Recaps

Liao Wu used Sasori’s Regeneration Core to control over a hundred people with the Hundred Puppet Technique, winning the battle against Pakura and inspiring Sunagakure’s Puppet Masters to revere Sasori. Pakura conceded, and Liao Wu released everyone he had controlled.

• Liao Wu used Sasori’s Regeneration Core to spread hundreds of Chakra Threads and take control of more than a hundred people on the battlefield.
• Chiyo explained that the Hundred Puppet Technique was a supposedly impossible pinnacle of Puppet Technique, while Sunagakure’s Puppet Masters hailed Sasori as a hero and began fervently following him.
• Liao Wu controlled the elders and Pakura’s allies, leaving Pakura unable to attack without harming her people.
• Pakura admitted defeat and demanded that Liao Wu release her subordinates, and he withdrew his Chakra Threads.
• Rasa told Pakura not to make divisive remarks after losing to Sasori, and Pakura held Kurenai’s hand and snorted coldly.

The elders ordered Pakura to watch Sasori while Liao Wu moved in with Chiyo and Ebizo and claimed he had spent years investigating the Third Kazekage’s killer. His story led Chiyo to suspect that Madara Uchiha had used the Mangekyō Sharingan to take the Third Kazekage, leaving Liao Wu’s cover intact.

• The elders ordered Pakura to stay beside Sasori until Anbu confirmed he posed no threat, and Pakura reluctantly agreed.
• Chiyo brought Liao Wu to live with her and Ebizo, where Pakura and Kurenai remained to watch him.
• Liao Wu invented a story about training in the Hundred Puppet Technique and claimed he had left the village to investigate the Third Kazekage’s killer.
• Liao Wu described a masked man with a patterned Sharingan who used Space-Time Ninjutsu to take the Third Kazekage.
• Chiyo and Ebizo identified the eye as the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Chiyo concluded that the culprit might be Madara Uchiha pursuing Shukaku.

Liao Wu brought Pakura and her student to Chiyo and Ebizo’s home, where Chiyo showed him Sasori’s childhood room and the Puppet parents he had made in his family’s likeness. Sasori’s memories resurfaced as Liao Wu questioned Chiyo about whether death and tragedy could be undone, leaving her silent.

• Pakura dismissed the claim that Madara Uchiha still possessed overwhelming power and vowed to challenge him after the Five Kage Summit.
• Liao Wu, Pakura, Chiyo, and Ebizo argued as they traveled to Chiyo and Ebizo’s secluded residence.
• Chiyo welcomed Liao Wu and arranged rooms for Pakura and her student, while Ebizo planned to obtain two wild dogs for Sasori.
• Chiyo showed Liao Wu Sasori’s childhood photographs, toys, and the two Puppets he had made to resemble his parents.
• Liao Wu asked Chiyo whether she could change his tragic ending and reunite his family, and Chiyo fell silent.

Chiyo told Liao Wu about her unfinished Life Reincarnation technique and its limits, while Liao Wu proposed using Impure World Reincarnation to bring Sasori's parents back. Sasori chose not to revive them, and Liao Wu resolved to learn the technique as Chiyo's courtyard filled with the smell of dog meat.

• Chiyo told Liao Wu that Life Reincarnation could grant life to puppets but was unfinished and could not easily revive Sasori's long-dead parents.
• Liao Wu suggested using the Leaf Village's Impure World Reincarnation to summon Sasori's parents' souls, and Chiyo considered sacrificing herself to revive one of them.
• Liao Wu suggested that Ebizo learn Life Reincarnation and give his life to revive the other parent, shocking Chiyo.
• Chiyo refused to teach Liao Wu the unfinished technique and said they had to defeat Madara Uchiha first.
• After Chiyo left, Liao Wu asked Sasori whether he wanted his parents revived, but Sasori refused because they could die in war again.
• Liao Wu decided to find a way to learn Life Reincarnation, then smelled the dog meat Chiyo had brought to the courtyard.

Rasa’s family learned that Sasori had returned to Sand Village with the Hundred Puppet Technique, strengthening the village but threatening Rasa’s position. Rasa also hid his plan to seal Shukaku inside the child Karura was carrying.

• Liao Wu replaced Sasori’s Regeneration Core and followed the smell of food while Heimaru caught the scent of dog meat at Chiyo’s home.
• At Rasa’s home, Temari and Kankuro eagerly ate the meal Yashamaru had prepared while Rasa remained distracted.
• Yashamaru mentioned Sasori’s return, and Rasa told Karura and the children that Sasori had mastered the Hundred Puppet Technique.
• Karura welcomed Sasori’s return as a major boost for Sand Village, while Rasa privately worried that Sasori could threaten his position.
• Rasa concealed his plan to make Karura’s unborn child Shukaku’s Jinchuriki because the teapot sealing the Tailed Beast was unreliable.

Rasa told Karura that their unborn child would be made Shukaku’s Jinchuriki because the teapot seal was failing and the village needed control of Shukaku. Karura accepted the decision, while Kankuro’s insistence on seeing Sasori led Rasa to beat him and then allow the visit.

• Rasa sent Yashamaru away with Temari and Kankuro so he could speak privately with Karura about Shukaku.
• Yashamaru refused Kankuro’s request to visit Sasori, and Kankuro sulked and refused to eat.
• Rasa explained that the weakening seal left the village with no time to spare before the Five Kage Summit, and Karura agreed to prepare their unborn child for Shukaku’s sealing.
• Karura took food to her room, leaving Rasa alone with his worries.
• After Kankuro repeatedly demanded to see Sasori, Yashamaru told Rasa, who beat Kankuro and then agreed to let him visit Sasori.

Rasa sent Kankuro and Temari to visit Chiyo, hoping Chiyo would teach Kankuro the Puppet Technique and that he could improve his relationship with Sasori. At Chiyo’s house, Kankuro eagerly met Sasori, while Temari was surprised by how handsome he was.

• Rasa arranged for Yashamaru to take Kankuro and Temari to Chiyo’s house, bringing monkfish as a gift.
• Kankuro hurried toward Chiyo’s house, excited to meet Sasori, while Temari warned him to behave.
• Temari, Kankuro, and Yashamaru arrived at Chiyo’s house and were welcomed inside to eat dog meat.
• Liao Wu and Pakura competed over the food while Ebizo watched Sasori’s newfound playfulness.
• Chiyo introduced Rasa’s children to Sasori, and Temari’s first impression of the handsome Puppet Master overturned her assumptions about Puppet Masters.

Liao Wu, inhabiting Sasori, shared a meal with Chiyo’s family and argued with Temari and Pakura. He explained Madara Uchiha’s revival and warned them about Uchiha Ryobu, but Pakura dismissed his warning.

• Temari defended Kankuro after Liao Wu mocked his dream of becoming a Puppet Master, then called Sasori arrogant and pointed out that he had defected.
• Chiyo stopped Liao Wu from retaliating against Temari and invited Temari, Kankuro, and Yashamaru to eat with the others.
• Pakura said she refused to acknowledge either Sasori or Rasa, while Chiyo urged everyone to unite against Madara Uchiha.
• Temari asked who Madara was, and Liao Wu told her and Kankuro about the threat he posed.
• Pakura revealed that Uchiha Ryobu had revived Madara, and Liao Wu warned that Ryobu was a dangerous Uchiha genius.
• Pakura mocked Liao Wu’s warning by pointing out that Ryobu had remained a Chunin for half his life.

Liao Wu pretended to order Temari and Kankuro to fight Madara Uchiha, then learned Sand Village planned to make Karura’s unborn child Shukaku’s Jinchuriki. He volunteered to bear Shukaku instead, but Grandma Chiyo refused because the village needed his strength against Madara.

• Liao Wu ordered Temari and Kankuro to eliminate Madara Uchiha, but Temari called him shameless and Yashamaru took the children away to play.
• Yashamaru explained how Sand Village had changed since Sasori left while Liao Wu pretended to listen and watched Pakura.
• Grandma Chiyo asked Yashamaru whether Rasa had told Karura she would become Shukaku’s Jinchuriki, and Yashamaru confirmed she could not refuse.
• Liao Wu threatened Yashamaru with a Chakra Thread until he revealed that the village planned to seal Shukaku inside Karura’s unborn child.
• Liao Wu volunteered to become Shukaku’s Jinchuriki, but Grandma Chiyo refused because Sand Village needed him to fight Madara Uchiha.

Chiyo decided to seal Shukaku inside the fetus in Karura’s womb before the Five Kage Summit, while Pakura volunteered to help suppress him. Ryobu tried to join the sealing team, but Chiyo’s suspicions about Sasori’s changed behavior kept growing as he withdrew in apparent anger.

• Chiyo told Ryobu she believed the Ninja World could defeat Madara Uchiha through its combined strength, then dismissed Uchiha Ryobu as easy to eliminate.
• Chiyo decided Shukaku would be sealed inside Karura’s unborn child before the Five Kage Summit and moved somewhere secluded afterward.
• Pakura agreed to help suppress Shukaku, explaining to Yashamaru that she was doing it for Karura and him, not to curry favor with Rasa.
• Ryobu asked Yashamaru to let him join the sealing team, then used Chakra Threads to control and slap him before Sasori warned him that Chiyo was watching.
• Ryobu pretended to be offended by Sand Village’s distrust and returned to his room, while Chiyo watched him leave and continued questioning whether Sasori had truly changed.

Liao Wu took Temari to his room, where she met his cat summoning beasts and saw him use Wood Style to restore her damaged lilies. He began warning her about Shukaku, but had not yet explained the disaster threatening her family.

• Liao Wu told Temari that disaster was about to strike her family and brought her to his room.
• Temari met Snow Leopard, Nekomata, and Candy, and watched Candy control Sasori's puppets with chakra threads.
• Snow Leopard shredded Temari's lilies, so Liao Wu used Wood Style to make them bloom again.
• Temari asked to learn Liao Wu's flower-growing ninjutsu, but he refused and stopped her from crying by threatening to sic Snow Leopard on her.
• Liao Wu asked Temari whether she knew about Shukaku, and she described the creature from folk legends.

Liao Wu told Temari that Sunagakure planned to seal Shukaku into Karura’s unborn child and recruited her to spy on her parents so he could intervene. After Temari left, Liao Wu practiced Yin Yang Release and argued with Sasori before Temari returned with news that Kankuro had been stung by Liao Wu’s scorpion.

• Liao Wu showed Temari an illusion of Shukaku attacking Sunagakure and explained that Rasa planned to make her unborn brother the next Jinchuriki.
• Temari begged Liao Wu to save Karura and her brother, and he gave her a Spider Spy so she could communicate with him using Chakra.
• Liao Wu ordered Temari to spy on her parents and report their plans, especially any trip Rasa planned with Karura.
• After Temari left, Liao Wu practiced Yin Yang Release while Snow Leopard and Nekomata resumed their battle, and he provoked Sasori by saying he might bring Sasori’s mother puppet to life.
• Temari returned and told Liao Wu that Kankuro had been stung by the scorpion he kept, so Liao Wu took Sasori into his body and went with her.

Liao Wu used advanced Medical Ninjutsu to cure Kankuro after a Red-tailed Scorpion stung him. Chiyo marveled at Sasori’s abilities and handed him the scorpion he had raised.

• Temari brought Liao Wu to Chiyo’s Underground Space, where Kankuro was suffering from the Red-tailed Scorpion’s poison.
• Liao Wu examined Kankuro and used the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to draw out the poison and heal his arm.
• Kankuro thanked Liao Wu and wanted to ask him for a lesson, but Liao Wu called him stupid and sent him away.
• Liao Wu told Chiyo he had learned Medical Ninjutsu while treating himself as a rogue ninja, and Chiyo struggled to believe his explanation.
• Chiyo handed Liao Wu the Red-tailed Scorpion after noticing his interest in it.

Liao Wu, still posing as Sasori, spent the evening with Chiyo and the others while Chiyo defended him and planned to clear his name at the Elder Council. After Ebizo left, Chiyo was alone with her grief over the grandson she believed had been replaced by a stranger.

• Liao Wu said goodbye to Yashamaru, Temari, and Kankuro, then mocked Kankuro's dream of becoming a Puppet Master until the boy cried.
• Chiyo offered to find Sasori a girlfriend, and Liao Wu suggested Pakura, who argued with him and insisted on keeping watch in the next room.
• Chiyo stopped Pakura from sleeping beside Sasori and promised to blame Madara Uchiha for the Third Kazekage's death at the Elder Council meeting.
• Liao Wu left with the box containing the Red-tailed Scorpion, and Chiyo told Ebizo not to spoil her happiness by voicing his suspicions.
• Ebizo left Chiyo alone, and she crouched in the darkness and silently mourned the grandson she believed had been killed and replaced.

Chiyo reunited with Sasori, who revealed that he had become a Human Puppet and explained that Uchiha Ryobu had defeated him and taken his place in the Sand Village. Sasori put Chiyo to sleep so she would forget their meeting, then left the basement.

• Chiyo recognized the Red-tailed Scorpion as Sasori, and he confirmed that he had turned himself into a Human Puppet three years earlier.
• Sasori admitted that he had killed the Third Kazekage and told Chiyo that he had been defeated by Uchiha Ryobu, who took his Regeneration Core and impersonated him.
• Sasori explained that Uchiha Ryobu planned to capture One-Tails Shukaku and possessed the First Hokage's Wood Style and a Sharingan nearing the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Sasori used an Illusion Technique to put Chiyo to sleep and make her forget their reunion, then made her a bed and covered her with blankets.
• Sasori left the basement after ensuring Chiyo was warm.

Liao Wu kept Chiyo and Ebizo from discovering the truth about Sasori, then recruited Temari as a spy and gave her the codename Sand Sable. Chiyo woke believing Sasori had returned and resolved to arrange his marriage to Pakura so she could meet a great-grandchild.

• Liao Wu used an Illusion Technique to alter Ebizo's suspicions, and Ebizo agreed to let him keep pretending to be Sasori for Chiyo's sake.
• Liao Wu controlled Sasori, now fused with the Red-tailed Scorpion, and threatened him while taking him back to his room.
• Sasori alerted Liao Wu that Temari was trying to contact him, and Liao Wu spoke with her through the Spore transmission channel.
• Temari reported that her mother had kicked her father out of the room and asked whether her mother was angry about the plan to seal Shukaku inside her.
• Liao Wu named Temari Sand Sable and instructed her to keep watching her parents so she could help save her mother.
• Chiyo woke from her dream of a happy life for Sasori, remembered that he had returned, and decided Pakura could become his wife.

The Sand Village elders debated Sasori’s role in the Third Kazekage’s disappearance, and Rasa helped Chiyo persuade them to revoke Sasori’s wanted status. Meanwhile, Liao Wu learned the elders’ decision and planned to let Sasori deal with those who opposed Chiyo and Ebizo, then joined the others for a meal.

• Chiyo argued that Madara Uchiha’s Space-Time Ninjutsu could explain the Third Kazekage’s disappearance, while the elders acknowledged there was no proof Sasori had killed him.
• Chiyo warned that Sasori’s Hundred Puppet Technique made him too dangerous to interrogate or threaten, and Rasa backed her account of Sasori’s loyalty to the Previous Kazekage.
• Rasa proposed looking for the Previous Kazekage in Amegakure, and the elders unanimously canceled Sasori’s wanted order, naming him Sand Village’s Styling Puppet Master.
• Candy told Liao Wu about the meeting, and he ordered her to gather the names of elders opposing Chiyo and Ebizo for Sasori to handle.
• Liao Wu discovered his Transformation Technique had worn off, absorbed Sasori’s Chakra, and shocked Sasori until he agreed to call him Master.
• Liao Wu joined Chiyo, Ebizo, Pakura, and Kurenai for a meal, where he traded taunts with Pakura.

Liao Wu, posing as Sasori, accepted reinstatement in the Sand Village while planning to seize control of it and keep Pakura close. After lunch, he set out with Pakura to visit Temari's Home, but Heimaru bit him and fled, prompting Liao Wu to chase him on all fours.

• Chiyo told Liao Wu that Sasori's wanted status had been lifted and he could resume command of the Puppet Force.
• Pakura challenged Sasori's reinstatement, but Liao Wu threatened Kurenai with Chakra Threads to stop her from confronting Rasa.
• Liao Wu let the group eat lunch, explained that he had enlarged the Red-tailed Scorpion with Chakra, and shared millet cakes with it.
• Chiyo sent Pakura to show Liao Wu around the village, and Liao Wu said he wanted to visit Temari's Home.
• Heimaru bit Liao Wu and ran off, so Liao Wu transformed into a four-legged prehistoric form and chased him.

Liao Wu confronted Heimaru in Sunagakure while disguised as Sasori, then revealed himself and threatened Tsume to make the dog submit. He spared Heimaru, planted a Spore Clone to monitor him, and asked him to obtain the Inuzuka Clan’s Twin-Headed Wolf Transformation before Pakura arrived.

• Liao Wu caught Heimaru, who recognized him as Uchiha Ryobu and identified Sasori by scent.
• Liao Wu threatened to kill Tsume and her unborn child, prompting Heimaru to beg for mercy and pledge his loyalty to protect her.
• Heimaru offered himself as food, and Liao Wu promised not to eat him or hurt Tsume.
• Liao Wu placed a Spore Clone inside Heimaru and asked him to get the Inuzuka Clan’s Twin-Headed Wolf Transformation.
• Heimaru left after Pakura arrived, while Liao Wu claimed they had grown close after fighting.

Heimaru returned to Tsume after secretly meeting Liao Wu, while Liao Wu toured Sand Village with Pakura and learned she hoped to become Kazekage. The chapter left Liao Wu disgusted with Sand Village’s leaders and contemplating killing them for their treatment of Pakura.

• Tsume scolded Heimaru for disappearing and suspected he had visited Sasori, but he claimed he had only chased a Thief Cat.
• Tsume noticed cat scent on Heimaru, though she trusted him and invited him inside for his favorite jerky.
• Liao Wu and Pakura walked through Sand Village, where Liao Wu criticized its bleak appearance and Pakura defended its resilient people.
• Pakura told Liao Wu she wanted to become Kazekage and earn recognition for her hard work despite having no clan or teacher.
• Liao Wu reflected on Pakura’s self-developed Scorch Release and grew furious that Sand Village’s leaders had failed to protect or preserve her abilities.

Liao Wu and Pakura visited Rasa's Home with gifts, but Pakura stole Liao Wu's Shukaku Toy for herself. Temari happily accepted a Flame Uchiha Gunbai, while Liao Wu promised to get her the Banana Fan, despite having already promised it to Fried Rice.

• Liao Wu made gifts for Temari, Kankuro, Yashamaru, Xiao Nanliang, and Karura, while Pakura bought desert dates.
• Pakura compared her dates to Liao Wu's refined gifts, then snatched the Shukaku Toy and kept it for herself.
• Temari and Kankuro welcomed Liao Wu and Pakura when they arrived at Rasa's Home.
• Liao Wu gave Temari a Flame Uchiha Gunbai and explained how to activate its ability.
• Liao Wu promised to steal the Banana Fan for Temari, and Candy noted that he had already promised it to Fried Rice.

Liao Wu visited Karura’s family, giving gifts that made everyone happy after he cheered up Kankuro with a Shukaku Toy. Pakura grew suspicious that the man posing as Sasori had Wood Style and resolved to confront him away from the family.

• Pakura gave Temari a Flame Uchiha Gunbai toy and Kankuro a bag of sand dates, leaving Kankuro upset about the difference.
• Liao Wu met Karura and gave her unborn child clothes and a gourd, while he gave Yashamaru a potted lily.
• Kankuro ran to his room crying, so Liao Wu made him a Shukaku Toy, which also eased Karura’s fear of Shukaku.
• Pakura connected Liao Wu’s wooden toys, blooming lilies, unusual behavior, and fighting techniques to Wood Style and suspected he was not Sasori.
• Pakura decided to lure Liao Wu away from Karura’s family so she could expose and defeat him.

Karura and Yashamaru grew suspicious that the person posing as Sasori was an impostor, though Karura’s protective Chakra did not react to him. Pakura led Liao Wu out of Sunagakure and took him to the restricted Demon Desert, while his strange knowledge of Orochimaru’s Ninjutsu deepened her suspicions.

• Pakura abruptly took Liao Wu away from Karura's Home, claiming they were going on a date and leaving Karura and Yashamaru shocked.
• Karura and Yashamaru discussed whether Sasori had changed or was an impostor, and Karura said his soul had once seemed dark and deathly.
• Karura confirmed her Chakra had not reacted to Sasori, while Yashamaru remained wary because something about him seemed wrong.
• On the way out of Sunagakure, Liao Wu teased Pakura and demonstrated Orochimaru's Soft Body Modification Ninjutsu by extending his tongue.
• Pakura recognized the technique and questioned how Liao Wu knew it, increasing her suspicion about his identity.
• Pakura identified herself to the guards, and she and Liao Wu entered the restricted Demon Desert.

Uchiha Liao Wu and Sasori revealed themselves to Pakura in the Demon Desert, where Pakura challenged Liao Wu alone. Liao Wu sent the Ninja Cats to block reinforcements as Pakura accused him of targeting Shukaku and called him a traitor.

• Pakura led Liao Wu into the Demon Desert, where Sasori emerged from Liao Wu's chest and revealed that he had altered Chiyo and Elder Ebizo's memories.
• Candy used the Flame Uchiha Gunbai to absorb and reflect Pakura's Scorching Release Fireball, and Pakura recognized Liao Wu as the impostor.
• Pakura said she could defeat Liao Wu alone, while Sasori threatened to turn her into a Human Puppet.
• Liao Wu summoned Candy, Snow Leopard, and Nekomata and ordered them to set up a Barrier to keep Sunagakure Ninjas away.
• Pakura accused Liao Wu of infiltrating Sunagakure to steal Shukaku and scouting Temari's home, while Liao Wu said he had wanted to meet Karura.
• Pakura rejected Liao Wu's explanation and called him a heartless traitor who had killed his own comrades.

Pakura confronted Uchiha Liao Wu and Scorpion over their crimes, then challenged Liao Wu to a fight. Liao Wu used Susanoo and the Flame Gunbai to unleash a sandstorm, which Pakura met with Wind Release: Crushing Wind.

• Pakura accused Scorpion of killing the Third Kazekage, and Scorpion admitted he had turned him into a Human Puppet.
• Liao Wu defended his own killings and argued with Pakura and Scorpion before accepting Pakura’s challenge as a Chunin.
• Pakura attacked Liao Wu with Scorching Release: Heat Wind Bullet, and he protected himself with Susanoo.
• Liao Wu swung Susanoo’s Flame Gunbai and used Level Eight Gale to raise a sandstorm.
• Pakura countered the sandstorm with Wind Release: Crushing Wind, creating an even greater storm.