Chapter Summaries

Ebizo and Kinnara decided the Sand Shinobi should hold a defensive posture as Iwagakure struggled without Rōshi. Sarutobi Toru extracted Four-Tails Chakra, returned Rōshi to Iwagakure, and headed toward the Cloud Shinobi–Iwagakure battlefield, where Ōnoki received reassuring news from the other front.

• Kinnara argued that Konoha’s Anbu reinforcements were limited, and Ebizo decided the Sand Shinobi should avoid attacking while Chiyo remained unconscious.
• After Rōshi was captured, Iwagakure’s ninja argued without reaching a strategy, and both armies stayed in their camps without fighting.
• Sarutobi Toru used Rōshi to create several Four-Tails Chakra-infused White Zetsu and hid them beneath Root.
• Sarutobi Toru returned the unconscious Rōshi to the Iwagakure camp, then flew toward the Cloud Shinobi–Iwagakure battlefield.
• Ōnoki read a report about the Sand Shinobi front and felt relieved, having restrained himself from deploying Iwagakure’s Explosion Corps.

Ōnoki learned that Rōshi had returned safely, but Iwagakure remained under severe pressure from Kumogakure’s attacks. Sarutobi Toru watched as Ōnoki joined the next battle, where Iwagakure’s leaders struggled to contain the Raikage and his forces.

• Rōshi returned to the Iwagakure camp after someone rescued him, extracted much of the Four-Tails’ Chakra, and healed him.
• Ōnoki reviewed the costly stalemate with the Sand Shinobi and received word that Kumogakure had launched another attack.
• Ōnoki led Iwagakure’s forces into battle, while Sarutobi Toru observed from the clouds atop the Flying Nimbus.
• Ōnoki and the Third Raikage traded ordinary elemental attacks because neither could land a decisive blow on the other.
• Kitsuchi endured Fourth Raikage A’s attacks with his defenses, unable to match A’s speed or find time to use large-scale ninjutsu.

Sarutobi Toru infiltrated Iwagakure's camp and freed the Five-Tails, Kokuō, to force the village into a crisis. Kokuō rampaged as Iwagakure's ninja tried to contain it, and Ōnoki attacked it with a massive boulder.

• Sarutobi Toru judged that he should push Iwagakure into a desperate situation rather than confront a Jinchuriki openly.
• Sarutobi Toru infiltrated Iwagakure's camp at night and entered Han's body while the young Five-Tails Jinchuriki meditated.
• Sarutobi Toru used a Sharingan Transcription Seal to control Kokuō, erased its memories of him, destroyed the seal, and released it.
• Kokuō emerged in the camp and tried to escape, but Iwagakure's ninja blocked its path with the Earth Style Mountain Technique.
• Kokuō unleashed scorching steam and broke into a ferocious struggle, burning nearby ninja.
• Ōnoki hurled a massive boulder at Kokuō's head using Earth Release.

Iwagakure sealed the rampaging Five-Tails, but Kokuō’s attack devastated the camp and killed Han. With the beast only temporarily confined and no Jinchuriki to control it, Ōnoki ordered the village to prepare for a likely Kumogakure assault.

• Kitsuchi trapped Kokuō with the Earth Mountain Technique while Ōnoki destroyed its Tailed Beast Ball, giving Iwagakure’s Sealing Squad time to prepare.
• As the Sealing Squad sealed Kokuō, the beast detonated a Tailed Beast Ball inside its mouth and blasted the Iwagakure camp, killing several ninja.
• Ōnoki attacked Kokuō with Dust Release, but Kitsuchi blocked most of the strike; the weakened beast was sealed again.
• Kokuō’s body shrank and revealed the dead Han, and the Sealing Squad warned Ōnoki that the Five-Tails would break free within two days without continued reinforcement.
• Ōnoki ordered the Five-Tails confined while he selected a new Jinchuriki, then told Iwagakure’s ninja to prepare for a Kumogakure attack.

After Iwagakure suffered catastrophic losses in a battle with Kumogakure, Ōnoki ordered a retreat and sought Konoha's aid to preserve the village's remaining strength. Kumogakure had also lost nearly two thousand shinobi, and Ōnoki prepared to unleash the Explosion Corps if Konoha refused to help.

• Ōnoki used Dust Release to inflict heavy casualties on ordinary Cloud Shinobi, forcing the Third Raikage to withdraw from the battle.
• Kitsuchi reported that only 1,223 Iwagakure shinobi remained, after Kitsuchi lost an arm and an eye and Fugai died.
• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to take a letter to Konoha requesting reinforcements and announced that Iwagakure would retreat to preserve its remaining forces.
• Ōnoki ordered the Anbu to mobilize the Explosion Corps as a last resort if Konoha refused aid.
• The Third Raikage and Kumogakure mourned nearly two thousand Cloud Shinobi lost in the battle.

The Third Raikage and Kumogakure’s leaders debated how to handle a nearly defeated Iwagakure while the Land of Lightning faced economic hardship. After learning that the Iwa shinobi had retreated, they considered moving into the Land of Earth to seize supplies before Iwagakure could reinforce its forces.

• The Third Raikage struggled to rein in his hotheaded subordinates as they argued over how to exploit their victory over Iwagakure.
• A Kumogakure shinobi reported that the Iwa shinobi had retreated, prompting calls to occupy the Land of Earth.
• The Third Raikage ordered Dodai to assess the retreat, and Dodai explained that Ōnoki had little choice after losing most of Iwagakure’s combat forces.
• Dodai concluded that Kumogakure could advance and seize spoils before Iwagakure gathered reinforcements, and the Cloud Shinobi welcomed the prospect.

Sarutobi Toru waited for the Land of Earth to seek Konoha’s help after provoking a renewed conflict between the Cloud Shinobi and Rock Shinobi. When he learned that Kitsuchi had arrived in Konoha and was meeting with the Hokage, he prepared to wait for a legitimate reason to enter the fight and gather Tailed Beast Chakra.

• The Third Raikage ordered the Cloud Shinobi not to divide their forces as they advanced toward the Land of Earth.
• Sarutobi Toru left the Rock Shinobi camp after driving the Four-Tails Jinchuriki berserk, and Ōnoki withdrew without discovering who had caused it.
• Sarutobi Toru returned to Konoha, managed Root, and watched for news from the Land of Earth.
• A Root ninja told Sarutobi Toru that Kitsuchi had arrived in Konoha and was meeting with the Hokage.
• Sarutobi Toru decided to wait until Kitsuchi left the Hokage's Office before acting on Konoha's potential involvement in the conflict.

Sarutobi Toru persuaded Konoha’s leaders to use Iwagakure’s desperate request for aid to secure a lasting military presence in the Land of Earth. Konoha began negotiating with both Kitsuchi and the Land of Earth Daimyo as Iwagakure’s fronts collapsed.

• Sarutobi Toru joined the Hokage’s meeting and argued that Konoha should seize the opportunity to support Iwagakure.
• Sarutobi Toru proposed stationing Konoha troops in the Land of Earth instead of accepting one-time payments or treaties.
• Sarutobi Toru urged Konoha to negotiate directly with the Land of Earth Daimyo, bypassing Ōnoki.
• The Third Hokage began negotiations with Kitsuchi and secretly sent ninja to negotiate with the Daimyo.
• The Land of Earth Daimyo faced Iwagakure’s defeat at Konoha’s hands, Sunagakure’s advance across the southern front, and Kumogakure’s invasion of the north.

Konoha secured the Land of Earth Daimyo’s permission to station shinobi in the Land of Earth while also agreeing to aid Iwagakure. Sarutobi Toru brought Kitsuchi and several Konoha shinobi to the battlefield with the Flying Thunder God Technique, and they set out to find an Iwagakure intelligence outpost.

• Namikaze Minato returned with the Land of Earth Daimyo’s contract allowing Konoha to station three thousand shinobi and accept missions in the Land of Earth.
• The Third Hokage agreed to Kitsuchi’s request for aid, unaware that Kitsuchi did not know Konoha had already made a separate deal with the Daimyo.
• Sarutobi Toru, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Might Duy, Aburame Ryoma, and Kitsuchi’s group gathered at Konoha’s gates to depart for the battlefield.
• Sarutobi Toru used the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport the group across the Land of Fire and into the Land of Earth, startling Kitsuchi with Konoha’s strategic mobility.
• Kitsuchi studied a map, identified a nearby Iwagakure intelligence outpost, and suggested they go there to learn the battlefield situation.

Sarutobi Toru and Kitsuchi learned how the Cloud forces had devastated the northern Land of Earth and traveled to Iwagakure’s front lines at Sangguan City. Ōnoki heard that Konoha’s reinforcements had arrived and was surprised that its terms were far more generous than he had expected.

• Kitsuchi showed Sarutobi Toru intelligence detailing the Cloud forces’ looting and the destruction caused by their logistical soldiers in the northern Land of Earth.
• Sarutobi Toru reassured Kitsuchi that they could reach Iwagakure’s front lines quickly using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• At Sangguan City, Iwagakure struggled to break through the Cloud forces, while Kumogakure held its positions and let the northern region continue to suffer.
• Ōnoki composed himself as Kitsuchi arrived at the main camp and announced that Konoha’s reinforcements had reached them.
• Kitsuchi reported Konoha’s aid terms to Ōnoki, who realized that the village had demanded far less than he had anticipated.

Sarutobi Toru and Orochimaru arrived at Iwagakure with three thousand Konoha ninja to negotiate aid against Kumogakure. Sarutobi Toru proposed attacking immediately and said he could secure victory alone, leaving Ōnoki to prepare for the departure.

• Ōnoki learned that Konoha had sent three thousand ninja led by Sarutobi Toru and Orochimaru, and he agreed to meet them despite suspecting Konoha's motives.
• Sarutobi Toru told Ōnoki that Iwagakure's defenses were failing and that waiting for Konoha's main force would leave the northern Land of Earth devastated.
• Ōnoki explained that Kumogakure might attack their camp before Konoha's main force arrived and hoped they could hold out until reinforcements came.
• Sarutobi Toru said they should attack Kumogakure immediately and guaranteed Iwagakure's victory with Konoha's support.
• Ōnoki recalled Sarutobi Toru's overwhelming strength and agreed to set out the next day, but Sarutobi Toru said he could go alone.

Sarutobi Toru announced Konoha’s intervention to Ōnoki, then attacked Kumogakure’s camp alone. He confronted the Third Raikage at the blasted-open gate and declared that he intended to overturn the entire Cloud Shinobi force.

• Sarutobi Toru told Ōnoki that he was sure of Konoha’s decision to act, then left the Command Center with Orochimaru, Might Duy, and Aburame Ryoma.
• The Third Raikage enjoyed Kumogakure’s gains in the northern Land of Earth and kept his forces defensive to avoid provoking Ōnoki into a desperate fight.
• Sarutobi Toru blasted open Kumogakure’s camp gate with a Sage Jutsu Great Ball Rasengan, drawing the Third Raikage and the Cloud Shinobi forces to meet him.
• The Third Raikage accused Sarutobi Toru of joining forces with Iwagakure, and Sarutobi Toru said Konoha was helping for its own benefit.
• The Third Raikage questioned whether Sarutobi Toru could challenge the whole Cloud Shinobi force alone, and Sarutobi Toru declared that he had come to overturn it.

Sarutobi Toru used Black Lightning Release Chakra Mode to devastate Kumogakure’s forces and overpower the Third Raikage. The Third Raikage realized Kumogakure could not defeat him, but lost consciousness before he could stop Fourth Raikage A from attacking.

• Sarutobi Toru wounded the Third Raikage and carved through the Cloud Shinobi ranks with Black Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• The Third Raikage recognized the technique and realized Sarutobi Toru could kill him in only a few moves.
• Fourth Raikage A, Killer B, Blue B, Yugito, Dodai, and other Kumogakure experts arrived as Sarutobi Toru intensified his black lightning.
• Sarutobi Toru struck the Third Raikage, breaking his bones and sending him crashing through Kumogakure.
• The Third Raikage tried to stop Fourth Raikage A from charging Sarutobi Toru, but passed out after A was sent flying.

Sarutobi Toru crushed Kumogakure’s attacks and fought the fully transformed Eight-Tails Gyuki, overpowering it despite being driven underground. He left Gyuki badly injured with its spine shattered, while the Cloud Shinobi watched in terror.

• Sarutobi Toru knocked Fourth Raikage A unconscious, and Dodai ordered the Cloud Shinobi to attack together while Blue B and Yugito began transforming.
• Kumogakure’s combined Lightning Release attack failed to harm Sarutobi Toru, who then invited the shinobi to face his counterattack.
• The fully transformed Eight-Tails Gyuki struck Sarutobi Toru repeatedly and drove him underground.
• Sarutobi Toru escaped with a Chakra dragon, coiled it around Gyuki, and stomped along its body until its spine was crushed.

Sarutobi Toru defeated Gyuki and drove the Cloud Shinobi into surrender, then flew off with Blue B and Yugito. He told Ōnoki that the mission was complete and reminded him to pay Konoha Village the remaining balance.

• Gyuki shrank back into Blue B after Sarutobi Toru crushed it, while Matatabi hid inside Yugito rather than fight.
• Yugito charged Sarutobi Toru in anger, but he flicked her forehead and knocked her unconscious.
• The Cloud Shinobi fell silent and abandoned their weapons after seeing Sarutobi Toru's overwhelming strength.
• Sarutobi Toru told the Cloud Shinobi to withdraw the next day, then carried Blue B and Yugito away on Chakra wings.
• Killer B wept as the Cloud Shinobi's morale collapsed, while Dodai accepted that it could not be restored.
• Sarutobi Toru met Ōnoki in the air, declared the commission complete, and reminded him to pay Konoha Village the balance.

Sarutobi Toru forced Ōnoki to abandon plans to pursue the Cloud Shinobi and regrouped with Orochimaru and the others after defeating Kumogakure. In the Land of Water, Uchiha Shisui watched Uchiha Hitomi receive the Rinnegan, while secretly planning to use the souls of Hitomi’s wife and child against Black Zetsu.

• Ōnoki agreed to let Sarutobi Toru study the Five-Tails and returned to Iwagakure’s camp without pursuing the Cloud Shinobi.
• Sarutobi Toru joined Orochimaru, Might Duy, and Aburame Ryoma on a cliff, then sealed the two captured Jinchuriki again.
• Orochimaru acknowledged how much stronger Sarutobi Toru was than he had realized, and Sarutobi Toru said Konoha could still profit from its contract with Iwagakure.
• In the Land of Water, Black and White Zetsu told Uchiha Shisui that they had framed Konoha ninja for a village massacre to prepare Uchiha Hitomi as the Rinnegan’s host.
• Uchiha Shisui secretly kept the souls of Hitomi’s wife and child in a crystal, intending to use them to create Clone Bodies and eventually make Black Zetsu pay.
• Uchiha Shisui gave Uchiha Hitomi the sealed Rinnegan, and Hitomi replaced his eyes with it.

Mist Ninja forces attacked the transformed Wind Country coastline, overwhelming its defenses with a massive wave assault. After learning that four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were involved, the Third Kazekage decided to confront them himself and ordered Rasa back to defend Sunagakure.

• Okawa spotted Mist Ninja ships approaching the Wind Country coastline and warned that an invasion had begun.
• Juzo Biwa, Ringo Ameyuri, Utakata, and Jinin Akebino sensed they were being watched, and Jinin ordered Kisame Hoshigaki to lead a Combined Great Waterfall Technique.
• Kisame and the Water Release ninja sent towering waves crashing toward the Sand Shinobi gathered on the shore.
• The Third Kazekage reviewed the battle report and learned that four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had attacked.
• The Third Kazekage decided to go to the coastline himself and ordered Rasa to return to Sunagakure.

Ōnoki exploited Sunagakure’s weakened defenses to invade the Land of Wind, where Rasa’s return and Kinnara’s strength helped the Sand Shinobi hold the line. Back in Konoha, Sarutobi Toru prepared to create Chakra White Zetsu for all nine Tailed Beasts, bringing that goal close to completion.

• Ōnoki learned that Kirigakure had invaded the Land of Wind and attacked Sunagakure’s front after Iwagakure was freed from its northern battle.
• Ōnoki’s forces drove the Sand Shinobi out of their gains in the Land of Earth and seized border oases in the Land of Wind.
• Rasa returned to Sunagakure and led more than a thousand shinobi against Iwagakure, while Kinnara held back Kakuzu and Kitsuchi.
• The Sand and Stone forces reached a stalemate as Rasa, Chiyo, Ebizo, and Kinnara helped Sunagakure resist Iwagakure’s upper-echelon fighters.
• Sarutobi Toru returned to Konoha with captives and the sealed Five-Tails Muo after helping Iwagakure repel Kumogakure.
• Sarutobi Toru put two Jinchuriki into his sealing formation and gathered White Zetsu seeds to prepare Chakra White Zetsu for all nine Tailed Beasts.

Sarutobi Toru created Tailed Beast Chakra-infused White Zetsu, let the Five-Tails Muo roam under a Flying Thunder God mark, and used his Hormone Fruit ability to control Yugito. Two years later, the war continued to intensify, with Sasori’s puppet-making prowess helping Sunagakure gain the upper hand against Iwagakure.

• Sarutobi Toru created White Zetsu infused with the Two-Tails’ and Eight-Tails’ Chakra and extracted Chakra from the Five-Tails Muo to make another kind.
• Sarutobi Toru marked Muo with the Flying Thunder God Technique Formula and allowed it to wander near Konoha Village while warning it not to flee or frighten residents.
• Sarutobi Toru used Hormone Manipulation on Yugito several times to make her infatuated with him and strengthen his control over her.
• Two years passed, and the wars between Kirigakure and Sunagakure and between Sunagakure and Iwagakure continued to grow more intense.
• Sasori of the Red Sands surpassed Chiyo as a puppet master, made her new puppets, and strengthened Sunagakure’s Puppet Unit enough to help Sunagakure gain the advantage over Iwagakure.

Sasori of the Red Sands struggled to find a way past the limits of traditional puppets, so Kinnara offered him Shamon’s research materials in exchange for copies of Sasori’s future research. Meanwhile, Iwagakure’s leaders met as the village faced severe losses and shortages after being attacked by Sunagakure and Kumogakure.

• Sasori of the Red Sands finished two puppets for a pair of elite puppet masters, who tested them and were delighted by their smooth movement.
• Sasori of the Red Sands wondered how puppet masters could surpass the limits of traditional puppets, and Kinnara told him that Shamon had also studied the future of Puppet Technique.
• Kinnara offered Sasori of the Red Sands access to Shamon’s inherited research in exchange for copies of every research record Sasori produced, and Sasori agreed.
• Iwagakure held a meeting about the war after losing territory and elite ninja to Sunagakure and Kumogakure, and suffering severe supply shortages.