Chapter Summaries

Araki considered exploiting the fleeing Jinchuriki for the Land of Artisans’ plan, then spotted a chance to gain influence in the Land of Iron by competing for its next general. He created a clone named Mihawk and introduced him to the Kirigakure group.

• The Third Kazekage continued taking the Land of Iron’s ore while Tōshirō and Okisuke’s warriors failed to stop him.
• Araki learned of the Land of Iron’s helplessness and discussed which fleeing Jinchuriki to target for reviving Seimei.
• Karatachi Yagura suggested pursuing the Cloud Village or Iwagakure Jinchuriki, but Araki pointed out that Moryo was chasing the Shrine Maiden with Konoha.
• Araki proposed entering a swordsmanship contest in the Land of Iron to gain a path toward its next generalship.
• Araki used the Flesh Clone Technique to create Mihawk and introduced him to the group.

Araki sent his Mihawk persona, armed with White Blade: Day, to confront the Third Kazekage and rescue the Land of Iron’s honor. Mihawk challenged the Kazekage to retract his insults and apologize, setting up a fight.

• Araki created Mihawk with the Flesh Clone and formed White Blade: Day from his bones for him to wield.
• The Third Kazekage taunted the Land of Iron’s samurai while gathering Tessa, and Okisuke nearly charged out before Tōshirō stopped him.
• The samurai lost hope and more than a hundred threw down their swords and wept.
• Mihawk arrived, demanded that the Third Kazekage take back his insults and apologize, and drew White Blade: Day when the Kazekage refused.

Mihawk demonstrated long-range swordsmanship in his duel with the Third Kazekage, shocking Okisuke and Tōshirō with his ability to counter Iron Sand. The fight remained unresolved as the Third Kazekage formed a hundred-meter Iron Sand Sword for his next attack.

• Mihawk's Flying Slash split the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand Hammer, and Okisuke heard that a swordsman was fighting the Kazekage.
• Mihawk's long-range slash cut through hundreds of Iron Sand spears, prompting Okisuke to recognize his swordsmanship as extraordinary.
• Okisuke tried to go protect Mihawk, but Tōshirō stopped him and explained that Mihawk held a slight advantage in the duel.
• Mihawk declared the warm-up over, and the Third Kazekage formed a gigantic Iron Sand Sword.

Mihawk and the Third Kazekage staged a catastrophic sword clash that restored Okisuke and Tōshirō’s faith in swordsmanship. As the two samurai approached, Mihawk and the Third Kazekage adjusted their plan, and Mihawk unleashed Heaven Opener.

• The Third Kazekage brought down his enormous tessa sword, and Mihawk met it with a golden sword strike that shook the sky and earth.
• Tōshirō urged the samurai to retreat, but Okisuke refused, saying Mihawk’s power had renewed his belief in the path of the sword.
• Tōshirō chose to accompany Okisuke as they struggled toward the battlefield together.
• Mihawk and the Third Kazekage revealed that their clash was mostly a performance, then changed their plan so the Third Kazekage would take a direct injury before leaving.
• Okisuke and Tōshirō reached a vantage point as Mihawk broke through the dark clouds and declared his finishing move, Heaven Opener.

Mihawk accepted the samurai’s plea to become the new General of the Land of Iron after the Third Kazekage fled and Mifune’s death left the country vulnerable. Araki celebrated securing the position, while Oyashiro En warned that the samurai might only want to learn Mihawk’s swordsmanship.

• Mihawk met Okisuke and Tōshirō, learned that the Third Kazekage’s body had been controlled and that Mifune had fallen, and agreed to hear more in the capital.
• At the Tenshukaku, Okisuke and Tōshirō explained the damage caused by the Five Kage Summit and urged Mihawk to stay and help the Land of Iron.
• Okisuke and Tōshirō knelt and asked Mihawk to become the new General, saying he was the Land of Iron’s hope.
• Okisuke showed Mihawk the thousand samurai gathered outside, who called for him to stay and become their General.
• Mihawk accepted the position as the samurai cheered, and Araki declared that the General’s role was secured.
• Oyashiro En warned Araki that the samurai might be using Mihawk for his swordsmanship, but Araki confidently dismissed the concern.

After learning that Orochimaru and Tsunade killed Hanzo and Konoha was hunting the surviving Rain ninja, Nagato returned to the Land of Rain. He declared that Pain, an identity created for Yahiko, would become the new god who restored peace there.

• Obito Uchiha told Nagato and Konan that Orochimaru and Tsunade had killed Hanzo during a surprise attack, prompting Nagato to decide to return to the Land of Rain.
• Nagato and Konan found the Land of Rain in disarray, where two thugs harassed an elderly bun seller and Nagato used Banshō Ten'in to save her buns.
• Nagato forced the thugs to lead him to their Konoha jonin leader, learned that Orochimaru had tasked him with hunting surviving Rain ninja, and wiped out the gathered bandits.
• Nagato spared one man to warn Orochimaru that the Land of Rain would resist Konoha, announcing that Pain had returned as its new god.
• Nagato told Konan he would reunify Amegakure and make Yahiko the new god who would bring peace to the Land of Rain.

The Third Kazekage attacked Roshi and Han in the Land of Iron, while four runaway children from the Land of Artisans stumbled upon the battle. Roshi fell from the sky near them, and they decided to use the Four-Tails Jinchuriki to revive Lord Seimei.

• Karatachi Yagura chose Iwagakure as Kirigakure's target, and the Third Kazekage received orders to attack.
• The Third Kazekage ambushed Roshi, Han, Hikō, and the other Iwagakure Ninja in the western Land of Iron.
• Roshi and Han stayed behind to fight the flying Third Kazekage while Hikō and the others fled.
• The Third Kazekage drew the battle toward the route taken by Ryugan Sanzoku, Kujaku Rei, Mugenmon Satoru, and Kokko Nao.
• Roshi fell from the sky near the four children, who recognized him as Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchuriki and decided to use him to revive Lord Seimei.

The Land of Artisans used Roshi and the four legendary ninja tools in a ritual to revive Seimei, while Kitsuchi led Iwagakure’s forces to rescue Roshi and Kirigakure prepared to intervene. Seimei emerged from the ritual and declared that he would lead the Land of Artisans to rule the Shinobi World.

• Ryugan Sanzoku’s group brought the unconscious Roshi to the Land of Artisans to use his chakra in Seimei’s revival ritual.
• Ryugan pushed Kokko Nao to wield the Black Light Sword, which summoned the other three legendary ninja tools and fused them with Nao.
• Kitsuchi took command of Iwagakure and led Han and two elite squads to rescue Roshi and punish the Land of Artisans.
• Araki learned that Iwagakure was approaching and set out with Kisame Hoshigaki, Zabuza Momochi, and Mei Terumi to confront them.
• Han prepared to break through the people guarding Seimei Graveyard, but a glowing figure emerged and absorbed his Steam Fist with the Tiger Head Armor.
• The figure identified himself as Seimei and declared that he would lead the Land of Artisans to reign supreme over the Shinobi World.

Seimei was defeated by Han before Iwagakure’s ninja freed Roshi, who prepared to destroy the Land of Artisans. Araki intervened to stop Roshi’s attack and declared the Land of Artisans under Kirigakure’s protection.

• Han struck Seimei down with a powerful taijutsu attack, leaving the artisans stunned.
• Kitsuchi joined Han, and the Iwagakure group entered Seimei’s cemetery to find Roshi recovered.
• Roshi vowed to burn the Land of Artisans, and Kitsuchi agreed that it should pay for offending Iwagakure.
• Roshi launched a shower of magma at the Land of Artisans, but Araki’s sword light neutralized the projectiles.
• Kitsuchi challenged Araki for interfering, and Araki declared that Kirigakure protected the Land of Artisans.

Araki confronted Kitsuchi over Iwagakure’s invasion of the Land of Artisans, then attacked when Kitsuchi refused to explain himself. As Han, Roshi, and Kitsuchi combined their attacks against him, Araki activated a strange crimson marking.

• Kitsuchi demanded punishment for the Land of Artisans, but Araki argued that Iwagakure had already killed the alleged culprits and had invaded Mist Village’s sphere of influence.
• Kitsuchi refused to back down, believing Mist Village was testing Iwagakure’s strength after the loss of his father.
• Araki attacked the Iwagakure group with a lightning-charged sword strike, and Kitsuchi countered with Earth Style: Earth Rising Spears.
• Han fought Araki using Steam Armor, while Araki explained Boil Release’s offensive potential to Mei Terumi.
• After Mei criticized Han’s appearance and strength, Han entered Tailed Beast Transformation, Roshi charged in with a Tailed Beast Cloak, and Kitsuchi tried to bind Araki with Earth Release: Falling Clay.
• Araki drew a deep breath as strange crimson markings spread across his cheeks.

Araki defeated Roshi, Han, and Kitsuchi with a single sword strike, then secured the Land of Artisans’ cooperation with Mist Village. After learning nothing useful from Seimei’s resurrection ritual, Araki considered how new mineral resources could expand the Blood Blade Unit before receiving Alucard’s message that he had found Jashin and needed support.

• Araki used Breathing of the Sage: Tide of the Sun to defeat Roshi, Han, and Kitsuchi with one sword strike, then ordered Iwagakure to stay away from the sea and Mist Village ninja.
• Araki spared the injured Iwagakure ninja and warned them to leave before he changed his mind.
• Araki persuaded the master artisans of the Land of Artisans to accept a Mist Village liaison station, bringing the country under Mist Village’s control.
• Oyashiro En told Araki that Seimei’s crude resurrection ritual relied on his soul being preserved in the legendary ninja tools.
• Araki considered how resources from the Land of Artisans and the Land of Rivers could help expand the Blood Blade Unit.
• Araki received Alucard’s message that he had located Jashin and needed support.

Alucard recruited Jashin to hold off the Mizukage’s guard while he confronted the Mizukage on a remote island. Jashin discovered that the guard was Araki, who overwhelmed him with sword aura and forced him to spend soul fragments protecting his body.

• Alucard found Jashin’s secret base in the Land of Wind and asked him to restrain the Mizukage’s guard in exchange for a benefit.
• Alucard and Jashin waited on an isolated island, where the Mizukage arrived with Araki as his only guard.
• Jashin attacked Araki with Dust Release, but his inexperience with the technique let Araki evade it and counter with sword aura.
• Jashin raised a Soul Barrier made from his soul fragments to protect his body, then unleashed Seeds of Curse at Araki in anger.

Araki countered Jashin’s Seed of Curse with soul energy and wounded him with Soul Severing, forcing Jashin to flee behind Alucard. Alucard’s handoff of the Mizukage gave Araki the opening to bind Jashin inside Ōnoki’s body and cut off a piece of his soul.

• Araki used his soul energy to deflect Jashin’s Seeds of Curse and struck him with an intangible Soul Severing slash.
• Jashin’s soul barrier broke, and the wound sent him fleeing from Araki in panic.
• Jashin called to Alucard for help, and Alucard asked him to watch over the Mizukage during the handoff.
• As Jashin reached for the Mizukage, Araki’s binding force trapped Jashin’s soul inside Ōnoki’s body.
• Araki slashed off a piece of Jashin’s soul, knocked the fragment back, and ate it.

Araki finished absorbing Jashin’s soul and decided to take over the Jashin Cult while he recovered from the unstable power. Meanwhile, Mihawk arranged swordsmanship exchanges for the Land of Iron, and Alucard departed with Ōnoki to pressure Sunagakure.

• Araki slowly sliced up and absorbed Jashin’s powerful, impurity-laden soul, aided by the refinement he had received from Sister Hana.
• Mihawk proposed swordsmanship exchanges for the Land of Iron, and after Tōshirō raised concerns about neutrality, Mihawk decided to send five teams to the Five Great Nations.
• Araki finished digesting Jashin’s soul and concluded that he should avoid acting until he could control the power.
• Araki decided to take over the Jashin Cult and told Alucard to use Ōnoki’s endless Dust Release to pressure Sunagakure.
• Alucard flew away with Ōnoki while Araki sailed back to Kirigakure to seek another round of pounding.

As the Ghost Army marched from the Land of Earth into the Land of Fire, Konoha debated whether to protect the Shrine Maiden or send her elsewhere. Orochimaru proposed transferring her to another nation, and the Hokage’s office began considering where to send her.

• Kitsuchi learned that the Ghost Army had turned southeast toward the Land of Grass, and Higashishini persuaded him to evacuate civilians rather than oppose its passage.
• The Ghost Army reached a fortress on the northwestern border of the Land of Fire, and Mimura Hamaki ordered the Konoha ninja there to prepare for its attack.
• At a meeting in Konoha, Shimura Danzō blamed Uzumaki Kushina for bringing the Ghost Army and Moryo to the Land of Fire.
• Tsunade argued that Konoha could not hand over the Shrine Maiden because Moryo would grow stronger, while Sarutobi Hiruzen weighed the risks of both choices.
• Orochimaru suggested sending the Shrine Maiden to another nation, and Sarutobi Hiruzen asked which nation would be the best choice.

Orochimaru and the Konoha elders decided to approach Rasa about taking responsibility for the Shrine Maiden, offering support for his bid to become Kazekage. In Sunagakure, Rasa faced a challenge from Sasori and received an ink message that made him look thoughtfully outside.

• Tsunade questioned Danzo about the Third Raikage’s death, but Danzo denied involvement.
• Danzo proposed backing either Rasa or Chiyo for Kazekage in exchange for taking the Shrine Maiden’s security, and Orochimaru assigned him the task.
• Rasa returned from failed negotiations with the puppet masters, who had proposed a duel between him and Sasori to decide the Fourth Kazekage.
• Rasa ordered Shaliu to spread a story that Sasori had made Human Puppets from the bodies of Sunagakure comrades.
• A black bird crashed into Rasa’s desk and turned into an ink message, prompting him to gaze outside thoughtfully.

Rasa drove Sasori of the Red Sands from Sunagakure, and Danzo’s Konoha squad captured the injured puppet master for interrogation. As Danzo’s team carried Sasori through the Land of Rivers, Araki confronted them and demanded that they hand Sasori over.

• Rasa launched a surprise attack on Sasori’s home, forcing him to flee and leaving Elder Chiyo furious at the destruction and her grandson’s disappearance.
• Sasori tried to return for his collection, but Danzo’s squad ambushed and defeated him with help from Uchiha and Hyuga jonin.
• Danzo ordered his squad to take Sasori to Konoha alive so they could interrogate him after Rasa became Kazekage.
• Danzo’s team traveled through the Land of Rivers, where Araki appeared ahead of them and asked them to hand Sasori over.

Araki intercepted Shimura Danzō’s group and took Sasori of the Red Sands, defeating Yashiro Uchiha’s genjutsu attempt with his overwhelming spiritual power. Araki left the others unharmed, while his plan relied on Sasori’s brief disappearance helping Rasa seize control in Sunagakure and driving Sasori to join the Mist Village.

• Shimura Danzō refused Araki’s demand to hand over Sasori of the Red Sands, so Araki snatched Sasori from Hyuga Ko and fled.
• Yashiro Uchiha pursued Araki and was knocked down when his genjutsu was reflected back at him.
• Shimura Danzō and Hyuga Ko watched Araki leave with Sasori and decided not to pursue them.
• Shimura Danzō dismissed Sasori as unimportant and prioritized returning to Konoha to prepare for Shrine Maiden Miroku’s transfer.
• Araki reflected that Konoha’s intervention had helped Rasa gain an opening in Sunagakure and would make Sasori feel betrayed enough to join the Mist Village.

Araki rescued Sasori and told him that Rasa had taken power in Sunagakure and branded him an S-rank rogue ninja. With Sasori left without a village or support for his research, Araki invited him to join Kirigakure.

• Sasori woke in a prison-like room and attacked the person entering with his Father and Mother puppets, only to discover it was Araki.
• Sasori explained that Rasa had attacked his home and forced him to flee Sunagakure, and he vowed to kill Rasa for betraying the village.
• Araki showed Sasori an intelligence report revealing that Rasa had become Kazekage and that Sasori was now an S-rank rogue ninja hunted by Sunagakure.
• Araki explained that Sasori’s Human Puppets had alienated Sunagakure’s residents and puppeteers, helping Rasa force him out.
• Sasori said he needed to recover his puppet materials and eventually planned to kill Rasa, while Araki invited him to come to Kirigakure.

Sasori returned to Kirigakure with Araki and accepted Karatachi Yagura’s offer to join the village. He vowed to return to Sunagakure for revenge, while the three leaders envisioned Sasori advancing Kirigakure’s technology.

• Araki brought Sasori back to his old puppet workshop in Kirigakure, where Sasori found his research materials untouched.
• Araki reassured Sasori that Karatachi Yagura would hear him out, and the two went to meet the Mizukage.
• Sasori told Karatachi Yagura he was willing to join Kirigakure but intended to take revenge on Sunagakure.
• Araki and Karatachi Yagura accepted Sasori’s plans and assured him that conflict with Sunagakure would not be a problem.
• Sasori formally joined Kirigakure, and the three agreed on roles for governing, campaigns, and technological development.