Chapter Summaries

Kabuto Yakushi defeated Sasuke with his Sage Art: White Stimulus Technique and left him injured while Orochimaru continued toward his exchange with the Akatsuki Organization. Kakashi arrived and resumed the pursuit with Sasuke, while Orochimaru met with “B” to begin the exchange.

• Sasuke charged Kabuto Yakushi, but Kabuto used Sage Art: White Stimulus Technique to blind and disorient him before slamming him into the ground.
• Kabuto held Sasuke while Orochimaru asked whether he had gone to Ryūchi Cave, then ordered him to release Sasuke.
• Orochimaru left Sasuke behind to avoid complications with the Akatsuki Organization deal, and Sasuke struggled to recover from his injuries.
• Kakashi's reinforcements arrived, and Kakashi warned Sasuke against pursuing Orochimaru alone before continuing the chase with him.
• Orochimaru met “B,” and Karin agreed to begin the exchange.

After Orochimaru escaped Konoha, Kabuto Yakushi defeated the pursuing force while Karin watched from the shadows. The three reached the ruins of Uzushio Village to seek a way to break the Reaper Death Seal, leaving Karin moved by the remains of her clan’s home.

• Karin watched Kabuto Yakushi and his allies help Orochimaru escape, then joined Orochimaru and Kabuto on their journey east to Uzushio Village.
• Konoha’s leaders learned that Kabuto Yakushi had infiltrated the prison using stolen passes and passwords, suggesting someone inside the village had helped him.
• An ANBU operative reported that Kabuto Yakushi had routed the force pursuing Orochimaru, heavily injured Asuma and Kurenai, and left Sasuke Uchiha missing.
• Tsunade ordered reinforcements to support Kakashi and bring Orochimaru back, while Utatane Koharu urged her to find the traitor.
• Days later, Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and Karin arrived at Uzushio Village’s ruins, where Karin felt depressed seeing the former home of the Uzumaki Clan.

Karin met with Orochimaru to learn how to break the Reaper Death Seal, and he used Impure World Reincarnation to question a dead Uzumaki about the clan’s secrets. Orochimaru discovered that the Shinigami mask storehouse was near Konoha, while Karin decided to persuade the leader to return him to prison after their deal.

• Orochimaru explained that he needed time to research the Reaper Death Seal, and Karin warned him to finish before their patience ran out.
• Orochimaru took Karin to a graveyard in the ruins of Uzushio Village and had Kabuto find Uzumaki remains.
• Orochimaru used two nearby men as sacrifices to summon two dead Uzumaki with Impure World Reincarnation, then questioned one of them.
• Orochimaru learned that the storehouse for the Shinigami masks was near Konoha and said they would have to return there.
• Karin recognized how dangerous Orochimaru was and decided to persuade the leader to send him back to Konoha’s prison.

After Orochimaru escaped with help from a mole in Konoha, Shinji accused Danzo and offered to interrogate him, increasing pressure on the village’s senior officials. Konoha also confirmed that Kabuto Yakushi had mastered Senjutsu, leaving Tsunade worried about the threat he posed as they awaited Jiraiya’s return.

• Tsunade demanded that the ANBU identify the mole who helped Orochimaru escape, while the senior officials considered whether Danzo was involved.
• Shinji received an additional grant for the Konoha Military Police Force’s role in capturing Guren and Jugo.
• Shinji told Tsunade that Danzo was the likely mole and offered to use his Mangekyō Sharingan to interrogate him.
• The senior officials recognized that Shinji’s accusation was retaliation and worried that bringing down Danzo would increase Shinji’s influence.
• Tsunade confirmed that Kabuto Yakushi had likely learned Senjutsu from Ryūchi Cave, and the officials awaited Jiraiya’s return.

Shinji reviewed how he had concealed his role in Orochimaru's escape and warned Kimimaro to be ready to withdraw, while Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and Karin searched an Uzumaki storehouse for the Shinigami mask needed to undo the Reaper Death Seal. Karin identified the mask she believed was the right one, leaving Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi unaware of her Uzumaki heritage and special ability.

• Shinji relied on his genjutsu suggestions to keep captured Guren and Jugo from revealing Kimimaro's identity and used Naobi to warn Kimimaro to prepare to withdraw.
• Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and Karin found an abandoned Uzumaki Clan storehouse near Konoha that held Shinigami masks.
• Orochimaru explained that the Uzumaki Clan had fallen after refusing to adapt to the hidden-village era and becoming a target for multiple villages seeking its Sealing Techniques.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi examined the masks and discussed how to identify the one connected to the Fourth Hokage's Reaper Death Seal.
• Karin sensed a faint trace of Chakra on one mask with her Mind's Eye of the Kagura and confidently pointed it out as the one they needed.

Karin, Orochimaru, and Kabuto prepared to summon the Fourth Hokage using a Shinigami mask, while secretly planning to betray one another. Orochimaru began the ritual at Northern Base Three, and the Shinigami appeared behind him as the chapter ended.

• Karin identified the Shinigami mask in the Uzumaki Clan storehouse, and Orochimaru said he would use it to summon the Fourth Hokage.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto to find young Chunin-level sacrifices, then led Karin to Northern Base Three.
• Karin discovered Orochimaru’s living subjects and realized he and Kabuto were preparing to betray her, while her allies Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo waited nearby.
• Orochimaru used four of his test subjects as sacrifices and put on the Shinigami mask to begin the ritual.
• A surge of cold Chakra surrounded Orochimaru, and a gigantic Shinigami phantom appeared behind him.

Orochimaru freed the Fourth Hokage’s spirit from the Reaper’s stomach, then summoned the First and Second Hokage and transferred all three spirits into prepared sacrifices. He used Living Corpse Reincarnation to escape the Reaper’s contract and the village’s restrictions, then turned against Karin and the Akatsuki Organization.

• Orochimaru cut open the Reaper’s stomach with a contract-bound jutsu and drew out the Fourth Hokage’s spirit, while the contract rapidly drained his life force.
• Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the spirits of the First and Second Hokage and place all three Hokage in prepared sacrifices.
• Orochimaru transformed into a white snake, entered another sacrifice, and used Living Corpse Reincarnation to emerge in a new body as his former body died.
• Shinji watched through Naobi and realized Orochimaru had used enhanced experimental subjects as sacrifices for the Hokage.
• Orochimaru told Karin he wanted a more interesting offer, while Kabuto Yakushi prepared to fight; Orochimaru had decided to turn on the Akatsuki Organization after gaining the three Hokage and removing his restrictions.

Karin confronted Orochimaru after he betrayed their deal and gathered Kabuto Yakushi and three Hokage Impure World Bodies, but Shinji ordered her to withdraw rather than risk the Nine-Tails plan. When Orochimaru demanded she bring him Shinji, Karin attacked and used Adamantine Sealing Chains to overwhelm the Hokage.

• Orochimaru turned against Karin and offered to trade the Nine-Tails for Shinji Uchiha.
• Shinji decided Karin should retreat once Orochimaru freed the Fourth Hokage's sealed Spirit Body, leaving the Akatsuki Organization to pursue the Nine-Tails.
• Karin refused to back down after Orochimaru targeted Shinji and unleashed Adamantine Sealing Chains as Orochimaru ordered an attack.
• Karin bound the Second and Fourth Hokage's Impure World Bodies and crushed the First Hokage's Wood Release with her chains.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi realized Karin's chains threatened to bind the First Hokage as well.

Karin endured Kabuto Yakushi’s White Stimulus Technique and stopped his attack, then fought Orochimaru and the reanimated Hokage with Wood Release. She left the underground laboratory in ruins and stood above the battlefield as Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi stared in shock at her Wood Release.

• Kabuto Yakushi used Sage Art: White Stimulus Technique, disrupting Karin’s senses and causing her Adamantine Sealing Chains to dissipate.
• Kabuto Yakushi rushed in to strike Karin, but she recovered enough to catch his full-strength punch and declared she was no Sasuke.
• Orochimaru ordered the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage to attack Karin again as the Second used Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and the First used Wood Release.
• Karin unleashed Wood Release, sending vines through the ceiling and crushing the underground laboratory as she rose to the surface.
• The Second Hokage’s darkness technique ended, and Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi saw Karin standing above the ruins and reacted in shock to her Wood Release.

Karin, posing as Akatsuki Organization’s “B,” fought Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi while displaying Wood Release, and Orochimaru released the First, Second, and Fourth Hokages from his control. The Hokages learned that Akatsuki was collecting the Tailed Beasts and turned their attention to Karin, with the First wondering how powerful she was.

• Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi were shocked when “B” revealed her Wood Release, and Orochimaru suspected a First Hokage cells transplant.
• The First, Second, and Fourth Hokages emerged from the collapsed laboratory, and Shinji watched Karin’s fight through Naobi without intervening.
• Orochimaru released the Hokages from his control, allowing them to regain their awareness and speak with one another.
• The Fourth identified himself as Minato Namikaze and explained that he had died sealing the Nine-Tails.
• Orochimaru told the Hokages that Karin was an Akatsuki member seeking the Nine-Tails, and that Akatsuki had already captured six other Tailed Beasts.
• The First noticed Kabuto Yakushi’s Senjutsu Chakra and wondered how powerful Karin was to make Orochimaru and Kabuto wary.

Karin faced the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage, and their Wood Release battle ended when she unleashed the Rinnegan’s Shinra Tensei to escape their coordinated attack. The blast leveled the battlefield, leaving Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and the surviving Hokage stunned as Karin floated in the air.

• The First warned Karin to leave, then attacked her with Wood Release, and Karin answered with her own sea of trees.
• The First sent a Wood Dragon through Karin’s trees, while the Second and Fourth searched for an opening to attack her.
• The Fourth struck at Karin with a Rasengan as a water stream pierced her defenses, but Karin unleashed Shinra Tensei.
• Karin’s repulsive force hurled the Fourth away and flattened the battlefield, while Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi realized she possessed the Rinnegan.
• The First emerged from his Wooden Protection and questioned Karin’s technique as the Second and Fourth stared at her floating in the air.

Karin fought the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage, using Shinra Tensei to repel their attacks while the Hokage worked out its three-second cooldown. The Fourth trapped Karin with a chain, then switched places with the Second, who appeared covered in igniting Explosive Tags.

• Karin regained her composure and attacked the First, trading Taijutsu blows with him before using Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• The First summoned Rashomon to block the chains while the Second used Water Shockwave, whose mist obscured the battlefield after Karin repelled it with Shinra Tensei.
• The Fourth attacked through the mist with Rasengan and learned that Karin's Shinra Tensei had a three-second cooldown.
• The Second and Fourth coordinated a rapid assault with the Fourth's Shadow Clones, forcing Karin to use Shinra Tensei repeatedly as her vision cleared.
• The Fourth used a chain to bind Karin while her Shinra Tensei was on cooldown, then switched places with the Second as Explosive Tags ignited on the Second's body.

Karin used a Black Rod and Adamantine Sealing Chains to stop the Second Hokage’s explosive attack, then trapped the Fourth Hokage with Planetary Devastation. She turned toward the First Hokage as Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi decided they needed to retreat.

• The Second and Fourth Hokage coordinated a Flying Thunder God assault and cornered Karin with Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tags.
• Karin pierced the Second with a Black Rod, disrupted his Chakra, and sealed him with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Karin used Planetary Devastation to bury the Fourth Hokage inside a suspended sphere.
• Karin confronted the First Hokage, who realized his Impure World Body could not withstand his full power.
• Kabuto Yakushi urged Orochimaru to retreat, and Orochimaru silently agreed.

Shinji watched Karin battle Orochimaru and the Hokage, but the Fourth broke free in Kurama Mode and rescued the Second, shifting the fight again. Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo arrived to reinforce Karin as Orochimaru’s side faced mounting pressure.

• Orochimaru decided to retreat after seeing two more Akatsuki members approach, while Shinji judged Karin’s battle against the First to be enough and prepared to call her back.
• The Fourth broke through Karin’s Planetary Devastation sphere, emerged in Kurama Mode, and surprised everyone on the battlefield.
• The Fourth smashed the Second’s Impure World Body apart to escape the Adamantine Sealing Chains, then used Flying Thunder God to rescue him beside the First.
• Karin felt defeated as the three Hokage regrouped and began taking her seriously.
• Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo arrived to support Karin, leaving Orochimaru’s side outnumbered five to three.

Karin fought Orochimaru and three Hokage until Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo arrived, forcing the enemy to retreat. She chose not to pursue them and recognized that facing the three Hokage together had been beyond her certainty of victory.

• Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo reached the devastated battlefield and found Karin facing Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage.
• The Hokage exchanged warnings about Karin’s abilities and the Akatsuki Organization, while Kabuto Yakushi estimated that at least two or three members might rival her strength.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi agreed to retreat, and the First sent a sea of trees toward Karin as the Second and Fourth evacuated them with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Karin countered the First’s Wood Release, and both sides stopped fighting after Orochimaru and the others escaped.
• Karin tracked the retreating group with the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura but followed her leader’s instructions and let them go, telling Ryūsetsuna she could not be sure of defeating three Hokage together.

After Karin arranged the battlefield to conceal the truth about the Fourth Hokage and Orochimaru, a Konoha squad discovered the site. Kakashi recognized the Fourth’s kunai and identified Orochimaru’s corpse, realizing the Fourth had been involved in the battle.

• Shinji gave Karin new instructions, and Karin, Ryūsetsuna, and Chiyo began arranging the battlefield.
• Karin sealed the Flying Thunder God formula on the Fourth Hokage’s Sword of Ninja Love and pinned the kunai to a tree to make it look abandoned in battle.
• Karin found Orochimaru’s shriveled corpse and the Reaper mask, then partly buried the remains before leaving with Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo.
• A Konoha squad discovered the battlefield after Karin’s Chibaku Tensei sphere collapsed, and Kakashi arrived to investigate.
• Kakashi found the sealed Sword of Ninja Love and Orochimaru’s corpse, then realized the Fourth Hokage had been involved.

Tsunade and Konoha’s senior officials investigated a battlefield bearing signs that Orochimaru had used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage. They concluded the Akatsuki had likely helped Orochimaru escape to obtain the Nine-Tails, then attacked him, leaving the officials unsure whether the organization had succeeded.

• Kakashi reported that the Uzumaki Shinigami mask had been stolen and that Minato’s ninja-tool scroll was missing, while the Third recognized Minato’s kunai.
• Kakashi suspected Orochimaru had used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Minato, and the officials feared Orochimaru still controlled the First Hokage’s Impure World Body.
• Shizune delivered a medical report identifying the mummified corpse as likely Orochimaru, though it had been dead for at least five years.
• Kakashi and Tsunade reasoned that the Akatsuki had fought Orochimaru after he freed Minato’s soul, possibly targeting the Nine-Tails sealed within him.
• The officials concluded that Orochimaru’s fate and the Akatsuki’s success in taking the Nine-Tails would shape the coming war.

Konoha launched a worldwide search for Orochimaru after rumors linked him to the Fourth Hokage and half of the Nine-Tails. After Scorpion reported the rumor to Nagato, the Akatsuki Organization decided to find Orochimaru and claim the beast.

• Tsunade ordered Shizune to mobilize ANBU and search for Orochimaru, and Konoha sought help from other villages and black markets.
• Shinji revealed that his people had planted battle clues and rumors to spur Konoha's search and deliver information to the Akatsuki Organization.
• Shinji considered how to obtain the remaining Tailed Beasts and decided Haku might help him find the missing Fourth Mizukage.
• Scorpion told Nagato and Konan that Orochimaru had reportedly revived the Fourth Hokage, who held half of the Nine-Tails.
• Nagato ordered the Akatsuki Organization to find Orochimaru so they could take the Nine-Tails from the Fourth Hokage.

Naruto trained on Turtle Island and entered the True Waterfall to confront his inner darkness. As he faced a hostile version of himself, Ido sensed Naruto’s Inner Demon and rushed to the waterfall, where Jiraiya and Motoi watched Naruto stand motionless.

• Killer B trained Naruto in taijutsu and Tailed Beast Transformation before handing his instruction over to Motoi.
• Motoi brought Naruto to the True Waterfall and explained that he had to face his darkness to become a Perfect Jinchuriki.
• Naruto encountered a version of himself that accused him of hating Sasuke, Sakura, Shinji, Shikamaru, Killer B, and the villagers.
• Ido sensed an Inner Demon within Naruto, left Yakumo’s mindscape, and flew toward the True Waterfall to devour it.
• Yakumo, Jiraiya, and Motoi arrived and found Naruto standing motionless as he faced his dark side.

Naruto and Dark Naruto fought to a standstill inside the True Waterfall until Ido attacked and drained Dark Naruto’s negative emotions, only to be overpowered. Dark Naruto then defeated Naruto’s clone, escaped the weakened Ido, and renamed himself Uzumaki Menma.

• Naruto and Dark Naruto exchanged attacks inside the True Waterfall, arguing over whether their bonds with others were precious or harmful.
• Their powerful Rasengan clash sent both of them crashing to the ground, leaving them unable to rise.
• Ido seized the chance to attack Dark Naruto, but discovered he was draining the negative emotions that sustained her Spirit Body.
• Dark Naruto cast aside the weakened Ido and used Naruto’s confusion to gain the upper hand.
• Dark Naruto grabbed Naruto by the throat, but Naruto transformed into bubbles and vanished.
• Dark Naruto searched for Ido, found she had escaped, and declared that his name was now Uzumaki Menma.