Chapter Summaries

Yakumo realized that Shinji was the Akatsuki leader “A” and felt secure enough to offer him her help. After learning that Karin was “B” and Haku was “C,” Yakumo asked to spar with Karin, and Shinji recognized that Yakumo had been holding back her full abilities.

• Yakumo recognized Shinji as “A,” and Ido reacted with surprise before accepting that he was their master.
• Shinji explained that his hidden plans served to give the imperfect world a chance to survive, and Yakumo offered to help with dangerous missions.
• Yakumo asked whether Nameless was “B,” and Shinji told her that Karin held that role and Haku was “C.”
• Yakumo challenged Karin to a spar, and Shinji warned that Karin was powerful enough to threaten even him.
• Shinji realized Yakumo had not fully used her Yin Release, Five Senses Manipulation, Inner Demon, Red Dragon Eye, or Space-Time Dojutsu.

Shinji agreed to arrange sparring for Yakumo and Karin, while Yakumo and Ido speculated about the identities of their fellow organization members. Meanwhile, Tsunade and the village leaders decoded Itachi’s intelligence, learning that two rival Akatsuki Organizations might both be pursuing the Tailed Beasts.

• Shinji agreed to arrange sparring so Yakumo and Karin could gain combat experience, and he explained why Naruto would keep quiet about Yakumo unless she threatened the village.
• Yakumo and Ido guessed that 'E' was Sasuke, 'F' might be Kimimaro, 'G' was likely Neji, and 'X' might be Shion.
• An ANBU member reported that the village had cracked Itachi’s encrypted scroll, and Tsunade and the leaders examined its map of Akatsuki bases across the Shinobi World.
• Tsunade and the leaders read Itachi’s account of Nagato and the masked 'Madara Uchiha' leading one Akatsuki Organization, and learned that its members feared the group led by 'A.'
• Kakashi and the others concluded that the two Akatsuki Organizations were in conflict but might both be helping collect the Tailed Beasts to revive the Ten-Tails.

The village leaders reviewed Itachi’s intelligence about Nagato’s new Six Paths of Pain and debated whether to attack Akatsuki before it was ready. Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Hidan traveled to the Land of Demons to seize the Box of Paradise, where a pale, disheveled boy awaited them after an explosion sent them into a ravine.

• Tsunade unrolled Itachi’s intelligence, which said Nagato had made five captured Jinchuriki into new Six Paths of Pain and planned a decisive battle once he mastered them.
• Utatane Koharu warned that the intelligence could be an Akatsuki trap, while Kakashi argued the Allied Forces could not afford to wait.
• The Third proposed leaving the decision to the Kage Summit, and Tsunade ordered the villages to verify Itachi’s intelligence in the meantime.
• Nagato sent Kakuzu and Hidan to the Land of Demons to take the Box of Paradise, which was controlled by the demonized Muku.
• An explosion collapsed the mountain path, sending Kakuzu and Hidan into a ravine, where a pale-faced, disheveled boy appeared before them.

Kakuzu and Hidan fought Muku after he transformed into Gō, the monster formed from his fusion with the Box of Paradise. After defeating him, they sealed the unconscious Muku in a scroll and prepared to return with their target.

• Kakuzu and Hidan confronted Muku in the abyss, and Muku summoned the Box of Paradise and transformed into Gō.
• Gō sensed their evil thoughts and killing intent, making Kakuzu and Hidan unable to land attacks.
• Kakuzu used Hidan as bait to make Gō bleed, and Hidan used Blood-Death Possession to defeat him.
• Muku’s final attack split Hidan in two and destroyed three of Kakuzu’s hearts before Muku lost consciousness.
• Kakuzu stitched Hidan back together and sealed the unconscious Muku in a scroll.

Sasuke questioned Kakashi about Itachi’s encrypted scroll and the Uchiha massacre, but Kakashi could not give him answers. After hearing that Naruto planned to challenge Yakumo, Sasuke slipped into Naruto’s guarded training ground and challenged him to a spar.

• Sasuke trained his Ninja Tool Throwing and Lightning Release before Kakashi arrived and praised his progress.
• Sasuke pressed Kakashi for answers about Itachi, the encrypted scroll, and the Uchiha massacre, but Kakashi said he did not know enough to explain.
• Kakashi asked Sasuke what he knew about “A,” but Sasuke refused to comment and left the training ground.
• Sasuke overheard Sakura mention Naruto’s plan to challenge Yakumo and went to the gorge where Naruto was training.
• Sasuke challenged Naruto to test the secret technique he had learned in Kumogakure, and Jiraiya reluctantly let them spar.

Naruto revealed Nine-Tails Chakra Mode during a spar with Sasuke, who was surprised by Naruto’s speed, strength, and control of the Nine-Tails’ chakra. Naruto left Sasuke stunned by catching and hurling back his electrified giant shuriken with chakra arms.

• Naruto activated Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and explained that he had mastered it with the Fourth Hokage’s experience and the Yin Nine-Tails’ cooperation.
• Naruto rushed Sasuke and overwhelmed him with his speed and strength, prompting Sasuke to use Chidori and lightning-enhanced shuriken.
• Sasuke used a wired giant shuriken that fired blades and carried Lightning Release Chakra, forcing Naruto to block it with a kunai.
• Naruto’s kunai snapped under the giant shuriken’s force, but two chakra arms emerged from his shoulders and caught the weapon.
• Naruto snapped Sasuke’s wire and hurled the giant shuriken back, leaving Sasuke shocked by the chakra arms’ strength.

Sasuke struggled against Naruto’s Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and its many Shadow Clones, while Shizune and Sakura learned Yakumo was away training. Yakumo met Karin on the coast for a serious spar, and the chapter ended as Ido emerged to fight alongside her.

• Naruto attacked Sasuke with chakra-arm Rasengan, forcing Sasuke to defend himself with Susanoo.
• Naruto created dozens of Shadow Clones in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, leaving Sasuke stunned by the challenge.
• Shizune and Sakura visited Yakumo’s mother, learned Yakumo had gone to train, and decided to reschedule their spar.
• Yakumo met Karin at the coast and explained that she wanted to become more confident and true to herself.
• Haku took the role of referee as Yakumo released Ido from her mindscape, while Shinji watched from a distance.

Yakumo fought Karin along the coast, using Wood Release and Red Dragon’s spatial substitution to wound her despite Karin’s overwhelming defenses. Karin’s arm healed immediately, and the battle remained unresolved as Konoha patrol members watched from afar.

• A Konoha patrol squad heard distant fighting, and its captain sent Lian to report while the rest went to investigate.
• The squad discovered Yakumo and Karin fighting and recognized Karin’s fox mask and Yakumo’s Wood Release.
• Yakumo unleashed a vast forest of vines, but Karin repelled it with Shinra Tensei and hurled Yakumo away.
• Yakumo used Red Dragon to switch places with Ido and ambushed Karin during Shinra Tensei’s cooldown.
• Yakumo cut Karin’s right arm, but Karin’s regenerative ability healed the wound immediately.

Yakumo and Karin fought at full strength along the coast, revealing powerful Wood Release and dōjutsu abilities. After Yakumo used a blood clone to deceive Karin, the battle turned on a space swap, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Yakumo and Karin unleashed opposing seas of trees, forcing a Konoha patrol team to retreat from the devastated coastline.
• Yakumo sent three copies through the trees, and Karin used Banshō Ten'in to pull two in front of her as shields against a wind blade.
• The two captured Yakumos exploded as blood clones, but Karin absorbed some of their chakra and used the dust to lure Yakumo into her grasp.
• Karin claimed victory and struck Yakumo with a black rod, only for the captured figure to begin expanding as another fake.
• Yakumo swapped space with the blood clone in front of Karin rather than Ido behind her, leaving Karin turning toward the wrong threat.

Yakumo attacked Karin with the Red Dragon Eye’s Blood Blade, but Karin absorbed much of its power and emerged nearly unharmed. Yakumo realized Karin could weaken her ocular techniques and asked Ido to distract her for one second.

• Karin recognized Yakumo’s Blood Blade as the weapon Chiyo had used against her before the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Yakumo exchanged places with her Blood Clone and slashed at Karin, who repelled her with Shinra Tensei.
• Yakumo appeared behind Karin again and cut through the coastal cliff, but Karin used Seal Absorption and regeneration to avoid serious injury.
• Yakumo realized Karin weakened her ocular techniques by absorbing their Chakra.
• Yakumo asked Ido to buy her one second, and Ido agreed despite the risk.

Yakumo used Blood Clones and genjutsu to overwhelm Karin, then coordinated with Ido to interrupt Karin and detonate the clones around her. After switching places with Ido through Red Dragon, Yakumo appeared behind the blasted Karin and brought her Blood Blade down.

• Ido understood Yakumo's plan and flew into the sky as Karin pursued her.
• Yakumo created Blood Clones and lengthened their Blood Blades to attack Karin from every direction.
• Karin used Shinra Tensei to scatter the blades, but the blood droplets transformed into Yakumos that attacked her through genjutsu.
• Karin used Wood Release to fight the Yakumos, then tried Shinra Tensei when several began swelling to self-destruct.
• Ido entered Karin's body and briefly disrupted her, allowing Yakumo's Blood Clones to detonate at full power.
• Yakumo used Red Dragon to switch places with Ido and appeared behind Karin, swinging her Blood Blade down.

Yakumo seemed to gain the upper hand against Karin with her Red Dragon Eye and a series of coordinated attacks, but Karin had anticipated her final strike and trapped her with Adamantine Sealing Chains. Karin emerged from the explosions unharmed, leaving Yakumo bound and unable to use her Dojutsu.

• Konoha's patrol members and Haku watched Yakumo appear behind Karin with a massive Blood Blade and assumed Yakumo had won.
• Shinji observed Yakumo's use of the Red Dragon Eye and reflected that choosing her to develop it had been the right decision.
• Yakumo brought her Blood Blade down for a finishing strike, but it disintegrated as Karin's golden chains bound her and sealed her Chakra.
• The smoke cleared to reveal Karin standing unharmed, with only her clothes and Fox Mask damaged.
• Karin explained through her actions that she had tracked Ido with the Mind's Eye of the Kagura and activated her Adamantine Sealing Chains when Yakumo teleported to Ido's position.

After Karin defeated Yakumo in a destructive sparring match, the fighters revealed their identities to one another. Shinji removed his mask and explained why he had concealed his identity as their leader, leaving Karin and Haku reassured.

• Yakumo conceded defeat to Karin after their battle, and Haku pointed out the extensive damage they had caused to the coast and nearby woods.
• Karin's Fox Mask broke, so she dispelled her Transformation Technique and revealed her true appearance; Yakumo and Haku also removed their masks.
• Shinji arrived after the Konoha patrol team fled, and Yakumo told him she accepted her defeat.
• Shinji asked Karin and Haku if they had guessed his identity, then removed his mask and explained that he had hidden it because the situation had been unstable.

Shinji revealed his identity to Karin, Haku, and Yakumo, who accepted him without needing an explanation. Meanwhile, Naruto overwhelmed Sasuke in their spar, and Menma taunted Sasuke as he struggled to endure Naruto’s attacks.

• Karin, Haku, and Yakumo told Shinji they would follow him regardless of his identity, and Shinji ordered them to prepare to return to the village.
• Naruto’s Rasengan barrage damaged Sasuke’s Susanoo and forced him to retreat as the gathered spectators marveled at Naruto’s strength.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya judged that Sasuke could neither hit Naruto reliably nor win a battle of attrition against him.
• Sasuke, running low on stamina, decided he had to risk everything to turn the fight around.
• Menma mocked Sasuke from beside him, recalling Sasuke’s earlier claim that only losers howled, and drove him into a fury.

Sasuke activated his Cursed Seal and launched a dangerous Chidori attack, but Naruto stopped it and overwhelmed him with his chakra arms. Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade halted the spar before Naruto could seriously injure Sasuke, who was left stunned by his crushing defeat.

• Sasuke used his Cursed Seal's State Two after his Susanoo collapsed and attacked Naruto with Chidori.
• Sasuke found Naruto's true body among the Shadow Clones and caught him with Chidori, but Naruto blocked the strike with chakra arms.
• Sasuke extended Chidori into a Sharp Spear, and Naruto caught and extinguished it with his arms.
• Naruto counterattacked and battered Sasuke until Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade restrained him.
• Naruto realized he had badly beaten Sasuke, who acknowledged how thoroughly Naruto had defeated him.

After Naruto became a Perfect Jinchuriki, Tsunade learned that two Akatsuki members had fought near the southern coast and sent Jiraiya and Kakashi to investigate. The chapter left them preparing to uncover more about 'A's group ahead of the decisive battle.

• Sakura healed Sasuke after his spar with Naruto, and Sasuke rejected Naruto's help before leaving with a promise to win next time.
• Naruto told Tsunade that he had mastered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and become a Perfect Jinchuriki.
• Tsunade suggested that Naruto gain combat experience in Shinji's Takamagahara, but an ANBU arrived with urgent intelligence about Akatsuki near the southern coast.
• Tsunade learned that patrols believed Akatsuki members 'B' and 'D' had fought each other, puzzling the gathered shinobi.
• Jiraiya volunteered to investigate, and Kakashi joined him; Tsunade authorized them to bring ANBU and Intelligence Squad members.

Jiraiya and Kakashi investigated the coastal battlefield where Akatsuki members 'B' and 'D' had fought, finding evidence of devastating Wood Release and blood-based techniques. They left with leads to investigate First Hokage cells and Chiyo of Kusagakure.

• Jiraiya led an elite squad to the southern coast and questioned the patrol team about how it had encountered the Akatsuki fight and escaped.
• The patrol team's Chunin captain showed Jiraiya and Kakashi how the battle had flattened a long coastal cliff into a reef flat.
• Kakashi examined a cleanly sliced reef, and the captain said 'D' had cut it with a Blood Blade dozens of meters long.
• The captain identified 'D' by her Hannya Oni mask and described both 'B' and 'D' using Wood Release during their battle.
• Jiraiya and Kakashi concluded that the battlefield supported the report of an Akatsuki falling-out and discussed investigating First Hokage cells and Chiyo of Kusagakure.

Sasuke reported that Naruto had defeated him despite his use of Susanoo, while Shinji reflected on Naruto’s unexpected survival and wondered whether the Sage of Six Paths had secretly intervened. Shinji then took Nameless to Takamagahara to continue training, where her abilities had been improving rapidly.

• Sasuke told Shinji that Naruto had mastered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and defeated him despite his use of the Cursed Seal and Susanoo.
• Sasuke left determined to find a way to beat Naruto, and Haku and Karin departed for patrol.
• Shinji considered how Naruto’s near-death experience had led him to gain the Yin Nine-Tails and master Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and wondered whether the Sage of Six Paths had intervened.
• Shinji took Nameless into Takamagahara to train and refine the Twelve Palaces.
• Nameless’s training improved her bodily control and Taijutsu, strengthened her Chakra control and Yachihoko, and greatly increased her overall strength.

Shinji and Nameless discovered that prolonged use of the Twelve Palaces overstimulated the nervous system and delayed their body's responses. Shinji found a way to address the flaw through precise chakra control, though it would make the technique harder to master.

• Nameless's strength improved, and Shinji concluded that the Twelve Palaces helped her realize her potential.
• Shinji and Nameless sparred at full intensity for an hour, then noticed their bodies responding unusually slowly.
• Shinji realized the delay came from the nervous system being overstimulated whenever the Twelve Palaces stimulated the body's organs.
• Shinji warned that prolonged nervous-system stimulation could cause irreversible damage and decided the Twelve Palaces needed improvement.
• Shinji devised a solution: users could precisely stimulate their organs while avoiding the nervous network, but mastering the technique would become more difficult.

Shinji studied Konoha’s medical records to address the nervous-system danger in the Twelve Palaces, then tested an improved version with Nameless. Their test showed the revision prevented the numbness caused by prolonged use, but Shinji remained concerned that the technique might have other hidden risks.

• Shinji left Takamagahara and went to Konoha Hospital to study records about the nervous system.
• Shinji found that avoiding the hand’s most stimulation-sensitive nerve area could reduce the danger of the Twelve Palaces.
• Shinji and Nameless tested the original method on her left hand and the revised method on her right hand at the Military Police Force training ground.
• After forty-five minutes, Nameless felt numbness in her left hand, while the revised method kept her right hand active, confirming the improvement worked.
• Shinji warned Nameless that the Twelve Palaces might still have undiscovered problems and considered using more trainees to help identify them.