Chapter Summaries

Iwagakure discovered that Akatsuki Organization had defeated and abducted Rōshi and Han, prompting Ōnoki to seek help from other villages. In Konoha, the Third Hokage convened the leadership, and they decided they had to attempt a rescue despite Itachi Uchiha’s involvement.

• Kitsuchi arrived at the battlefield and learned that Akatsuki Organization had likely captured Rōshi.
• Ōnoki concluded that Han had been defeated and abducted despite using Complete Tailed Beast Transformation, then ordered an urgent plea for help sent to the other villages.
• Shinji attended a high-level meeting in Konoha while his Shadow Clone studied Medical Ninjutsu at home.
• The Third Hokage told the village leadership that Iwagakure’s Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki had been attacked, and the Communications Squad identified Itachi Uchiha and Juzo Biwa as the suspected attackers in the south.
• The Third Hokage, Kakashi, Tsunade, and the others agreed that Konoha had to send reinforcements and try to rescue both Jinchuriki.

Konoha chose Kakashi to lead a mission to support Iwagakure in rescuing two Jinchuriki captured by Akatsuki, and he selected Shinji and several young ninja to join him. The team gathered at the village gates, leaving Shinji aware that the supposed rescue party included six Akatsuki members.

• The Third appointed Kakashi to lead Konoha's support mission after Jiraiya was found to be away and Tsunade was needed in the village.
• Kakashi requested and received authority to choose his team, then selected Shinji, Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji.
• The Third approved Shinji's participation despite Utatane Koharu's concerns, and Kakashi ordered the team to gather at the village gates in thirty minutes.
• Shinji asked to bring Haku and Karin, and Kakashi agreed if they were willing; both accepted the mission to Earth Country.
• Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji arrived at the gates, where Shinji realized that he and the other selected ninja were secretly Akatsuki members.

Kakashi led a large force, including Shinji, Yakumo, and Kimimaro, to support Iwagakure and rescue its abducted Four-Tails Jinchuriki from the Akatsuki. At Konoha Hospital, Sasuke learned that Itachi was involved and that his Cursed Seal contained dangerous Natural Energy, while Tsunade explained that Senjutsu Chakra was mastered by only one and a half ninjas.

• Kakashi led more than thirty ninjas, including Shinji and other Academy students, out of Konoha to support Iwagakure and rescue the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Shion told Sasuke that Kakashi, Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Shinji had joined the mission against the Akatsuki Organization.
• Tsunade revealed that Itachi had attacked Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchuriki and that Kakashi's mission was to rescue him.
• Sasuke tried to leave the hospital to join the mission but collapsed, and Tsunade warned that his Cursed Seal's Natural Energy was corroding his body.
• Tsunade explained that excessive Senjutsu Chakra could turn someone to stone, make them explode, or transform them into a beast.
• Tsunade said only one and a half ninjas had mastered Senjutsu, naming Jiraiya as the half and the First as the one.

Sasuke left Konoha with Sakura and Shion to pursue revenge against Itachi before his failing vision and Cursed Seal left him unable to fight. Meanwhile, Shinji’s Konoha reinforcements reached Earth Country, where Kurotsuchi briefed Kakashi on the Akatsuki attacks and Iwagakure’s plan to rescue Han.

• Tsunade explained that harnessing natural energy was rare and said they needed to find the person who had placed Sasuke’s Cursed Seal to learn how to remove it.
• Sasuke told Sakura and Shion that his Dojutsu was failing and he needed to avenge himself while Itachi was being pursued by Iwagakure; he agreed to take them with him.
• Sakura helped Sasuke evade the hospital guards and leave Konoha with Shion, and the three set out toward Earth Country.
• Shinjin’s Konoha reinforcements crossed Grass Country and entered Earth Country after two and a half days of travel.
• Kurotsuchi told Kakashi that the Akatsuki group that attacked Rōshi had escaped south to Bird Country, while the group that attacked Han was trapped in Earth Country.
• Kurotsuchi identified the attackers as Moryo and Shinnō and said Iwagakure planned to defeat the trapped group, rescue Han, and then pursue the other group.

Kakashi and the Konoha team arrived in Iwagakure to help rescue Han, while Moryo and Shinnō escaped with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki after Zetsu created a Spores Clone to divert the Tsuchikage. The Akatsuki forces split up, and Kurotsuchi warned Kakashi that one group was heading toward the Konoha team.

• Kurotsuchi asked Kakashi and the Konoha team to help rescue Han, and Kakashi agreed after requesting time to rest and real-time intelligence.
• Moryo and Shinnō escaped the devastated battlefield carrying the unconscious Han while Iwagakure survivors discovered their attackers had vanished.
• Zetsu made a Spores Clone that copied Han and absorbed his Chakra, then used it to draw the Tsuchikage and Iwagakure's main force away.
• Zetsu told Moryo and Shinnō to break south, warning that Kakashi and Kurama Yakumo were among the Konoha reinforcements.
• Moryo and Shinnō forced their way through Iwagakure blockades as Zetsu led the Tsuchikage away with the Spores Clone.
• Kurotsuchi told Kakashi that the Akatsuki had split into two groups and that one was heading toward the Konoha camp, while Han's whereabouts remained uncertain.

Kakashi led Konoha and Iwagakure forces toward Moryo and Shinnō after failing to confirm whether Shinnō held the real Five-Tails Jinchuriki. As Kakashi’s Jonin and ANBU charged into battle, Kurotsuchi stayed behind with Shinji’s trainees and vowed to protect him, even at the cost of her life.

• Kakashi decided to attack Moryo and Shinnō because the Five-Tails Jinchuriki might be in their hands.
• Konoha and Iwagakure forces reached the battlefield and saw Moryo slaughter Iwagakure Ninja and take over one of their bodies.
• Yakumo and Neji examined the captive Five-Tails Jinchuriki but could not determine whether he was real or a clone.
• Kakashi ordered the Jonin and ANBU to attack while the Intelligence Squad, Medical Team, and trainees stayed back with Kurotsuchi.
• Kurotsuchi promised Shinji that she would protect him even if she died.

Shinji’s group pursued Shinnō after Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji intercepted him while he fled with the unconscious Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Shinnō revealed himself as the Zero-Tails’ first Jinchuriki and opened the Eight Gates, leaving the surrounding forces facing his full power.

• Kumogakure reported that the Raikage was leading reinforcements toward Kurotsuchi’s forces as Moryo fought Kakashi’s team and Shinnō escaped with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Yakumo rushed after Shinnō, followed by Kimimaro and Neji, and Shinji, Haku, Karin, and Kurotsuchi’s Iwagakure forces joined the pursuit.
• Yakumo’s group caught Shinnō in a forest, where he was surrounded and threw the unconscious Jinchuriki to the ground.
• Shinnō unleashed the Zero-Tails’ Chakra, revealing that he had become the artificial beast’s Jinchuriki.
• Shinnō activated the Eight Gates while releasing the Zero-Tails’ Chakra.

Shinnō opened the Seventh Gate and overwhelmed Yakumo, Neji, and Kimimaro with his speed and strength. Yakumo contained his corrosive mist with Wood Release, but Shinnō charged at her directly, while Shinji remained ready to intervene.

• Shinnō opened the First, Fifth, and Sixth Gates, and the force of his chakra and physical power alarmed Yakumo, Neji, Kimimaro, and the Iwagakure Ninja.
• Kurotsuchi urged Shinji to retreat, but Shinji stayed calm and said he would handle Shinnō.
• Shinnō opened the Seventh Gate, struck Kimimaro through several trees, and sent Neji flying after breaking through Rotation.
• Yakumo unleashed a vast Wood Release forest, and Shinnō countered it with Super-Concentrated Acid Mist that withered the trees it touched.
• Yakumo's forest contained the mist, so Shinnō used Body Regeneration and charged straight at her.

Shinnō overwhelmed Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji after activating the Gate of Wonder, forcing Yakumo to consider revealing Ido. Shinji intervened and struck Shinnō with a Rasenshuriken, sending him flying.

• Shinnō smashed through Yakumo’s Wood Release forest, but Kimimaro intercepted him and fought with the third Eight Gates open.
• Neji joined Kimimaro and Yakumo, but Shinnō knocked Neji out and dislocated Kimimaro’s arm.
• Yakumo met Shinnō’s punch with her Superhuman Strength Punch, then struggled against his rapid regeneration and considered releasing Ido.
• Shinji flashed in to face Shinnō and hit him with a Rasenshuriken, sending him flying.

Shinji ambushed Shinnō after Shinnō defeated Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji, then used a hidden chakra trap to overcome him in a second fight. Shinnō escaped with the unconscious Five-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Shinji struck Shinnō by surprise with the Twelve Palaces and Seventh Form, sending him crashing through the forest.
• Shinnō survived the attack using his regeneration, and Yakumo offered to help Shinji fight him.
• Shinji told Yakumo to step aside and fought Shinnō hand-to-hand while secretly using chakra and Banshō Ten'in to block his chakra pathways.
• Shinnji weakened Shinnō and kicked him beside the unconscious Five-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Shinnō grabbed the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and fled.

Shinji led the pursuit of Shinnō while secretly allowing him time to recover, but Shinnō overwhelmed the Kumogakure reinforcements after the Fourth Raikage left to aid another battlefield. The group reached the wounded survivors, and everyone looked to Shinji to decide whether to continue the pursuit.

• Shinji waited until Shinnō had time to recover, then ordered the squad to pursue him.
• Yakumo and Neji noticed that Shinnō was speeding up as his body recovered.
• Yakumo spotted Kumogakure reinforcements intercepting Shinnō, but the Fourth Raikage was not with them.
• Shinnō overran Darui's force, leaving several Kumogakure Ninja dead or wounded.
• Darui warned Kurotsuchi and the others to wait for the Raikage, but they looked to Shinji for orders.

Shinji and the allied ninja caught up with the weakened Shinnō, who was holding the Five-Tails Jinchuriki hostage. Hiruko and Raiga Kurosuki arrived to rescue him, leaving Shinji’s group facing the Akatsuki members.

• Shinji led the Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure ninja in pursuit of Shinnō, and Kurotsuchi told Darui that Shinji had defeated Shinnō after he activated the Eight Gates.
• Yakumo and Neji detected that Shinnō had slowed down and his Chakra was weakening, and Shinji realized his Body Regeneration technique had worn off.
• Shinji’s group found Shinnō with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, and Shinnō threatened to kill the Jinchuriki if they approached.
• Hiruko and Raiga Kurosuki arrived on a giant bird, using explosive feathers to drive back the surrounding ninja and rescue Shinnō.
• Hiruko confronted Shinji’s group, and Yakumo identified him as a rogue ninja from Konoha before Hiruko remarked that Shinji still remembered him.

Shinji recognized that Hiruko had likely completed the Chimera Technique ritual and become a formidable fighter, while the Akatsuki’s increased strength explained its renewed activity. Hiruko effortlessly defeated Darui and Kurotsuchi, leaving the gathered ninja to face the threat as another Akatsuki member watched from above.

• Shinji concluded that Hiruko had probably completed his ritual and might have absorbed five Kekkei Genkai, possibly including the Sharingan.
• Kurotsuchi demanded that the Akatsuki return Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki, and Darui attacked Hiruko with a Water and Lightning compound jutsu.
• Hiruko absorbed Darui’s attack and struck him into the air.
• Kurotsuchi charged Hiruko with her rock-covered fist, but Hiruko’s hardened arm overpowered her and sent her crashing into a tree.
• The gathered ninja were stunned by Hiruko’s strength as another Akatsuki member remained atop the flying Chimera.

Shinji and the other Konoha ninja confronted Hiruko, whose fused abilities made him a formidable opponent. The battle left Hiruko surrounded by Konoha and allied ninja, and he prepared to demonstrate his Storm Release.

• Shinji deduced that Hiruko had fused Nether Release, Swift Release, and Steel Release, and suspected his remaining abilities were Storm Release and the Sharingan.
• Hiruko attacked Shinji, but Haku caught his punch while Karin launched a pincer attack, prompting Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji to join the fight.
• Raiga Kurosuki watched from the Chimera with Ranmaru, who identified several Konoha ninja as having more Chakra than Raiga.
• Hiruko held his own against the five Konoha ninja, and the recovered Darui and Kurotsuchi joined them.
• Darui fired Storm Release: Laser Circus, which Hiruko dodged with Swift Release before announcing that he would show them his Storm Release.

Hiruko unleashed a devastating Storm Release attack, then confronted Shinji with a pair of Sharingan altered by his Chimera Technique. Shinji and Hiruko trapped each other in genjutsu, and Shinji declared he would take Hiruko’s eyes back.

• Hiruko summoned thunderclouds and struck the battlefield with Storm Release, killing and injuring nearby Iwagakure and Kumogakure ninja as the others escaped.
• Yakumo asked what to do, and Shinji stepped forward to face Hiruko himself.
• Hiruko revealed Sharingan with dark circular patterns resembling Mangekyō Sharingan, shocking the assembled shinobi.
• Shinji and Hiruko cast genjutsu on each other and stood motionless as their allies watched anxiously.
• Shinji reached toward Hiruko and said he would take the Sharingan back.

Shinji used genjutsu to trap Hiruko and nearly reached his Sharingan, but Raiga Kurosuki intervened and the Akatsuki Organization escaped with the unconscious Five-Tails Jinchuriki. The others thanked Shinji and promised to help recover the Sharingan.

• Shinji trapped Hiruko in genjutsu, but Raiga Kurosuki struck with lightning and stopped him from taking Hiruko's eyes.
• Shinnō called for help, and the shinobi from Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure prepared to stop the Akatsuki Organization.
• Hiruko broke free of Shinji's genjutsu, and Raiga warned that a shinobi force was approaching.
• Hiruko grabbed Shinnō and the unconscious Five-Tails Jinchuriki, then escaped with them aboard the Chimera after it blasted away Yakumo's Wood Release vines.
• Yakumo, Haku, Karin, Neji, Kurotsuchi, and Darui reassured Shinji and thanked him for protecting them.

Shinji and the others failed to capture Shinnō and Hiruko after the Akatsuki members escaped on the Chimera, but Shinji realized Hiruko’s ritual might offer a new way to obtain powerful dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai. Kakashi and the Fourth Raikage arrived, heard the battle report, and were astonished by Shinji’s victories.

• Shinji and the others watched Shinnō and Hiruko escape on the Chimera, while Kurotsuchi regretted losing the chance to save Han and seize the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Shinji considered how Hiruko’s ritual might enhance dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai and provide a new way to acquire stronger eyes.
• Kakashi and the Fourth Raikage arrived with reinforcements and asked what had happened to the Akatsuki members.
• Yakumo and Kurotsuchi explained the encounters with Shinnō, Hiruko, and Raiga Kurosuki, including their escape on the Chimera.
• The shinobi were astonished to hear that Shinji had defeated Shinnō and beaten Hiruko in a genjutsu duel with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Sasuke tracked Uchiha Itachi to Bird Country and confronted him in the forest, intent on avenging his clan. Itachi agreed to fight Sasuke while Juzo Biwa stood aside, and Sasuke activated both his Mangekyō Sharingan and Cursed Seal.

• The Raikage, Kakashi, and Iwagakure coordinated a renewed pursuit of the fleeing Akatsuki members as Shinji learned about Moryo’s escape and the allied forces’ plans.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan genjutsu to make an Iwagakure intelligence shinobi reveal that Itachi and Juzo had been seen at a black market in Bird Country.
• Sasuke, Sakura, and Shion checked into an inn, but Sasuke left secretly during the night to find Itachi.
• Itachi and Juzo encountered Sasuke in the forest, and Juzo stepped aside to let Itachi handle his younger brother.
• Sasuke activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and Cursed Seal, then declared that he would avenge his family by killing Itachi.

Shion and Sakura realized Sasuke had gone after Itachi and decided to seek Shinji’s help. Meanwhile, Hiruko and his companions escaped Sunagakure’s interception after Hiruko injured the Fourth Kazekage, leaving the allied forces to assess the defeat and continue the pursuit.

• Sakura told Shion that Sasuke had likely gone to find Itachi, and Shion decided they should find Shinji.
• Hiruko and Shinnō argued about their defeat, while Raiga Kurosuki warned that the group was still in danger of being caught.
• Ranmaru spotted the Sunagakure Ninja Army, and Hiruko split from Shinnō and Raiga to launch a ground attack.
• Kakashi and the Fourth Raikage led the allied forces toward the distant battle, but the fighting ended before they arrived.
• The allied forces found Sunagakure’s dead and wounded, including an injured Fourth Kazekage, who reported Hiruko’s five Kekkei Genkai and blamed the misleading intelligence.
• Shinji examined the battlefield and inferred that Hiruko had rushed the Fourth Kazekage, broken Sunagakure’s formation, and escaped with his companions.

After the Allied Shinobi Forces learned Sasuke had gone to Bird Country to confront Itachi, they hurried after him while Sasuke and Itachi fought. Itachi overwhelmed Sasuke’s Susanoo, leaving Sasuke staring at its damage as Itachi scolded him for shouting.

• Kakashi learned Sasuke had left with Sakura and Shion to hunt Itachi in Bird Country, and the Fourth Raikage and Fourth Kazekage agreed to pursue the Akatsuki there.
• The Allied Shinobi Forces received word that Shion and Sakura had used Iwagakure’s intelligence network to send Kakashi a plea for help, then dispatched an elite advance unit toward Sasuke’s location.
• Itachi suppressed Sasuke in their fight, despite Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan and Heavenly Curse Mark state.
• Sasuke and Itachi each summoned Susanoo, and Itachi deflected Sasuke’s arrow before damaging Sasuke’s Susanoo with spinning red Tomoe.
• Itachi told Sasuke he still had not broken his habit of shouting.