Chapter Summaries

Minamoto Takuya planned to use Akatsuki’s future Ten-Tails as a fallback if his own Little Ten-Tails plan failed, then received permission from Jiraiya to return to Konoha for rest. He left the frontline with Jiraiya’s letter to Minato Namikaze, promising the medical team he would return.

• Minamoto Takuya reasoned that letting Two-Tails Yugito escape would preserve Akatsuki as a backup route to Ten-Tails power if his Little Ten-Tails plan failed.
• Kumogakure withdrew into a defensive silence, while Jiraiya suspected that Yugito had been badly injured and remained wary of the unknown third-party force.
• As the front grew quieter and the medical camp’s workload eased, Minamoto Takuya asked Jiraiya for rotation leave to return to Konoha.
• Jiraiya approved the leave, assigned the former medical squad leader to take over, and promised to tell Minato Namikaze not to give Minamoto Takuya new missions during his rest.
• Minamoto Takuya handed the medical team’s duties to the former leader, promised to return, and joined a group traveling back to Konoha with Jiraiya’s letter to Minato Namikaze.

Minamoto Takuya returned to Konoha, where Minato ordered him to recuperate in the Land of Hot Water rather than return to the front. Takuya arranged a convincing cover for his absence and finally let himself rest, falling asleep in a hot spring.

• Minato praised Minamoto Takuya's work at the frontline medical camp and urged him to recover before returning to duty.
• Minato assigned Minamoto Takuya to recuperate in the Land of Hot Water, and Takuya agreed to leave immediately.
• Minamoto Takuya planned to use a trusted subordinate and a hot spring inn to make it appear he stayed there resting.
• Minamoto Takuya soaked alone in an open-air hot spring, set aside his plans and worries, and fell asleep.

Minamoto Takuya tested the Chimera Technique at the Gelel Ore Vein and successfully fused Wood Release with his Uzumaki and Uchiha bloodlines, gaining a powerful new ability with far fewer fusion flaws. After testing his Wood Release, he left the temporary laboratory for the Land of Rivers, unaware that he appeared younger.

• Minamoto Takuya tested a preliminary fusion at the Gelel Ore Vein and found that its power made the Chimera Technique smoother and reduced fusion flaws.
• Minamoto Takuya decided to continue researching outside the ore vein so its effects would not conceal problems in his experiments.
• Minamoto Takuya used the Chimera Technique to fuse Wood Release with his Uzumaki and Uchiha bloodlines while a Shadow Clone monitored his condition and controlled the sealing formula.
• Minamoto Takuya awakened with the three bloodlines successfully fused and found that the resulting flaws were fewer than those from his previous fusion.
• Minamoto Takuya used his new Wood Release to grow giant trees, then withdrew them into the ground and left for the Land of Rivers, unaware that he looked younger.

Minamoto Takuya visited Jugo and Haku, then used the Spirit Transformation Technique to enter Haku’s body and study how his Wind and Water chakra fused into Ice Release. As he slowed the process to observe it, frost spread through the chamber while Jugo stayed behind to guard them.

• The leader reported that Jugo and Haku had settled in well and that Jugo’s rampages had become easier to manage.
• Minamoto Takuya asked Jugo and Haku if they liked their new life, and both boys said they did and wanted to help him.
• Minamoto Takuya told Haku he needed to borrow his body to experience Ice Release, reassuring the boys that he would not harm or replace him.
• Minamoto Takuya used the Spirit Transformation Technique to enter Haku’s body, leaving his own body asleep as Jugo watched anxiously.
• Minamoto Takuya suppressed Haku’s instinctive chakra fusion and slowed the process for study, causing frost to spread through the chamber as Jugo stood guard.

Minamoto Takuya experienced Ice Release through Haku and Natural Energy through Jugo, gaining his first ability to sense Natural Energy. He decided to investigate Orochimaru's Heavenly Curse Mark as a possible path to using it, then left after ensuring both boys were safe.

• Minamoto Takuya told Haku that experiencing Ice Release through his body had helped clarify the fusion process.
• Minamoto Takuya used the Spirit Transformation Technique on Jugo and discovered that his body instinctively absorbed Natural Energy.
• Minamoto Takuya deliberately increased Jugo's absorption, experienced the violent impulse and formation of Sage Chakra, then sealed Jugo's rampage when his consciousness returned.
• Afterward, Minamoto Takuya sensed Natural Energy for the first time and considered the dangers of Sage Mode and Orochimaru's Heavenly Curse Mark.
• Minamoto Takuya decided to research the Cursed Seal materials thoroughly before considering using them on himself, then left as Haku and Jugo saw him off.

Minamoto Takuya inspected the secret prisoner transport operation in the Land of Snow and prepared to use the Spirit Transformation Technique to test whether Wind Release and Water Release could be fused into Ice Release. He began the experiment by taking control of a restrained specimen, relying on his protected original body and the Spirit Transformation Technique to escape if the attempt failed.

• Kazahana Dōtō assured Minamoto Takuya that prisoners were being captured and moved through the underground railway without disruption, and Minamoto Takuya promised rewards after the war.
• Minamoto Takuya ordered Kazahana Dōtō to arrange a batch of specimens with Wind Release and Water Release, then reinforced the laboratory with sealing barriers and a Wood Clone.
• Tsurugi Fubuki delivered the specimens, and Minamoto Takuya built a wooden isolation cell with Wood Release before ordering her to guard the remaining prisoners.
• Minamoto Takuya used Genjutsu: Imposition to weaken a specimen's mental resistance, then cast the Spirit Transformation Technique and took control of its body.
• Minamoto Takuya began his experiment to fuse Wind Release and Water Release chakra and refine Ice Release, intending to use repeated attempts on prisoners collected through the war.

Minamoto Takuya struggled through repeated, dangerous attempts to fuse Wind and Water Release into Ice Release, learning that the process required his direct control and depleted his mental energy. He ended the experiments to rest, then reviewed possible nature combinations and planned to use Ice Release as the first step toward mastering other Kekkei Genkai and eventually Kekkei Mōra.

• Minamoto Takuya attempted to fuse Wind and Water Release in a subject, but chakra resistance caused the subject's internal organs to be damaged and the attempt to fail.
• Minamoto Takuya used Medical Ninjutsu to stabilize the subject and concluded that Kekkei Genkai fusion required his own mental energy and could not be handled by a Shadow Clone.
• Minamoto Takuya made further attempts with the Spirit Transformation Technique, but the experiments exhausted his mental energy and weakened his chakra control.
• Minamoto Takuya stopped the experiments and asked Tsurugi Fubuki to send the remaining subjects back.
• Minamoto Takuya reviewed possible Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tōta combinations, choosing Ice Release as his starting point because Haku's experience could help him master the fusion process.
• Minamoto Takuya planned to pursue uncertain combinations such as Swift Release and Dark Release after Ice Release, aiming eventually to reach Kekkei Mōra.

Minamoto Takuya developed a Wood Clone to support his Spirit Transformation experiments while planning to research Lightning Release techniques and prepare for the Flying Thunder God Technique. After learning that Killer B had entered the war against Konoha, he decided to return and resume his role on the battlefield.

• Minamoto Takuya decided to prioritize Lightning Release research and considered using faster neural reactions to counter Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Minamoto Takuya developed a genuine Wood Release: Wood Clone Technique and considered using Wood Clones as a long-distance information network.
• Kazahana Dōtō reported that Killer B had joined Kumogakure's renewed offensive against Jiraiya's forces, and Minamoto Takuya judged Konoha's defenses could still withstand the threat.
• Minamoto Takuya learned that the Snow Ninjas embedded with Konoha had suffered more casualties but that their mission could continue as Kumogakure resumed attacking.
• Minamoto Takuya returned from the Land of Hot Water toward Konoha so he could notify Minato Namikaze and rejoin the war.

Minato Namikaze overcame his hesitation about leaving Kushina Uzumaki and Naruto to go to the front, while Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to exploit Konoha’s weakened defenses. When Iwagakure attacked a second front, Minato led Konoha’s remaining forces north-west to meet them.

• Minamoto Takuya returned to the Hokage Office, agreed to support the Kumogakure front, and left with an Anbu escort.
• Kushina confronted Minato over his hesitation and declared she would protect Naruto herself, persuading him to go to the battlefield.
• Ōnoki learned that Minato had not appeared at the Kumogakure front and ordered Iwagakure’s Jonin to gather for war.
• Minato entrusted Konoha’s administration to Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura as he prepared to leave for the front.
• An urgent report revealed that Iwagakure’s main forces had attacked Konoha’s undermanned defensive line.
• Minato gathered Konoha’s remaining shinobi and led them toward the northwestern border to face Iwagakure.

Minamoto Takuya returned to Konoha’s medical ward, where his efficient treatment and summoned crow helped save wounded ninja. When an urgent report revealed that Iwagakure had invaded from the northwest, Jiraiya mobilized the jōnin while Takuya steadied the medical staff and considered the growing strain of a war on multiple fronts.

• Minamoto Takuya returned from the Land of Hot Water, reassured Jiraiya, and went straight to the medical ward to treat the wounded.
• Minamoto Takuya stabilized the ward’s operations and used his summoned crow to identify patients in urgent danger.
• Jiraiya proposed that Tsunade take Minamoto Takuya as her disciple, and Takuya agreed to the possibility after the war.
• An Anbu reported that Iwagakure’s main force had invaded the Land of Fire’s northwest, prompting Jiraiya to summon every Jonin and above to the command post.
• Minamoto Takuya urged the medical ninja to continue their work, then weighed how the new front could force Konoha into a costly, prolonged war.

The Fourth Raikage considered raiding Konoha but abandoned the plan after his secretary warned that Minato Namikaze could return instantly, and he ordered an assault on Konoha's frontline instead. At the overstretched Konoha camp, Jiraiya regretted missing an earlier chance to strike Kumogakure because of uncertainty about the Collector, while Minamoto Takuya remained tied to medical duties as a sudden surge of wounded arrived.

• The Fourth Raikage learned that Minato Namikaze had appeared on Iwagakure's battlefield and ruled out Kirigakure as an immediate threat.
• The Fourth Raikage proposed sending an elite squad to raid Konoha, but his secretary warned that Minato could return with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The Fourth Raikage ordered elite troops to join him in crushing Konoha's vanguard on the main battlefield.
• Konoha transferred support personnel to the eastern front, leaving Minamoto Takuya burdened with medical duties and Jiraiya regretting that fear of the Collector had made Konoha miss its chance to attack Kumogakure.
• Tremors shook Konoha's medical room, and a sudden influx of wounded overwhelmed the already crowded facility.

With Konoha overwhelmed by the Fourth Raikage’s assault, Minamoto Takuya decided to use his hidden identity as the Collector to break the battlefield deadlock, but first sent a Shadow Clone to assess the fighting. From the mountain, he saw Konoha’s key battles teetering toward defeat and chose to wait for the right moment to intervene.

• Minamoto Takuya learned that the Fourth Raikage had led Cloud Village’s elite forces to the front, flooding the medical station with wounded.
• Minamoto Takuya rejected the options of exposing his power as himself or abandoning Konoha, and decided the Collector would act to break the deadlock.
• Minamoto Takuya sent a Shadow Clone toward the battlefield and watched the fighting from a mountain through his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Minamoto Takuya saw Fugaku and Shisui Uchiha battle the transformed Two-Tails, while the Fourth Raikage and Cloud elites pinned Jiraiya down.
• Minamoto Takuya watched Killer B and the Eight-Tails overpower Konoha’s defensive formation, while Choza, Shikaku, and Inoichi struggled to hold the line.
• Minamoto Takuya decided not to intervene yet, judging that Konoha would soon be forced to retreat.

Shisui drove the weakened Two-Tails from the battlefield and rushed to help contain Killer B’s Eight-Tails as Fugaku rallied the Uchiha to stabilize Konoha’s collapsing line. Konoha gained the advantage in a brutal defensive victory, while Minamoto Takuya’s Shadow Clone dispersed to report the battle to his true body.

• Fugaku watched Shisui display extraordinary strength and worried that the Uchiha’s open show of power would deepen the village’s suspicion of the clan.
• Fugaku and the Uchiha restrained Two-Tails Yugito Nii while Shisui struck it with a combined Fire and Wind Style attack, badly burning it.
• Yugito unleashed ghostly flames, broke through Konoha’s line, and fled; Shisui let her go and hurried to support the Eight-Tails front.
• Shisui joined Ino-Shika-Cho and Konoha’s Jonin to contain Killer B, while Fugaku led the Uchiha in stabilizing the ordinary battlefield.
• Jiraiya fought the Fourth Raikage A and Cloud Jonin as Minamoto Takuya judged that Cloud’s retreat had become inevitable.
• Minamoto Takuya’s Shadow Clone dispersed, sending its memories of Konoha’s costly defensive victory to his true body.

Minamoto Takuya waited for Konoha’s desperate position against Cloud Village to deteriorate before offering help as the mysterious Collector in exchange for Eight-Tails material. As Jiraiya reorganized Konoha’s forces and considered calling on the aging Hiruzen Sarutobi, a Fox-Masked ninja suddenly appeared inside the council chamber.

• Minamoto Takuya assessed Konoha’s fragile battlefronts and planned to trade assistance against Killer B for part of the Eight-Tails, while considering whether he could demand additional payment.
• Cloud Village adjusted its tactics, and mounting casualties left Konoha’s front line close to collapse.
• Jiraiya reassigned the battles: he would face Killer B, Ino-Shika-Cho would intercept Yugito, and Shisui would confront Fourth Raikage A with Fugaku and the Uchiha supporting him.
• Jiraiya weighed asking Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi to return to battle, but worried about his teacher’s age and declining strength.
• An Anbu reported that a powerful Fox-Masked ninja wanted to join the council meeting, and the mysterious figure spoke from a chair inside the room.

The Collector offered to hold off Killer B in exchange for an enormous payment, and Jiraiya accepted after learning the stranger had fought Yugito Nii. The Konoha forces planned to use the Collector’s intervention to buy Jiraiya time to enter Sage Mode, leaving him poised to target the Fourth Raikage.

• The Collector appeared in Konoha’s command tent, and Jiraiya recognized him as the thief who had stolen the Scroll of Seals.
• The Collector offered to occupy Killer B for a fee, then claimed his fight with Yugito Nii had weakened the Two-Tails.
• Jiraiya agreed to the deal, gathered money from himself and the Konoha Jonin, and warned the Collector not to betray them.
• Jiraiya revealed Sage Mode’s lengthy preparation and weakness as the ninja devised a new battle plan.
• The plan assigned the Collector to face Gyuki while Jiraiya prepared Sage Mode in the rear, intending to replace Shisui Uchiha against the Fourth Raikage and try to kill him.

The Collector, revealed as Minamoto Takuya, secured Konoha’s cooperation as the village prepared to face Cloud Village again. The battlefield split into clashes between Ino-Shika-Cho and Yugito, Shisui and Fugaku against A, and the Collector against Killer B, whom he struck with a sudden attack.

• The Collector told Jiraiya he would appear when war began, and Jiraiya said Konoha would follow its contingency plan if the Collector broke his promise.
• Minamoto Takuya learned that Konoha had accepted the arrangement and judged that removing A from battle could turn the war in Konoha’s favor.
• Cloud Village charged Konoha’s defensive line, where Ino-Shika-Cho confronted a weakened Yugito and Shisui intercepted A.
• Fugaku joined Shisui against A while the Collector appeared before Killer B, and Yugito recognized him as the man who had taken her Two-Tails Chakra.
• Gyuki warned Killer B of the Collector’s attack, but the Collector struck before Killer B could react and sent him flying backward.

Minamoto Takuya fought Killer B’s fully transformed Eight-Tails Gyuki, enduring its powerful attacks before unveiling his strongest technique, Mysterious Peacock Method: Dragon God. As they charged into another clash, a figure accompanied by two toads arrived at the battlefield.

• Killer B transformed directly into the Eight-Tails Gyuki after the Collector’s attack overwhelmed his human form.
• The Collector traded blows with Gyuki, blocked its tentacle strikes with Adamantine Sealing Chains, and dodged a barrage of Tailed Beast Bombs.
• Gyuki caught the Collector with a tentacle whip and sent him crashing into a deep pit, but Minamoto Takuya recovered and returned to the battlefield.
• Minamoto Takuya created Mysterious Peacock Method: Dragon God, a purple divine dragon whose core was formed from Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Killer B and Gyuki charged the dragon as a figure with two toads on his shoulders arrived.

Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and joined the battle, revealing overwhelming strength against A, the Fourth Raikage. After striking A into a rock wall, Jiraiya unleashed Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon as A struggled to recover.

• Jiraiya entered Sage Mode with Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima supporting him, then spotted Collector using the Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains against Gyuki.
• Jiraiya reached Shisui Uchiha's fight with A, the Fourth Raikage, and ordered Shisui to support Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza and help seal the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Shisui left for the other battle while Fugaku Uchiha and the Uchiha Jonin kept Kumogakure's reinforcements from reaching the Raikage and other Jinchuriki.
• A charged Jiraiya with Lightning Release: Lariat, but Jiraiya met his fist and matched his strength in a devastating clash.
• A tried to retreat, but Jiraiya overtook him and punched him into a rock wall.
• Jiraiya fired Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon at A as he tore himself free from the wall.

Sage Jiraiya overwhelmed the Fourth Raikage A with Sage Art, breaking through his lightning defenses and crippling both arms. A used his last strength to withstand Jiraiya’s Big Ball Rasengan, but his final lightning armor shattered and the attack struck him directly.

• Jiraiya’s Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon forced A to retreat, and A tore the embedded needles from his wounds.
• A charged Jiraiya with Extreme: Lightning Release: Chakra Mode, but Jiraiya met his Lariat with Sage Art: Rasengan.
• A struck Jiraiya with a desperate left-handed punch, but Jiraiya’s Wild Lion’s Mane Technique snapped A’s left arm and left his right arm mangled.
• Jiraiya launched a massive Sage Art: Big Ball Rasengan at the badly wounded A, who poured his remaining Chakra into a final lightning armor.
• The final lightning armor shattered under Jiraiya’s attack, which struck A as he heard what seemed to be Killer B roaring nearby.

The Collector exploited Killer B's desperate attempt to save the Fourth Raikage A to tear off a tentacle and strike the Eight-Tails with a Rasenshuriken. Killer B shielded his brother from Jiraiya's Sage Art: Rasengan, then drove Jiraiya back and retreated with the Kumogakure forces.

• The Collector's purple-gold Dragon God battled Killer B's Eight-Tails, but Killer B kept its tentacles guarded against capture.
• Killer B saw the badly injured Fourth Raikage A and charged to save him, leaving his back exposed.
• The Collector bit off one of the Eight-Tails' tentacles and hurled a Rasenshuriken at Killer B with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Killer B endured the Rasenshuriken's damage and used his remaining tentacles to shield the Fourth Raikage A from Jiraiya's Sage Art: Rasengan.
• Killer B counterattacked Jiraiya, then ordered the Kumogakure troops to retreat and fled with the wounded Raikage protected inside his body.