Chapter Summaries

Kiyohara observed Might Guy opening the first three Inner Gates, then opened the Gate of Opening himself and fought Guy in a taijutsu match, winning after Guy stopped himself from breaking their agreement. The chapter ended with Tsunade telling Kiyohara that Sunagakure had intensified its attack at Kikyo Pass and that he would attend an emergency meeting before likely deploying to the front lines.

• Kiyohara studied how the Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, and Gate of Life affected Might Guy’s body and chakra flow.
• Kiyohara opened the Gate of Opening on his first attempt, impressing Might Guy and Kurenai Yuhi.
• Kiyohara and Might Guy fought using only the Gate of Opening, and Kiyohara copied Guy’s techniques and gained the upper hand.
• Might Guy stopped himself from opening the Gate of Healing, allowing Kiyohara to reach his throat and win the match.
• Kiyohara shared his observations about the Eight Inner Gates with Kurenai Yuhi over dinner.
• Tsunade told Kiyohara that Sunagakure’s offensive at Kikyo Pass had intensified and that they would attend an emergency meeting the next day.

Konoha's leaders sent reinforcements to Kikyo Pass after Sunagakure launched a fierce assault, and Tsunade, Kiyohara, and their medical unit joined Jiraiya at the front. After Kiyohara treated wounded shinobi, Sarutobi Asuma gave Kurenai Yuhi a belated birthday gift, but she refused it, leaving him troubled by her closeness to Kiyohara.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Nara Enchu and Tsunade to reinforce Kikyo Pass, assigned Orochimaru to monitor other villages, and placed Kiyohara in the medical division.
• Tsunade told Kiyohara he no longer needed to visit the Ruins of the Land of Whirlpools for Dan Katō's gravestone, saying the living mattered more.
• Nara Enchu led more than a thousand shinobi, including Tsunade, Kiyohara, and Kurenai Yuhi, to Kikyo Pass, where Jiraiya reported heavy casualties and a retreating defensive line.
• Tsunade organized the medical unit while Kiyohara, Shizune, and Nohara Rin treated wounded shinobi through the night.
• Kiyohara reassured Kurenai Yuhi that Sunagakure could not sustain its assault, and Sarutobi Asuma offered her a belated birthday gift that she declined.
• Sarutobi Asuma left feeling that Kurenai Yuhi treated Kiyohara differently from him.

Kiyohara confronted Pakura after her Scorch Release devastated Konoha’s third defensive line. He resisted her attacks and maneuvered through her barrage, but Pakura intensified her assault and vowed to kill him.

• Asuma fled from a rugged ninja offering him dinner, while Kiyohara and Kurenai Yuhi heard the exchange from their nearby tent.
• Kiyohara delivered breakfast to Kurenai Yuhi, Nohara Rin, and Tsunade, then learned that Pakura had broken through Konoha’s defenses.
• Kiyohara led Kurenai Yuhi, Shizune, and other ninja to the third defensive line, where Pakura’s Scorch Release killed Konoha ninja and overcame a Jonin’s Wind Release.
• Kiyohara revealed his powerful Wind Release, rushed Pakura, and endured her Extremely Steam Murder with Steel Release hardening and Wind Release: Gale Palm.
• Kiyohara dodged Pakura’s eight fireballs and threw two Sunagakure Chunin into their path, forcing Pakura to divert some attacks while others struck and vaporized the ninja.
• Pakura grew angrier, formed eight hotter Scorch Release fireballs, and prepared to continue attacking Kiyohara.

Kiyohara defeated and captured Pakura after countering her Scorch Release with supersonic Iron Sand bullets and a devastating heat-amplified Fireball. Jiraiya praised Kiyohara’s achievement and questioned the source of his powerful Fire Release.

• Pakura used self-detonating Scorch Release fireballs, but Kiyohara destroyed them with supersonic Magnet Release bullets and wounded her with close-combat attacks.
• Kiyohara intensified a Fireball with Iron Sand and launched it at Pakura, causing a massive explosion that devastated the battlefield and killed Sunagakure ninja who could not escape.
• Kiyohara caught the exhausted Pakura and used his Sharingan Genjutsu to knock her unconscious, while the defeated Sunagakure forces retreated.
• Kiyohara carried Pakura back as Konoha celebrated its victory, and Jiraiya learned that Kiyohara had captured her alive.
• Jiraiya praised Kiyohara and asked whether he had produced the enormous Fire Release attack himself.

Kiyohara returned to Konoha after capturing Pakura alive, then discussed his new Fire Release and sealing techniques with Tsunade and Uzumaki Karin. At a meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to have Sarutobi Shinnosuke assess Kiyohara for an Anbu squad captain promotion, while Shimura Danzō privately worried that Kiyohara’s growing influence would obstruct him.

• Jiraiya praised Kiyohara for capturing Pakura alive, and Kurenai and Might Guy congratulated him after he returned from the battle.
• Kiyohara handed Pakura over for safekeeping, then reunited with Tsunade and explained how he had used Magnet Release to create Fire Style: Microwave Bullet.
• Uzumaki Karin arrived to support the medical unit and offered to teach Kiyohara more about Sealing Jutsu.
• Tsunade questioned Kiyohara’s interest in Sealing Jutsu, and he said he wanted to make his abilities more well-rounded.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed promoting Kiyohara to Anbu squad captain, and the advisers agreed that Sarutobi Shinnosuke should assess him at the front lines first.
• Shimura Danzō objected to Kiyohara’s promotion and privately feared that Kiyohara’s standing in the Anbu would make it harder to target him.

Kiyohara received Tsunade’s Yin Seal scroll and agreed to help Nohara Rin safely explore the Three-Tails’ power. Inside Rin’s mental space, he fought Isobu to prove his strength, leaving the tailed beast pinned beneath a barrage of lightning.

• Mitokado Homura warned Shimura Danzō against using excessive methods, while Sarutobi Hiruzen sent Sarutobi Shinnosuke to assess Kiyohara and watch Danzō.
• Fugaku Uchiha showed Uchiha Itachi reports of Kiyohara’s battle achievements and questioned what Itachi would do if Kiyohara and the Uchiha Clan became enemies.
• Tsunade gave Kiyohara the Yin Seal scroll and asked him to help Nohara Rin gradually control the Three-Tails, with Uzumaki Karin watching over them.
• Kiyohara reviewed Kakashi’s new Lightning Release technique and advised Kurenai Yuhi on combining Wind Release with Genjutsu.
• Kiyohara entered Nohara Rin’s mental space and asked Isobu to lend her chakra, but Isobu challenged him to prove his strength.
• Kiyohara immobilized Isobu with Sharingan Genjutsu and overwhelmed it with Shadow Clones using Multiple Chidori.

Kiyohara persuaded the Three-Tails to lend Nohara Rin some of its chakra, and Rin learned to use it without losing control. As Sunagakure prepared to respond to Pakura's capture, Kiyohara continued training and checked on Rin before heading to visit Pakura.

• The Three-Tails agreed to lend Rin chakra in exchange for Kiyohara's promise to eventually free it, and Rin demonstrated the enhanced power of her Water Release.
• Rasa learned that Kiyohara had captured Pakura and decided to go to the front lines, while ordering preparations for possible ceasefire negotiations with Konoha.
• Kiyohara spent the following week treating the wounded and training to form a Yin Seal, with Tsunade advising him to proceed carefully.
• Kiyohara watched Rin destroy a wooden target with her Tailed Beast-enhanced Water Release and learned that she could sustain the chakra for about three minutes.
• Rin gave Kiyohara homemade rice balls, and he reminded her to train with the Three-Tails' chakra only when he or Karin was present before leaving to visit Pakura.

Kiyohara pressured Pakura into sharing her Scorch Release training insights by threatening her disciple Maki, then spent an evening teaching Tsunade and the others gambling games. Sarutobi Hiruzen approved of Kiyohara’s work and ordered his final assessment, which began when the masked ninja Kaen approached him at the camp.

• Kiyohara threatened Pakura with the possibility of capturing Maki, and Pakura reluctantly explained her Scorch Release training and combat experience.
• Kiyohara taught Tsunade, Kurenai Yuhi, Nohara Rin, Shizune, Kakashi, and Uzumaki Karin Dou Dizhu and mahjong, guiding Tsunade to a few wins.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen received reports on Kiyohara’s activities, Pakura’s insights, and Nohara Rin’s progress with the Three-Tails’ chakra, then ordered Shinnosuke to complete Kiyohara’s final test.
• As tensions rose at the frontline camp, Kiyohara considered copying Rasa’s Gold Dust and was approached by the masked ninja Kaen, who announced he had come to conduct Kiyohara’s final assessment.

Kiyohara passed the Anbu squad captain combat assessment by holding his own against Sarutobi Shinnosuke and forcing him to use his summoned beast. Shinnosuke planned to report the appointment to Hiruzen, while Kiyohara reflected on the techniques he had copied and told Anbu Kiyohara about his promotion.

• Sarutobi Shinnosuke introduced himself as captain of the Anbu First Division and set Kiyohara a combat assessment: defeat him or last three minutes while forcing him to use his full strength.
• Kiyohara and Shinnosuke exchanged shuriken, taijutsu, and ninjutsu, with Kiyohara using his Sharingan to read Shinnosuke's movements and learn from his techniques.
• Shinnosuke summoned Enmi, who transformed into the Adamantine Staff, and the pair fought Kiyohara together.
• Kiyohara countered their attacks with iron sand, Fire Release, Steel Release, and Chidori, then badly scalded Enmi with Microwave Fire Stream.
• Shinnosuke ended the assessment, confirmed Kiyohara had passed, and said he would report the result to Hiruzen for a new squad captain appointment.
• After Shinnosuke left to treat his injuries, Kiyohara noted the techniques he had copied and told Anbu Kiyohara he was about to become a squad captain.

Kiyohara became captain of the Anbu's First New Squad and inherited his deceased Anbu self's skills and power. After testing his strengthened Earth Cursed Seal, he returned to camp as tensions with Sunagakure rose and faced Kurenai Yuhi's challenge to a genjutsu match.

• Kiyohara covered the sleeping Tsunade with his blanket, and she recognized its scent and quietly thanked him.
• Sarutobi Shinnosuke told Sarutobi Hiruzen that Kiyohara had defeated him in a spar, and Hiruzen appointed Kiyohara captain of the Anbu's First New Squad.
• Kiyohara received his appointment and found Kakashi assigned under him, then sent Kakashi to ask Might Guy to join the Anbu.
• Anbu Kiyohara merged with Kiyohara, granting him infiltration, assassination, and poison skills while increasing his chakra and strengthening his Cursed Seal.
• Kiyohara tested State Two of the Earth Cursed Seal, using its tail to smash and slice a mountain wall after coating it with Steel Release.
• Sunagakure scouts withdrew when Namikaze Minato passed nearby, but Kurenai Yuhi later challenged Kiyohara to a genjutsu match without the Sharingan.

Kiyohara trained with Kurenai Yuhi, then led a rapid response against a Sunagakure patrol attack and uncovered signs of a larger offensive. After discussing his Cursed Seal with Orochimaru, Kiyohara agreed to spar with him, and Orochimaru opened with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.

• Kiyohara defeated Kurenai Yuhi in a sound-based Genjutsu contest, then advised her on concealing her attack within successive sound waves.
• Kakashi told Kiyohara that Might Guy had agreed to join Anbu if he could keep his green jumpsuit on some missions and duel Kakashi weekly, and Kiyohara approved both conditions.
• Kiyohara led Kurenai Yuhi, Nohara Rin, and Kakashi to rescue a patrol attacked by Sunagakure, where they killed several enemies and forced the rest to retreat.
• Kiyohara found coded patrol information and concluded Sunagakure was preparing a major attack; the camp commanders strengthened patrols after an emergency meeting.
• Orochimaru questioned Kiyohara about his Cursed Seal and natural energy, then invited him to spar, and Kiyohara accepted.
• Orochimaru attacked Kiyohara with the enhanced Hidden Shadow Snake Hands as their spar began.

Kiyohara tested his cursed-seal power for Orochimaru and received new techniques and the Power of the White Snake. After helping a drunken Tsunade, he trained in Soft Physique Modification and prepared to bring Might Guy into the Anbu.

• Kiyohara fought Orochimaru using his cursed-seal transformation, and Orochimaru praised its strength and stability before giving him Soft Physique Modification and more of the Power of the White Snake.
• Kiyohara discussed the Yin Seal and chakra control with Tsunade, then carried her to her tent after she became drunk and made sure she had water for the morning.
• Tsunade woke with a hangover, learned Kiyohara had cared for her, and promised to drink less as Shizune brought her hangover soup.
• Kiyohara studied Soft Physique Modification and trained in it while the front lines remained quiet, improving his flexibility.
• Kakashi delivered an approved Anbu uniform to Might Guy, who changed into it and declared he would become the Anbu's most dazzling ninja.

Kiyohara recruited Might Guy into Anbu as the Black Beast and learned the Contract Seal from Uzumaki Karin, whose healing ability he confirmed by biting her arm. A large Sunagakure force attacked the Konoha camp, and after Kiyohara reinforced the defenses, Might Guy charged into battle.

• Kiyohara explained Anbu rules to Might Guy and gave him the codename Black Beast.
• Uzumaki Karin taught Kiyohara the Contract Seal and revealed her healing ability, which Kiyohara verified by biting her arm.
• Sunagakure launched repeated waves of Wind Release at the Konoha camp, breaking through the Jonin's combined Earth-Style Wall.
• Kiyohara used Cursed Seal Transformation: State 1 and raised a powerful Earth-Style Wall that held against the attack.
• Jiraiya ordered the camp to prepare for battle as Sunagakure's main force emerged from the forest.
• Might Guy charged the first Sunagakure squad and knocked several ninja down with powerful kicks.

Kiyohara used his Sharingan and Magnet Release to copy Rasa’s Gold Dust control during Sunagakure’s assault, then joined Jiraiya in fighting the Fourth Kazekage. The battle left Rasa burned and struggling to control his Gold Dust while Kiyohara continued taking it for himself.

• Kiyohara coordinated Kurenai, Rin, and Kakashi as Konoha repelled Sunagakure’s first charge, but the enemy’s numbers began pushing the defensive line back.
• Rasa arrived and buried dozens of Konoha ninja with Gold Dust, while Jiraiya’s attacks failed to break through his defenses.
• Kiyohara studied Rasa’s chakra with his Sharingan, learned to control Gold Dust, and used his Cursed Seal to steal some of Rasa’s supply.
• Rasa attacked Kiyohara with waves and spears of Gold Dust, while Jiraiya supported Kiyohara and disrupted Rasa’s control.
• Kiyohara blocked Rasa’s Gold Dust spears and struck him with a Microwave Bullet as Jiraiya bound him with Needle Jizo.
• Rasa retreated behind Gold Dust defenses, but the blast burned him and weakened his control, allowing Kiyohara to seize more Gold Dust.

Rasa withdrew Sunagakure’s forces after Konoha resisted the surprise attack, while Kiyohara collected Gold Dust and reported the battle to Tsunade. Tsunade gave Kiyohara an A-rank Medical Ninjutsu scroll and, after learning his birthday was approaching, began considering what gift to give him.

• Rasa ordered Sunagakure to retreat after Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and Konoha’s defenses proved too strong, while Chiyo agreed to seek a way to bring Pakura back.
• Fukasaku and Shima warned Jiraiya that Kiyohara’s natural energy felt like the sinister methods of Ryūchi Cave, and Jiraiya promised to keep an eye on him.
• Kiyohara gathered Gold Dust and battlefield intelligence, then told Kurenai Yuhi, Sarutobi Asuma, and Kakashi that he could control Gold Dust and had learned Rasa’s technique.
• Tsunade summoned Kiyohara, heard his battle report, and gave him an A-rank Medical Ninjutsu scroll after he demonstrated his control of Gold Dust.
• Kiyohara dried Tsunade’s hair with Fire Release, and Tsunade realized his birthday was near and began thinking about a suitable gift.

Kiyohara continued developing Wind Style: Rasengan, strengthened Kakashi with the Power of the White Snake, and learned that the Akatsuki wanted his help in the Land of Rain. Tsunade agreed to accompany him, while Kiyohara’s comrades began preparing birthday gifts for him.

• Kiyohara tested his new Wind Style: Rasengan and hoped his next future would grant him a Water Release chakra nature.
• The Great Toad Sage prophesied that the Child of Prophecy’s fate had changed and told Fukasaku and Shima to bring the red-eyed child to Jiraiya.
• Kiyohara gave Kakashi the Power of the White Snake, and Kakashi’s improved vitality and chakra recovery helped him defeat Might Guy in a spar.
• Genma Shiranui told Kiyohara that Konan was waiting near the Land of Rain and wanted his help, so Kiyohara arranged to meet the Akatsuki with Tsunade.
• Nohara Rin prepared a medical kit for Kiyohara’s birthday, Kurenai Yuhi asked Asuma about a gift, and Asuma offered chakra-conductive metal.

Kiyohara supported Yakushi Nonō’s orphanage and research, then developed and tested the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken. He joined Tsunade’s team to meet Konan in the Land of Rain, where they fought attackers disguised as Amegakure ninja, while Kiyohara suspected Shimura Danzō was behind the assaults and awaited a new future that night.

• Kakashi planned to give Kiyohara Hatake Kenjutsu techniques, while Might Guy offered him a taijutsu training manual.
• Kiyohara gave Yakushi Nonō White Snake biological fluid and gold to fund research equipment and the orphanage, and he gave Yakushi Kabuto a Wind Release ninjutsu.
• Kiyohara tested Shadow Clones and developed the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, destroying a rock wall and flattening a hill before Kurenai Yuhi arrived.
• Kiyohara traveled with Tsunade, Kurenai, and Shizune to meet Konan, who reported that Akatsuki had lost seven companions amid escalating attacks.
• Kiyohara’s team helped Konan’s group defeat twelve attackers disguised as Amegakure ninja, and Kiyohara suspected Shimura Danzō was orchestrating the assaults.

Tsunade and Kiyohara negotiated provisional cooperation with Yahiko’s Akatsuki, treating its wounded and gathering information while Tsunade pursued her usual gambling and Kiyohara kept her in check. Kiyohara then received a new Ash Box containing the spirit of another Kiyohara, an elderly toad from Mount Myoboku who described his death while investigating the Ultimate Summoning Beast.

• Konan asked Tsunade for medical supplies, and Tsunade agreed to provide basic supplies while reserving formal cooperation for discussion with Akatsuki’s leader.
• Yahiko offered Rain Iron and mission services in exchange for trade access and recognition, and Tsunade promised to take Akatsuki’s proposal to Konoha while helping defend it and requesting intelligence.
• Kiyohara treated Yahiko and Nagato, observing Nagato’s Rinnegan chakra as Nagato remained wary of the Konoha ninja.
• Konan took Tsunade, Kiyohara, Kurenai Yuhi, and Shizune to a casino, where Kiyohara eventually persuaded Tsunade to leave and bought her local wine.
• Kiyohara received a new Ash Box and met the spirit of Gamabunta Kiyohara, a toad from Mount Myoboku who said he had died after being set up on Summoning Island while investigating the Ultimate Summoning Beast.

Kiyohara learned about Gamabunta Kiyohara’s final wishes and began training to use Mount Myoboku Senjutsu in a human body. Meanwhile, Hanzo agreed to renegotiate a deal with Danzō against Akatsuki, but Amegakure later approached the group with an offer to legitimize it.

• Gamabunta Kiyohara explained that he wanted Kiyohara to kill the Ultimate Summoning Beast and master Mount Myoboku Senjutsu without becoming toad-like.
• Gamabunta Kiyohara revealed that he had Water Release, which would give Kiyohara all seven chakra natures if they fused.
• Danzō showed Hanzo evidence of Akatsuki’s growing influence and proposed cooperation to suppress the group while securing access to the Land of Rain’s mineral resources.
• Hanzo agreed to cooperate with Danzō after renegotiating the terms, believing the Land of Rain could not withstand another revolution.
• Kiyohara trained Frog Kata by drawing natural energy through his Cursed Seal and striking a wooden post from a distance.
• Amegakure ninjas approached Akatsuki and said Hanzo intended to recognize the group’s status, shocking Yahiko and Nagato.

Yahiko welcomed Hanzo’s offer to recognize Akatsuki, while Kiyohara suspected a trap and later uncovered Root’s attack on Konan. After Kiyohara defeated the attackers, Shimura Danzō and Hanzo planned to move against Akatsuki, and Amegakure forces gathered outside its base.

• Kanzo told Yahiko that Hanzo would recognize Akatsuki and invite it to negotiate peace, but Kiyohara warned Yahiko that the offer might be a trap.
• Kiyohara advised Tsunade on gradually confronting her hemophobia, then followed Konan to inspect District 7.
• Root ninja ambushed Konan, but Kiyohara defeated them and found a Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on one attacker.
• Kiyohara told Tsunade that the attackers were likely Root ninja acting with Hanzo’s cooperation, and Tsunade sent the intelligence to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Shimura Danzō and Hanzo agreed to surround Akatsuki’s base and kill Yahiko, while Tsunade and Kiyohara sensed Amegakure troops approaching the next morning.