Chapter Summaries

Deva Path Pain defended Nagato’s plan to use Tailed Beast weapons as a deterrent, but Tejima Shinichi exposed the risk of an arms race. Nagato remained committed and declared that he would eliminate Tejima.

• Tejima Shinichi started toward the Three-Tails, but Deva Path Pain stepped forward to claim both the beast and its jinchuriki.
• Deva Path Pain explained that Nagato planned to gather the Tailed Beasts and create a weapon powerful enough to deter nations from waging war.
• Tejima praised the plan’s intent, then asked what would happen if warmongers seized the weapon or other nations built stronger ones.
• Nagato considered the possibility of an arms race and the destruction it could bring, but reaffirmed that he would not abandon his plan.
• Deva Path Pain named Tejima Shinichi his greatest obstacle and prepared to eliminate him.

Tejima Shinichi entered Sage Mode and unleashed six wood dragons, forcing the Six Paths of Pain into a desperate fight that ended with a Tailed Beast Bomb devastating the lake. Konan found the Six Paths shattered, while Deva Path Pain emerged from rubble with a furious Shinra Tensei.

• Naraka Path revived the defeated Pain bodies with King of Hell, restoring all Six Paths of Pain.
• Tejima Shinichi activated Sage Mode and summoned six wood dragons, which attacked the Six Paths and drove Konan from the battlefield.
• The Six Paths defended against the dragons’ attacks as the Yin-Yang Wood Dragon launched a Tailed Beast Bomb at Deva Path Pain.
• Deva Path Pain used Super Shinra Tensei to hold back the Tailed Beast Bomb, but it cracked and exploded, devastating the lake and scattering the fighters.
• Asuma Squad saw the distant blast and felt its shockwave while retreating from the battlefield.
• Konan found the lake evaporated and the Six Paths shattered, then Deva Path Pain burst from rubble with Shinra Tensei.

Tejima Shinichi defeated Deva Path Pain’s forces, drained Three-Tails Isobu, and flew toward Konoha with it. He challenged Nagato to a final battle there, while Nagato concluded that Akatsuki had a mole and ordered Konan to help root them out.

• Deva Path Pain tore off his robe and insisted that the Rinnegan would let him change the shinobi world, while Tejima Shinichi dismissed his power as inferior to Wood Release.
• Tejima Shinichi told Deva Path Pain that he knew Nagato was hiding behind a cliff, then turned his attention to the Three-Tails Isobu.
• The wood dragon drained Three-Tails Isobu, leaving it lifeless, and took on the beast’s patterns and armor.
• Tejima Shinichi carried Three-Tails Isobu toward Konoha and invited Nagato to meet him there for their final battle.
• Nagato realized Tejima Shinichi knew Akatsuki’s secret plan to attack Konoha and concluded that the organization had a mole.
• Nagato reassured Konan that Yahiko’s wish would be fulfilled, then ordered her to help find the mole.

Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, and Asuma returned to Konoha with Tejima Shinichi after a dangerous mission and headed to the Hokage's Office to report. Shinichi left ahead to wait there after reassuring Ino, while Asuma looked forward to resting and the others followed.

• Ino said they had barely made it back from the mission and credited Shinichi with helping them survive.
• Choji asked to eat before reporting, but Ino initially insisted that the mission report came first.
• Ino recalled her promise to Shinichi, leaned against him, and asked him not to go back on his word.
• Shinichi promised to wait at the Hokage's Office, patted Ino's head, and disappeared.
• Shikamaru teased the dazed Ino, while Asuma urged the group to finish the report so they could rest.
• Ino, Shikamaru, Asuma, and Choji set off toward the Hokage's Office, with Asuma thinking of Kurenai and Choji thinking about barbecue.

Tejima Shinichi returned to the Hokage's Office with the captured Three-Tails and revealed that he had fought the Six Paths of Pain. Kakashi then began reporting the teams' mission in the Land of Lightning, ending with his failure to stop an Akatsuki member.

• Tsunade scolded Tejima Shinichi for leaving her with government work, then asked about the Three-Tails.
• Tejima Shinichi confirmed the Three-Tails had been captured and revealed that he had fought the Six Paths of Pain.
• Asuma and his squad arrived, bringing the teams involved in the Akatsuki operation together in the Hokage's Office.
• At Tejima Shinichi's request, Kakashi reported that Team 7 had found Kakuzu, Hidan, and the gravely wounded Yugito Nii in a canyon.
• Kakashi explained that Team 7 defeated Kakuzu and Hidan but that an Akatsuki member appeared at the last moment, and Kakashi failed to stop him.

Tejima Shinichi heard the teams’ reports about Akatsuki’s attacks and revealed that Uchiha Itachi was Konoha’s spy. After learning that Akatsuki’s chief was his former student, Jiraiya decided to leave Konoha and travel.

• Kakashi reported that Uchiha Obito had used space-time ninjutsu to take Kakuzu, Hidan, and Yugito Nii before leaving without speaking.
• Guy said Yakushi Kabuto had nearly defeated Killer B, but Uchiha Itachi ambushed Kabuto and the two withdrew, leaving Killer B in Kumogakure.
• Tsunade revealed that Uchiha Itachi was Konoha’s spy, and Tejima Shinichi confirmed it.
• Tejima Shinichi said Akatsuki’s chief was weaker than he was and that Jiraiya could escape a confrontation if he had enough information.
• Jiraiya realized that Akatsuki’s chief was one of his former students and told Tsunade and Tejima Shinichi he wanted to leave Konoha and travel.

Jiraiya abandoned his idea of trying to bring Nagato and Konan back, acknowledging Konoha’s role in their tragedy. Tejima Shinichi then urged him to focus on Naruto’s training, and Naruto’s path toward mastering Wind Style: Rasenshuriken turned to Sage Art.

• Tejima Shinichi reminded Jiraiya that Danzo had helped Hanzo ambush the Akatsuki, leading to Yahiko’s death and driving Nagato and Konan onto their path.
• Jiraiya accepted that he could not undo the past, while Tsunade and the others remained silent.
• Tejima Shinichi pointed out Naruto’s bandaged arm and stressed that Naruto needed to learn Sage Art to safely control Wind Style: Rasenshuriken.
• Kakashi questioned whether Naruto was ready for the dangers of Sage Art training, but Tejima Shinichi said he had learned it at twelve.
• Jiraiya teased Tejima Shinichi for acting as if Sage Art were easy, and Tejima recalled succeeding after only a few attempts in Shikkotsu Forest.

Tejima Shinichi planned Naruto’s training to master Sage Art and become a perfect Jinchuriki, while Kakashi relayed the Fourth Raikage’s request to hold a Five Kage Summit in Konoha. Shinichi approved the summit and announced that he would inherit the position of Sixth Hokage after returning from a trip to the past.

• Tejima Shinichi told Jiraiya to take Naruto to Mount Myōboku, then escort him to Turtle Island in the Land of Lightning to tame the Nine-Tails.
• Might Guy urged Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji to intensify their training after hearing about Naruto’s plans, while Sasuke resolved not to let Naruto surpass him.
• Kakashi told Tejima Shinichi that the Fourth Raikage wanted to gather the other four Kage in Konoha for a Five Kage Summit and had asked for Shinichi’s approval.
• Tejima Shinichi approved the summit but said he needed to leave the village and return to the past.
• Tejima Shinichi announced that he would inherit the position of Sixth Hokage after he returned, delighting Tsunade and the others.

After returning from their mission, Tejima Shinichi and his companions celebrated over a barbecue meal, where everyone congratulated him on becoming the future Sixth Hokage. The gathering ended with Ino and Karin watching Tejima Shinichi and Sasuke, leaving an awkward tension at the table.

• Choji proposed a celebratory meal, and Asuma offered to treat everyone to barbecue.
• Tejima Shinichi invited Team Kurenai, Yamato, Kobayashi Ken, and Sato Yu to join them.
• Naruto and Choji gathered the guests, and the group filled the barbecue restaurant for a long meal.
• Yugao and Yamato congratulated Tejima Shinichi, while Naruto declared that he would become the Seventh Hokage.
• Ino watched Tejima Shinichi, and Karin repeatedly glanced between him and Sasuke, creating a strange atmosphere that Tejima Shinichi noticed.

Tejima Shinichi invited Ino to let him walk her home, and she accepted, leaving their friends stunned. Sasuke dismissed their gossip and focused on the approaching day when he would meet Itachi.

• Tejima Shinichi passed Sasuke and asked Ino if he could walk her home.
• Ino accepted, recalled the promise she had made before their mission, and left with Tejima Shinichi instead of joining her friends at the hot spring.
• Sasuke came out of the barbecue restaurant and found the girls bewildered by Tejima Shinichi and Ino leaving together.
• Sasuke brushed off Sakura's gaze and walked away, thinking about the upcoming day he would meet Itachi.
• Sakura watched Sasuke leave and slumped her shoulders, feeling that her hopes were hopeless.

Tejima Shinichi took Ino on the date she had dreamed of, then asked what she would do if he became something beyond human. Ino could not answer, but gave him white roses and accepted that he would be leaving for a while before he walked home.

• Tejima Shinichi and Ino strolled through the village and talked about how long it had been since he had walked around at a leisurely pace.
• Ino admitted she was happy to be with the person she liked, and Tejima Shinichi asked what she would do if he became more than human.
• Ino struggled to imagine a future in which Tejima Shinichi left humanity behind, and the two walked silently to Yamanaka Flower Shop.
• Ino gave Tejima Shinichi a bouquet of white roses and told him he did not have to say anything in return.
• Tejima Shinichi said he would be leaving for a while and would visit Ino again when he returned, then walked home with the flowers.

Uchiha Itachi returned to the ruined Uchiha Clan Grounds and confronted Uchiha Obito, insisting that he had always served Konoha. Obito revealed that he intended to kill Itachi before he could give his eyes to Sasuke.

• Uchiha Itachi returned to the Uchiha Clan Grounds and looked over the ruins beneath the full moon.
• Uchiha Obito appeared behind Itachi and accused him of trusting Konoha with Sasuke and betraying the Akatsuki Organization.
• Itachi told Obito that joining, remaining in, and leaving the Akatsuki had all been missions for Konoha, including the Uchiha clan massacre.
• Obito guessed that Itachi had returned for Sasuke and said he would not let Konoha gain another pair of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
• Obito unleashed his killing intent and declared that he would destroy Itachi before he could meet Sasuke.

Sasuke traveled toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds to meet Itachi, while Itachi battled Obito there. Tejima Shinichi approached, prompting Black Zetsu and White Zetsu to leave and predict Obito would retreat.

• Sasuke asked Tejima Shinichi whether he could defeat Itachi, and Shinichi said he had no chance but would gain power beyond Itachi's after enduring a painful process.
• Tejima Shinichi sensed a battle ahead, and Sasuke realized Itachi was fighting someone.
• Obito broke free of Itachi's Tsukuyomi, and Itachi summoned Susanoo, but Obito escaped its attack with Kamui.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu watched the fight and sensed Tejima Shinichi approaching from Konoha.
• Black Zetsu decided they should leave, reasoning that Obito would retreat rather than face Tejima Shinichi.

Uchiha Itachi realized how Uchiha Obito’s Kamui worked and used a trap to sever Obito’s right hand. Obito remained determined to take Itachi’s eyes, while Itachi had to contend with his failing body and Obito’s defenses against his remaining techniques.

• Uchiha Obito attacked Uchiha Itachi with Wood Release, but Itachi countered the wooden spike with Amaterasu and realized Obito wanted his eyes to manipulate Sasuke.
• Uchiha Itachi noticed the damage Amaterasu had caused to Obito’s sleeve and deduced that Kamui let Obito shift attacked parts of his body into another space.
• Uchiha Itachi dropped Susanoo and baited Uchiha Obito into a charge, then used chakra threads to redirect two Kunai and sever Obito’s right hand.
• Uchiha Itachi told Uchiha Obito that he had seen through Kamui, while Obito insisted he could still wear Itachi down and take his eyes.
• Uchiha Itachi recognized that Uchiha Obito was guarding against his remaining options, including Kotoamatsukami and Izanami.

Tejima Shinichi exposed the masked man's identity as Uchiha Obito during the battle in the ruins, forcing Obito to flee. Alone on a cliff, Obito removed his mask and decided to use Madara in return, despite the cursed seal in his heart.

• Sasuke, Tejima Shinichi, and the Wood Dragon arrived as Itachi fought Obito, and Shinichi saw that Itachi had severed Obito's wrist.
• Tejima Shinichi named the masked man as Uchiha Obito, and Itachi recognized him as Kakashi Hatake's former teammate and a hero of the Battle of Kannabi Bridge.
• Obito admitted that Konoha had grown strong, then escaped through Kamui while warning that Shinichi would not stop them.
• Obito emerged on a cliff in the Land of Waterfalls, removed his mask, and asked Rin what he should do.
• Obito regained his resolve and decided to use Madara, questioning whether the cursed seal in his heart could keep him obedient.

After learning that the masked mastermind was Kakashi's former comrade, Sasuke set aside his shock and faced Itachi to fulfill their three-year-old promise. Their long-awaited fight began as Shinichi watched, and Sasuke showed how hard he had trained while Itachi concealed how close he was to death.

• Sasuke realized Kakashi and Shinichi had likely known the Masked Man's identity for two years.
• Sasuke challenged Itachi to fulfill their promise, and Itachi urged him to take the final step toward proving himself.
• Shinichi recognized Itachi was on the verge of death and moved to the rooftop to watch the brothers fight.
• Sasuke charged Itachi with his lightning-charged sword, and Itachi blocked his three linked strikes with a kunai.
• Sasuke said he had trained every day for three years under his teacher's watch.

Sasuke fought Uchiha Itachi among the ruins and believed he had defeated him with Chidori Current, but Itachi revealed the entire battle had been a Genjutsu. Sasuke learned the illusion had begun with his first sword strike, leaving him to confront how thoroughly Itachi had deceived him.

• Sasuke drew confidence from his training under the Third Hokage and believed he could reach the same heights as Tejima Shinichi.
• Uchiha Itachi tested Sasuke with a Great Fireball, and Sasuke countered with the same technique before being forced to dodge Itachi's attack.
• Sasuke used Chidori Current to paralyze Itachi and threw him to the ground, then declared that he had won.
• Tejima Shinichi watched from a rooftop and recognized that Sasuke had been fooled by a Genjutsu.
• The pinned Itachi turned into crows, and the real Itachi explained that Sasuke had been inside the illusion since his first sword thrust.

Sasuke fought Itachi again and learned that Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan created an insurmountable gap between them. Itachi trapped Sasuke in Tsukuyomi and began torturing him there.

• Sasuke realized that Itachi had been controlling their fight with genjutsu and challenged him to fight again.
• Sasuke combined the techniques he had learned from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kakashi, and Tejima Shinichi, but Itachi countered every attack just before it could reach him.
• Itachi revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and told Sasuke that their difference lay in their eyes, not their effort, talent, or teachers.
• Itachi cast Tsukuyomi, trapping Sasuke in a space where he was bound to a cross beneath an inverted blood moon.
• Itachi stabbed Sasuke repeatedly in Tsukuyomi and told him that the gap between the Three Tomoe and Mangekyō Sharingan could not be bridged.

Sasuke defeated Itachi with Kirin, but learned that Itachi was already dying from a bloodline disease and had planned their battle to awaken Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan. After Itachi died and Sasuke awakened the Mangekyō, Tejima Shinichi carried both brothers away.

• Itachi summoned Susanoo and challenged Sasuke to defeat him before learning how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Sasuke used a fireball to create a thundercloud, then struck Itachi’s Susanoo with Kirin and won the battle.
• Sasuke discovered that Itachi was dying from a bloodline disease, and Tejima Shinichi confirmed that Itachi could not be saved.
• Itachi confessed that he had staged the battle to make Sasuke awaken the Mangekyō and hoped his eyes would give Sasuke the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
• Itachi died after tapping Sasuke’s forehead, and Sasuke awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan before fainting.
• Tejima Shinichi carried Itachi and Sasuke away from the ruins.

After waking from Itachi’s death, Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and chose to carry out Itachi’s will by protecting Konoha. As Tejima Shinichi prepared to leave, Sasuke asked for Itachi’s eyes, while Tsunade prepared for the Five Kage Summit and a possible Akatsuki attack.

• Sasuke woke in Konoha Hospital and learned that Itachi had been cleared of all charges and buried in the Konoha Hero Memorial Cemetery.
• Sakura reminded Sasuke that Itachi had not blamed him, and Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan before declaring he would protect Konoha and become Hokage.
• Sasuke hurried to the Hokage’s Office to see Tejima Shinichi before his departure.
• Sasuke asked for Itachi’s eyes so he could follow his own Ninjutsu Path and guard Konoha for his brother.
• Tejima Shinichi left Tsunade to arrange Sasuke’s eye transplant, and Tsunade assigned Shizune to oversee the surgery.
• Tsunade confirmed that the Five Kage Summit would take place in a week and considered the threat from the Akatsuki Organization.