Recaps

Kusagakure hosted the Second Kage Summit, drawing the attention of the Ninja World and putting the defeated Four Great Ninja Villages under intense publicity. After the Kage and Danzo arrived, Leader Mang ushered them into the conference room, while Hiruzen Sarutobi worried about a gift awaiting him.

• Kushina discussed personal and official matters with Kusana and persuaded him to let her work part-time as his secretary.
• The BBC Daily announced that the Kage Summit would take place in Kusagakure, which decorated the village and prepared its international hotel for the event.
• The four Kage and Danzo arrived at the hotel and faced intrusive BBC reporters asking about their capture and defeat.
• Leader Mang dismissed the reporters' questions as reckless, reassured the Kage that the footage would not air, and invited them into the conference room.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to begin the summit, then worried about the gift Leader Mang had prepared for him.
• The Second Kage Summit officially began in Kusagakure.

The Four Kage attended a Kage Summit hosted by Kusagakure, where Hanzō repeatedly obstructed their attempts to eat, toast, and discuss the villages’ demands. The chapter ended with the Kage realizing Hanzō was deliberately humiliating them.

• Hanzō enthusiastically served Danzo Kusagakure specialties while the captured Four Kage watched.
• The Four Kage tried to eat, but Hanzō repeatedly spun the dining table out of their reach.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a toast to Kusana and Hanzō, but Hanzō refused to drink because business still had to be discussed.
• Hiruzen tried to ask Kusana to state Kusagakure’s demands, but Hanzō interrupted to ask about Little Qin and Little Sang.
• The other Three Kage realized Hanzō was deliberately humiliating them.

Kusana presented the Four Kage with Kusagakure’s compensation demands, including territorial concessions, reparations, and access to its communications industry, but they rejected them. Kusana stopped Hanzō from escalating to violence and hinted at humiliating the Kage publicly, leaving them asking for time.

• Kusana began negotiations after the Four Kage demanded to know Kusagakure’s intentions.
• Kabuto handed each Kage a compensation agreement, and Hiruzen Sarutobi criticized Kusagakure for placing Kabuto near Orochimaru.
• The Four Kage read Kusagakure’s demands for land, reparations, trade access, and communications access.
• The Fourth Raikage, the Fourth Mizukage, Ōnoki, and Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected the agreement, saying their villages could not accept or afford it.
• Hanzō threatened the Kage, but Kusana stopped him and listed ways Kusagakure could humiliate them publicly.
• The Four Kage reacted angrily and asked Kusana to wait.

Kusana pressured the Four Kage and Danzo with threats of public humiliation as they negotiated Kusagakure’s demands. When the Kage refused to compromise, Kusana ordered the lights, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to urgently ask to keep talking, and they agreed.

• The Four Kage and Danzo struggled to respond to Kusagakure’s humiliating negotiation tactics while Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on the damage rumors had caused him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appealed to Kusana’s supposed experience with slander, but Kusana awkwardly denied spreading rumors and accused the Four Great Ninja Villages of starting the war.
• Kusana threatened to expose the Kage’s private lives and promised Kusagakure would help their families if they sacrificed themselves.
• The Fourth Raikage and the other Kage refused to accept Kusagakure’s demands, insisting they would not betray their villages’ interests.
• Kusana ordered someone to turn on the lights and began to leave, so Hiruzen Sarutobi called after him and the Kage agreed to continue talking.

Leader Mang forced the Four Kage to agree to negotiations with the Four Great Countries, then kept Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō behind to meet someone from their past. The chapter ended with a red-haired figure confronting them and thanking Hiruzen for caring for Naruto.

• Leader Mang blamed the Feudal Lord's Mansion for the war's consequences and offered to seek justice for the Four Great Ninja Villages.
• Leader Mang gave the Four Kage a choice between negotiating with Kusagakure or the Four Great Countries, and the Kage agreed to negotiate.
• The Five Kage Summit concluded with the Kage posing for a photograph before departing Kusagakure.
• Leader Mang stopped Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, saying someone wanted to see them.
• A red-haired figure arrived, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō recognized him as someone they thought was dead.

Naruto and Sasuke waited outside while Kushina beat Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, and Naruto explained why he was happier in Kusagakure than he had been in Konoha. Kushina left with the boys, while Hiruzen, battered in the wrecked room, accused Leader Mang of a fine scheme.

• Naruto and Sasuke squatted outside the room, joking about Kushina’s fight and discussing Naruto’s past in Konoha and his life in Kusagakure.
• Naruto said he believed his father had loved Konoha and been a responsible Hokage, and Sasuke remarked that Naruto might be happier than another version of himself.
• After several hours, Kushina emerged looking refreshed and led Naruto and Sasuke home for dinner.
• Kusana called for medical ninjas to treat the battered Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō while pretending to be concerned.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Kusana as the man who had cheered on the beating and said Leader Mang had planned things well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo left under Grass Ninja escort after learning Fourth Hokage's Wife was alive, while Kusana prepared Kusagakure's next political moves. Elsewhere, Orochimaru secretly returned to Guren's base and ordered her to keep him and the laboratory isolated, leaving her puzzled by his behavior.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Kabuto where Orochimaru was, then departed with Danzo under the Grass Ninja's escort after Kusana promised to take care of them.
• Danzo told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Fourth Hokage's Wife and the Uchiha Clan Head's wife made him reconsider old rumors, and Hiruzen realized Kusana's Good Wife rumors might be true.
• Kusana told his associates to rest before negotiations with the Four Great Nations and plans involving Kusagakure, Amegakure, and neighboring lands.
• Kabuto admitted to Kusana that he did not know where Orochimaru was, at least for the time being.
• Orochimaru secretly arrived at Guren's base, ordered her to prepare the laboratory and avoid outside contact, especially with Grass Ninja, then shut himself inside.
• Guren went to a locked room and heard recitations about unity and friendship, wondering whether the base had recently undergone reforms.

After Kusagakure’s demands drove a wedge between the Four Great Ninja Villages and their Feudal Lord’s Mansions, both sides joined negotiations and agreed to compensation without ceding territory. Kusana planned to send the Four Kage home after they took part in the merger of the Grass and Rain Countries.

• The Four Great Ninja Villages and Feudal Lord’s Mansions rejected the Four Kage’s initial compensation terms, while the BBC Daily published a photograph confirming the Kage were alive.
• Kusagakure sent Mujie to negotiate directly with the Four Great Nations’ Feudal Lord’s Mansions, which rejected its terms and urged the villages to prepare for war.
• Kusagakure accused the Feudal Lord’s Mansions of provoking conflict and declared war on the Four Great Nations while offering the villages Sunagakure’s status if they joined Kusagakure.
• The Feudal Lord’s Mansions and ninja villages agreed to negotiate jointly with Kusagakure and promised to help ransom their Kage.
• The parties settled on compensation paid by the villages and Feudal Lord’s Mansions, trade and communications access, and double compensation instead of territory.
• Kusana approved the agreement and said the Four Kage would return home after taking part in the merger of the Grass and Rain Countries.

The Grass and Rain Countries held a merger ceremony in Kusagakure’s great square, with Scorpion attending as a factory-worker representative and hoping to see the old woman who had left him there. The Four Kage were forced to attend as prisoners, and the ceremony began with them putting on strained smiles at Leader Hanzō’s insistence.

• Ninja citizens and workers from the Grass and Rain Countries gathered in Kusagakure’s great square for the merger ceremony.
• Scorpion, chosen as an outstanding employee from Factory Three, prepared to give a speech while wondering how the old woman would react when she saw him.
• The Four Kage arrived as prisoners and learned that the Grass and Rain Countries were merging into one country.
• Leader Hanzō urged the Four Kage to smile, and they forced themselves to comply as the ceremony began.

Kusana celebrated the merger of the Land of Rain into the Land of Grass, showcasing its growing power and the unity of its villages. The ceremony left the Four Kage humiliated and wary, while Hanzo arrived with his granddaughters and Chiyo came to take the babies.

• Kusana recalled the hardships and shared growth of the Grass and Rain Countries, then promised they would advance together.
• Hanzo of the Salamander announced that the Land of Rain would join the Land of Grass, with Amegakure retained as a region and village under Grass management.
• Kusagakure, Amegakure, and Sunagakure displayed their ninja forces, prompting the Four Kage to recognize the threat Kusagakure posed.
• The host briefly thanked the Four Kage before turning the ceremony toward speakers from the Land of Grass, leaving the visiting leaders feeling snubbed.
• Hanzo returned carrying his two granddaughters, and Advisor Chiyo approached to hold them.

The Four Kage learned that Kushina and Mikoto were alive in Kusagakure, then watched Scorpion give a speech as a factory worker. Scorpion saw Chiyo and Hanzō with their babies and accepted that his grandmother had built a new life while he found his own.

• The Four Kage learned that Chiyo and Ebizo had joined the Land of Grass and regretted their villages’ role in driving Sunagakure away.
• Hanzō revealed that Kushina and Mikoto were with him, shocking the Fourth Raikage, Fourth Mizukage, and Third Tsuchikage.
• The Three Kage suspected the rumors about Kusagakure’s leaders and their relationships were true, and the Fourth Raikage moved away from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Scorpion took the stage to speak about his work at Factory Three, while Chiyo watched him proudly and Ebizo realized he was there.
• Hanzō called Scorpion his grandson, and Scorpion saw Chiyo and Hanzō holding babies before turning to his colleagues and beginning his speech.

After the Grass and Rain Countries merged, the four Kage were released and escorted to the Land of Fire border, where their villages' ninja welcomed them back. The Grass ninja departed, leaving the four villages to take their Kage home.

• Scorpion chose to return to factory work, and Ebizo and his sister respected his decision without disturbing him.
• Hanzō asked Danzo to stay in the Land of Grass longer, but Danzo refused because he wanted to return to Konoha.
• Ninja from the four villages gathered at the Land of Fire border to receive their Kage.
• A Konoha ninja spotted the returning group, which included the Third Hokage, Third Tsuchikage, Fourth Raikage, Fourth Mizukage, and Danzo.
• Yahiko handed the Kage over to the waiting ninja and led the Grass ninja away.
• The four villages' ninja welcomed their Kage back and prepared to escort them to their villages.

Kusana ordered Kusagakure’s leaders to take control of Takigakure and Otogakure while the other villages retrieved their Kage. The Kage returned to find their villages in varying states, and the Fourth Raikage chose to keep wearing his prisoner clothes as Kumogakure headed home.

• Kusana assigned Kakuzu, Kabuto, and Kusagakure’s leaders to help absorb Takigakure and Otogakure, whose branch bases remained unaccounted for after Orochimaru escaped.
• Shikaku Nara reported that Konoha had stayed stable and united while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were missing, prompting Hiruzen to vow to lead the village forward.
• The Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Mizukage learned that conflicts had erupted in their villages and hurried back to restore order.
• Killer B welcomed the Fourth Raikage with his favorite white cloak, but the Raikage refused it and chose to return to Kumogakure in his black-and-white striped clothes.

Kusana and Elder Yang Zheng prepared to launch Kusagakure’s first chakra-signaling satellite while the village expanded its postwar trade and technology. Kusana learned that Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure had rejected Konoha’s proposal to maintain their alliance.

• Kusana reviewed Kusagakure’s postwar gains, including new trade access and plans to extend communications across the four great nations.
• Elder Yang Zheng praised Scorpion’s contributions to the satellite’s design, while Kusana noted that Scorpion had settled into factory work.
• Kusana and Elder Yang Zheng agreed to attempt a satellite launch after considering possible accidents, including encounters with people on the moon.
• Kusana received news that Konoha’s Third Hokage had proposed continuing the alliance among the Four Great Ninja Villages, and Kusana warned that they might unite against Kusagakure.
• Mujie told Kusana that Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure had already rejected Konoha’s alliance proposal and seemed disgusted by it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled to understand why Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure had refused his proposal to renew their alliance. He ordered Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to contact the other Kage again, while suspecting Danzo's failed escape plan might have caused the refusal.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the Three Great Ninja Villages' refusals and worried about Konoha's losses, internal troubles, and threats from Kusagakure and the Feudal Lord's Mansion.
• Hiruzen asked Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu why the other villages had rejected an alliance, but none of them could explain it.
• Hiruzen recalled that the Fourth Raikage was shy and conservative, prompting Homura to redirect the discussion to the alliance refusals.
• Mitokado Homura suggested that Danzo's escape plan might have been discovered, and Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu realized they had overlooked that possibility.
• Hiruzen ordered Homura and Koharu to ask the Raikage, Tsuchikage, and Mizukage again about an alliance.

The Fourth Raikage rejected Konoha’s alliance proposal after learning that Kusagakure’s claims about Konoha and the Grass Ninja were true. He ordered Kumogakure to avoid Grass Ninja and tighten security, then tried to keep his distance when Killer B came to bathe with him.

• The Three Great Ninja Villages refused Konoha’s renewed alliance proposal, and Samui asked the Fourth Raikage why he had rejected it.
• The Fourth Raikage gave Samui a newspaper, and she mistakenly concluded that the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō’s relationship was real.
• The Fourth Raikage corrected the mix-up and revealed that Kusagakure’s warnings were true, leading Samui to understand his refusal of Konoha’s proposal.
• The Fourth Raikage ordered Kumogakure’s ninja to avoid Grass Ninja, reject Kusagakure’s demands if they threatened the village, and kill anyone wearing another village’s headband.
• After Samui left, the Fourth Raikage sighed about the elusive Grass Ninja, and Killer B arrived asking to bathe with him.

Kusana enjoyed a day off with Kushina and the babies while Naruto and Sasuke were away on a mission in Takigakure. After Obito arrived, Kusana tricked him into babysitting and sent him off; in Takigakure, Black Zetsu announced his authority over the local ninja.

• Kusana played with Little Qin and Little Sang while Kushina doted on them and worried about Naruto and Sasuke in Takigakure.
• Kusana reassured Kushina that the mission was safe because Kakuzu had gone along to help.
• Obito arrived and asked Kusana for extra pay, but Kusana assigned him to watch the babies and shut the door on him.
• Obito took the babies outside, then remembered that Black Zetsu had also gone to Takigakure.
• Black Zetsu told the Takigakure ninja to call him Brother Black and obey Kusagakure's arrangements or face his threats.

Kusana learned that Black Zetsu had helped the Grass Ninja take control of Takigakure through tireless work and a speech that won over the villagers. Black Zetsu secretly hoped to rescue his mother, and Naruto promised to help him.

• Kusana read Mujie's report and heard that Black Zetsu had calmed Takigakure's villagers, uncovered a plot, and worked hard to help manage the village.
• Kusana left Kakuzu to decide how to arrange Takigakure and reflected that Black Zetsu was trying to earn his favor to rescue his mother.
• Black Zetsu looked at the moon and resolved to keep working for Kusana, hoping he might eventually be allowed to see his mother.
• Naruto found Black Zetsu and heard him say that he missed his mother, while Sasuke suspected Naruto would make a promise.
• Naruto firmly promised Black Zetsu that they would help him see his mother again.

Sasuke reluctantly joined Naruto, Gaara, and Gaara’s siblings in agreeing to help Black Zetsu reunite with his mother, while Kakuzu oversaw Takigakure’s takeover by Kusagakure. The chapter ended with Takigakure formally becoming part of Kusagakure and Kakuzu returning to the encampment.

• Sasuke concealed his doubts about Black Zetsu and agreed to help him after Naruto invited him.
• Kakuzu reviewed intelligence on Takigakure and judged its leaders and declining strength harshly.
• Naruto and the others arrived for a meeting where Kakuzu presented plans to rebuild and reform Takigakure under Kusagakure’s control.
• Kakuzu told Shibuki that Kusagakure would take over Takigakure, help fund its reconstruction, and manage the Hero’s Water.
• Kakuzu arranged for Fū to study in Kusagakure and ordered Daibutsu’s engineering team to support construction in Takigakure.
• Kakuzu reflected on returning to the village before heading back to Kusagakure’s encampment as Takigakure became part of Kusagakure.

The Land of Grass expanded its territory and announced reforms allowing children to choose among its ninja academies. Elder Yang Zheng stayed behind after the national conference to ask Kusana for the latest progress on cultivating the Sage Art Curse Mark.

• The Land of Grass consolidated control over the Land of the Falls and the Land of Rivers and began rebuilding them with roads and Green Trains.
• The Land of Grass emphasized patriotic education and treated its ninja villages as specialized academy cities that children could choose among.
• Kusana convened a national conference and presented a five-year plan focused on cooperation among ninja academies and reforms to ninja education.
• Leader Mang's proposal shocked the attendees, who nevertheless set about carrying out their assigned tasks.
• Elder Yang Zheng asked Kusana to demonstrate the latest progress in cultivating the Sage Art Curse Mark.

Kusana and Elder Yang Zheng reviewed the improved Sage Art Curse Mark Version 2.0 and prepared to begin public testing, including inviting children to try it voluntarily. Meanwhile, at one of Orochimaru’s experimental bases, Guren read her essay about dreaming of a peaceful, simple life.

• Kusana deactivated Sage Art Curse Mark Mode after testing showed that Version 2.0 lasted longer, caused less corrosion, and circulated Senjutsu Chakra more smoothly.
• Elder Yang Zheng proposed public testing, and Kusana agreed on the condition that no one be forced to participate.
• Kusana suggested Nagato, Naruto, Sasuke, and other interested children could try the technique, while Elder Yang Zheng questioned whether Naruto and Sasuke were too young.
• Elder Yang Zheng asked about Orochimaru, and Kusana said the situation was unclear but Kabuto had gone out after receiving intelligence.
• At Orochimaru’s experimental base, Guren read her essay, saying she dreamed of living a peaceful and simple life.

Guren read an essay about her dream of living a peaceful, simple life, while she and Yugimaru wondered whether their new life in Orochimaru’s base could last. After Guren left with Yugimaru, Kabuto told an orange-haired boy that it was time to prepare to close the net.

• Guren read her essay to the class, and Kabuto praised it as an outstanding essay.
• Kabuto urged the students to find their own dreams, then led them in reading aloud before class ended.
• Yugimaru told Guren that his dream was to stay with her and asked whether their peaceful life might suddenly end.
• Guren reassured Yugimaru that their new life was real, then noticed Kabuto greeting the base’s ninja.
• An orange-haired boy quietly asked Kabuto what they should do, and Kabuto said it was time to prepare to close the net.

Kabuto and Jugō prepared to take control of Orochimaru’s base before Konoha could reach him, while Hiruzen hoped Kakashi’s team would bring Orochimaru back. Orochimaru emerged from his laboratory and discovered Kabuto had infiltrated the base too, leaving him furious.

• Jugō questioned Kabuto’s plan to move quickly because many people at the base still supported Orochimaru, but Kabuto warned that Konoha already knew Orochimaru was there.
• Hiruzen worried about Konoha’s weakened position, Kusagakure’s growing power, and the dissolution of the Four Great Ninja Villages’ alliance, and he urged Kakashi to bring Orochimaru back.
• Orochimaru completed a powerful experiment and left his laboratory to find food, expecting Guren to be guarding the base.
• Orochimaru encountered a Sound Ninja who directed him toward the cafeteria and recognized that the food arrangements seemed familiar.
• Kabuto appeared and greeted Orochimaru, who realized Kusagakure had infiltrated another of his bases and cursed in frustration.

Kabuto and Kusagakure’s allies confronted Orochimaru and tried to force him to come to Kusagakure. Orochimaru countered with a summoning technique that raised two coffins, leaving their contents to be revealed.

• Orochimaru and Kabuto exchanged greetings before Kabuto revealed that he had called for help.
• Hanzo of the Salamander, Obito Uchiha, and another masked Grass Ninja emerged and joined Kabuto in confronting Orochimaru.
• Hanzo invited Orochimaru on a Kusagakure tour, then attacked him alongside the others when Orochimaru refused.
• Orochimaru summoned two coffins, and Kabuto recognized the danger and tried to stop him.
• The coffin lids opened, and a voice from within one asked where they were and whether it was the Pure Land.

Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, then manipulated them into fighting Kabuto and the others. The Hokage kept believing the impostors’ stories about being Konoha ninja and Hanzo’s friendship with Danzo, while Orochimaru grew increasingly frustrated and ordered them to kill the group.

• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with Impure World Reincarnation, and Tobirama Senju recognized that he was being controlled.
• Tobirama Senju intercepted Obito Uchiha’s attack on Orochimaru, then Orochimaru forced both Hokage to fight Kabuto, Jugō, and Obito Uchiha.
• Kabuto claimed that his group were Konoha ninja sent by the Third Hokage to capture Orochimaru, and Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju initially believed him.
• Orochimaru exposed the group as Kusagakure ninja, but Hanzo of the Salamander claimed to be Danzo’s close friend and showed the Hokage a photograph as proof.
• A female ninja reported that Orochimaru’s base had been attacked and the Sound Ninja had been poisoned, prompting Orochimaru to prepare to leave.
• Orochimaru again controlled Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju and ordered them to kill Kabuto’s group, while the two Hokage continued coaching their opponents.