Chapter Summaries

Qingshui turned Hanzo into the fifth Pain and sent him back to Amegakure with a story blaming Kirigakure for the attack on Nagato and the others. Meanwhile, Danzo and his group escaped by sea toward the Land of Water.

• Qingshui used a corpse-reading jutsu to examine Hanzo's memories, then made him into the fifth Pain.
• Pain Hanzo returned to Amegakure, where Salamander Shinda and the Rain Ninja welcomed him and asked what had happened.
• Pain Hanzo claimed Kirigakure had tricked him into attacking Nagato and the others, and ordered Shinda to send an envoy to negotiate.
• Qingshui intended the story to reach Yahiko and the others so they would keep helping manage Amegakure, while he planned to replace Hanzo's former subordinates eventually.
• Danzo and his group sailed away from the River Country toward the Land of Water, and the Zero-Tails had healed most of Danzo's injuries.

Danzo demanded Black Zetsu’s help in bringing Sunagakure under his control after being warned to leave Nagato alone. Black Zetsu agreed on the condition that Danzo quickly attack Konoha, then revealed that Hirakawa Aosui also had the Rinnegan.

• Black Zetsu warned Danzo not to target Nagato again and threatened to end their cooperation.
• Danzo asked Black Zetsu to help him take Sunagakure, arguing that Kirigakure alone could not defeat Konoha or kill Hirakawa Aosui.
• Black Zetsu warned Danzo that he could replace him and revealed that Nagato’s Rinnegan had been deliberately placed in him as an experiment.
• Danzo agreed to make Kirigakure and Sunagakure declare war on Konoha within a month after taking Sunagakure.
• Black Zetsu told Danzo that Hirakawa Aosui also had the Rinnegan and promised Danzo those eyes after Aosui’s death.

Danzo and White Zetsu worked to bring Sunagakure under Danzo’s control as the village debated how to respond to the coming war. With the Third Kazekage under Genjutsu and Moderate Faction elders replaced, Sunagakure chose to ally with Kirigakure and attack Konoha, while Chiyo and Ebizo were summoned.

• Danzo redirected the New Ne toward Sunagakure, while Black Zetsu told White Zetsu that Danzo would be killed after Hirakawa Aosui was dealt with.
• Sunagakure’s elders argued over whether to ally with Konoha and attack Iwagakure or join the other villages against Konoha.
• Danzo entered the Third Kazekage’s home with White Zetsu’s help and trapped him in Sharingan Genjutsu.
• White Zetsu replaced many Moderate Faction elders, who then supported the Radical Faction’s position at the next meeting.
• The controlled Third Kazekage ordered Sunagakure to ally with Kirigakure and attack Konoha, then summoned Chiyo and Ebizo.

Danzo tightened his control over Sunagakure and sent Kisame to infiltrate Nagato’s circle while secretly coveting Nagato’s Rinnegan. As Yahiko founded Akatsuki, Qingshui finished a Wood Style Serum and told Tsunade she could use Wood Style after taking it.

• Danzo used Genjutsu and Anbu to seize Chiyo and Ebizo, then planned to control Rasa, Pakura, and Bunpuku as well.
• Yahiko proposed forming an organization to stop war, and he named it Akatsuki with Konan and Nagato beside him.
• Danzo ordered Kisame to pose as a Missing-nin, gain Nagato’s trust, and report information back to Kirigakure.
• Kirigakure heard that Kisame had failed to assassinate Suikazan Fuguki and defected.
• Qingshui told Tsunade that he had developed a Wood Style Serum with no side effects.

Qingshui gave Tsunade a side-effect-free Wood Style Serum, and she successfully awakened Wood Style, bringing back memories of her grandfather Senju Hashirama. After Tsunade promised to grant Qingshui’s request, he took her to his apartment, where she put on the tight nurse uniform he had wanted to see.

• Qingshui told Tsunade that the Wood Style Serum had succeeded and urged her to try it.
• Tsunade used the serum, grew a branch from her palm, and realized she had awakened Wood Style.
• Tsunade remembered Senju Hashirama and thanked Qingshui, who comforted her.
• Qingshui pressed Tsunade to agree to his request, and she promised to do whatever he asked.
• Qingshui took Tsunade to his apartment, where she bathed with him and put on a tight black-stocking nurse uniform.

Honoka and Yumiko completed their Jonin assessments, then went to share the news with Minato and Qingshui. The new year arrived with Kirigakure and Sunagakure declaring war on Konoha, marking the start of the Third Shinobi World War.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed Honoka and Yumiko’s missions and promoted them to Jonin.
• Honoka and Yumiko left the Hokage Building, each deciding to visit her boyfriend instead of returning to the Senju Clan Compound.
• Honoka arrived at Qingshui’s apartment, overheard Qingshui and Tsunade, and then reunited with Qingshui.
• Honoka told Qingshui she wanted to truly become his woman, and they became intimate.
• On January 1, Kirigakure and Sunagakure declared war on Konoha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen divided Konoha’s forces into four units as war began, assigning Qingshui to face Kirigakure and other leaders to guard against the remaining villages. Qingshui departed for the front with his unit after farewells to the people staying behind.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Qingshui and Hatake Sakumo to confront Kirigakure and Sunagakure, while Tsunade and Jiraiya guarded against Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
• Tsunade warned Qingshui to be careful, and Minato, Yumiko, and Minato Squad left to guard the border near the Land of Grass.
• Qingshui reminded Tsunade and Mikoto to take care of themselves, since both would serve on the battlefield.
• Qingshui reassured Kushina and Nonō, embraced them, and promised to return victorious.
• Qingshui departed with his unit, including Honoka, while Yūhi Kurenai, Nohara Rin, and Shizune joined its medical squad.

The Mist Ninja invaded the Land of Fire under Karatachi Yagura’s command, though Danzo secretly controlled Yagura with Sharingan Genjutsu and supplied the invasion plans. Raiga Kurosuki’s unit attacked a Konoha border sentry, whose defenders were alerted and prepared to fight.

• The Third Mizukage appointed Karatachi Yagura commander in chief and sent the Mist Ninja forces across the sea toward the Land of Fire.
• Danzo, secretly controlling the Third Mizukage and Karatachi Yagura, directed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to infiltrate the Land of Fire and strike Konoha’s border sentries.
• Jūzō Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki challenged Yagura’s intelligence, but Danzo ordered them to follow his commands.
• The Seven Ninja Swordsmen led their units into the Land of Fire, and Raiga Kurosuki’s team found a Konoha sentry post at the location Yagura had identified.
• Raiga Kurosuki spread Kirigakure no Jutsu around the sentry, and a Mist Ninja killed the lookout, but the other Konoha defenders heard the warning and prepared for battle.

Raiga Kurosuki and the Mist Ninja attacked Konoha’s southeastern border outposts, killing their defenders and capturing all seven posts while survivors escaped with warnings. The Mist forces celebrated their success as Qingshui’s army encountered the seven Konoha survivors, including Nishida Yota.

• Raiga Kurosuki’s Mist Ninja launched a surprise attack on Nishida Tomoya’s outpost, but Konoha dispelled the fog and fought back.
• Raiga wounded Nishida Tomoya and overwhelmed him, while Tomoya ordered his son Nishida Yota to escape with the warning.
• Nishida Tomoya sacrificed himself, and the remaining Konoha Ninja held off the Mist attackers long enough for Yota to flee before they were killed.
• The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist seized all seven southeastern border outposts as one survivor escaped from each attack.
• Raiga ordered his wounded Mist Ninja to withdraw and the others to lie in ambush, while Karatachi Yagura announced their victory.
• Qingshui’s army crossed paths with the seven Konoha survivors, including Nishida Yota, on its way to the battlefield.

After Kirigakure’s Seven Ninja Swordsmen captured Konoha’s seven border outposts, Qingshui and his advisors planned a cautious search for ambushes. Honoka led a unit to one outpost, where her Shadow Clones defeated ten Mist Ninja and destroyed the base.

• Qingshui’s unit learned that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had captured all seven border outposts, and Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Fugaku Uchiha suspected a leak or an ambush.
• Qingshui accepted Shikaku Nara’s plan to send seven search units, each accompanied by a Hyuga shinobi, toward one of the captured outposts.
• Honoka’s unit reached an outpost, and a Hyuga shinobi used the Byakugan to spot ten Mist Ninja and numerous traps inside and around it.
• Nishida Yota offered to attack the outpost to avenge his father, but Honoka stopped him and created a hundred Shadow Clones.
• Honoka’s Shadow Clones triggered the traps, entered the outpost, and killed all ten Mist Ninja with Rasengan, destroying the base.

Honoka and several Konoha teams defeated Mist Ninja guarding lookout posts by using their clans’ distinct abilities. Hizashi Hyuga’s team had not yet attacked, but Yashiro Uchiha volunteered to handle the remaining fight.

• Honoka destroyed a Mist Ninja lookout post and ordered Nishida Yota’s team to sweep the area.
• Fugaku Uchiha used Great Fire Annihilation to overwhelm the Mist Ninja at another post, while his Uchiha squad finished the survivors.
• Shikaku Nara immobilized Mist Ninja with Shadow Sewing: Black Spider Lily, allowing Konoha’s forces to defeat them.
• Inoichi Yamanaka used Mind Confusion Dance Jutsu to make Mist Ninja attack one another.
• Choza Akimichi used Super Expansion Jutsu to hurl boulders and trees at a trapped Mist Ninja force, crushing them.
• Hizashi Hyuga tracked the remaining Mist Ninja with his Byakugan, and Yashiro Uchiha offered to lead the attack.

Hiashi Hyuga faced Ao, a Kirigakure Jonin who sought to steal his Byakugan, while their forces fought at a Mist outpost. Hiashi repelled Ao’s attacks, but Ao escaped with the surviving Mist Ninja after an explosive trap halted the pursuit.

• Hizashi Hyuga asked Yashiro Uchiha for help, and Yashiro’s team easily defeated the Mist Ninja at an outpost.
• Hiashi Hyuga encountered Ao, who declared his intention to take Hiashi’s Byakugan, and the two began fighting.
• Ao bound a red-haired Konoha Ninja with a water whip and attacked Hiashi with water bullets, but Hiashi used Rotation to deflect them.
• Hiashi counterattacked with Vacuum Palm, while Ao blocked the attack and then used kunai and a Great Waterfall Technique; Hiashi’s Rotation stopped the wave.
• Ao retreated with the surviving Mist Ninja, and Hiashi pursued them until Ao detonated an explosive-tag trap that forced Hiashi to stop.

Qingshui’s army reached the Land of Fire border and planned small-unit raids against Kirigakure’s strongholds, while Hatake Sakumo’s forces engaged Sunagakure in River Country. Danzo sent Pakura into the Land of Rain to pursue Nagato’s Rinnegan, drawing Iwagakure into the growing conflict as Kumogakure held back.

• Inoichi Yamanaka reported that Karatachi Yagura commanded Kirigakure’s front lines, supported by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and that Kirigakure controlled the neighboring small nations.
• Qingshui proposed securing the Land of Fire border and attacking Mist Ninja strongholds with small units, and Shikaku Nara assigned six leaders to command them.
• Hatake Sakumo’s forces faced Rasa, Chiyo, and Sasori in River Country, where Sasori saw a chance to avenge his parents.
• Danzo sent Pakura into the Land of Rain to seek Nagato’s Rinnegan, while telling Black Zetsu that he intended to draw the Five Great Nations into a campaign against Qingshui.
• Ōnoki sent Iwa Ninja into the Land of Rain after learning of Pakura’s advance, while Kumogakure chose to conserve its strength and wait for an opportunity to strike.

Honoka led a Konoha squad in destroying a Kirigakure outpost, but Suikazan Fuguki ambushed them and killed her comrades. Honoka escaped with shadow clones, but Fuguki caught up and used Samehada to absorb her Rasengan, leaving her facing his counterattack.

• Karatachi Yagura ordered Suikazan Fuguki and his forces to stop six Konoha squads from destroying Kirigakure outposts.
• Honoka's squad attacked and destroyed a Mist Ninja outpost, using her Mind's Eye of the Kagura to fight through the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Suikazan Fuguki arrived with reinforcements and killed everyone in Honoka's squad with Needle Jizo, while Honoka survived and healed her wounds.
• Honoka sent shadow clones to attack Fuguki and his men while her real body fled; the clones killed Fuguki's subordinates before he dispelled the rest.
• Fuguki chased Honoka and struck with Samehada, which absorbed her Rasengan and revealed itself as a weapon that devoured chakra.

Honoka fought Suikazan Fuguki after Samehada absorbed her Rasengan, while Hyuga Hiashi faced Jūzō Biwa in the Land of Waves. Honoka wounded Fuguki and moved to finish him, while Jūzō exhausted Hiashi’s strength and struck him with a Water Dragon Bullet.

• Suikazan Fuguki attacked Honoka with Samehada, and she escaped the blade before realizing how quickly it absorbed Chakra.
• Honoka fought Fuguki with Kunai, suffered a deep shoulder wound, then injured his legs with an Explosive Tag and healed herself.
• Honoka charged at the fallen Fuguki to kill him while he was unable to dodge.
• Jūzō Biwa tested Hyuga Hiashi with Water Clones, then attacked him with Water Needle Senbon and Kunai, which Hiashi deflected with Rotation.
• Hiashi used Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm to break Kubikiribōchō, but Jūzō forced him to spend Chakra defending against long-range attacks.
• Jūzō hit the exhausted Hiashi with a Water Dragon Bullet, making him cough up blood.

Hiashi’s squad destroyed two Kirigakure outposts but suffered devastating losses, first in a clash with Jūzō and then in Ao’s ambush. After Hiashi requested support, Qingshui used the Flying Thunder God to rush to his aid.

• Jūzō killed a Hyuga Branch Family member, but Hiashi struck him with Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixteen Palms and escaped with a broken arm.
• Jūzō stopped his Mist Ninja from pursuing Hiashi’s survivors, who began returning to base.
• Ao ambushed Hiashi’s squad in a valley, killing most of them with falling boulders and explosive kunai.
• Hiashi tried to destroy his Byakugan rather than let Ao take it, but Ao struck the kunai from his hand; the two remaining Konoha Ninja sacrificed themselves with Explosive Tags, leaving Hiashi alone.
• Inoichi told Qingshui that Hiashi had requested support, and Qingshui left a Shadow Clone at the base before teleporting to him with the Flying Thunder God.

Qingshui rescued Hyuga Hiashi from Ao and the Mist Ninja, then treated Hiashi and brought him back to camp. The chapter leaves Honoka fighting Suikazan Fuguki, whose Samehada-assisted healing puts her at risk of being overwhelmed.

• Ao offered to spare Hyuga Hiashi if he joined Kirigakure, but Hiashi refused.
• Qingshui arrived with the Flying Thunder God Technique, killed Ao with a Rasengan, and wiped out the other Mist Ninja with Six Water Dragon Bullets.
• Qingshui treated Hiashi, received Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm as a reward, and took him back to camp despite Hiashi's injured arm.
• Inoichi Yamanaka reported that the squads had withdrawn with casualties and that Honoka's squad was returning.
• Honoka fought Suikazan Fuguki after he used Samehada to rapidly heal his injured legs, leaving her at a disadvantage in a battle of attrition.

Honoka used the Adamantine Sealing Chains to badly wound Suikazan Fuguki, then escaped the pursuing Mist Ninja and returned to Qingshui’s base. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Torifu Akimichi welcomed Qingshui’s success but grew concerned about Sunagakure’s unexplained actions.

• Honoka trapped Suikazan Fuguki and Samehada with the Adamantine Sealing Chains, pierced his chest, and fled when more Mist Ninja arrived.
• Honoka used a hundred Shadow Clones to stall the Mist Ninja and escape back to the base, where Qingshui ordered the group to rest.
• An Anbu ninja delivered a front-line report to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who learned that Qingshui had pushed the Mist Ninja back beyond the border with acceptable losses.
• Torifu Akimichi praised Qingshui’s success, and he and Hiruzen Sarutobi felt relieved that the Daimyo was unlikely to hold them accountable.
• Torifu Akimichi questioned Sunagakure’s unusual actions, and Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed that the Third Kazekage’s motives and Pakura’s deployment to the Land of Rain were troubling.

Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Shisui Uchiha’s early graduation, while Qingshui chose Fugaku Uchiha to lead a mission to cut off Kirigakure’s supplies. The chapter ended with a taciturn Ninja arriving at the Third Mizukage’s office, feared and shunned by the Mist Ninja he encountered.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Torifu Akimichi agreed to keep sending spies into Sunagakure for intelligence.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Shisui Uchiha’s early graduation so he could join reinforcements heading to the front lines.
• Qingshui proposed sending a team into the Land of Water to cut off Kirigakure’s supplies.
• Qingshui selected Fugaku Uchiha to lead the mission, with a Hyuga Branch Family member and Yashiro Uchiha assigned to the team.
• Fugaku Uchiha led his team out while Qingshui assigned the remaining forces tasks to keep Kirigakure occupied.
• A taciturn male Ninja arrived at the Third Mizukage’s office, and the Mist Ninja who saw him reacted with disgust, fear, and avoidance.

Kuroki Ryosuke, Kirigakure’s Three-Tails Jinchuriki, asked to join the front lines after learning to use the Three-Tails’ Chakra, and Danzo assigned him to the Transport Unit. Danzo then encouraged the young Six-Tails Jinchuriki Utakata, while the Transport Unit prepared to depart with Ryosuke aboard.

• Kuroki Ryosuke told the Third Mizukage he could use the Three-Tails’ power and asked to fight at the front lines.
• Danzo decided Ryosuke should gain experience in battle and ordered him to travel with Kirigakure’s Transport Unit.
• Danzo visited Utakata at the New Root base and encouraged him to keep training with the Six-Tails’ Chakra.
• Nomura Sugiya prepared the supply ship to depart with Ryosuke in the group.
• A Mist Ninja asked Nomura Sugiya whether the Transport Unit really had to travel with Ryosuke.