leaders at once. The battle spread into a chaotic melee, and Minato prepared to face Nagato again.

• Minato rejected Kitsuchi's suggestion to place both teams under unified command, and the combined force set out to find Akatsuki.
• Nagato spotted Minato's force, assembled Akatsuki, and launched rockets at the Rock Ninja, which Minato intercepted with a Big Ball Rasengan.
• Minato, Kitsuchi, and Rōshi attacked Nagato together, while the subordinate ninja on both sides joined battle.
• Nagato held his own against all three leaders, absorbed Minato's Rasengan, and mocked Rōshi's alliance with Konoha.
• Minato stepped forward to challenge Nagato, who dismissed him and claimed Tsunade had not been his match.

Minato, Rōshi, and Kitsuchi struggled to fight Nagato, whose chakra absorption and repulsive force countered their attacks. Minato finally revealed his Sage Mode and stepped between Nagato and the others, ready to fight with enhanced speed and strength.

• Nagato repelled Rōshi and absorbed Minato's Big Ball Rasengan, forcing Minato to retreat with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Minato asked Rōshi and Kitsuchi to buy him time while he prepared a technique, and they attacked Nagato together.
• Nagato shattered the rock coating on Kitsuchi's fist and nearly stabbed him, but Rōshi rushed in and forced Nagato to dodge.
• Nagato absorbed Rōshi's chakra until he lost Scorch Release Chakra Mode, leaving him and Kitsuchi unable to keep fighting.
• Minato revealed his Sage Mode, moved in front of Rōshi and Kitsuchi, and charged at Nagato with greatly enhanced speed and strength.

Minato and Nagato staged a fierce battle, but Rōshi and Kitsuchi intervened with attacks that genuinely angered Nagato. Nagato’s devastating counterattack left both men gravely injured, and Minato ordered nearby ninjas to carry them away while he faced Nagato.

• Minato kicked Nagato away and attacked him with a Sage Art Rasengan, while Nagato blocked the blow with his Absorption Seal.
• Minato’s clone struck Nagato with a Rasengan after Nagato absorbed the first attack, sending him into a crater.
• Rōshi and Kitsuchi followed up with magma and earth techniques, but Nagato survived and unleashed the Five-Element Great Bullet Technique.
• Rōshi and Kitsuchi tried to defend themselves with a magma barrier and a rock giant, but Nagato’s attack destroyed both defenses and left them gravely injured.
• Minato told nearby ninjas to carry Rōshi and Kitsuchi away while he moved to confront Nagato.

Minato and Nagato secretly reunited after staging a fierce battle to cover the Rock Ninja retreat and their own absence. Minato returned to the battlefield in a bloodied disguise and led the Konoha and Rock Ninja forces away while Nagato pretended to pursue them.

• Two Rock Ninja carried the wounded Rōshi and Kitsuchi away while Minato and Nagato staged a loud fight and disappeared from the battlefield.
• Nonō killed a Rock Ninja who lost focus, then continued fighting as the battle raged around her.
• Minato and Nagato reunited in hiding, discussed their relationships and the war, and agreed to meet again after Rōshi and Kitsuchi recovered.
• Minato tore and bloodied his clothes, returned to the battlefield, and called for a retreat while pretending to have been forced back.
• Minato and the others escaped pursuit as Nagato angrily threatened them from a distance.

Minato led the allied Konoha and Rock Ninja forces to safety after the battle, then visited the recovering Rōshi and Kitsuchi. He downplayed his Sage Mode’s capabilities while the allied force prepared to recover from its losses.

• Minato found the wounded Rōshi and Kitsuchi, took command, and led the forces to a concealed camp.
• A Rock Ninja brought Minato the casualty report, and Minato eased his doubts by promising Konoha would take the lead next time.
• Kakashi and Kurenai teased Minato about his performance and learned that Nonō was Nagato’s fiancée.
• After Rōshi and Kitsuchi woke, Minato visited them and they thanked him for saving their lives.
• Rōshi asked about Minato’s Sage Mode, and Minato claimed he could maintain it for only ten minutes.

Nawaki arrived at Ōnoki’s camp with Konoha reinforcements and used his position to ask Ōnoki to teach him the Light-Weight Rock Technique. He settled in for the night, planning to learn more about the battle situation at the next day’s meeting.

• Kitsuchi, Rōshi, and Minato agreed to strike quickly and retreat once Rōshi and Kitsuchi had recovered, hoping to delay Akatsuki’s advance.
• Nakano Daisuke freed a captured Rock Ninja, who reported that Ōnoki was only slightly injured and led the Konoha force toward the camp.
• Nawaki flew ahead using the Light-Weight Rock Technique and introduced himself to Ōnoki as Tsunade’s younger brother.
• Nawaki asked Ōnoki to teach him the technique, and Ōnoki evasively arranged for him to rest instead.
• Nawaki settled into his hut and decided to wait until the next day’s meeting to learn about the Cloud Ninja’s strength and the battle situation.

Nawaki reassured Ginji and Aotsuki before attending a meeting with Ōnoki and learning how badly the Rock Ninja were faring against the Cloud Ninja. He left the meeting with a clearer sense of his role and confidence that he could negotiate substantial gains from Ōnoki.

• Nawaki teased Ginji and Aotsuki, then warned them to be cautious on the battlefield and stay within his sight.
• The next morning, Nawaki went alone to the meeting room and introduced himself to the gathered Rock Ninja leaders.
• Ōnoki thanked Konoha for its assistance and asked Keiko to summarize the recent fighting.
• Keiko reported that the Cloud Ninja had killed the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han, and that the Rock Ninja had lost their subsequent clashes.
• Nawaki concluded that the Rock Ninja lacked powerful fighters and urgently needed help, strengthening his resolve to press Ōnoki for a good deal.

Nawaki learned that the Rock Ninja would wait for the Cloud Ninja to attack, then prepared the Konoha forces to support them. After several days of waiting, the Cloud Ninja finally assembled, and Ōnoki led the allied forces out to meet them.

• Ōnoki told Nawaki that the Rock Ninja would not attack until the Cloud Ninja made their move, while some Rock Ninja officials questioned whether Nawaki could be trusted.
• Nawaki told Ginji, Aotsuki, and the other young ninja that they would support the battle and warned Ginji not to use Wood Style or Lightning Release Armor.
• Nawaki surveyed the terrain as the forces waited, and the Cloud Ninja made no move for several days.
• A sentry reported that the Cloud Ninja were assembling, so Ōnoki ordered the Rock Ninja and Konoha forces to assemble.
• Ōnoki and Nawaki led their forces toward the Cloud Ninja, where the Third Raikage A and the Fourth Raikage A discussed Konoha's alliance with the Rock Ninja.

Nawaki faced Fourth Raikage A and Killer B on the battlefield, overwhelming them with his strength and Samehada while Ōnoki fought Third Raikage A. The battle continued as Ōnoki criticized Nawaki for failing to finish off one opponent.

• Third Raikage A urged Ōnoki to surrender, but Ōnoki refused, and the Rock and Cloud forces charged into battle.
• Ōnoki intercepted Third Raikage A while Nawaki confronted Fourth Raikage A and Killer B.
• Nawaki kicked Fourth Raikage A into the ground and used Samehada to drain the Eight-Tails' chakra from Killer B.
• Nawaki pursued Fourth Raikage A with Water Release: Severing Wave, cutting down several Cloud Ninja before stopping the technique.
• Ōnoki recognized Nawaki's water technique and criticized him for not targeting Killer B first.

Nawaki helped the Rock Ninja win a battle against the Cloud by overpowering Fourth Raikage A and Killer B, though Third Raikage A rescued them before Nawaki could finish them. The next morning, Ōnoki asked Nawaki to accept a Rock Ninja partner for future battles, but Nawaki refused, saying he fought best without help.

• Ōnoki attacked Third Raikage A with Dust Release after Third Raikage A taunted him, while Nawaki praised Ōnoki’s jutsu and fought Fourth Raikage A and Killer B with Samehada.
• Nawaki trapped Fourth Raikage A and Killer B in a water prison, transformed with Samehada, and defeated them underwater, but Ōnoki failed to stop Third Raikage A from entering the prison and rescuing them.
• Third Raikage A withdrew with his son and Killer B, and Ōnoki ordered the Rock Ninja not to pursue; Nawaki and the Konoha youngsters returned to camp as the Rock Ninja celebrated their victory.
• The next morning, Ōnoki invited Nawaki to discuss future battles and offered to assign him a Rock Ninja partner, but Nawaki refused, saying he was not used to coordinating with others.

Nawaki persuaded Ōnoki to teach him the Golems Technique after receiving guidance on the Light-Weight Rock Technique, then studied the scroll. Meanwhile, Madara ordered Zetsu to lure Obito into his plan, while Obito and Rin grew closer.

• Ōnoki shared his cultivation insights on the Light-Weight Rock Technique with Nawaki and gave him a scroll detailing the Golems Technique after refusing to teach him Dust Release.
• Nawaki returned to his room, showed the scroll to Ginji, Aotsuki, Naruto, Shisui, and Genma, then sent them away and began studying.
• Zetsu reported that the Akatsuki and the Rock Ninja-Konoha allied forces were evenly matched, and Madara ordered him to bring Obito to the cave and later help retrieve the Rinnegan.
• Rin bandaged Obito's injured arm and warned him not to be reckless, while Obito promised not to compete with the others.
• Might Guy teased Kakashi about watching Obito and Rin, and Kakashi's insult prompted Guy to tackle him into a fight.

Minato and the allied forces fought the Akatsuki while Obito was abducted and secretly taken to Uchiha Madara. After Kawafune tracked Obito and confirmed the Hashirama Cells had stabilized him, Obito woke in Madara’s cave and learned that Madara had survived his battle with Hashirama.

• Kitsuchi, Rōshi, and Minato agreed to rest before resuming their campaign against the Akatsuki.
• Nagato attacked the Rock Ninja camp, and Minato joined Kitsuchi and Rōshi in holding him off while the others fought.
• Zetsu’s controlled Akatsuki gravely injured Obito, then secretly removed him from the battlefield as Minato and the others withdrew.
• Minato learned Obito was missing, and Kawafune’s Shadow Clone assured him that Obito was safe; Kawafune then followed Zetsu to Madara’s cave.
• Madara used Hashirama Cells from a White Zetsu to heal Obito, who woke three days later and heard Madara explain how he had survived.

Obito learned that Madara had given him Hashirama Cells and tried to return to Konoha, but Madara used Genjutsu to keep him there. Kawafune arrived, confronted Madara about the Eye of the Moon Plan, and launched a sudden attack on Zetsu.

• Madara showed Obito that Hashirama Cells had boosted his vitality and let him use Wood Style, then urged him to stay.
• Obito insisted he would return to Konoha once he recovered, and Madara used Genjutsu to make him lie back down.
• Kawafune appeared without warning, startling Madara and waking Obito from the Genjutsu.
• Kawafune confronted Madara about the Eye of the Moon Plan, while Zetsu realized Kawafune might know his true objective.
• Kawafune drew Zetsu's attention to the plan, then surged forward with a lightning-wreathed strike aimed at Zetsu's throat.