Chapter Summaries

Genno’s Explosive Tags caused widespread destruction in Konoha, forcing Sarutobi Hiruzen and the ninja around Hokage Rock to fight the falling mountain while explosions spread across the village. As people abandoned the Hokage Office area to protect their families, Hiruzen ordered an evacuation and was suddenly attacked by two water bullets.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Anbu used Earth Release and Enma’s Adamantine Staff to slow the collapsing Hokage Rock while ninja attacked it with ninjutsu.
• Explosive Tags detonated across Konoha, destroying buildings and setting the village ablaze.
• Tsunade summoned Katsuyu to rescue injured villagers, while clan ninja and Uchiha Tekka rushed to protect their homes.
• Half of the Police Force left the Hokage Office area, and the Anbu grew restless as they worried about their families.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered everyone to evacuate the danger zone, then two water bullets shot at him from the mud and water.

Hozuki Sengetsu and Hozuki Mangetsu ambushed Sarutobi Hiruzen while Araki cut down the Anbu trying to reach him. The mountain collapsed over Hiruzen, leaving his fate unknown, and Araki concluded that Konoha had no top-tier fighters left to stop him from killing the Hokage.

• Hozuki Sengetsu and Hozuki Mangetsu emerged from the mud and attacked Sarutobi Hiruzen with Water Gun Technique, but Enma shoved him clear.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen used Lightning Release against the brothers, but Hozuki Mangetsu summoned a clam to shield them.
• Hozuki Sengetsu fought Sarutobi Hiruzen with Hiramekarei and unleashed Spiral Wave Sword, prompting Hiruzen to use Enma's Adamantine Prison Wall.
• The mountain collapsed over Hozuki Sengetsu, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Sarutobi Hiruzen; the brothers liquefied to escape, while Hiruzen was buried with his fate unknown.
• Araki killed dozens of Konoha Anbu who tried to reach Hiruzen and decided that Konoha had no top-tier fighters left to stop him from killing the Hokage.

Araki used Hozuki Mangetsu’s fog and his Wind-Listening ability to pressure the Third Hokage while concealing his true intentions. After locating Sarutobi Hiruzen and waiting for him to grow accustomed to the barrage, Araki launched his Azure Dragon attack.

• Araki told Hozuki Sengetsu to fight the Anbu while he faced the Third Hokage, and Sarutobi Hiruzen emerged from beneath the rubble.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen cast Bringer-of-Darkness and ordered the Anbu to summon Maruboshi Kosuke and Torifu Akimichi.
• Hozuki Mangetsu cast Mirage, filling the battlefield with fog, while Araki used Wind-Listening to track Sarutobi Hiruzen through the darkness.
• Araki bombarded Sarutobi Hiruzen with wind-blade attacks, and the Third Hokage defended himself with the Adamantine Staff while waiting for reinforcements.
• Araki recognized that Sarutobi Hiruzen was adapting to the barrage, pinpointed his location, and launched Slash Wave: Azure Dragon.

Araki and his allies discovered that the Third Hokage had used a Shadow Clone to delay them while his real body went to protect Uzumaki Kushina. As Araki found the Scroll of Seals and prepared to escape, Kushina attacked the group with her Adamantine Sealing Chains.

• Araki used [Slash Wave: Azure Dragon] to cut through the Third Hokage’s apparent body, only for it to vanish as a Shadow Clone and dispel the darkness.
• Araki ordered Hozuki Sengetsu to disperse the mist, then realized the Third Hokage had escaped and proposed searching the ruins for the Scroll of Seals before withdrawing.
• The Third Hokage used the Subterranean Voyage Technique to reach Uzumaki Kushina’s residence, where Kushina and Tsunade were treating injured villagers.
• The Third Hokage left Tsunade to care for the wounded and asked Kushina to help pursue the invaders.
• Araki and his allies found the Scroll of Seals, but Kushina sent six Adamantine Sealing Chains flying toward them.

The Third Hokage, Uzumaki Kushina, Maruboshi Kosuke, and the Anbu cornered Araki and his allies as they tried to leave. Araki killed Kosuke and met the Third Hokage’s lightning attack with a rain-coated sword, leaving the outcome of their clash unresolved.

• Uzumaki Kushina bound the group’s clam with her chains while the Third Hokage ordered Araki and the others to stop.
• Hozuki Sengetsu challenged Uzumaki Kushina, and the Third Hokage had the Anbu form a sealing barrier around the battlefield.
• Maruboshi Kosuke attacked Araki with Konoha-Style: Willow, but Araki used Wind-Listening to locate him and cut off his arm.
• The Third Hokage protected Kosuke with Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall and attacked Araki with Lightning Style: False Darkness.
• Araki pierced the wall with a lightning-charged sword, killing Kosuke, then used Dragon Soaring Flash against the Third Hokage’s lightning spear as rainwater coated his blade.

Araki used the Rain Cutter Technique to destroy Sarutobi Hiruzen's ninjutsu and fought through the Hokage's guards. He badly wounded Uzumaki Kushina, triggering her Nine-Tails transformation, and faced the beast's attack.

• Araki cut apart Sarutobi Hiruzen's lightning, wind, and lightning-enhanced water techniques, while evading his Fire Release.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen called for help, and Araki fought through the Anbu guards before attacking him directly.
• Araki deflected Uzumaki Kushina's golden chains, then used Stellar Restoration to strike her with an explosive Lightning Stiletto and slash her chest and abdomen.
• Uzumaki Kushina transformed as the Nine-Tails' chakra surfaced, grew four tails with a fifth forming, and swept a chakra arm at Araki.

Araki led the Nine-Tails toward Sarutobi Hiruzen and fought the Hokage while the beast prepared a Tailed Beast Bomb. After Araki severed one of Hiruzen’s arms, Torifu Akimichi arrived with Konoha reinforcements, and Hiruzen ordered them to capture the intruders.

• Araki cut off the Nine-Tails’ chakra arm and led it toward Sarutobi Hiruzen while Hozuki Mangetsu prepared to flee.
• The Nine-Tails formed a Tailed Beast Bomb, but Hiruzen used a Shadow Clone and Enma to knock it down and send the bomb into the sky.
• Araki cut down Hiruzen’s Shadow Clone and the Anbu, then joined Hiruzen and the Nine-Tails in a chaotic fight.
• Araki focused his attacks on Hiruzen and severed half of the Hokage’s right arm.
• Torifu Akimichi arrived with Konoha ninja, lifted Hiruzen on his giant palm, and Hiruzen ordered them to capture Araki and the others.

Araki escaped Konoha with Hozuki Mangetsu and Hozuki Sengetsu after they injured the Third Hokage and stole valuable items. The group reached the deep sea, where the Hozuki brothers set off toward shore while Araki remained inside a Clam.

• Araki fled toward the Clams as the Nine-Tails rampaged against the arriving Konoha ninja.
• Araki concealed himself with Wind King Barrier and used Wind Instant Body Technique to reach a Clam before the group vanished with Summoning Technique, release!
• Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing in Torifu Akimichi's palm with a severed arm, identified Kirigakure as responsible.
• Three Clams appeared in the deep sea, where Hozuki Mangetsu and Hozuki Sengetsu celebrated their mission and listed the stolen Byakugan, Scroll of Seals, and Sword of the Thunder God.
• Hozuki Mangetsu stopped Araki's Clam from opening underwater, then joined Hozuki Sengetsu atop it as it sped toward the surface.

Jiraiya and Konoha’s forces had pushed Suikazan Fuguki’s Mist swordsmen into retreat, but Kakuzu ambushed their camp while they rested. Kakuzu stole an Anbu’s heart and blocked Jiraiya’s counterattack with a wave of fire, leaving the Konoha ninja facing a burning forest.

• Jiraiya’s arrival gave Konoha the advantage, forcing Suikazan Fuguki and the other Mist swordsmen to retreat and plan to hold out for two more days.
• Jiraiya asked Gekko Hoshino when the Hyuga jonin would arrive, then sent Aburame Ryoma to scout the enemy’s trail.
• Kakuzu watched Konoha’s resting forces before using an Earth Grudge Fear arm to drag away the Anbu named Ito.
• Jiraiya split the ground and tried to rescue Ito, but Gekko Hoshino’s sword could not damage Kakuzu’s arm.
• Kakuzu pierced Ito’s chest, stole his heart, and escaped Jiraiya’s Needle Jizo attack.
• Kakuzu used Fire Release: Searing Migraine to burn back Jiraiya’s hair and create a wall of flames that blocked Konoha’s advance.

Jiraiya and his allies fought Kakuzu after he attacked a Konoha Anbu member, but their combined assault had not yet defeated him. As the battle closed in around Kakuzu, black threads secretly slipped underground from his trousers.

• Jiraiya raised an earth wall and attacked Kakuzu, who broke apart his earth dragon bullets with his hardened arms.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta and used Toad Oil Flame Bullet, but Kakuzu shielded himself inside an Earth Prison Dome.
• Gamabunta split Kakuzu’s earth prison with his sword, and Jiraiya located Kakuzu with Canopy Method Formation.
• Kakuzu surfaced to avoid Gamabunta’s Food Cart Destroyer Technique and was surrounded by Jiraiya, Gekko Hoshino, Aburame Ryoma, Inuzuka Gaku, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and the others.
• Jiraiya and the others unleashed their attacks on Kakuzu as black threads quietly slipped from his trousers into the ground.

The Mist Village’s Four Ninja Swordsmen intervened in Kakuzu’s battle against Konoha, unleashing a flood and lightning attack that forced Jiraiya and his allies onto the defensive. Their ambush disrupted Jiraiya and Gamabunta’s counterattack, leaving Jiraiya surrounded while Raiga held back the rest of Konoha’s forces.

• Suikazan Fuguki ordered the Mist swordsmen to support Kakuzu because Konoha was attacking him in numbers.
• The Mist shinobi unleashed a massive Water Release that Jiraiya and the Konoha forces countered with an Earth Style Wall.
• Raiga Kurosuki electrified the flood, eroding the earthen ground and threatening the Konoha forces’ footing.
• Jiraiya rode Gamabunta toward Raiga, but Biwa Juzo and Jinin Akebino fought them off while Suikazan Fuguki attacked with a Water Dragon concealing Samehada.
• Samehada drained Jiraiya’s chakra, and Gamabunta’s strike splashed apart the Water Dragon instead of reaching Raiga.
• Raiga held back the remaining Konoha forces as the other three Mist swordsmen surrounded Jiraiya.

Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, Gamahiro, and Gamaken to fight the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, forcing them to regroup after an explosive ambush. As Konoha reinforcements arrived, the Mist swordsmen learned their leader had gone alone to attack Konoha and realized their retreat was blocked.

• Jiraiya summoned Gamahiro and Gamaken to join Gamabunta, then sent the three toads after Suikazan Fuguki, Biwa Juzo, and Jinin Akebino.
• Jiraiya fought Raiga Kurosuki, who used his Thunder Blades to clash with Jiraiya’s Rasengan while his allies called for help.
• Munashi Jinpachi attacked Jiraiya with Explosive Tags, and Gamaken shielded Gamabunta and Gamahiro from the blasts.
• Suikazan Fuguki and the others regrouped with Raiga Kurosuki, and Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi said Sengetsu had gone alone to launch a sneak attack on Konoha.
• Aburame Ryoma, Gekko Hoshino, Inuzuka Gaku, and other Konoha forces arrived behind Jiraiya as Suikazan Fuguki warned that they could not retreat easily.

Araki, Hozuki Sengetsu, and Mangetsu returned to Mist Village with captured Hyuga clansmen and Konoha’s Scroll of Seals, and Karatachi Yagura celebrated their success. A new intelligence report then enraged Yagura, who ordered the Hunter-nin Squad to assemble.

• Araki, Hozuki Sengetsu, and Mangetsu reported that the other six Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were fighting Konoha Anbu on the eastern coast.
• Hozuki Sengetsu told Karatachi Yagura that the three had infiltrated Konoha, destroyed nearly every building, captured three pairs of Byakugan, and taken the Scroll of Seals.
• Karatachi Yagura inspected the unconscious Hyuga clansmen and the forbidden techniques in the scroll, then praised the trio and learned that Araki had injured the Third Hokage.
• An Anbu wearing a Grouper-patterned Mask delivered intelligence that made Karatachi Yagura furious.
• Karatachi Yagura ordered Grouper to gather the Hunter-nin Squad at Training Ground No. 8.

Karatachi Yagura learned that four small clans were preparing to leave the Land of Water for the Land of Fire, and Araki suspected Shimura Danzō was behind their actions. Yagura led an elite Kirigakure force, with Araki disguised as the Anbu Hawkeye, to punish the clans and confront Danzō.

• Grouper reported that the Tsuchigumo, Crystal Release, Steel Release, and Swift Release clans were secretly coordinating to relocate to the Land of Fire.
• Araki explained that Konoha might be stirring up the clans, and he and the others suspected Shimura Danzō because Konoha's strongest shinobi were absent.
• Yagura assigned Hozuki Sengetsu and Hozuki Mangetsu to rendezvous with the other Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, while he prepared to deal with the clans and Danzō.
• Araki agreed to join Yagura's mission, put on an Anbu mask marked with hawk-like eyes, and took the codename Hawkeye.
• Yagura addressed Kirigakure's elite shinobi and ordered them to kill the four clans and anyone who obstructed the mission.

Karatachi Yagura ordered the Hunter-nin Squad to exterminate the Tsuchigumo Clan after learning they had betrayed Kirigakure. When the clan began evacuating earlier than expected, he sent Araki and a team of elites to intercept them before they reached the Land of Fire.

• Karatachi Yagura unleashed the Hunter-nin Squad and ordered them to carry out Operation Insect Killing against the Tsuchigumo Clan.
• An Anbu reported that the Tsuchigumo Clan had begun evacuating that morning, so Yagura ordered three teams to depart immediately.
• Yagura assigned Araki to use his speed-enhancing ninjutsu to intercept the clan and prevent it from entering the Land of Fire.
• Araki agreed to lead Kisame Hoshigaki, Kaguya Steel Bone, Xiu Bing, Zabuza Momochi, and Kaguya Black Bone toward the Land of Whirlpools.
• The six shinobi raced across the sea toward their interception point, planning to wait for the Tsuchigumo Clan.

The Tsuchigumo Clan began fleeing Kirigakure for Konoha after En no Gyōja accepted Shimura Danzō’s offer, despite Dairen’s doubts about Konoha’s promises. As they rowed toward the Land of Fire, Kirigakure’s Anbu sent a messenger hawk after them, and En no Gyōja pressed the exhausted clan to keep moving.

• Tsuchigumo Jiro persuaded the clan members to leave Kirigakure by describing Konoha as a peaceful place where even ordinary people could speak with the Hokage.
• Tsuchigumo Dairen questioned En no Gyōja’s decision to trust Shimura Danzō, but En no Gyōja explained that Kirigakure had never accepted the Tsuchigumo Clan and that Konoha offered better odds of survival in the coming war.
• En no Gyōja revealed that he had arranged for the Crystal Release, Steel Release, and Swift Release clans to leave a day later, diverting Kirigakure’s attention while his own clan escaped.
• A Kirigakure Anbu operative released a messenger hawk after the Tsuchigumo Clan had cleared out.
• On Coral Island, En no Gyōja refused to let the exhausted clan rest until they reached the Land of Whirlpools, but he relented after Dairen pleaded with him.

Kirigakure’s forces ambushed the Tsuchigumo Clan as it fled by sea, destroying its boats and leaving its members stranded. Araki and Kaguya Steel Bone cornered En no Gyōja, and Araki’s swift killing slash closed in as the clan head struggled to escape.

• Kaguya Steel Bone confronted En no Gyōja while Kisame Hoshigaki used Thousand Feeding Sharks to overturn the Tsuchigumo Clan’s boats.
• Araki interrupted En no Gyōja’s attempt to use Wrath of Heaven, while Zabuza and Kaguya Black Bone attacked the stranded clansmen in the mist.
• Tsuchigumo Dairen fought Zabuza, and Kisame guarded the battlefield with Xiu Bing while the sharks attacked the Tsuchigumo clansmen.
• Kaguya Steel Bone repeatedly smashed En no Gyōja’s water techniques with his fists and destroyed his Water Dragon Bullet with Meteor Shower.
• En no Gyōja tried to use Wrath of Heaven, but Kaguya Steel Bone avoided taking the attack head-on and called Araki to join the fight.
• Araki struck at En no Gyōja’s throat with Slash Wave: Azure Dragon, leaving the Tsuchigumo clan head unable to react.

Danzo and Orochimaru watched Kirigakure’s overwhelming force attack the Tsuchigumo Clan, then intervened to seize En no Gyōja and his Wrath of Heaven technique for Konoha. Their surprise attack struck Kaguya Steel Bone, who appeared unharmed as the battle continued.

• Danzo refused to rescue the Tsuchigumo Clan for En no Gyōja’s sake, while Orochimaru noted the strength of Kirigakure’s attackers.
• Danzo suspected Wrath of Heaven explained Kirigakure’s interest and ordered Orochimaru to prevent En no Gyōja from falling into their hands.
• Orochimaru summoned a Mottled Giant Python to swallow En no Gyōja and escape Araki’s sword strike.
• Kaguya Steel Bone charged Orochimaru, and Danzo attacked him with Wind Style: Vacuum Bullets.
• Danzo mocked Kirigakure for seeming indifferent to Kaguya Steel Bone’s apparent defeat, while Araki and the others expected him to recover unharmed.

Araki challenged Shimura Danzō after Kaguya Steel Bone yielded the fight to him, and the two Wind Style users clashed over the sea. Araki gained the upper hand in their weapon duel, but Danzō secretly prepared a curse seal attack.

• Kaguya Steel Bone recovered from Araki’s Wind Style attack, while Orochimaru reacted to the display of Shikotsumyaku.
• Araki asked Kaguya Steel Bone to let him fight Shimura Danzō, and Steel Bone agreed.
• Shimura Danzō attacked Araki with Wind Style: Vacuum Wave, but Araki blocked it and countered with Dragon Coil Flash.
• Araki and Shimura Danzō clashed their Wind Style blades, and Danzō’s ordinary kunai began to crumble against Araki’s sword.
• Araki mocked Shimura Danzō over his weapon and his lesser standing than Orochimaru, prompting Danzō to covet the Wind-attribute Chakra Metal meant for Asuma Sarutobi.
• While struggling against Araki, Shimura Danzō formed the Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal and sent its markings crawling across the water toward him.

Araki avoided Danzo’s cursed seal and fought him to a standstill until Danzo summoned Baku to create a dangerous wind-based attack. Araki turned Baku’s suction to his advantage and unleashed Last Breath atop the beast, leaving its fate unresolved.

• Araki dodged the spreading marks of Danzo’s Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal and traded ranged wind attacks with him.
• Danzo recognized Araki as a threat and summoned Baku, whose powerful inhalation pulled Araki off balance.
• Danzo hurled wind-enhanced shuriken at Araki while Baku’s suction dragged him toward the beast.
• Araki rode the pull toward Baku, dodged its nose strike, and ran up its nose to reach its head.
• Araki unleashed Last Breath, forming a massive Blade Storm around himself and Baku.