Chapter Summaries

Nagato persuaded Genji to surrender Kirigakure rather than let its ninjas die fighting Akatsuki. Genji agreed to open the village gates, then wondered whether Hatake Kawafune could achieve what the First Hokage of Konoha had not.

• Nagato met Genji privately and asked him to lead Kirigakure's ninjas in surrendering.
• Nagato warned that refusing would leave the Mist Ninja on the front lines to die, while promising humane treatment and special training for Mei Terumi.
• Genji accepted that Kirigakure had no room to choose and agreed to order its ninjas back to the village and open its gates.
• Nagato declined to stay and help enforce the decision, then warned Genji that Akatsuki would follow the Mist Ninja.
• Nagato said Genji should thank his teacher, and Genji identified Hatake Kawafune as he considered the larger plan.

Nagato secured Genji’s agreement to surrender Kirigakure, while Kakuzu killed the Land of Water’s Daimyo and left the heirs fighting over power. Yahiko led Akatsuki into Kirigakure after its mist ninja returned, bringing the takeover to the village gates.

• Nagato told Yahiko, Konan, and Nonō that Genji had agreed to recall the mist ninja and open Kirigakure’s gates.
• Kakuzu returned and revealed that he had killed the Daimyo; Nagato learned that the Daimyo’s heirs were fighting over succession.
• Yahiko and Nagato concluded that the Land of Water was effectively in Akatsuki’s grasp and planned to follow the mist ninja back to Kirigakure.
• Genji’s order reached the mist ninja, and Mei Terumi worried to Ao about whether Akatsuki would imprison them after their surrender.
• Yahiko led Akatsuki’s forces behind the returning mist ninja, and several days later they reached Kirigakure.
• Yahiko led Akatsuki through Kirigakure’s open gates after joking with Nagato about the possibility of a trap.

Yahiko accepted Kirigakure’s surrender and organized Akatsuki’s occupation of the village. Three days later, he seized the capital with little resistance, bringing the entire Land of Water under Akatsuki’s control.

• Genji led the mist ninja in surrendering to Yahiko, who accepted their weapons and allowed them to disperse with a warning not to cause trouble.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and the others used Kirigakure’s planning map to secure the village and settled into Karatachi Yagura’s residence.
• After three days, Nagato and Nonō stayed behind to oversee Kirigakure while Yahiko, Kakuzu, and Konan set out for the capital.
• Yahiko took the capital with little difficulty amid the Daimyo’s children’s struggle for power, giving Akatsuki control of the entire Land of Water.

Minato and Nawaki decided to end Konoha’s involvement in the Land of Earth rather than help Ōnoki attack the Cloud Ninja, and Kawafune left the decision to them. Ōnoki then ordered the Rock Ninja to move against the isolated Cloud forces with Konoha’s help.

• Minato and Nawaki discussed how to refuse Ōnoki’s request without provoking him, and Minato suggested withdrawing Konoha’s forces.
• Minato contacted Kawafune, who said he and Tsunade had no objections to Minato and Nawaki deciding what to do.
• Minato explained his withdrawal plan to Nawaki, finalized the details with him, and gave Kakashi instructions.
• Ōnoki learned that the Cloud Ninja were near the Land of Rain’s border after apparently losing their allies.
• Ōnoki ordered the Konoha ninja to move with the Rock Ninja the next day and vowed to avenge Iwagakure.

Nawaki and Minato told Ōnoki that Konoha would withdraw from the Land of Earth, using the threat of their departure to pressure him over his promises. Ōnoki offered Dust Release to keep them for the battle, but they refused and left with the Konoha contingent.

• Nawaki asked Ōnoki for Dust Release, then claimed he had only been joking after Rock Ninja objected.
• Minato told Ōnoki that Konoha needed to respond to the growing Hidden Akatsuki Village and that he and Nawaki had come to say farewell.
• Nawaki reminded Ōnoki that Konoha had received none of its promised conditions and said they would leave that day.
• Ōnoki offered to give Nawaki Dust Release after the battle if he and Minato stayed to help, but Nawaki declined.
• Nawaki and Minato left the meeting despite a Rock Ninja urging Ōnoki to stop them, and the Konoha contingent began its return journey.

After the Cloud Ninja escaped through the port and the Rock Ninja withdrew, Nawaki and Minato returned to Konoha, where Kawafune outlined plans for the coming campaigns. The group learned that Genji had committed suicide after surrendering Kirigakure, while Kawafune looked ahead to the Shinobi World's eventual unification.

• The Third Raikage led the Cloud Ninja safely out through the port as Ōnoki staged clashes and later fumed over their escape.
• Nawaki and Minato returned to Konoha through the Land of Rain, and Kawafune said Fugaku would lead the campaign against the Land of Earth.
• Kawafune teased that Nawaki and Minato would join the coming campaign against the Land of Lightning, while explaining that Yahiko and his allies had stabilized the Land of Water.
• Kawafune told the group that Genji, Kirigakure's chief elder, had committed suicide after choosing surrender to spare the villagers.
• Tsunade said Yahiko and his allies had given Genji a proper burial, and Kawafune hoped to end the war and establish lasting peace.

Rasa warned Sunagakure’s leaders that the calm in the Shinobi World might conceal a connection between the Akatsuki and Konoha. Meanwhile, Ōnoki struggled to meet Konoha’s three-day ultimatum for the promised goods and sent Kitsuchi to persuade the Daimyo.

• Rasa questioned whether the Akatsuki’s decision to let Konoha’s army cross the Land of Rain suggested the villages were connected, and ordered Sunagakure to stay alert.
• Ōnoki received Konoha’s final demand for the promised goods within three days and angrily complained that the debt collection felt like a demand for lives.
• Kitsuchi told Ōnoki that the Daimyo claimed he could not gather the resources in time and offered to persuade him to act.
• Ōnoki wrote Konoha an apology requesting a few extra days, then sat exhausted as thoughts of Konoha, the Akatsuki, and the Cloud Ninja weighed on him.

Kawafune prepared Konoha’s Uchiha forces to march on the Land of Earth and recruited Might Duy to support Fugaku. After giving Duy the mission’s risks and objectives, Kawafune visited Fugaku’s residence as the expedition approached.

• Tsunade and Kawafune agreed that Konoha would send the Uchiha army to the Land of Earth, regardless of Ōnoki’s attempts to negotiate.
• Kawafune and Tsunade decided to ask Might Duy to accompany Fugaku, and Tsunade sent Kawafune off to find him.
• Kawafune found Might Duy leading Genin on a minor mission and asked him to help Fugaku in the Land of Earth; Duy readily agreed.
• Kawafune explained that Fugaku would face Rōshi to avenge the former Uchiha clan head while Duy held off Ōnoki, and warned Duy to put his safety first.
• After telling Might Duy to prepare for the expedition, Kawafune visited the Uchiha compound and stopped outside Fugaku’s residence, remembering its former clan head.

Kawafune visited Fugaku to discuss the coming expedition to the Land of Earth, assuring him that Might Duy would accompany him and asking him to bring back Four-Tails flesh and blood if possible. After Kawafune left, Fugaku spent time with his family and then privately vowed at the ancestral hall to avenge his uncle.

• Kawafune visited Fugaku and told him that Might Duy would join the expedition to the Land of Earth.
• Kawafune asked Fugaku to bring back fragments of the Four-Tails' flesh and blood for Orochimaru's experiments if he could.
• Mikoto supported Fugaku's decision to avenge his uncle, and she felt reassured when she learned Might Duy would accompany him.
• Kawafune told Fugaku that Orochimaru was close to preparing a cell transplant that could address the Mangekyo Sharingan's side effects.
• Fugaku promised his uncle at the ancestral hall that he would avenge him, then returned to Mikoto and Itachi.

Fugaku and Might Duy led Konoha’s army toward the Land of Earth after the three-day deadline passed, while Tsunade and Kawafune saw them off. As Ōnoki sought talks and Rasa feared the war would spread, the army crossed the Land of Grass without encountering Akatsuki.

• Tsunade and Kawafune sent off Fugaku and Might Duy as their army departed for the Land of Earth.
• At the Ninja Academy, Might Guy, Genma, and their classmates discussed the expedition and its importance to the Shinobi World.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reflected that Konoha might one day unite the Shinobi World beneath its banner.
• Konoha’s army crossed the Land of Grass and reached the Land of Earth without meeting any Akatsuki shinobi.
• After hearing that Konoha’s army had advanced, Ōnoki prepared to seek talks with Tsunade.
• Rasa questioned why Akatsuki had allowed Konoha to cross its territory and told his advisers to consider Sunagakure’s options.

Konoha commander Uchiha Fugaku pressured Ōnoki to surrender Rōshi in exchange for a chance to contact Tsunade, exploiting the old grudge between Fugaku and Rōshi. Ōnoki shared the demand with the Rock Ninja leaders, leaving Rōshi staring at him in shock and accusation.

• Ōnoki rushed to the border and found Fugaku had captured the Rock Ninja advance force and was waiting for him.
• Fugaku refused to meet Ōnoki and demanded that he surrender Rōshi, while telling him to expect an attack.
• Ōnoki read Fugaku’s demand and, despite Kitsuchi’s objections, decided to share the letter with the Rock Ninja leaders.
• The leaders read the letter and turned their attention to Rōshi, who realized Ōnoki had put him forward as a possible sacrifice.

Rōshi listened as Iwagakure’s leaders debated whether to hand him over to Konoha, then decided the village was no longer worth staying in. After thanking Kitsuchi and the others who supported him, he slipped out of the Rock Ninja camp at night.

• Kitsuchi and several others argued against handing Rōshi over, while Ōnoki left the final decision to Rōshi.
• Rōshi laughed at the meeting and walked out, then reflected on his years serving Iwagakure and concluded that he would leave.
• Rōshi gathered Kitsuchi and his supporters for a drinking banquet and thanked them, while concealing his plans.
• After appearing to fall asleep drunk, Rōshi evaded the sentries and vanished from the Rock Ninja camp.

Fugaku learned that Rōshi had deserted the Rock Ninja and pursued him into the Land of Waterfalls. Ōnoki realized Konoha had found Rōshi first and followed Fugaku, while Rōshi remained unaware that both sides were closing in.

• A Hyuga ninja told Fugaku that the Four-Tails Jinchuriki had left the Rock Ninja camp, and Fugaku ordered him tracked down.
• Ōnoki’s forces searched the camp for Rōshi, while Kitsuchi blamed Ōnoki’s public letter for driving him away.
• Rōshi entered the Land of Waterfalls, unaware that the Byakugan had kept him under surveillance.
• After learning Rōshi’s location, Fugaku left Duy in charge and set out with two trusted subordinates.
• Ōnoki learned that Fugaku had gone after Rōshi and followed him into the Land of Waterfalls with elite fighters.

Fugaku evaded Ōnoki’s pursuit and reached Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, to confront him. The chapter ended as Fugaku charged at the partially transformed Rōshi with his Blaze Release Fan and sickle.

• Fugaku realized Ōnoki’s Rock Ninja were following him and used Shadow Clones to mislead them.
• Fugaku found the Hyuga Clan ninja watching Rōshi, learned Rōshi was by a small waterfall, and sent the scout to rest.
• Fugaku approached Rōshi and declared that he had come to kill him.
• Rōshi partially transformed and attacked, but Fugaku evaded his blows with the Sharingan.
• Fugaku drew his Blaze Release Fan and sickle and charged at Rōshi, who rushed forward to meet him.

Fugaku initially overwhelmed Rōshi, but Rōshi entered Scorch Release Chakra Mode and turned the battle around with relentless Lava Release attacks. Fugaku ended the chapter on the defensive, struggling to keep up with Rōshi’s enhanced speed and strength.

• Fugaku dodged Rōshi’s powerful blows and countered with flames from the Blaze Release Fan and strikes from his scythe, gradually wounding Rōshi.
• Rōshi entered Scorch Release Chakra Mode, increasing his speed and strength until he could evade Fugaku’s attacks and land a forceful kick.
• Rōshi dismissed Fugaku as nothing special, but Fugaku rose without serious injury and warned him not to celebrate too soon.
• Rōshi unleashed Scorching Stream Rock Technique and Molten Rock Technique, forcing Fugaku to flee as lava overwhelmed his defenses.
• Rōshi pressed his attack with a Lava Release Chakra punch, and Fugaku blocked with his scythe as the fight turned against him.

Fugaku awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and used Susanoo to overwhelm Rōshi. He then used Genjutsu to force Rōshi into a complete Four-Tails transformation, and the chapter ended with Son Gokū firing a Tailed Beast Bomb at Susanoo.

• Fugaku awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and summoned Susanoo, sending Rōshi flying with a punch.
• Fugaku expanded Susanoo to its fourth stage, while Rōshi and Son Gokū recognized the danger but could not escape.
• Fugaku used his Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu on Rōshi, prompting him to transform completely into Son Gokū.
• Son Gokū condensed a massive Tailed Beast Bomb and fired it at Fugaku's Susanoo.

Fugaku defeated and killed the Four-Tails before Ōnoki and the Rock Ninja could reach the battlefield. After forcing Ōnoki to withdraw, Fugaku left with his companions carrying the Four-Tails' severed arm, while the Akatsuki arrived too late.

• Fugaku's Susanoo cut the Four-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb, and the explosion revealed that Fugaku and his companions had been using Shadow Clones to mislead Ōnoki.
• Fugaku used Amaterasu to burn the Four-Tails, severed one of its arms, and then cut off its head.
• Ōnoki arrived, attacked Susanoo with Dust Release, and withdrew with the Rock Ninja after Fugaku evaded the attack and challenged him.
• Fugaku's Susanoo vanished, and he asked his companions to seal the Four-Tails' severed arm before leaving with them.
• The Akatsuki arrived after the others had departed and found the battlefield devastated.

After Rōshi was killed by Uchiha Fugaku, Ōnoki rallied Iwagakure to prepare for war with Konoha. The chapter ended with Kitsuchi volunteering to face Might Duy as the Rock Ninja planned their defense.

• Ōnoki returned without Rōshi and told Kitsuchi that Rōshi had been killed by Uchiha Fugaku in the Land of Waterfalls.
• Ōnoki ordered the Rock Ninja to prepare for combat and declared that war with Konoha could no longer be avoided.
• Ōnoki rallied the gathered Rock Ninja, who vowed to fight for Iwagakure.
• An intelligence officer described Uchiha Fugaku, Might Duy, and the Uchiha Clan as dangerous opponents.
• Ōnoki said he would face Uchiha Fugaku and asked who would take on Might Duy.
• Kitsuchi volunteered to fight Might Duy, and Ōnoki warned him to be careful.

Ōnoki organized the Rock Ninja for war against Konoha and promised rewards to raise their morale. Fugaku returned to camp after killing the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, but his Mangekyō Sharingan was badly strained, and he fell asleep thinking about the coming battle.

• Ōnoki ordered the Rock Ninja to prepare for battle, assign forces and protect supply routes, then promised rewards for killing more than ten enemies.
• Ōnoki joked that anyone who defeated Uchiha Fugaku could take his seat, and his promised rewards sent Rock Ninja morale soaring.
• Fugaku returned to the Konoha camp, where Might Duy learned he had killed the Four-Tails Jinchūriki and had not fought Ōnoki.
• Fugaku told Duy he had overused his eye power, and Duy helped him rest and called a medical ninja to examine him.
• After the medical ninja and Duy left, Fugaku fell asleep thinking about the coming battle and woke in tears in the dark.

Fugaku led the Konoha forces in an assault on the Rock Ninja after rallying them to avenge their fallen comrades. The battle began with heavy losses on both sides, and the Uchiha gained the upper hand in close combat while Ōnoki faced Fugaku in the air.

• Fugaku rallied the Konoha forces, and Might Duy reminded them that Fugaku had killed Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Fugaku led the Konoha ninja toward the Rock Ninja camp, and Ōnoki ordered his forces to engage them.
• Konoha's massed Fire Style attack struck the Rock Ninja, who used Water Style and Earth-Style walls to withstand the opening assault.
• The Uchiha charged ahead and used their Sharingan to cut down the Rock Ninja at the front of the battle.
• Fugaku watched the Uchiha fight proudly as Ōnoki confronted him in the air and could not intervene without exposing his own forces to danger.