Recaps

Sarutobi Toru defeated Kumogakure’s remaining defenders, forced Dodai to reveal the location of the village’s secret ninjutsu, and headed for the Raikage’s Office. He shattered the Cloud Shinobi’s Twelve-Direction Seal and left the surrounding defenders unconscious or scattered.

• C attacked Sarutobi Toru, but Toru struck him through a wall with an Air Bullet.
• Dodai surrendered and let Sarutobi Toru read his memories, revealing where Kumogakure stored its secret ninjutsu.
• Sarutobi Toru descended into Kumogakure and killed the Cloud Shinobi who charged him as he made his way toward the Raikage’s Office.
• The Cloud Shinobi formed the Twelve-Direction Seal to trap Sarutobi Toru, but he shattered it with a rapid barrage of punches.
• The force from the broken barrier swept away the surrounding Cloud Shinobi, and Toru remarked that it was quiet.

Sarutobi Toru broke into the Raikage's Office, defeated the Cloud Shinobi who pursued him, and escaped with Kumogakure's scrolls. He mastered Kumogakure's Lightning Release Armor and later reunited with Pakura and Queen Sara in Amegakure, where the women had grown stronger by consuming White Zetsu Chakra Fruits.

• Sarutobi Toru killed the Cloud Shinobi and Anbu who tried to stop him from reaching the Raikage's Office.
• A large group of Cloud Shinobi charged into the Raikage Building, but after ten minutes the building fell silent, and the survivors found their comrades dead and Sarutobi Toru gone.
• Sarutobi Toru studied the scrolls he had taken and mastered Kumogakure's Lightning Release Armor in a few hours.
• In Amegakure, Queen Sara woke to find Sarutobi Toru and Pakura studying scrolls, then joined them on the sofa.
• Pakura and Queen Sara had eaten White Zetsu Chakra Fruits that increased their chakra and vitality, while Queen Sara's lifespan had at least doubled.

After returning from the parallel world, Sarutobi Toru used Kumogakure’s research materials to strengthen his combat abilities and began mastering Black Lightning Release. Four years later, Kakashi and Might Guy started at Konoha Ninja Academy, where they met Uchiha Hotaru.

• Sarutobi Toru handed Kumogakure’s research materials to his companions and began training, deciding that Black Lightning Release suited his powerful body.
• Sarutobi Toru spent the next four years developing his abilities as Konoha and its Ninja Academy expanded.
• Kakashi and Might Guy arrived at the academy to register for their first day of school while their fathers were away on missions.
• Uchiha Hotaru rushed into Kakashi, scattered her registration papers, and introduced herself after he asked if she was okay.
• Might Guy challenged Uchiha Hotaru after hearing that the Uchiha Clan was full of geniuses.

Uchiha Hotaru accidentally accepted Might Guy’s challenge before Kakashi pointed out that she had never trained. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Toru faced Hatake Sakumo and Might Duy, who regarded his Sage Jutsu Black Lightning armor as a formidable threat.

• Might Guy enthusiastically challenged Uchiha Hotaru, who mistakenly accepted before rushing to register.
• Kakashi told Might Guy that Hotaru had never trained and had only agreed because she was overwhelmed by his enthusiasm.
• Kakashi reflected that he had intervened because he did not want Hotaru to suffer through a fight with Might Guy.
• Sarutobi Toru confronted Hatake Sakumo, whose new Light Release combined Wind and Lightning, and Might Duy, who had opened the Sixth Gate while controlling his chakra precisely.
• Sarutobi Toru revealed a Black Lightning armor formed from Sage Jutsu, while Sakumo and Duy watched him warily.

Sarutobi Toru tested his greatly enhanced strength against Hatake Sakumo and Might Duy, enduring their attacks with little harm. After seeing that Hatake Sakumo’s Light Release could briefly wound him, the two wondered how strong Toru would be if he attacked seriously.

• Sarutobi Toru attacked Hatake Sakumo with a sword of black lightning, overpowering him and forcing him back.
• Might Duy struck Sarutobi Toru with Morning Peacock while Hatake Sakumo attacked through the smoke with Light Release.
• Hatake Sakumo used High-Frequency Oscillation Cutter, but Sarutobi Toru gripped his Light Release sword and made him disperse it.
• Might Duy unleashed Hirudora from the Six Gates, but Sarutobi Toru remained standing with only two steps pushed back.
• Might Duy admitted he could not hurt Sarutobi Toru without opening the Eighth Gate, and Toru revealed Hatake Sakumo’s strike had left a mark that quickly healed.
• Hatake Sakumo asked how strong Sarutobi Toru would be if he took the initiative.

Sarutobi Toru reflected on his newly mastered Sage Art Black Lightning Chakra Mode and the political and commercial power he and Tsunade had built in the Land of Whirlpools. He visited the Ninja Academy, where he ran into Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.

• Sarutobi Toru explained that Orochimaru from the Parallel World had helped him use Jugo’s bloodline to cultivate immortality and become immune to Sage Art Chakra’s damage.
• Sarutobi Toru considered how Tsunade’s influence and network among Konoha’s ninjas could help her become Hokage after returning from the Land of Whirlpools.
• Sarutobi Toru went to the Ninja Academy on the day Kakashi and other future Konoha ninjas were enrolling.
• Sarutobi Toru spotted Namikaze Minato with Uzumaki Kushina and greeted Minato, who called him Teacher Sarutobi.
• Sarutobi Toru corrected Minato and told him to call him Senior Sarutobi instead.

Sarutobi Toru met Namikaze Minato’s girlfriend, Uzumaki Kaori, and advised Minato to develop Sage Mode as tensions among the ninja villages rose. He left Minato with a warning to grow stronger as Konoha and the Land of Fire faced mounting political and military pressure.

• Sarutobi Toru asked Minato to introduce Uzumaki Kaori, who explained that she had once worked as Lord Hiruko’s research assistant.
• Minato openly called Kaori his girlfriend, and the two exchanged an affectionate look as Sarutobi teased him about winning over an Uzumaki ninja.
• Sarutobi asked about Minato’s Mount Myōboku contract, and Minato credited his teacher Jiraiya for helping him.
• Sarutobi urged Minato to develop Sage Mode, explaining that the Rasengan alone might not overcome the strongest ninja.
• Sarutobi reflected that the other great villages had strengthened and that the Land of Fire had begun guarding against Konoha’s growing independence.

Sarutobi Toru observed the Daimyo of the Land of Fire building a small ninja force and saw how tensions between the Daimyo and Konoha were encouraging the other nations to prepare for war. At the Ninja Academy, Toru found that the new generation was unmoved by the Will of Fire and challenged Sarutobi Hiruzen to explain its practical purpose.

• The Daimyo of the Land of Fire recruited talented ninja from outside Konoha, while still relying on the Hokage to defend the country.
• Sarutobi Toru judged that the other nations were being drawn toward a war that would not end as they expected.
• Sarutobi Toru visited the Ninja Academy and noticed students such as Might Guy, Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Nohara Rin, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma reacting differently to Sarutobi Hiruzen's Will of Fire lesson.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen shortened his lesson after noticing the students' lack of enthusiasm, then greeted Sarutobi Toru.
• Sarutobi Toru questioned what practical guidance the Will of Fire offered, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen unable to answer.

Sarutobi Toru discussed the Will of Fire, the Hokage succession, and Konoha’s preparations for the coming war with Sarutobi Hiruzen. He then returned to Root and questioned Shimura Danzō about foreign intelligence, only to find Danzō seemingly unaware that war might be near.

• Sarutobi Toru told Sarutobi Hiruzen that the old Will of Fire could no longer guide Konoha and argued that Tsunade was the best candidate to become Hokage.
• Sarutobi Toru and Sarutobi Hiruzen discussed Hatake Sakumo as a possible rival in a Hokage election and agreed that Hiruzen would remain in office until after the Third Shinobi World War.
• Sarutobi Toru suggested recalling Tsunade from the Land of Whirlpools, and Sarutobi Hiruzen said he planned to bring her back and send Toru to support her if Kirigakure acted.
• Sarutobi Toru joked that he would become the Hokage’s man after Hiruzen retired, then returned to the Root Base.
• Sarutobi Toru asked Shimura Danzō about foreign alliances and war supplies, but Danzō’s confused expression suggested he had not recognized the looming threat of war.

Sarutobi Toru continued to undermine Shimura Danzō’s control of Root, relying on Yakushi Nonō to manage its intelligence network. Their intelligence showed that the other great villages were preparing for war, though Sarutobi Toru expected the conflict to be at least two years away.

• Shimura Danzō ordered Sarutobi Toru to prepare Root for war, unaware that Root’s intelligence network had been taken over by Sarutobi Toru.
• Sarutobi Toru returned to his Root office, where Yakushi Nonō welcomed him after a week apart.
• Sarutobi Toru praised Yakushi Nonō’s work and reviewed the intelligence she had gathered from Root.
• Sarutobi Toru found that the Four Great Ninja Villages were increasing their military spending and would likely need two more years to prepare for war.
• Sarutobi Toru judged that Kumogakure was especially eager for war because the Land of Lightning faced a severe economic crisis.

Nara Shikaku returned to Konoha with Tsunade and learned that his assignment had been transferred to her staff. He had expected to regain his freedom after finishing work in the Land of Whirlpools, but instead became the Medical Department head’s assistant.

• Yakushi Nonō reported her intelligence to Sarutobi Toru, who praised her work.
• Tsunade, Uzumaki Kushina, and their returning team arrived in Konoha, and Tsunade sent Nara Shikaku to report to the Hokage’s Office.
• Nara Shikaku recalled how Sarutobi Toru had forced him to work on rebuilding the Land of Whirlpools from age thirteen.
• Nara Shikaku completed his report and returned home, where Nara Shikashin told him his strength had improved.
• Nara Shikashin revealed that Nara Shikaku would serve as the Medical Department head’s assistant under Tsunade, shocking Nara Shikaku.

After reuniting with Tsunade and Kushina, Sarutobi Toru was summoned to the Hokage Building and assigned to lead a mission to seal Moryo in the Land of Demons. The chapter leaves Sarutobi Toru reviewing the mission alongside Aburame Shibi and Hizashi Hyuga.

• Tsunade reunited with Uzumaki Kanao and praised her medical ninjutsu after checking her progress.
• Sarutobi Toru spent the night with Tsunade, then received a crow's message summoning him to the Hokage Building.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen introduced Aburame Shibi and Hizashi Hyuga as the other members of Sarutobi Toru's mission team.
• Sarutobi Toru read the mission scroll and learned that the Miko of the Land of Demons had requested help sealing the ancient demon Moryo.

Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Hizashi Hyuga and the others to protect Miko Miroku as she sealed Moryo, while Yomi prepared to release the monster using his Dark Medical Ninjutsu. In Sunagakure, Sasori’s attempt to escape ended in a beating, but the Third Kazekage gave him an international mission to the Land of Demons.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that Konoha would treat Miko Miroku’s warning as a mission and protect her until she sealed Moryo, while Aburame Shibi pointed out that he had not yet read the intelligence.
• Yomi celebrated mastering Dark Medical Ninjutsu and decided to break Moryo’s seal, a plan made possible by his study of techniques developed in Konoha.
• Sasori tested his Flying Puppet, but the Third Kazekage’s wind destroyed it, and Sasori used Iron Sand wings to land safely.
• Keiji made Sasori apologize to the Third Kazekage, while Rena struck Sasori with a frying pan for his repeated demands to leave Sunagakure.
• The Third Kazekage assigned Sasori to travel to the Land of Demons with Rasa and Baki, and Sasori excitedly went to pack despite Rena’s concern.

The Third Kazekage allowed Sasori to leave Sunagakure after recognizing his talent, while Ōnoki prepared to confront Moryo himself. On the way to the Land of Demons, Sarutobi Toru and his companions stopped in the Land of Rain, where they saw how well Hanzo’s rule had improved the country.

• The Third Kazekage told Rena that Sasori needed to leave the village to grow and gathered the wreckage of his flying puppet.
• Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to respond to Moryo’s revival and decided to go personally to ensure it was sealed.
• Ōnoki left Rōshi, Han, and Kitsuchi behind and chose Shū and Fugai to accompany him.
• Sarutobi Toru, Hizashi Hyuga, and Aburame Shibi traveled on foot through the rainy Land of Rain toward the Land of Demons.
• Sarutobi Toru and Hizashi Hyuga praised Hanzo’s governance after seeing the Land of Rain’s improved canals and the townspeople’s good spirits.

Sarutobi Toru dismissed Hanzo of the Salamander’s ambition to make Amegakure a sixth great nation, then observed Yahiko helping orphans before continuing toward the Land of Demons. At the shrine, Toru sensed Ōnoki among Iwagakure’s representatives and wondered whether he had come with another plan involving Moryo.

• Sarutobi Toru explained to Hizashi Hyuga why Hanzo of the Salamander lacked the strength and village foundations to make Amegakure a great nation.
• Yahiko entered the tavern to buy food for orphans, and Sarutobi Toru recognized him as Hanzo of the Salamander’s disciple.
• Sarutobi Toru and his companions passed through the Land of Rain and the Land of Birds without trouble, then traveled to the Land of Demons.
• Sarutobi Toru sensed a powerful chakra presence at the shrine and recognized Ōnoki among the Iwagakure representatives.

Sarutobi Toru arrived at a shrine where Iwagakure and Sunagakure’s representatives argued over their deteriorating relations. Sasori’s taunts provoked Ōnoki, but Toru’s arrival defused the tension and left Ōnoki wary of challenging him.

• Sarutobi Toru observed that Ōnoki’s hostility had damaged relations between the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
• Ōnoki mocked Sunagakure for sending young representatives, and Sasori fired back by ridiculing Iwagakure’s reliance on its aging Tsuchikage.
• Sasori’s sharp retorts angered Ōnoki, who began to rise as his Chakra stirred.
• Sarutobi Toru announced Konoha’s arrival, giving Ōnoki an excuse to sit down and avoid a confrontation.
• Ōnoki questioned why Toru had come to the Land of Demons, and Toru replied that he did not need to report his missions to the Tsuchikage.

Sarutobi Toru and the other ninja leaders met with Miko Miroku, who explained that Moryo's soul was heading to the Land of Swamps while its Ghost Army distracted the Land of Demons. They agreed to escort Miroku into a decisive battle and set out at once.

• Sarutobi Toru joined Ōnoki, Rasa, and the others as Miko Miroku entered the shrine and calmed the gathered ninja with her strange Chakra.
• Miroku said Moryo's soul was likely traveling to the Land of Swamps to reclaim its body, while its Ghost Army scattered across the Land of Demons to tie down their forces.
• Miroku proposed that the ninja protect her in a decisive battle to seal Moryo, and the leaders agreed to face it together.
• Sarutobi Toru urged everyone to depart immediately, and Rasa said he and the other Sand Shinobi would protect Miroku using Magnet Release to fly.

Sasori demonstrated his skill to the Miko’s guards after they challenged Sunagakure’s ability to protect her. He controlled the guards with Human Body Puppetry, impressing the watching ninja and prompting Ōnoki to compare his talent to Chiyo’s.

• Ōnoki agreed to deal with Moryo’s Ghost Army while Sarutobi Toru volunteered to fight Moryo’s main body.
• The Miko’s guard captain, Nijo-kun, objected to being left behind and challenged the Sunagakure ninja to prove their strength.
• Sasori set aside his scroll and approached the guards without using his Puppets, despite Baki’s warning to show mercy.
• Sasori took control of Nijo-kun and the other guards, forcing them to bow as they protested that they could not move.
• Ōnoki recognized Sasori’s Human Body Puppetry, while Sarutobi Toru pointed out that Sasori had raised only one hand.

Sarutobi Toru and the allied ninja traveled with Miko Miroku toward the Land of Swamps, where she explained how her Prophecy Art had guided her choices. They encountered a massive Ghost Army, which opened fire as the chapter ended.

• Sasori released Miko Miroku’s guards, and the allied ninja set off for the Land of Swamps.
• Sarutobi Toru used Sunagakure’s Sand Control Technique to carry Hizashi Hyuga and Aburame Shibi, surprising Rasa and Sasori.
• Miko Miroku explained that her Prophecy Art showed tragic futures tied to her fate and had revealed repeated failures before the allied ninja arrived.
• Sarutobi Toru and the others reached a massive Ghost Army equipped with archers and ballistae, and Hizashi Hyuga suggested its master could sense when its soldiers were destroyed.

Sarutobi Toru and the other ninja fought their way through Moryo’s endless Ghost Army and reached the Volcano Shrine, where Moryo’s halves were beginning to reunite. They faced the huge army guarding the shrine and debated how to clear a path inside.

• Ōnoki used Dust Release to destroy a large group of Ghost Army soldiers, then joined Shū and Fugai in trapping hundreds more in a Yellow Springs Swamp.
• Sasori mocked Ōnoki for relying on Earth Release to contain the Ghost Army, and Ōnoki ignored him.
• Inside the Volcano Shrine, Moryo sensed that his other half was approaching and declared that nothing could stop their reunion.
• Sarutobi Toru and the others reached the shrine after half a day of travel and found tens of thousands of Ghost Army soldiers blocking the way.
• Sarutobi Toru challenged Ōnoki to clear the army with Dust Release, but Ōnoki offered only to open a path, and Sarutobi Toru refused to trust him.

Sarutobi Toru entered the volcano to confront Moryo, while the others waited above and prepared to bring Miko Miroku down after he weakened the monster. The Main God Fragment identified Moryo as an Otherworld Beacon, and Toru faced him as the weakening seal began to fail.

• Ōnoki blasted a hole through the volcano, and Sarutobi Toru told Hizashi Hyuga to bring Miko Miroku down after he reported that Moryo had been defeated.
• Sarutobi Toru began descending with Chakra wings, realized Aburame Shibi had fallen after him, and caught him before they entered the volcano together.
• Ōnoki recognized Toru’s wings as Hoshigakure’s Mysterious Peacock Method and worried that Toru had gained another powerful technique.
• Sarutobi Toru saw Moryo in the lava, and the Main God Fragment identified the monster as an Otherworld Beacon.
• Yomi offered Sarutobi Toru immortality and power in exchange for breaking the seal, but Toru rejected him as Moryo struggled against the weakening Sealing Array.

Sarutobi Toru nearly obliterated Moryo with a massive Rasengan, but Moryo revived by drawing energy from the magma beneath the volcano. As Moryo attacked again, Sarutobi Toru stood unharmed amid its flames.

• Sarutobi Toru formed and threw a gigantic Rasengan at Moryo, carving away more than half the volcano and wiping out Ghost Army members in its path.
• Sasori, Rasa, Hizashi Hyuga, and the others saw Sarutobi Toru standing unharmed and realized he had caused the devastation.
• Moryo revived from the lava pool, and Hizashi Hyuga observed that its Chakra was recovering by drawing power from underground magma.
• Moryo swung its Dragon Head Tentacles at Sarutobi Toru, who severed them and passed one to Aburame Shibi to seal away.
• Moryo regrew its tentacles, converted the magma into Chakra, and spewed flames at Sarutobi Toru, who remained protected by black lightning.

Sarutobi Toru overwhelmed Moryo and weakened him enough for the Miko to seal his soul. With Moryo’s soul trapped in a Crystal Ball, his body’s regeneration slowed, leaving the remaining sealing to continue.

• Sarutobi Toru repeatedly dismembered Moryo until his regeneration slowed, then stopped when he realized destroying Moryo completely would take too much time and Chakra.
• Sarutobi Toru called Hizashi Hyuga, Rasa, and the others to bring the Miko down to seal Moryo.
• Moryo pretended to be incapacitated, then attacked the Miko and the others, but Sarutobi Toru instantly tore him into minced flesh.
• Sarutobi Toru told the Miko to begin sealing Moryo, impressing Sasori and alarming Ōnoki with his speed and strength.
• The Miko gathered Moryo’s soul and sealed it in a Crystal Ball, causing his body’s regeneration to slow.

After sealing Moryo, Sarutobi Toru returned secretly to ask Miko Miroku to use her Prophecy Art to reduce casualties in Konoha's human experiments. Miko agreed to go to Konoha for a few months, and Sarutobi Toru proposed making a substitute so she could leave more freely.

• Sarutobi Toru and Miko Miroku divided Moryo's body into four parts and sealed each part, after which Ōnoki and Rasa collected remnants and everyone returned to the Land of Demons.
• After the others departed, Sarutobi Toru sneaked back into the shrine in spirit-body form, but Miko Miroku sensed his presence.
• Sarutobi Toru asked Miko Miroku to use her Prophecy Art to foresee dangers in Konoha's human experiments and help reduce casualties.
• Miko Miroku agreed to accompany Sarutobi Toru to Konoha for a few months, explaining that she disliked being confined to the shrine.
• When Miko Miroku asked how they would get past the Land of Demons' ministers and guards, Sarutobi Toru offered to make a substitute and teach her basic Transformation Jutsu.

Sarutobi Toru took Miko Miroku from the Land of Demons and traveled with her toward Konoha, where her spiritual perception revealed a death omen at an inn in the Land of Rain. He arranged to clear the inn before a likely mudslide, but a mother and daughter refused to leave.

• Miko Miroku explained that her energy was Spiritual Power and agreed to help Sarutobi Toru with her Prophecy Art.
• Sarutobi Toru created a White Zetsu double of Miko Miroku, and she left the shrine with him to see the outside world.
• After half a month of travel, Miko Miroku sensed that the Land of Rain's water Spiritual Power was out of balance.
• At an inn, Miko Miroku foresaw that everyone except Sarutobi Toru would be buried alive, and he suspected a mudslide.
• Sarutobi Toru paid the innkeeper to clear the inn, but a mother and daughter refused to leave, so he confronted them.