Chapter Summaries

Hiruko used Demon Seed Annihilation to drain Shukaku while Ranmaru’s Red Eye Clones attacked the Konoha Ninja. Yakumo, Kankuro, and Gaara tried to stop the extraction, but Hiruko escaped with Shukaku, leaving Gaara behind.

• Yakumo and the Konoha Ninja attacked Hiruko as he absorbed Shukaku’s Chakra, while Ranmaru used Shadow Release and created Red Eye Clones to fight them.
• Kakashi exposed Ranmaru’s clones with powder and a detection barrier, but the unusual clones passed through him and killed several Konoha Ninja.
• Hiruko drained most of Shukaku’s Chakra, and Gaara emerged from Shukaku and tried to hold on to him.
• Yakumo, the wounded Kankuro, and Gaara’s sand helped pull Gaara away from Hiruko’s Demon Seeds.
• Hiruko abandoned his attempt to absorb Gaara, tore Shukaku away from him, withdrew the Demon Seeds, and vanished.

Hiruko captured the One-Tail from Gaara and attacked Yakumo and Shion as he prepared to retreat. When Konoha reinforcements confronted him, he unleashed Storm Release: Storm Demon Dragon, leaving everyone on the battlefield stunned by its power.

• Gaara collapsed and died after Hiruko pulled the One-Tail from him, while Kankuro, Temari, and Yakumo reacted in grief.
• Hiruko realized Ranmaru had concealed how much the Bloodline Fusion Ritual had strengthened his Red Eye, then decided to attack Shion before retreating.
• Hiruko lunged at Shion, but Yakumo intercepted him; Kankuro and Temari joined the fight and were quickly knocked aside.
• Aoba Yamashiro, Namiashi Raidō, Yamato, and Kurenai attacked Hiruko together, but he escaped their assault with Swift Release.
• Hiruko summoned dark clouds and unleashed his ultimate technique, Storm Release: Storm Demon Dragon, halting the fighting as the battlefield looked up in alarm.

After Hiruko used the One-Tail’s Chakra to unleash a massive Storm Release attack, Shinji arrived and stopped the thunder dragon with one hand, then absorbed it. Hiruko was left staring at Shinji in dread.

• Shion realized Hiruko’s Storm Release had grown stronger because he had absorbed the One-Tail’s Chakra.
• Hiruko sent his thunder dragon toward Yakumo, Shion, and the Konoha Jonin, while Yakumo raised Wood Release barriers to defend them.
• The thunder dragon shattered Yakumo’s barriers, and Shion cried out for Shinji as the group faced the attack.
• Shinji appeared in front of them, stopped the thunder dragon with one hand, and absorbed it until it vanished.
• Shinji looked coldly at Hiruko, who felt an inexplicable dread.

Shinji arrived in time to stop Hiruko’s Storm Release and quickly overwhelmed him, while Kakashi worried that Konoha’s hidden reinforcements had not arrived. Hiruko prepared to flee as Orochimaru decided to act before the battle ended.

• Kakashi recognized Shinji as the suspected leader of the Akatsuki Organization and wondered why the alliance’s reinforcements had not returned to Konoha.
• Shinji reflected that his newly awakened Rinnegan’s Seal Absorption had absorbed Hiruko’s Storm Release despite its Natural Energy.
• Shinji used the Rinnegan to pull Hiruko toward him and punched him into a tree, leaving the gathered ninjas stunned.
• Hiruko climbed out of the crater and decided he had to escape before Shinji could stop him.
• Orochimaru saw the clouds clearing over the Forest of Death and decided to act before the battle ended.

Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage with unusually powerful Impure World Bodies and sent them to attack the shelter while demanding Sasuke Uchiha. As the Hokage fought their way inside, the Third Hokage confronted Orochimaru outside and prepared to battle him with Enma.

• Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage and took control of them after they questioned his pursuit of Sasuke Uchiha.
• The First and Second Hokage breached the shelter, prompting Sakura, Haku, Karin, Chiyo, Ryūsetsuna, Naruto, and Sasuke to prepare for the attack.
• Chiyo engaged the Second Hokage while Ryūsetsuna pushed Naruto toward the escape passage and shielded Sasuke and Sakura.
• The Third Hokage arrived with ANBU and confronted Orochimaru, then summoned Enma for their impending fight.

The Third Hokage fought Orochimaru while the First and Second Hokage battled Haku, Karin, and Ryūsetsuna inside the shelter. The ANBU squad joined the shelter fight, where Karin still hesitated to reveal her sealing abilities.

• The Third Hokage clashed with Orochimaru and recognized his weapon as the Grass Cutter Sword.
• The Third Hokage ordered the ANBU squad to protect Naruto in the shelter, and Orochimaru let them leave.
• Ryūsetsuna blasted the Second Hokage with Fire Release, but his Impure World Body regenerated completely.
• Haku and Karin struggled against the First Hokage, who urged Karin to seal him, but she hesitated to reveal her abilities.
• The ANBU squad arrived in the shelter as the fight continued.

Haku and Karin left the First Hokage to an ANBU squad, but the squad was quickly defeated. They regrouped with Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo, who had been fighting the Second Hokage, before both Hokage abruptly raced toward the shelter entrance under apparent outside control.

• The ANBU squad arrived and took over the fight against the First Hokage, while Karin and Haku headed to help Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo.
• The First Hokage defeated the ANBU squad with Wood Release and Taijutsu, leaving the squad leader unconscious underground.
• Karin sensed that the ANBU had lost as she and Haku reached Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo, who were battered but still holding off the Second Hokage.
• Karin urged the group to retreat and find Naruto and Sasuke, but the Second and First Hokage suddenly headed for the shelter entrance with blank expressions.
• Karin, Haku, Ryūsetsuna, and Chiyo decided to look for Naruto and Sasuke in case they faced another danger.

The Third Hokage fought Orochimaru, who summoned the First and Second before leaving to pursue Sasuke. In the Forest of Death, Shinji confronted Hiruko and Ranmaru, and Shinra Tensei knocked Hiruko’s Susanoo backward.

• The Third used Earth Dragon Flame Stream and his Adamantine Staff to smash through Orochimaru’s defenses and hurl him into a crater.
• Orochimaru survived with little injury, revealed his true appearance, and summoned the First and Second to fight the Third.
• Orochimaru left the Third battling the First and Second and headed after Sasuke.
• Hiruko decided to retreat after Shinji appeared, but Ranmaru fled alone under Shadow Release.
• Hiruko attacked Shinji with his Susanoo, and Shinji used Shinra Tensei to topple it backward.

Shinji drove Hiruko into retreat with the Tenseigan’s repulsion, but chose not to pursue him and Ranmaru after they stole the One-Tail and abducted the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. As the battered Konoha forces began evacuating, Orochimaru caught up with Naruto and Sasuke, only for Haku, Karin, Ryūsetsuna, and Chiyo to arrive.

• Shinji repelled Hiruko’s Susanoo, and Hiruko escaped while Ranmaru fled with him.
• Shinji refused Neji’s request to pursue the pair and ordered Neji and Kimimaro to withdraw.
• Shinji vanished, and Kakashi checked on Yakumo and Shion before setting out to find Naruto and Sasuke.
• Temari and Kankuro stood beside Gaara’s cooling body as Kakashi ordered the exhausted shinobi to evacuate the Forest of Death.
• Orochimaru caught up with Naruto and Sasuke near the shelter’s rear entrance, but Haku, Karin, Ryūsetsuna, and Chiyo arrived before he could attack.

Orochimaru revealed himself and attacked the group to seize Sasuke, whose Cursed Seal and exhausted condition left him unable to fight. Ryūsetsuna, Chiyo, and Haku intervened, but Orochimaru wounded Chiyo and Haku before unleashing a swarm of snakes across the battlefield.

• Sasuke confronted Orochimaru about giving him the Cursed Seal, and Orochimaru admitted he wanted Sasuke's Sharingan.
• Orochimaru struck Naruto, then restrained Sasuke with snakes and tried to pull him close.
• Chiyo cut the snakes with her Blood Blade while Ryūsetsuna attacked Orochimaru with Fire Release.
• Orochimaru broke Chiyo's Blood Blade and Haku's ice mirror, wounding both as Haku pulled Chiyo out of danger.
• Orochimaru unleashed the Array of Ten Thousand Serpents, and Karin dragged Sasuke and Sakura away from the spreading snakes.

Orochimaru overwhelmed the group with his serpents and poisoned Karin, but the wounded fighters recovered and rallied against him. As Shinji arrived from the other battlefield, the confrontation remained unresolved.

• Orochimaru used the Array of Ten Thousand Serpents to attack the group, poisoned Karin, and advanced on Sasuke.
• Naruto created hundreds of Shadow Clones and Rasengan, but Orochimaru swept them away and pinned Naruto to a tree with the Grass Cutter Sword.
• Karin resisted the venom long enough for Haku and Chiyo to heal through her Chakra, while Chiyo removed the poison and Haku activated his Curse Mark.
• Ryūsetsuna broke free of the snakes as the group prepared to fight Orochimaru again.
• Shinji arrived on the battlefield, surprising Orochimaru.

Shinji used his Rinnegan to drive Orochimaru away from the battlefield and pursued him, intending to eliminate him. After stopping Orochimaru’s attempted summoning, Shinji seized him, but Orochimaru tore off his pierced arm and unleashed the Eight Branches Technique.

• Shinji arrived on the battlefield, rejected Orochimaru’s offer to take Naruto, and blasted Orochimaru away with Shinra Tensei.
• Shinji pursued Orochimaru while Haku freed Naruto, Karin treated him, and the others withdrew with Naruto and Sasuke.
• Shinji confronted Orochimaru and used Banshō Ten'in to pull him close, striking his arm with a Black Rod to disrupt his Summoning Jutsu.
• Shinji grabbed Orochimaru by the neck and declared the fight over, but Orochimaru tore off his pierced arm and activated the Eight Branches Technique.

The Third fought the First and Second, whose Impure World Bodies kept regenerating, while waiting for reinforcements that did not arrive. After losing his left arm and being disarmed, he faced death until both opponents suddenly vanished in clouds of smoke, leaving him bewildered.

• The Third struggled against the First and Second and their Wood Release while Enma urged him to change tactics.
• The Third considered using the Reaper Death Seal but hesitated because it would cost him his soul.
• The Second's Water Severing Wave cut off the Third's left arm and destroyed his chance to use a sealing technique.
• The First and Second attacked the one-armed Third, and the First kicked the Adamantine Staff from his grasp.
• The Second froze before striking the Third, then vanished in a cloud of smoke along with the First.

Shinji defeated Orochimaru and left him pinned with Black Rods for Konoha to deal with, then departed after confirming his subordinates were safe and the Akatsuki had captured the One-Tail and Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. Kakashi and the Third Hokage arrived at the battlefield, where the Third Hokage confronted Orochimaru.

• Shinji defeated Orochimaru's Eight Branches Technique, restrained him with Black Rods, and decided to hand him over to Konoha.
• Orochimaru questioned Shinji's motives, while Shinji left after his Akatsuki subordinates were safe and the mission had secured the One-Tail and Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Kakashi arrived after Shinji left, confirmed Orochimaru was subdued, and sent a distress signal for Konoha's forces.
• Kakashi and the arriving Konoha Ninja kept watch around Orochimaru and the Black Rods without approaching them.
• Kurenai learned that Akatsuki's A had subdued Orochimaru, and the Third Hokage arrived with ANBU, missing his left arm.
• The Third Hokage asked Orochimaru whether he regretted what he had done.

Hiruzen questioned Orochimaru’s rejection of Konoha’s values, then learned the village had lost Gaara and Kaede during the attack. He ordered Orochimaru detained and launched investigations into the Akatsuki factions and missing reinforcements.

• Orochimaru told Hiruzen that the village’s values were shackles, and Hiruzen concluded he had turned his back on the Will of Fire.
• Kakashi reported that Akatsuki’s “A” had subdued Orochimaru and left him on the battlefield, and Hiruzen ordered the Sealing Team to detain him.
• Kakashi told Hiruzen that Gaara had been killed and the One-Tail taken by Hiruko, while Kaede was missing and likely abducted.
• Kakashi reported that Ranmaru had gained Shadow Release through Hiruko’s Bloodline Fusion Ritual and had helped breach Konoha’s defenses.
• Hiruzen ordered the Intelligence Squad to investigate the Akatsuki factions’ motives and sent ANBU to find out why the Four Kage’s reinforcements had not arrived.

The ANBU found the Elite Shinobi Army routed after the Akatsuki Organization ambushed it as part of Nagato’s plan to eliminate the adult Jinchuriki and draw out the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ forces. The army eventually retreated after suffering heavy losses, though the Third Tsuchikage destroyed half of the Six Paths of Pain.

• The ANBU encountered the scattered, wounded Elite Shinobi Army and learned that the Akatsuki Organization had ambushed its camp with the Deva Path’s Super Almighty Push.
• Nagato’s forces attacked the Elite Shinobi Army while Hiruko and Ranmaru infiltrated Konoha to target its three underage Jinchuriki.
• Jiraiya fought the Deva Path as the Four Kage and other shinobi engaged Akatsuki members, but the Six Paths of Pain joined the battle and overwhelmed Jiraiya.
• Obito captured Yugito Nii with Kamui, Hidan killed the Fourth Kazekage with Blood-Death Possession, and Itachi’s Amaterasu gravely wounded the Fourth Mizukage.
• The Third Tsuchikage destroyed the Preta Path, Human Path, and Hell Path with Dust Release, but the Elite Shinobi Army retreated after its losses mounted.
• Kirigakure, Sunagakure, Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure withdrew in turn, and both sides disengaged after the Akatsuki Organization declined to pursue.

After the Akatsuki Organization devastated the elite shinobi forces, Chiyo used her Forbidden Jutsu to trade her life for Gaara’s. Gaara began breathing again, and Chiyo sent Temari and Kankuro to take him to Konoha Hospital.

• The Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura learned of the elite forces’ defeat and began dealing with the returning survivors.
• Mei Terumi and the Kirigakure shinobi brought the gravely injured Fourth Mizukage back to Konoha, while the Third Tsuchikage arrived last.
• Temari and Kankuro told Chiyo how Gaara had fought the Akatsuki Organization and died after the One-Tail was extracted from him.
• Chiyo ordered Temari and Kankuro to leave Gaara’s body behind, then performed Reanimation Jutsu and gave her life to revive him.
• Chiyo told Temari and Kankuro to take Gaara to Konoha Hospital, and Temari noticed that he was breathing.

Chiyo revived Gaara by sacrificing her life, and Sunagakure appointed Pakura as its Fifth Kazekage and Baki as an Elder. Meanwhile, the gravely injured Fourth Mizukage left Konoha Hospital, and Suikazan Fuguki was attacked at his quarters.

• Chiyo used a Forbidden Jutsu to trade her life for Gaara's, then named Pakura as the next Kazekage and Baki as an Elder.
• Tsunade confirmed Gaara had died after the One-Tail was extracted and agreed to treat him, while Temari explained Chiyo's sacrifice.
• A Medical Ninja told Tsunade that the Fourth Mizukage had woken and left the hospital despite his severe injuries.
• Suigetsu told Chojuro that the Fourth Kazekage had been killed and the Hokage had lost an arm, and Suikazan Fuguki said the Mizukage was back in Konoha.
• Suikazan Fuguki blamed the Akatsuki Organization for failing to kill the Fourth Mizukage, then someone thrust a long blade from beneath Chojuro's arm at him.

Suikazan Fuguki’s attempted power play ended with his execution, and the wounded Fourth Mizukage appointed Mei Terumi as Acting Mizukage. At the Hokage Building, the leaders discussed the heavy losses from the battle and began considering who might succeed the Third.

• Zabuza and Kisame Hoshigaki ambushed Suikazan Fuguki, while Mei Terumi confronted him and he tried to rally the Kirigakure Ninjas against them.
• The Fourth Mizukage appeared, heard Suikazan Fuguki admit he had betrayed him, and ordered him killed; Ringo Ameyuri beheaded him.
• The Fourth Mizukage named Kisame Hoshigaki as Samehada’s successor and appointed Mei Terumi Acting Mizukage while he recovered.
• At the Hokage Building, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Jiraiya, and Tsunade discussed the losses caused by the Akatsuki Organization and Mei Terumi’s appointment.
• The Third said they needed to begin considering candidates for the next Hokage.

Third Hokage decided to step down and nominated Tsunade as Konoha's Fifth Hokage, with a Jonin vote of confidence set for three days later. As Konoha faced severe losses, the elders secured approval for Danzo to return without rebuilding Root, while Jiraiya's suggestion about Orochimaru was rejected.

• Third Hokage refused to reconsider stepping down despite Tsunade and Jiraiya offering to help replace his lost arm.
• Third Hokage nominated Jiraiya as his successor, but Jiraiya refused and suggested Tsunade instead.
• Tsunade hesitated over becoming Hokage, then Third Hokage nominated her for a Jonin vote of confidence in three days.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura proposed bringing Danzo back, and Tsunade agreed only if Root was not rebuilt and Danzo could not command shinobi forces.
• Jiraiya suggested that Orochimaru might also earn merit through atonement, but Third Hokage insisted the village publicly try his crimes.