Chapter Summaries

After Minato rescued Yahiko, Hanzo urged Danzo and his own subordinates to retreat, choosing to stay behind and face Jiraiya, Minato, and Yahiko. Hanzo summoned Salamander Ibuse as the three shinobi summoned their giant toads, setting the stage for battle.

• Danzo recognized Minato as the Yellow Flash, and Hanzo told him to withdraw because their mission had failed and Kagura might arrive soon.
• Danzo left while Hanzo chose to remain and give the Land of Rain an answer for his actions.
• Hanzo ordered his subordinates to retreat and told them to trust Yahiko and return to Amegakure if he died.
• Yahiko sent Nagato and the injured Konan away, and Nagato promised they would wait for Yahiko in Amegakure.
• Hanzo summoned Salamander Ibuse as Jiraiya, Minato, and Yahiko summoned three giant toads to face it.

Danzo escaped after the plan to recruit Orochimaru and capture Akatsuki failed, then sought refuge with Sasori. He arrived as Sasori was about to finish off the badly wounded Hyuga Hiashi.

• Danzo found a crater where Akatsuki's Ninja Sword Duo had apparently been defeated and cursed their failure.
• Danzo reflected on Orochimaru summoning Senju Hashirama and Hanzo's failed attempt to capture Yahiko, then decided to flee.
• Danzo avoided seeking help from Kakuzu because he feared Kagura and believed Kakuzu could not defeat him.
• Danzo reached Sasori's battlefield and saw several fallen opponents and a gravely wounded Hyuga Hiashi.
• Hiashi recognized Sasori and guessed from his Byakugan that Sasori had turned himself into a Puppet.
• Sasori raised his hand to finish Hiashi, but Danzo appeared between them.

Hiashi struggled against Sasori, whose puppets were a natural counter to the Gentle Fist, until Danzo arrived and ordered a retreat. Sasori left rather than risk Kagura appearing, and Hiashi survived with his genin subordinates nearby.

• Sasori overwhelmed Hiashi’s squad with ordinary puppets, while Hiashi fought on to delay him and protect his subordinates.
• Danzo arrived and told Sasori the mission had failed and they needed to retreat.
• Danzo warned that Konoha reinforcements, possibly Kagura, could arrive, and Sasori withdrew his puppets.
• Danzo and Sasori departed, leaving Hiashi alive; after they vanished, Hiashi collapsed beside his fallen genin and admitted he felt weak.

After killing Kakuzu, Kagura learned that Jiraiya and Minato were fighting Hanzo and rushed to their location. He found them badly poisoned and Yahiko still battling Hanzo, who challenged Yahiko to take leadership of the country from him.

• Kagura pondered Akatsuki's objective after receiving the System Reward for Kakuzu's death.
• Four-Tails spotted several giant toads to the southeast, and Kagura realized Jiraiya's group was fighting there.
• Kagura recalled the Tailed Beasts and raced through the forest toward the battle.
• Kagura arrived to find Jiraiya and Minato severely poisoned after defeating Ibuse, while Yahiko continued fighting Hanzo.
• Hanzo admired Yahiko's resolve and told him to work hard and take the country's leadership from him.

Yahiko defeated Hanzo in their final duel, and Hanzo died after entrusting the future of the Land of Rain to him. Yahiko took Hanzo’s body and invited Hanzo’s former subordinates to return to the village with him.

• Kagura arrived at the battlefield, but Jiraiya asked him not to interfere in Hanzo and Yahiko’s fight.
• Hanzo and Yahiko charged at each other for their final clash, and Yahiko’s kunai pierced Hanzo’s heart.
• Hanzo praised Yahiko and entrusted the future of the Land of Rain to him before collapsing and dying.
• Kagura’s mission notification confirmed Hanzo’s death and reduced the Rinnegan’s evolution time by one year.
• Yahiko silently picked up Hanzo’s body, then told Hanzo’s gathered subordinates to return to the village with him.

After the failed joint operation, Kagura searched the battlefield, learned the scale of the casualties, and visited the wounded in Amegakure. There he found Might Dai alive but severely injured after defeating two Akatsuki members.

• Kagura searched the mountain range and rescued a handful of survivors before confirming the fighting had ended.
• Jiraiya reported that thirty-one people had died, twenty-seven were injured, and seven remained missing.
• Kagura urged Jiraiya to rest, then went to the temporary hospital to check on the wounded.
• Kagura found Nawaki, Asuma, Guy, and the badly injured Might Dai in a hospital room.
• Might Dai proudly told Kagura that he had defeated two Akatsuki members and recovered two Kirigakure Ninja Swords, and Kagura praised his battle.

Kagura comforted Nawaki over Dai's injuries, then stayed with Hiashi as he grieved Gekko Hayate's death and blamed himself for failing to protect his team. After learning Hiashi's other two disciples would recover, Kagura urged him to grow stronger, and Hiashi vowed to defeat Sasori and become a worthy Jonin and clan head.

• Kagura reassured Nawaki that Dai had chosen to use the Eight Inner Gates and would not blame him.
• Kagura found Hiashi grieving Gekko Hayate, who had died fighting Sasori, while Hiashi's other two disciples were seriously injured.
• Hiashi confessed that his Byakugan and Gentle Fist had failed against Sasori and blamed himself for not protecting his team.
• Tsunade told Hiashi that his two surviving disciples were out of mortal danger and needed time to recover.
• Kagura urged Hiashi to turn his guilt into motivation and become strong enough to protect those he cared about.
• Hiashi vowed to defeat Sasori himself and become a qualified Jonin and clan head.

The Third Raikage watched Kumogakure fight the seemingly endless White Zetsu while explaining how Akatsuki had joined Iwagakure’s war against the Land of Lightning. As A and Killer B asked to enter the battle, Uchiha Madara appeared on a distant mountain.

• The Third Raikage reflected on how Ōnoki’s request for help had sent nearly all of Akatsuki to the Land of Lightning, leaving Uchiha Madara with Black Zetsu and White Zetsu.
• Kumogakure’s Ninja used masks to guard against airborne spores and lured the unintelligent White Zetsu into terrain where ninjutsu could destroy them in groups.
• The Third Raikage watched as the White Zetsu kept returning in greater numbers despite Kumogakure’s increasingly effective tactics.
• A asked the Third Raikage to let him and Killer B join the fighting, but the Raikage had yet to answer.
• The Third Raikage, A, and Killer B sensed a powerful presence and saw the reborn Uchiha Madara standing on a distant mountain peak.

Uchiha Madara appeared on the battlefield, and the Third Raikage ordered Kumogakure’s forces to retreat while he stayed behind to face him. With the White Zetsu withdrawing underground, Madara and the Third Raikage were left alone as their clash began.

• Uchiha Madara’s arrival froze the fighting and filled the Kumogakure Ninja with fear.
• The Third Raikage ordered A and Killer B to lead the forces away, reminding them that protecting the Jinchuriki was more important.
• A and Killer B accepted the order, and the Kumogakure Ninja withdrew while the Third Raikage stayed behind to cover them.
• Uchiha Madara approached the Third Raikage, revealing his youthful appearance and the Flame Gunbai on his back.
• Uchiha Madara sent the White Zetsu underground, leaving only himself and the Third Raikage on the battlefield.

Uchiha Madara revealed himself after a month of White Zetsu attacks failed to force the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B, into battle. The Third Raikage confronted him and pierced his chest with Two-Finger Nukite, leaving the Raikage stunned that Madara seemed to have been defeated so easily.

• Madara explained that he had stayed at the frontline to draw out Killer B, but the Third Raikage had kept the Jinchuriki hidden.
• Madara appeared in person after the prolonged fighting depleted White Zetsu and began weakening the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Madara praised the Third Raikage, and the Raikage welcomed the chance to fight him while asking why he had not brought his six Clones.
• The Third Raikage activated his Lightning Release Armor and Two-Finger Nukite as Madara waited for him to finish preparing.
• The Third Raikage charged and pierced Madara's chest, then froze in disbelief at how easily his attack appeared to have succeeded.

Madara used Limbo: Border Jail to survive the Raikage’s first attack, then challenged him to reveal his full strength. The Raikage trapped Madara with Black Lightning and struck with One-Finger Nukite, but Madara’s Susanoo began forming to stop the blow.

• The Raikage pierced Madara’s heart, but the figure turned out to be a Limbo shadow that vanished as Madara appeared behind him.
• Madara recognized the Raikage’s Hell Stab and demanded that he use his strongest attack.
• The Raikage formed One-Finger Nukite and unleashed a Black Lightning leopard that split into snakes and immobilized Madara.
• The Raikage raced behind Madara and drove his finger toward Madara’s heart, piercing his armor before an unseen force stopped his arm.
• A pale blue skeleton formed in front of the Raikage, then gained flesh and imposing armor.

Uchiha Madara tested the Third Raikage with Susanoo and Limbo: Border Jail, leaving the Raikage battered but standing. Impressed by his body, Madara named him a candidate for his Six Paths and launched three techniques at him.

• The Third Raikage dodged Uchiha Madara's Susanoo's giant sword, which carved a crater into the ground.
• Uchiha Madara praised the Raikage's Black Lightning Style, though he judged the Raikage's strength insufficient to make him fight seriously.
• Uchiha Madara used Limbo: Border Jail to pin the Raikage in place and struck him with a barrage of Yasakana Magatama.
• The Raikage endured the blasts, but his Lightning Release Armor was badly damaged.
• Uchiha Madara called the Raikage a candidate for his Six Paths, created two clones, and attacked with three techniques.

The Third Raikage fought Uchiha Madara through a series of powerful attacks and shattered Madara’s meteor with a lightning-charged strike. He died standing after the effort, and Madara recognized that the Raikage had reached his limit.

• Uchiha Madara’s clones struck the Raikage with fire techniques, and the Raikage used their force to break free and retreat.
• Madara summoned a meteor with Tengai Shinsei, and the Raikage charged toward it rather than trying to evade.
• The Raikage gathered Chakra into lightning blades and split the meteor apart with a direct strike.
• The Raikage landed amid the falling debris, then silently died while still standing.
• Madara approached the dead Raikage and remarked that he had reached his limit.

After learning that Uchiha Madara had killed the Third Raikage, Ōnoki worried that Madara blamed Iwagakure for the failed campaign in Amegakure and questioned his true intentions. With Iwagakure stalled against Konohagakure and Madara’s forces gathered outside Kumogakure, Ōnoki summoned his Elite Jonin to prepare an all-out offensive.

• Ōnoki received news that Uchiha Madara had killed the Third Raikage and doubted that the powerful Raikage could have fallen so quickly.
• Ōnoki considered Iwagakure’s losses in the failed Amegakure operation, where Akatsuki’s Full Members were nearly wiped out and Amegakure grew stronger.
• Ōnoki noted that Iwagakure had made little progress against Konohagakure during a month of fighting along the Land of Rice and Land of Fire border.
• Ōnoki observed that Madara had followed Kumogakure’s retreat slowly, gathered White Zetsu outside the village, and then disappeared.
• Ōnoki feared Madara was dissatisfied with him and admitted he still did not understand Madara’s true objective.
• Ōnoki summoned Iwagakure’s Elite Jonin and began preparing for an all-out offensive.

Ōnoki called Iwagakure's forces together after learning of the Third Raikage's death and announced an all-out assault on the Konoha Defense Line. He left Han to face Hatake Sakumo and prepared to challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi as the decisive battle approached.

• Ōnoki revealed that the Third Raikage had been killed and said Iwagakure needed to break the stalemate.
• Ōnoki announced that he would personally join the battle, and Iwagakure's assembled forces accepted his decision.
• Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to attack the Konoha Defense Line the next morning, with Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi leading the flanks.
• Ōnoki assigned Han to fight Hatake Sakumo and gave the others their tasks for the final battle.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ōnoki faced each other above the plains as Iwagakure assembled for a new offensive. Hiruzen taunted Ōnoki about lacking a successor, and Ōnoki answered by gathering his power to attack.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi suspected Ōnoki would launch a full-scale assault after the Third Raikage's death, while both armies gathered without attacking.
• Ōnoki rose into the air, and Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned an earth dragon to carry him up to meet the Tsuchikage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ōnoki exchanged insults, and Hiruzen mocked Ōnoki for having no suitable successor.
• Ōnoki grew furious, clapped his hands together, and released overwhelming pressure as he prepared to act.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ōnoki exchanged powerful attacks in a brief duel as their armies watched. With both Kage still fighting, the forces of Iwagakure and Konoha began their decisive battle.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi dodged Ōnoki's Dust Release attack, which disintegrated the earth dragon he had used for cover.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared beneath Ōnoki and trapped him in a tornado with Wind Style: Cyclone.
• Ōnoki used Earth Style: Super-Weighted Rock Technique to smash through the tornado and crash into the ground.
• The ninjas on both sides watched the duel, then began advancing around the central battlefield.
• The decisive battle between Iwagakure and Konoha officially began.

The armies resumed battle as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ōnoki began fighting again, while Hatake Sakumo faced Han on the battlefield. Sakumo evaded Han’s powerful steam-driven charge, but his blade could not pierce Han’s armor, leaving the two in a stalemate.

• Ōnoki shattered the stone block on his hand, complained of his aching back, and rose to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi again.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma, who transformed into an Adamantine Staff, and taunted Ōnoki into resuming their fight.
• The armies clashed, with Kitsuchi fighting the Ino-Shika-Cho clan heads and Akatsuchi facing Uchiha Fugaku.
• Hatake Sakumo and Han exchanged praise before Han unleashed a steam-powered charge that Sakumo evaded.
• Sakumo struck Han with Silver Light, but his blade only left a white mark on Han’s armor, and neither fighter gained an advantage.

Han activated his Partial Tailed Beast Transformation and overwhelmed Sakumo with his speed and power. Sakumo survived Han’s charge through Triple Rashomon only by dodging at the last moment, leaving him injured and facing a still-advancing opponent.

• Sakumo and Han struggled to land effective attacks, with Sakumo unable to pierce Han’s armor and Han unable to hit Sakumo.
• Han activated his Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, gaining a five-tailed cloak and greatly increased speed.
• Han rammed Sakumo and sent him crashing through rocks into a trench, leaving him with a severe wound at his waist.
• Han charged again, but Sakumo dodged and summoned Triple Rashomon to block him.
• Han smashed through the three gates, and Sakumo leaped aside just before Han created a crater where he had stood.

Hatake Sakumo and Han fought to the brink of death, and both suffered severe wounds. Just as Han moved to finish off the still-living Sakumo, an attacker pierced Han from behind, leaving him stunned by the identity of his assailant.

• Han continued fighting Hatake Sakumo in Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, while the tailed beast's influence pushed him toward losing control.
• As Han charged, Hatake Sakumo stabbed him in the neck with the Silver Light dagger, but Han's horns pierced Sakumo's chest and left him unable to rise.
• Han's transformation faded, and he pulled the dagger from his neck before approaching Sakumo to finish him off.
• An arm pierced through Han's armor and chest from behind, and Han recognized the attacker with disbelief.