Recaps

Liao Wu ordered Deidara and Orochimaru to bring him Kurotsuchi and Tayuya, while Obito discovered a scroll listing dangerous figures sealed during the Warring States Period. Obito chose to seek out Nameless and her Yachihoko ability to help counter Liao Wu, then left to take Sasuke to the Akatsuki.

• Liao Wu ordered Deidara to contact Iwagakure and arrange to bring Kurotsuchi to him, and told Orochimaru to use Impure World Reincarnation to bring back Tayuya.
• Black Zetsu planted Warring States Sealing History among the Uchiha records, and Tobi found it while searching for information about Liao Wu.
• Obito learned that Uchiha Nanashi had the Yachihoko dojutsu, which could control minds and absorb chakra, and decided to find her seal.
• Obito told Zetsu to locate Nameless so he could use her power against Liao Wu, then left to take Sasuke to join the Akatsuki and test his abilities.

After the Great Toad Sage died, Fukasaku and Shima suspected Uchiha Ryobu and urged the Five Great Shinobi Villages to prepare for the danger he posed. Fukasaku then pushed Jiraiya to begin Naruto's senjutsu training, leaving Jiraiya to consider Naruto's readiness.

• Fukasaku and Shima questioned Gama Ryu about the Great Toad Sage's death and learned that a lightning cat had appeared at Mount Myōboku.
• Jiraiya suggested that Uchiha Ryobu had killed the Great Toad Sage, while Kakashi and Fukasaku proposed other explanations for the death.
• Shima vowed that Mount Myōboku would settle its score with Uchiha Ryobu, but Jiraiya and Fukasaku warned against attacking him recklessly.
• Fukasaku asked Tsunade to arrange a Five Kage Summit because the Akatsuki and Uchiha Ryobu threatened the Ninja World.
• Fukasaku urged Jiraiya to begin Naruto's senjutsu training, and Jiraiya objected that Naruto was not yet an adult.

Jiraiya and the others debated whether Naruto should travel to Mount Myōboku to learn senjutsu, but Koharu argued that the Leaf Village needed him to defend against Nagato and other threats. The toad sages agreed to teach Naruto Sage Mode in the village, while Tsunade challenged Jiraiya over his risky investigation of Nagato and he blamed himself for Nagato’s path.

• Sage Fukasaku praised Naruto’s rapid growth and suggested that learning senjutsu could make him an upgraded version of Minato.
• Tsunade told the group that Naruto had groped Shizune, and Sage Fukasaku dismissed the behavior as normal.
• Jiraiya supported Naruto learning senjutsu, but Koharu argued that Naruto needed to stay in the Leaf Village to protect it from Nagato and other threats.
• Sage Fukasaku agreed to return in a few days and teach Naruto Sage Mode in the Leaf Village instead of taking him to Mount Myōboku.
• Tsunade reprimanded Jiraiya for continuing his investigation after Nagato discovered him in Amegakure, and Jiraiya said he felt responsible for Nagato’s fate.

Jiraiya and Tsunade discussed Nagato’s transformation, their past losses, and the possibility that Orochimaru had survived by lingering inside Sasuke. They also reflected on Itachi’s role in the Uchiha massacre and the Leaf leadership’s responsibility, leaving Orochimaru’s fate and Sasuke’s Curse Mark to be watched.

• Jiraiya told Tsunade that Nagato had once been a sensitive, kind child and that Yahiko’s death likely changed Nagato and Konan.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade shared a drink and spoke about their losses, Orochimaru’s childhood, and the tragedies caused by the endless wars.
• Jiraiya explained that Orochimaru’s will might have resurfaced inside Sasuke during his fight with Itachi, but that Itachi may have removed it.
• Tsunade decided to watch whether Sasuke could still use Orochimaru’s Curse Mark in his next fight.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade mourned Itachi’s disgrace and recalled how Danzo ordered the Uchiha massacre while the Third Hokage accepted the decision and later disbanded Root.

Jiraiya parted from Tsunade after she drunkenly spoke of Dan, while Shizune helped her home. In Sunagakure, Gaara told Temari and Kankuro that the Leaf Village had located Akatsuki’s headquarters in Amegakure, then urged Temari to read the intelligence before deciding whether to attack.

• Jiraiya called Shizune out for eavesdropping, and she helped the drunken Tsunade to her feet.
• Temari and Kankuro visited Gaara in his office and asked what was troubling him about the joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Gaara explained that the Leaf Village hoped to use the exams to bring the Five Kage together to discuss Akatsuki.
• Gaara revealed that the Leaf Village’s intelligence placed Akatsuki’s headquarters in Amegakure.
• Temari urged Gaara to assemble the Sand’s ninja forces and attack the Rain Village, but Gaara told her to read the intelligence first.

Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara reviewed the Leaf Village’s intelligence on the Akatsuki and learned of its Rinnegan-wielding leader, its tailed-beast plan, and the threat of Madara Uchiha and the ancient Uchiha Ryobu. Gaara hoped the Five Great Shinobi Villages would meet to discuss the danger, while noting that Ryobu and the Akatsuki leader had already come into conflict.

• Temari and Kankuro read the Leaf Village’s report and were shocked that the Akatsuki leader possessed the Rinnegan and commanded six powerful Pains.
• Temari realized the Sand Village should not invade the Land of Rain, since the Akatsuki sought the tailed beasts and had already captured the One-Tails.
• Gaara said the Leaf Village had likely sent the intelligence to the other great villages, and Temari predicted Ōnoki and the Fourth Raikage would attend the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Gaara told Temari and Kankuro that Naruto had inspired the Hokage to use the exams to hold a Five Kage Summit, and they joked about Naruto’s chances of passing the written test.
• Gaara revealed Jiraiya’s report about Madara Uchiha and the ancient Uchiha Ryobu, whose power approached that of gods and who possessed the Rinnegan.
• Gaara said Ryobu and the Akatsuki leader had clashed, warning that the Five Great Shinobi Villages might not defeat them if they joined forces.

Fish Ball arrived in Sunagakure as Uchiha Ryobu’s envoy and demanded tribute from the Five Great Shinobi Villages in exchange for protection. Gaara recognized the threat he posed and asked what the Sand Village would have to offer.

• Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro discussed Ryobu’s arrival in the Land of Wind and feared that the Sand Village might be targeted after the Leaf Village.
• Fish Ball appeared in the Kazekage’s Office and introduced himself as Ryobu’s Summoning Beast, claiming his master had no wish to start another war.
• Fish Ball unleashed a burst of Chakra and demanded protection money from all Five Great Shinobi Villages, threatening to destroy Sunagakure and the Land of Wind.
• Fish Ball hypnotized Kankuro after he met his eyes, while Temari broke the illusion and Gaara realized the office had been isolated by a Barrier.
• Gaara acknowledged Ryobu’s power and asked Fish Ball what tribute the Sand Village would need to provide.

Gaara refused Fish Ball’s demand that Temari become Liao Wu’s offering in exchange for Sand Village’s protection. Temari offered herself as a slave, but Gaara stood between her and Fish Ball, declaring that he would not repeat his father’s cruelty.

• Fish Ball said Liao Wu wanted women and demanded that Sand Village offer Temari in exchange for protection.
• Gaara rejected the demand, saying he would not sacrifice his sister’s happiness for the village’s safety.
• Fish Ball challenged Gaara to guarantee everyone’s happiness and argued that the village’s poor would suffer in a war.
• Temari offered to become Liao Wu’s slave, believing the sacrifice could buy peace for Sand Village.
• Gaara pulled Temari behind him with his sand and declared that he would never become like his father because he had only just crawled out of hell.

Fish Ball’s diplomatic visit to Sand Village ended with Candy stopping him from seeking a personal bribe, while Gaara and his siblings considered Sage Riri’s power and Temari’s possible marriage. Gaara decided to investigate Sage Riri and inform Leaf Village, leaving Temari’s willingness to sacrifice herself as a last resort.

• Fish Ball assured Gaara that refusing Liao Wu’s marriage proposal would not start a war, then asked for a pretty female cat as a side deal.
• Candy kicked Fish Ball, reminded Gaara that her master’s honored title was Sage Riri, and used Kunado God to take Fish Ball away.
• Kankuro and Temari confirmed Candy had left nothing dangerous behind, and Gaara concluded that Sage Riri’s envoys were powerful and should be treated cautiously while Akatsuki remained their priority.
• Temari said she might accept marriage as a transaction if it could turn the desert into an oasis, while Kankuro warned that she could be treated as a slave.
• Gaara promised to investigate Sage Riri, told Temari not to sell herself short, and agreed to make her sacrifice only a last resort.
• Gaara told Temari to send word to Leaf Village about the visit.

Candy and Fish Ball reached the Leaf Village, where Liao Wu was disguised as Naruto and working at Ichiraku Ramen. After flirting with Ayame and leaving the shop, Liao Wu met Candy and Fish Ball, then asked Candy whether she could transform into a Cat Girl.

• Candy and Fish Ball followed their route to the Leaf Village to deliver Sage Riri's message and political demands.
• Liao Wu worked at Ichiraku Ramen while Teuchi and Ayame urged him to study for the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Liao Wu embraced Ayame, asked her out if he passed the exams, and tried to kiss her before Teuchi returned.
• Teuchi paid Liao Wu for his work and sent him off with a reminder to study, while Ayame made a face at him as he left.
• Candy and Fish Ball teleported to Liao Wu's side under an illusion, and Liao Wu asked Candy if she could turn into a Cat Girl.

Liao Wu planned to pressure Sand Village into giving him Temari and arranged to target women in Leaf Village, including Uzuki Yugao. After secretly placing a Spore in Yugao and controlling two Anbu, he made her suffer a recurring itch while she continued guarding Naruto.

• Liao Wu told Candy and Fish Ball he would make Sand Village seek his help, then ordered Candy to cut off its funding by controlling the Land of Wind's Daimyo.
• Liao Wu rejected Fish Ball's suggestion of Utatane Koharu and declared he would make Tsunade bear him ten Uchiha children as payback for the Uchiha Clan massacre.
• Liao Wu ordered Candy to plant a Spore in Uzuki Yugao while Candy and Fish Ball went to negotiate with Tsunade.
• Candy and Fish Ball left the Anbu watching Liao Wu, and Liao Wu prepared to visit Hong with Ino.
• Liao Wu secretly controlled Tiger Mark Mask and Eagle Mask with Yachihoko, and they left Yugao alone to guard Naruto.
• Liao Wu used his Remote Control to make Yugao feel an itch from the Spore, but she stayed on duty because Naruto remained at risk from the Akatsuki.

Liao Wu and Ino visited Kurenai, and Liao Wu prepared an A-rank illusion technique as a gift to help her continue her work as a ninja. At Asuma’s home, Liao Wu broke down weeping before Asuma’s memorial tablet.

• Liao Wu met Ino at the Yamanaka Flower Shop, where she chose pink carnations for Kurenai and he decided to bring her an illusion technique scroll.
• Liao Wu gave Ino the A-rank Phantom Dream Ruins scroll to deliver to Kurenai, explaining that the technique should be put to use rather than left forgotten.
• Liao Wu made Ino a golden rose with Wood Style, and she accepted it before leaving the shop with him.
• Yugao watched Liao Wu and Ino leave together and wondered how many women he was pursuing, then felt as if someone had cursed her.
• Liao Wu and Ino arrived at Asuma’s home, where Liao Wu wept before Asuma’s memorial tablet.

Liao Wu comforted Hong while pretending to blame himself for Asuma’s death, hoping to deepen her need for him. As he reflected on Naruto’s mistreatment and the Third Hokage’s failures, he decided to seek a cruel revenge on Danzo and the Shimura clan.

• Hong told Liao Wu that he had avenged Asuma by killing Kakuzu, while Liao Wu falsely blamed himself for Asuma’s death and the Nine-Tails sealed inside him.
• Hong admitted that she had once resented Naruto because her father died during the Nine-Tails’ Rampage, but said she later understood Naruto had been made a scapegoat.
• Liao Wu judged that the Third Hokage had failed Naruto despite being a good man, and thought the village should have honored and raised the Fourth Hokage’s son as its future leader.
• Liao Wu decided that killing Danzo would be too easy and imagined torturing the Shimura clan to test whether Danzo cared about them.
• Liao Wu told Hong that he had considered dying to end the Nine-Tails’ harm, and Hong tearfully embraced him.

Fish Ball delivered Uchiha Ryobu’s demand to Tsunade, threatening the Leaf Village over the Uchiha Massacre, while Liao Wu asked Kurenai to teach him Illusion Techniques. The chapter left Tsunade furious and Liao Wu with a chance to address Naruto’s supposed weakness.

• Tsunade discussed the Chunin Ninja Exams and Akatsuki with Shizune and Sakura, noting that Sand and Mist would attend while the Tsuchikage and Raikage would not.
• Fish Ball appeared in Tsunade’s office and declared that he was Uchiha Ryobu’s envoy.
• Fish Ball demanded that Tsunade bear Ryobu ten children as compensation for the Uchiha Massacre, and Tsunade attacked him.
• Fish Ball vanished after warning Tsunade that the Leaf Village would regret refusing Ryobu’s friendship.
• Kurenai refused Liao Wu’s valuable A-rank Illusion Technique scroll, and Liao Wu asked her to teach him Illusion Techniques instead.

Liao Wu persuaded Hong to become his Illusion Technique teacher, and she agreed to train him at her home each afternoon. After dinner, his promise to protect the village inspired Hong to believe he could become a Hokage greater than those before him.

• Liao Wu told Hong he had awakened Yin Release Chakra in Rōran, and Hong confirmed his aptitude for Illusion Techniques.
• Hong agreed to teach Liao Wu and accepted his Illusion Technique scroll after Ino and Liao Wu urged her to take it.
• Hong noticed that Ino and Liao Wu were dating and worried about how Hinata would feel, but decided not to interfere.
• After dinner, Hong warned Liao Wu and Ino about the dangers of the ninja world, and Liao Wu promised to protect everyone and become Hokage.
• Hong resolved to help Liao Wu overcome his weakness, and Ino asked him to protect her as they left together.

Liao Wu pursued Ino, then returned home and discussed his plans with Fish Ball and Candy while Yugao spied on him. After realizing Naruto had been possessed by Liao Wu, Yugao tried to warn her colleagues, only to discover the Anbu had surrounded her and bowed to Liao Wu.

• Liao Wu kissed Ino, but she refused to go further and left him wanting to win her over with time.
• Liao Wu returned to Naruto's home, where Fish Ball and Candy reported on their visits to the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Liao Wu told Candy to offer Cloud Village a way to revive Killer B in exchange for Samui after Itachi killed the Eight-Tails.
• Yugao overheard the conversation and concluded that Liao Wu, Uchiha Ryobu, had possessed Naruto's body.
• Yugao tried to tell Tiger Mark that Naruto had been possessed, but realized the Anbu had surrounded her instead of Liao Wu.
• Liao Wu emerged as the Anbu bowed to him and asked Yugao what she had been about to say.

Liao Wu revealed himself to Yugao as Uchiha Ryobu and used Spore and Yachihoko to control her body and thoughts. Meanwhile, his envoys announced his new title, Sage Riri, and said he would avoid war while focusing on increasing the Uchiha population.

• Yugao accused Liao Wu of being Uchiha Ryobu and deduced that he had used Naruto’s memories to come to the present.
• Liao Wu dismissed the Anbu and had Fish Ball prepare Yugao, but he rejected Fish Ball’s Illusion Technique when it left her without an emotional response.
• Liao Wu implanted Spore and Yachihoko in Yugao, gave her a Succubus Pattern, and warned that she could neither kill herself nor report him.
• Liao Wu argued that exposing him as Naruto could destabilize the Leaf Village and undermine its hopes of resisting the Akatsuki.
• Tsunade received reports that Liao Wu’s envoys had reached Iwagakure and the Cloud Village with a message announcing his title, Sage Riri, and his plans to avoid war and increase the Uchiha population.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Leaf Village’s elders discussed Liao Wu’s plan to pursue powerful women from the Five Great Shinobi Villages, while Akatsuki assessed its losses and planned to capture the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails. Akatsuki decided to leave Liao Wu alone for now, and Obito doubted Sasuke could keep pace with Naruto.

• Tsunade learned that Liao Wu had set his sights on her and vowed to make him pay, while Jiraiya questioned his motives.
• Pain refused to rescue Deidara and assigned himself and Konan to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Obito volunteered to pursue the Eight-Tails and test Sasuke, and Pain said Sasuke could replace Itachi if he succeeded.
• White Zetsu reported that Liao Wu was building a city in Rōran and had sent ninja cats to offer peace to the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Pain decided Akatsuki would postpone dealing with Liao Wu until after capturing the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails and reviving the Ten-Tails.
• Obito ended his part in the meeting and doubted Sasuke could match Naruto without Itachi’s eyes.

Obito recruited Sasuke and Hawk Team into Akatsuki, then assigned them to capture the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. Meanwhile, Orochimaru found Kabuto reanimating Sasori and Kakuzu, and Kakuzu asked what had happened to Akatsuki.

• Obito told Sasuke that Hawk Team needed Akatsuki's power to destroy the Leaf Village and gave them Akatsuki uniforms.
• Obito assigned Sasuke and Hawk Team their first mission: capture the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki in the Cloud Village.
• Orochimaru returned to a former Underground Base in the Land of Fields and found Kabuto preparing Sasori's Reanimation Body.
• Kabuto reanimated Sasori and Kakuzu, and Sasori blamed Orochimaru before realizing Kabuto had taken control of the technique.
• Kabuto asked Orochimaru about his return and his interest in Sasuke, but Orochimaru said he was no longer interested in Sasuke.
• Kakuzu interrupted Orochimaru and Kabuto to ask what had happened to Akatsuki.

Orochimaru told Sasori and Kakuzu that Akatsuki had lost members and that Tobi claimed to be Madara Uchiha, then invited them to join Dusk. He described Dusk’s goal of balancing the Five Great Shinobi Nations and Akatsuki, while Kabuto realized Orochimaru also wanted to recover the Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques he had collected.

• Kabuto told Kakuzu and Sasori that Akatsuki still needed the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, while Deidara had been captured and Itachi had died.
• Orochimaru revealed that Tobi claimed to be Madara Uchiha and had watched Deidara fight Sasuke, who later joined Akatsuki.
• Orochimaru introduced Dusk as an organization that sought to balance the Five Great Shinobi Nations and Akatsuki, creating a third power.
• Orochimaru invited Sasori and Kakuzu to join Dusk and said it would collect secret techniques and revive vanished Kekkei Genkai.
• Kabuto realized that Orochimaru wanted to recover the Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques he had gathered over the years.

Kabuto refused to give Orochimaru his legacy and fought him while controlling Sasori and Kakuzu. Meanwhile, Sasuke’s Hawk Team infiltrated Kumagakure, learned where Killer B was training, and set off toward Cloud Thunder Canyon.

• Kabuto told Orochimaru he intended to become and surpass him, then refused to hand over his legacy.
• Orochimaru attacked Kabuto with Shadow Snake Hand, and Kabuto used Sasori and Kakuzu as puppets to counter him.
• Sasuke led Hawk Team into Kumagakure after Obito and Zetsu left them to investigate on their own.
• Suigetsu captured a Yotsuki Clan Ninja but crushed his throat before Karin pointed out why he could not speak.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan to force the Ninja to reveal that Killer B was training at Cloud Thunder Canyon and what he looked like.
• Sasuke knocked the Ninja unconscious and left with Karin and the others.

Hawk Team arrived at Cloud and Thunder Gorge to pursue the Eight-Tails while, in the Leaf Village, Sage Fukasaku visited Liao Wu disguised as Naruto and offered to begin teaching him Senjutsu. The chapter ended with Fukasaku deciding that the Akatsuki threat made Naruto’s early training urgent.

• Hawk Team reached Cloud and Thunder Gorge, where Jugo sensed the place eased his urge to kill and Sasuke ordered Karin to locate the Eight-Tails.
• Liao Wu visited Hong’s home to study Illusion Techniques while Yugao secretly watched him and struggled against his control.
• Hong explained how Illusion Techniques manipulated an opponent’s senses and mental energy.
• Sage Fukasaku arrived, greeted Hong, and recognized Liao Wu’s resemblance to Minato.
• Fukasaku explained Senjutsu and Sage Mode, then said Mount Myōboku would teach Naruto because Akatsuki and the Evil Uchiha posed an immediate threat.

Liao Wu arranged for a Spore Clone to learn Sage Art from Sage Fukasaku while he studied Illusion Techniques with Yūhi Kurenai. At Orochimaru’s former base, Kabuto summoned Salamander Hanzō to join the battle against Orochimaru.

• Liao Wu pretended to consider learning Sage Art and persuaded Sage Fukasaku to let Yūhi Kurenai teach him the basics of Illusion Techniques.
• Liao Wu created a Spore Clone to train with Sage Fukasaku while he studied Illusion Techniques with Yūhi Kurenai.
• Orochimaru easily fought the weakened Impure World Reincarnations of Sasori and Kakuzu, who lacked the tools and hearts needed for their full strength.
• Kabuto summoned a coffin marked “Demigod,” and Salamander Hanzō emerged from it.
• Hanzō recognized Orochimaru, realized he had been revived through Impure World Reincarnation, and remembered Pain killing him.

Kabuto used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hanzō and force him to fight Orochimaru, who defended himself with help from the mysterious Snow Leopard. Kabuto and Kakuzu recognized the cat’s Sharingan and Rinnegan, and Kakuzu demanded to know what Snow Leopard had done to Pain.

• Kabuto revealed that a mysterious man had supplied him with Hanzō’s DNA, and Hanzō realized he had been summoned to fight Orochimaru.
• Kabuto took control of Hanzō, who asked whether he could refuse and then released his powerful Poison Gas.
• Orochimaru recalled Hanzō’s past strength and prepared to fight despite struggling to form hand signs.
• Orochimaru summoned Snow Leopard, who attacked Kabuto from underground; Kabuto escaped with the Great Snake Style Substitution Technique.
• Kabuto and Kakuzu spotted the Sharingan and Rinnegan in Snow Leopard’s eyes, and Kakuzu asked what the cat had done to Pain.

Orochimaru and Snow Leopard confronted Kabuto and summoned the Meow Six Paths, while Killer B encountered Sasuke’s Hawk Team at Cloud Thunder Canyon. Killer B declared that art never died as the two sides prepared to clash.

• Orochimaru introduced Snow Leopard as Dusk’s leader’s summoning beast, and Snow Leopard rebuked him for acting like a backstabber.
• Orochimaru said Kabuto would not cooperate, so Snow Leopard summoned the Meow Six Paths to face Kabuto and his three Reanimation Bodies.
• Killer B left Cloud Thunder Canyon after training and spoke with Eight-Tails about being confined there for his protection.
• Sasuke and Hawk Team emerged from the mist, and Sasuke identified Killer B as the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Killer B traded insults with Hawk Team over his rap before explaining that art preserved fleeting feelings and could be passed down through generations.