Recaps

After Kusagakure’s scheme with Amegakure was exposed, the Five Great Ninja Villages condemned Kusagakure and threatened retaliation. Kusana tried to persuade Hanzō that the crisis offered the Land of Rain a path to peace, and Hanzō agreed to place Amegakure and the Land of Rain under Kusana’s command.

• Mujie admitted that he had leaked Kusagakure’s secret to the Five Great Ninja Villages, and Kusana ordered preparations for defense while arguing that the villages could not yet spare forces to attack.
• Hanzō arrived to report that the secret between Kusagakure and Amegakure had been discovered and suspected Danzo had leaked it.
• Kusana and Mujie concealed their role in the leak, letting Hanzō believe Konoha had uncovered the secret.
• Kusana urged Hanzō to declare war on the Five Great Ninja Villages, calling it an opportunity for peace in the Land of Rain.
• After asking whether Kusana had deceived him, Hanzō proposed a true alliance and said Amegakure and the Land of Rain would follow Kusana’s command.

Kusana accepted Hanzō’s offer to place Amegakure under his command, and the two villages allied and declared war on the Five Great Ninja Villages. As workers in the Land of Rain faced the coming conflict, Daibutsu prepared to leave for the battlefield with Kyusuke, Yahiko, and the others.

• Kusana agreed to Hanzō’s proposal, and Hanzō asked whether Kusana truly intended to bring peace to the Land of Rain; Kusana assured him he did.
• Mujie publicly rejected the Five Great Ninja Villages’ accusations and demands, while Hanzō announced Amegakure’s alliance with Kusagakure and declared war on the five villages.
• Kusagakure and Amegakure gathered factory and mining personnel in secure locations, and workers in the Land of Rain voiced support for Leader Mang despite their fear of war.
• An elderly worker told Daibutsu that he and his grandson had found safety and work thanks to Leader Mang, and Daibutsu agreed that they should keep doing their jobs.
• Kyusuke told Daibutsu he would soon head to the battlefield with Yahiko and the others; Daibutsu left the mine to join them, promising the workers he would return.

Kawaisuke wrote Shizuko a reassuring letter as war spread, while Obito defected from Konoha with Rin and fled toward the Land of Grass. Kusana intervened to stop Minato and the pursuing Konoha ninja at the border.

• Kawaisuke wrote Shizuko that Kusagakure and Amegakure were allied and asked her to keep Ryukako safe at the factory.
• Sunagakure and Kirigakure sent forces against Kusagakure and Amegakure, easing some pressure on Konoha as rumors blamed Danzo for leaking intelligence.
• Obito awakened his Mangekyo, took Rin, and fled Konoha, rejecting Minato’s pleas to return.
• Obito slashed his forehead protector and repeatedly evaded Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique as he and Rin ran toward the Land of Grass.
• Kusana appeared at the border and used paper-like white swords to block the Konoha ninja from pursuing Obito and Rin.

Kusana blocked Minato Namikaze’s attempt to capture Obito and welcomed Obito and Rin into Kusagakure, while Minato returned to Konoha to report the failed mission and the border buildup. Obito learned that Madara had arranged for him to study in Kusagakure, where Yahiko and Nagato greeted him with a warning about their heavy homework.

• Kusana claimed Kusagakure would help Konoha capture its rogue ninja but demanded compensation for any losses.
• Minato noticed Kusagakure’s ninja assembled along the border and ordered the Konoha team to withdraw rather than force a confrontation.
• Kusana openly invited Minato to join Kusagakure, but Minato declined and left to report Obito and Rin’s defection and the border buildup.
• Minato secretly destroyed the Grass Ninja Village Talent Introduction Plan he had found, then comforted Kakashi as they headed back to Konoha.
• Kusana told Obito and Rin that an old man had asked him to ensure they studied in Kusagakure, and Obito excitedly identified the man as Teacher Madara.
• Yahiko and Nagato discussed their childhood homework with Obito and Rin, who were startled by Kusagakure’s academic workload.

Kusana prepared Kusagakure for war as Sunagakure and Kirigakure declared war, then Iwagakure and Kumogakure joined them and demanded compensation. Kusagakure rejected the Four Great Ninja Villages’ demands, and their forces attacked the Land of Grass.

• Kusana told Yahiko and the other two little ones to guard the border and stay safe, then revealed his plan to use the captive Danzo as a deterrent.
• Kusana flattered Danzo about supposedly sending intelligence, while Danzo denied it and insisted that Hiruzen was his only rival.
• Kusana arranged for Hanzo of the Salamander to handle Sunagakure and prepared to face Kirigakure as Iwagakure and Kumogakure declared war as well.
• Iwagakure and Kumogakure forces reached the Land of Grass and demanded ten times the money they had spent on intelligence.
• Kusagakure’s suspected Head of the Finance Department answered the Four Great Ninja Villages’ demands with “Get lost,” and their forces launched an attack.

Uzumaki Yangzheng, Hanzo, and their allies defended Kusagakure and Amegakure against attacks from Iwagakure and Sunagakure. Meanwhile, Konoha and Kirigakure prepared a secret strike on the Land of Grass, but White Zetsu discovered their plan and Kusana stopped him from leaving.

• Uzumaki Yangzheng rallied the clans and ninja gathered to hold the line against the coming attacks on Kusagakure.
• After Iwagakure demanded compensation and launched an assault, Kakuzu went out to fight, declaring that the attackers were interfering with his money-making.
• Hanzo of the Salamander rejected Chiyo's demand to let Sunagakure pass and began fighting her forces after receiving intelligence that the battle had begun.
• Kusagakure and Amegakure joined forces and blocked the Three Great Ninja Villages' assault instead of being quickly conquered.
• Konoha and Kirigakure agreed to end their war and planned a secret strike on the Land of Grass, but White Zetsu uncovered their intelligence.
• Kusana tried to recruit White Zetsu and then refused to let him leave, asking him to help with a problem amid a field of Explosive Tags.

Kusana ambushed the Mist Ninja force with an explosive paper dragon and then summoned ten more, overwhelming the surviving swordsmen. As the Mist Ninja began to retreat, the Mizukage arrived and trapped one of Kusana’s dragons.

• Raiga Kurosuki urged the Mist Ninja to assassinate the Grass Ninja Leader, while Jūzō Biwa warned him against repeating their disastrous Konoha mission.
• Kusana and his Grass Ninja allies ambushed the Mist force, and the Mist swordsmen counterattacked through the mist.
• Kusana’s paper dragon exploded, killing many Mist Ninja and injuring the three surviving swordsmen.
• Kusana summoned ten more dragons, prompting Suikazan Fuguki to order a retreat.
• The Mizukage arrived, trapped one of Kusana’s dragons with Water Prison Technique, and drew excited cheers from the Mist Ninja.

Kusana lured the Third Mizukage into a trap and fought him while the Mist Ninja clashed with the Grass Ninja. After a hidden explosion devastated the retreating Mist forces, Kusana surrounded the Third Mizukage with paper swords, preparing to end the battle.

• The Third Mizukage realized Kusana had lured him out, declared Kirigakure's surrender and offered an alliance, but Kusana gave no reply.
• The Third Mizukage ordered a retreat and attacked Kusana with Water Style, while Suikazan Fuguki, Jūzō Biwa, and Raiga Kurosuki led the Mist Ninja away from the fighting.
• The Mist Ninja continued battling the Grass Ninja, and a giant dragon swallowed a Kaguya Clan fighter who refused to retreat.
• Kusana warned the Third Mizukage that the fleeing Mist Ninja would not escape, and a huge explosion struck them after White Zetsu planted traps ahead.
• The Third Mizukage vowed to kill Kusana, who summoned countless paper swords and surrounded him with Infinite Paper Sword.

Kusana defeated the Third Mizukage and led the Grass Ninja to victory against the Mist, while Konoha arrived too late to intervene. After learning the other fronts were holding, Kusana set out to end the war as Kakuzu dominated the battle against Iwa.

• Kusana overwhelmed the Third Mizukage with his Infinite Paper Sword, and the Mizukage fell defeated.
• A Grass Ninja reported that fewer than fifty Mist Ninja had escaped, two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had fled, and Raiga Kurosuki had been killed; Kusana ordered the pursuit stopped.
• Minato and Konoha Anbu arrived as Kusana declared the Grass Ninja victorious and withdrew with his forces.
• Kusana learned that Kakuzu had nearly taken control of the battlefield against Iwa and ordered his forces to move to end the war.
• Kakuzu seized the Iwa force's leader and confronted the surrounding Iwa Ninja, who realized he was Kusagakure's Head of the Finance Department.

Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara arrived in the orderly Land of Grass and learned that Kusagakure had nearly brought the war to an end. Obito reunited with Spiral White Zetsu, who slipped away to look after Madara and left him a note promising a meal next time.

• A Grass Ninja escorted Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara through Kusagakure, explaining their restrictions, accommodations, and postponed school enrollment.
• Obito recognized Spiral White Zetsu collecting trash and tearfully greeted him after returning to Kusagakure.
• A Grass Ninja announced that the Grass Ninja Leader had defeated Kirigakure's Mizukage and repelled enemy forces, while Kakuzu had driven back the Rock Ninja.
• Kusagakure's residents celebrated the news that the war was nearing its end, and Obito felt relieved that he and Rin could live in peace.
• Spiral White Zetsu disappeared after leaving Obito a note saying he was going to look after Madara and would treat him to a meal next time.

After Kusagakure repelled the Four Great Ninja Villages, Hanzo of the Salamander celebrated while Chiyo ordered Sunagakure to withdraw and warned him against supporting Kusagakure. News of Kusagakure’s strength and the reappearance of the Uzumaki Clan spread across the ninja world, leaving Konoha’s leaders to consider their response.

• Hanzo of the Salamander learned that Kusagakure had repelled the invading ninja and celebrated its victory.
• Chiyo admitted Sunagakure had lost the battle and ordered its forces to withdraw, despite warning Hanzo that Kusagakure’s secrets could bring Amegakure to ruin.
• Hanzo refused to change his support for Kusagakure, and after Sunagakure withdrew, he urged Kusagakure’s leader to keep his promise.
• Yahiko’s team learned the campaign had ended and, on Nagato’s advice, kept Danzo near the Land of Fire border while awaiting orders.
• News of the defeat and the Third Mizukage’s death shocked the ninja world, while Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Konoha’s leaders how they should respond to the intelligence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi considered drawing Kusagakure and the Uzumaki Clan closer to Konoha to help end the war, but both letters revealed their reluctance to join the fighting. Meanwhile, Kusana focused on postwar plans and told Hanzo of the Salamander that peace in the Land of Rain required cleaning up the country from within.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisors discussed Kushina's wish to visit Kusagakure, the Uzumaki Clan, and ways to ease tensions and bring the war to an end.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to have Minato calm Kushina and to send envoys to the Uzumaki Clan and Kusagakure, while wondering where Danzo had gone.
• Konoha received a letter from Kusagakure saying it needed time to recover before sending help, followed by an Uzumaki Clan letter that simply declared, “The Leader is right!”
• Kusana arranged for Uzumaki Yangzheng to explore a Lightning Chariot route to the Land of Rain and suggested Kakuzu could profit from it.
• Hanzo of the Salamander confronted Kusana about his promise to bring peace to the Land of Rain, and Kusana said the first step was to clean up the country from within.

Ame led Amegakure and Kusagakure ninja in an operation to gather Rain Country civilians in safe places and drive out hostile forces. Kusana left Hanzo to oversee the effort, while the teams began approaching civilians peacefully, hoping to bring them a new life.

• Ame told the assembled ninja to prioritize civilian safety and promised that Rain Country children might attend Kusagakure's academy after the mission.
• Ame sent the Amegakure and Kusagakure teams out to gather civilians and expel enemies from the Land of Rain.
• Hanzo recalled his failed efforts to bring peace to the Land of Rain and thanked Kusana, who left to check on Elder Yang Zheng's Lightning Chariot construction.
• A Kusagakure Uzumaki ninja advised an Amegakure team to use their identities rather than knock civilians unconscious and carry them away.
• An Amegakure ninja gently knocked on a battered house door and called for the villagers to open it.

Daibutsu received a letter from his former mining coworkers describing the Land of Rain’s recovery and the hope of peace, while Scorpion arrived in the country intending to gather corpses for his Crimson Secret Technique. He joined a relief line to investigate the changed situation and gave his name as Scorpion.

• Daibutsu read a letter from the miners, who described resumed mail service, joint relief efforts, and plans to rebuild the Land of Rain.
• Kyusuke complained that nobody had written to him, while Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan read letters from people close to them.
• Daibutsu kept his letter private and went outside, smiling as he reflected on the prospect of peace in the Land of Rain.
• Scorpion arrived in the Land of Rain seeking ninja corpses for his Crimson Secret Technique and was surprised to see Grass Ninja and Rain Ninja working together to aid refugees.
• A Grass Ninja mistook Scorpion for a hungry refugee and directed him to register for food, so Scorpion joined the line to investigate.
• When a Grass Ninja asked his name at registration, Scorpion answered, “Scorpion.”

Scorpion arrived in the Land of Rain to gather intelligence and pursue the Crimson Secret Technique, but Rain ninja and Grass ninja brought him to a relief station for refugees. After registering, eating a generous meal, and hearing that clean clothes and baths were provided, he remained suspicious of what Amegakure and Kusagakure were doing.

• Scorpion traveled to the Land of Rain after believing the war was nearing its end.
• Rain ninja and Grass ninja found Scorpion in a ruined house and escorted him to a refugee relief station.
• A Grass ninja clerk registered Scorpion, gave him an identity slip, and directed him to meals and work opportunities.
• Scorpion joined the food line, received rice, vegetables, meat, and soup, and ate the meal despite suspecting it might be poisoned.
• After returning his tray, Scorpion heard that refugees could bathe and receive clothes, and decided to investigate.

Scorpion was brought to a factory and made to tighten screws, while Kusana and Hanzō gathered to watch the first trial run of the Lightning Chariot. The green train arrived, leaving Kusana stunned by its color.

• Scorpion followed a Grass Ninja to a factory, expecting a secret experiment, but was handed a screwdriver and told to tighten screws for food.
• Scorpion learned that Leader Mang and Leader Hanzō might inspect the factory, so he decided to keep his identity hidden and stay for a few days.
• Kusana met Hanzō at the railway trial and questioned why he had left Amegakure despite owing Kakuzu money.
• The Lightning Chariot arrived at high speed as Grass Ninja and Rain Ninja gathered to witness its first run.
• Kusana stared at the bright green train and wondered why it was green.

Kusana and Hanzō tested Kusagakure’s new Green Train, the Harmony, as it traveled from Amegakure to Kusagakure. After Kusana learned Sunagakure and Kirigakure had agreed to a ceasefire, Pakura was left gravely wounded in Kirigakure, and Kusana and Obito rushed to try to save her.

• Uzumaki Yangzheng explained the Green Train’s green color and the name Harmony to Kusana and Hanzō as they rode toward Kusagakure.
• The train reached Kusagakure in about four hours, and Yangzheng announced that its test run had succeeded.
• Kusana learned that Kakuzu had climbed aboard the moving train and taken Hanzō away before it reached the station.
• A Kusagakure ninja gave Kusana intelligence that Sunagakure and Kirigakure had agreed to a ceasefire, with Pakura sent to negotiate the truce.
• Pakura lay gravely wounded among kunai in Kirigakure as Kusana and Obito arrived to stop her bleeding and try to save her.

Obito returned home to find Rin waiting, then received his mission reward in the form of boxes of workbooks and a Grass Ninja secret scroll. Kusana reviewed the Land of Grass’s affairs, arranged extra attention for Obito, and went to see the awakened Pakura, who recognized him.

• Rin told Obito that the academy notice had arrived and reminded him they needed to register for classes.
• Obito explained that he had helped Leader Mang rescue someone and claimed he had refused the thirty thousand ryō reward.
• A Grass Ninja delivered Obito three boxes of workbooks and a collector’s edition scroll as the reward, and Obito awkwardly thanked Leader Mang while trying to send them away.
• Kusana reviewed intelligence about the war’s end and wrote “priority attention” on Obito’s file.
• After learning that Pakura had awakened, Kusana went to see her, and Pakura recognized him as the Grass Ninja Leader.

Pakura awoke in Kusagakure after Sunagakure betrayed her, and Kusana recruited her with a medical bill and a loan offer. Kusana then arranged to return Danzo to Konoha while claiming the advisor had broken a priceless antique, with Hanzō backing his story.

• Pakura remembered that Sunagakure had abandoned her and learned Kusana had saved her, but he presented her with a one-million medical bill.
• Kusana showed Pakura her hero award and offered her a place in Kusagakure; Kakuzu arrived to discuss loans, and Pakura agreed to join.
• Pakura thanked Kusana, who explained that her benefits had changed because she was now an unemployed rogue ninja and assured her that timely repayments would keep Kakuzu away.
• Hanzō asked Kusana for funding for the Rain Country Academy, but Kusana refused to fund the poor Land of Rain.
• Kusana learned Konoha had discovered Danzo was in Kusagakure and decided to send him home, claiming Danzo had broken Hanzō’s priceless antique and owed one hundred million.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura learned that Kusagakure had captured Danzo and demanded one hundred million for his release. They decided to delay negotiations until Konoha’s war ended, but another letter from Kusagakure a week later left them stunned by how quickly the village wanted payment.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisors read Kusagakure’s letter and concluded Danzo had been captured while investigating the unusual war between Kusagakure and Amegakure.
• Hiruzen worried that paying one hundred million would strain Konoha’s wartime finances, while Mitokado Homura suggested sending ninjas to rescue Danzo.
• Utatane Koharu rejected a rescue attempt, warning that it could endanger Danzo and worsen Konoha’s war effort.
• Koharu proposed offering fifty million and stalling negotiations until the Battle of Kikyo Mountain ended, and Hiruzen agreed to entrust her with contacting Kusagakure.
• A week later, Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura received another letter asking when the money would be transferred, and they were surprised Kusagakure had agreed so readily.

Kusana arranged Danzo’s release after Konoha agreed to pay for him, while Hanzo and the others treated the prisoner as a fearsome ninja. The exchange became a public farewell, leaving the Konoha Anbu stunned when their secret recovery mission was exposed by a banner.

• Kusana accepted the fifty-million payment and planned a farewell ceremony for Danzo, while Hanzo agreed to the deal.
• Konoha and Kusagakure arranged to exchange the money and Danzo at the border, and Hanzo, Kusana, and Kakuzu praised Danzo’s supposed wisdom and composure in front of Pakura.
• Kusana told Danzo that Konoha had paid an immense sum for his release, and Danzo wondered whether he was too weak to be worth killing.
• Kusagakure jonin brought Danzo to a farewell ceremony as Konoha Anbu waited to retrieve him in secret.
• The Anbu captain saw a banner announcing Danzo’s return home and froze at the sight of Kusagakure’s leaders publicly seeing him off.

Danzo returned to Konoha after being rescued, while Kusana appointed Pakura vice principal of Kusagakure’s academy. Danzo told Hiruzen that Kusana was a terrifyingly wise opponent, leaving Hiruzen bewildered by his praise.

• Konoha Anbu arrived to escort Danzo back, and Kusana sent him off while insisting that Kusagakure and Konoha were close allies.
• Kusana appointed Pakura vice principal under principal Yang Zheng, then reminded her that she still owed him a mountain of debt.
• Danzo returned to Konoha and reflected on Kusagakure’s strength and his own desire for greater power.
• Hiruzen thanked Danzo for sending intelligence about Grass and Rain, which had helped Konoha prepare for the war.
• Hiruzen asked Danzo about Kusana, and Danzo called him more terrifying than the Half-God of the Ninja World and praised his wisdom.

Kusana and Hanzō watched the Grass Ninja Village Academy reopen, while Hanzō proposed building a school in Amegakure and holding a joint memorial for fallen ninjas. Underground, Madara heard the children and wondered whether Obito had returned to school.

• Word spread that Danzō had called Kusana the Grass Ninja Wisdom Leader, and Kusana privately thought the title was worse than Danzō’s own nickname.
• Kusana visited the reopened academy and asked Hanzō why he had stayed in the Land of Grass after receiving funds from Kakuzu.
• Hanzō praised Kusana’s leadership, suggested opening an academy in Amegakure, and proposed that the villages hold a joint memorial for their fallen ninjas.
• Uzumaki Yangzheng spoke at the opening ceremony, and Pakura introduced herself to the children as their vice principal.
• Madara heard the children cheering from his underground cavern, asked whether school had begun, and wondered how Obito was doing with his studies.

The Battle of Kikyo Mountain ended with Sunagakure's surrender, bringing the long war among the great ninja villages to a close. As the ninja world welcomed peace, Hanzo announced that the Land of Rain would be sealed off and that unregistered ninja would be treated as invaders.

• Kusana spent a peaceful day with Nagato and Fusang after the Land of Grass settled into routine.
• Mujie returned with Kabuto, whom he had adopted as his son, and said he would enroll him in school.
• Mujie reported that the Battle of Kikyo Mountain had ended and Sunagakure had surrendered.
• News of the war's end spread through the ninja world, and people expected peace to follow.
• Hanzo announced that ninja entering the Land of Rain had to register or be treated as invaders.

After the Land of Rain sealed its borders, Kusana expected the Five Great Ninja Villages to avoid another war, while Danzo plotted against Kusagakure and recruited a kunoichi for a covert mission. A few days later, Kusana watched the Green Train approach as it finally opened to traffic.

• After the Land of Rain announced a full lockdown, Kusana accepted it as part of his plan and turned his attention to finding an assistant.
• The Five Great Ninja Villages hesitated to attack Kusagakure and the Land of Rain, while Hiruzen rejected Danzo’s proposal to declare war.
• Danzo resented Hiruzen’s decision and summoned the Wandering Miko, offering orphanage funding if she completed a mission tied to the Grass Ninja Village Talent Introduction Plan.
• A few days later, Kusana watched the Green Train approach and remarked that it had finally opened to traffic.