Recaps

Araki and his companions used Tsunade’s Reverse Summoning Technique to reach Bluefish Island and ambushed Konoha’s command center, badly wounding Jiraiya and bringing Karatachi Yagura into the battle. The chapter ended with Yagura’s Tailed Beast Bomb destroying the mountaintop command center as Konoha’s forces panicked.

• As the mist spread across Bluefish Island, Mist Village’s advance slowed against Konoha’s layered defenses, and Nara Shikaku called Tsunade and Jiraiya back to the command center.
• Araki and his companions followed Tsunade’s Reverse Summoning Technique to Bluefish Island and unleashed Starward Sword across the command room.
• Jiraiya shoved Nara Shikaku out of the attack’s path but was struck by the sword barrage, while Tsunade punched Karatachi Yagura through the wall.
• Jiraiya protected himself and Tsunade with Sage Art: Needle Jizō as Araki retreated from the approaching shadow and Yagura’s Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Karatachi Yagura landed among Konoha’s defensive lines, transformed further, and slaughtered the surrounding ninjas with his tails.
• Karatachi Yagura fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at the mountaintop command center, flattening it and throwing Konoha’s forces into panic.

Araki slaughtered the Konoha ninjas surrounding him after Karatachi Yagura destroyed their command headquarters, defeating Yuhi Shinku and three Hayate Clan swordsmen. Sasori gathered corpses to replenish his puppet reserves, while an enormous, unharmed Katsuyu appeared at the ruined headquarters.

• Karatachi Yagura destroyed Konoha's command headquarters with a Special Beam Cannon, drawing Konoha reinforcements toward the mountain.
• Araki burned Aburame Shishin's insects, wounded Inuzuka Ryo, and killed Yuhi Shinku after ignoring his genjutsu.
• Araki cut through the Konoha forces, killing the ninjas who attacked him as efficiently as Karatachi Yagura.
• Araki defeated Gekko Toya and two other Hayate Clan swordsmen with Wave-Severing Ring Cut, also killing a hidden ninja using Transparent Escape.
• Sasori revealed himself and collected bodies to rebuild his puppet reserves, then an enormous, unharmed Katsuyu appeared at the ruined headquarters.

Might Duy opened all Eight Inner Gates to save Konoha’s collapsing battle line and killed several of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen before dying. Karatachi Yagura ordered the slaughter of the Konoha forces, but Jiraiya and Tsunade arrived to defend them.

• Katsuyu’s appearance revealed that Tsunade had returned, while the command center’s destruction sent Konoha’s forces into panic and allowed the Mist advance to surge forward.
• Might Duy opened the first seven gates, defeated Jinin Akebino, and drew the attention of both armies.
• Might Duy opened the Eighth Gate and killed Biwa Juzo, Kuriarare Kushimaru, and Munashi Jinpachi with Evening Elephant strikes.
• Karatachi Yagura charged at Might Duy, but Duy killed Suikazan Fuguki before collapsing from the Eighth Gate’s toll.
• Karatachi Yagura entered his complete Tailed Beast form and ordered his forces to kill every Konoha ninja.
• Jiraiya and an exhausted Tsunade appeared as Katsuyu split into smaller slugs and poured down the mountain to protect Konoha’s forces.

Araki overwhelmed Jiraiya and wounded Tsunade before escaping, while the surviving Konoha forces retreated and sought negotiations. Karatachi Yagura refused to take prisoners, leaving the battle's captured Konoha ninja in immediate danger.

• Tsunade's choice to heal wounded Konoha ninja left her short on combat strength as Karatachi Yagura, transformed into the Three-Tails Isobu, charged at Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya used a swamp and earth walls to slow Isobu, but Araki attacked him, evaded Fukasaku and Shima, and pierced both Jiraiya and Tsunade.
• Jiraiya revealed his Earth Clone deception and attacked Araki with a Rasengan, but Araki countered, wounded Jiraiya's hand, and teleported back to Sasori.
• Fukasaku and Shima summoned the Iwayado Toad to shield several hundred Konoha ninja from Isobu, while Shikaku explained that Konoha had lost the battle and urged Jiraiya to retreat with Tsunade.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade left with the toad before Yagura's Tailed Beast Bomb landed, and Konoha announced plans to negotiate for its captured ninja.
• Yagura returned to human form and ordered Kirigakure to take no prisoners.

After defeating Konoha at Bluefish Island, Karatachi Yagura accepted Araki’s advice to hold the surviving ninja for ransom and withdraw from the widening war. Jiraiya returned to Konoha with news of the defeat, and Sarutobi Hiruzen took responsibility for negotiating the prisoners’ release.

• Karatachi Yagura began slaughtering the surviving Konoha ninja, but Araki persuaded him to capture them instead and use them to gain resources and time to strengthen Mist Village.
• Yagura ordered the Konoha ninja to surrender, and Sasori of the Red Sands incapacitated them with anesthetic poison before Mist Village guards took them into custody.
• Yagura led the main Mist Village force away from Bluefish Island, leaving the prisoners under guard while Sasori and the Interrogation Unit’s corpse collection team remained to work on them.
• Jiraiya arrived at Konoha and told Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and Danzo that Konoha had lost the war in the Land of Water and that Tsunade was still being treated in Shikkotsu Forest.
• After reviewing the battle, the Konoha leaders concluded that underestimating Mist Village had led to their defeat, and Sarutobi Hiruzen volunteered to negotiate for the captured ninja.

Orochimaru and the Konoha leadership planned how to respond to Kirigakure’s victory, arranging for Danzo to replace Minato on the Northern Front and bring Minato back. In Kirigakure, Yagura and Araki unveiled military and academy reforms centered on the new Blade of the Bloody Mist, leaving Sengetsu feeling sidelined as the village entered a new era.

• Orochimaru warned that Kirigakure might refuse to return its prisoners and could turn their bodies into puppets for Sunagakure, so he ordered preparations for a strike against Sunagakure and contact with the Mizukage.
• Danzo volunteered to take Minato’s place on the Northern Front, demonstrating that he could perform one-handed seals, and the others accepted the plan.
• After Kirigakure’s victory, Yagura appointed Sengetsu Jonin Commander, promoted Mangetsu to jonin, and gave Kisame Samehada.
• Yagura established the Blade of the Bloody Mist as an independent combat unit, appointed Araki its commander and Chief Instructor, and opened its selection to any ninja who passed the assessment.
• Yagura announced Ninja Academy reforms that required children of suitable age to attend and gave elite students a path into the Blade of the Bloody Mist.
• Sengetsu watched Yagura and Araki share influence in the village and felt unable to find a place between them.

After Konoha withdrew from the Land of Water, Sunagakure, Cloud Village, and Iwagakure prepared to exploit its weakness while Hanzo continued refusing Konoha’s demands for troops. Kirigakure’s Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, consolidated his authority until a golden-haired young man arrived outside the village.

• The Third Kazekage learned from Chiyo that Sasori was staying in the Land of Water to research puppets and that Konoha had demanded Sasori’s surrender over Human Puppets; he ordered Chiyo to leave Sasori there and lead Sunagakure’s Puppet Corps to join Pakura.
• Killer B brought A a report about Kirigakure’s victory in the Land of Water, and A ordered Cloud Village to intensify its offensive against Konoha.
• Higashishini heard Taiseki’s report on Konoha’s forces in the Land of Grass and boasted that Iwagakure would demand Konoha’s Byakugan after entering the Land of Fire.
• Hanzo told Shinda to keep delaying Konoha’s requests for troops, reasoning that Amegakure had already blocked enemy forces from crossing the Land of Rain.
• Karatachi Yagura carried out reforms in Kirigakure and gained broad support before a golden-haired young man arrived outside the village.

Araki trained Kirigakure’s ninja, developed a new Shigure Soen Ryu technique, and arranged searches for two people with rare abilities. When Konoha’s envoy arrived, Karatachi Yagura and the others prepared an intimidating welcome, and Araki joined in as footsteps approached the office.

• Karatachi Yagura ordered Oyashiro En to summon Araki, Hozuki Sengetsu, and the clan heads to receive Konoha’s visitor.
• Araki trained Kirigakure’s ninja and tested Transformation of Shigure, which briefly stopped movement in a small area.
• Araki asked Oyashiro En to search for Ranmaru and a red-haired Uzumaki survivor who could heal others.
• Araki arrived at the Mizukage’s office and found Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu, Kaguya Steel Bone, and Xiu Bing projecting their auras toward the door.
• Araki joined the group’s show of force and asked Oyashiro En to add genjutsu effects as footsteps sounded outside.

Namikaze Minato delivered Konoha’s ransom proposal to Karatachi Yagura, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring Sarutobi Hiruzen into the negotiations. Kirigakure demanded that Konoha hand over Tsunade or Namikaze Minato as compensation for the Third Mizukage’s death, leaving the talks in a tense standoff.

• Namikaze Minato reached Karatachi Yagura’s office, briefly shut the door when he felt an overwhelming pressure, then entered and presented Konoha’s ransom proposal for its captured ninja.
• Karatachi Yagura questioned whether Namikaze Minato was qualified to negotiate, so Namikaze Minato used his Flying Thunder God Kunai to bring Sarutobi Hiruzen to the meeting.
• Karatachi Yagura mocked Sarutobi Hiruzen as the former Hokage, while Araki and Hozuki Sengetsu greeted him and Araki pointedly asked about his bandaged hand.
• Karatachi Yagura agreed to discuss the prisoners’ ransom but demanded that Tsunade be handed over as an apology for the Third Mizukage’s death.
• Araki accused Konoha of sending Namikaze Minato and Tsunade and Jiraiya to assassinate the Third Mizukage, and demanded that Konoha surrender at least one of them.

Araki and Karatachi Yagura negotiated a settlement with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato, securing mission shares in the Land of Waves and the Land of Tea in exchange for ending the fighting. After Konoha's envoys departed, Karatachi Yagura assigned the prisoner exchange and local affairs, then resolved to focus Mist Village on development.

• Araki demanded that Konoha surrender Tsunade or Namikaze Minato, then used Minato's role in the Third Mizukage's assassination to pressure Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen admitted Konoha had injured the Third Mizukage's guards but denied responsibility for the Mizukage's death, and Araki demanded people of comparable status and strength in compensation.
• Namikaze Minato refused to let his comrades pay for his actions, and Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected the demand to hand over Konoha shinobi.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen offered Mist Village four thousand missions as compensation, and the two sides haggled over which countries' missions would be transferred.
• Konoha retained the Land of Whirlpools' missions, while Mist Village secured mission shares in the Land of Waves and the Land of Tea and agreed on a time and place for the prisoner exchange.
• After Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato returned to Konoha, Karatachi Yagura assigned Araki and Sasori to handle the exchange and Sengetsu to settle matters in the two countries, then ordered Mist Village to focus on development.

Sasori ignored Chiyo’s warning and traveled with Araki to Bluefish Island to gather puppet materials, while Araki studied the Tsuchigumo secret technique Wrath of Heaven for a possible way to use natural energy. After drawing from the Book of Sword Masters, Araki manifested Tanjiro and Nezuko, and Tanjiro immediately attacked him with Water Breathing.

• Sasori asked Araki to return to Bluefish Island for more materials, and Araki brought along subordinates seeking sparring practice with the Konoha prisoners.
• On the voyage, Araki studied Wrath of Heaven and considered how its use of natural energy might advance his swordsmanship.
• Araki entered the Consciousness Space and drew a new page featuring Tanjiro and Nezuko.
• Tanjiro manifested with Nezuko in her box, then used Total Concentration—Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash, against Araki.

Araki and Kamado Tanjiro fought with Breathing Techniques and sword skills, matching each other until Araki used lightning to land a surprise attack. Nezuko burst from Tanjiro's box to protect her brother and kicked Araki out of the Consciousness Space.

• Araki and Kamado Tanjiro exchanged Water and Wind techniques, and Tanjiro used the Supreme Realm to anticipate Araki's attacks.
• Araki unleashed Moon Collapse and Tanjiro evaded its storm of cyan blades with Flowing Dance.
• Araki switched to lightning and scattered Lightning Shuttles, then used one to teleport and strike at Tanjiro's flank.
• Nezuko emerged from Tanjiro's box, transformed, and kicked Araki out of the Consciousness Space.

Araki fought Tanjiro in the Consciousness Space to test the transformation he had sensed before, but Tanjiro awakened as an immortal demon and declared himself Demon King Tanjiro. Araki discovered that Tanjiro could heal from severe wounds and resisted his attacks, so he withdrew to learn the Breathing Technique before challenging him again.

• Araki summoned Tanjiro and Nezuko in the Consciousness Space and fought Tanjiro until he used Sun Breathing.
• Araki countered Tanjiro’s repeated forms with Shigure Soen Ryu and anticipated his attacks during a second cycle.
• Araki used a clone to pierce Tanjiro’s heart, but Tanjiro transformed into a demon instead of disappearing.
• Tanjiro healed, celebrated his new immortality and sunlight immunity, and named himself Demon King Tanjiro.
• Tanjiro attacked Araki with a transforming, barbed arm, but Araki’s slash barely wounded him before the injury healed.
• Araki told Tanjiro to wait while he learned the Breathing Technique, then promised to return and spar with him.

Araki experimented with absorbing natural energy and traveled to Bluefish Island to train against the captured Konoha ninja. Meanwhile, Mist Village expanded into the Land of Tea and the Land of Waves, while Cloud Village pushed Konoha onto the defensive at the northern border.

• Araki found that his chakra overwhelmed the natural energy he inhaled, but he identified a possible method for safely experimenting with Sage Mode.
• Araki arrived at Bluefish Island with his subordinates, where Qinghe reluctantly accompanied him as he planned to train against the prisoners; Sasori went to inspect the stored corpses.
• Hozuki Sengetsu took Mist Village forces to the Land of Tea and the Land of Waves to replace Konoha as their patron and establish forward bases.
• At the northern border, A and Killer B led Cloud Village assaults against Konoha, while Shimura Danzō and two Uchiha jonin struggled to hold back A in Namikaze Minato’s absence.
• Cloud Village gained the upper hand, and A’s blue lightning streak replaced Minato’s golden flash across the battlefield.

During the war between Konoha and Iwagakure, Kusagakure ninja Long Lan escorted a village chief’s family through the Land of Grass and became separated from most of the group after fleeing a battlefield. With the village chief gravely injured, Kana chose to reveal her healing ability despite her mother’s warning to keep it secret.

• The Land of Grass suffered as Konoha and Iwagakure’s war brought danger to civilians and left Kusagakure ninja struggling to survive.
• Long Lan and two Kusagakure chunin escorted the village chief’s family, including the red-haired Kana, toward Kusagakure.
• An Earth Release: Earth Flow River struck as the group crossed an active battlefield, scattering them and badly injuring the village chief’s foot.
• Long Lan and his companions took the village chief and Kana to a cave, where they found that the old man had lost a dangerous amount of blood and could no longer walk.
• The village chief urged Kana and his younger son Qinglin to support each other, and Kana decided to use her ability to save him despite her mother’s instructions.

Kana, the old village chief, and Long Lan continued traveling as Long Lan discovered Kana could heal injuries by biting her. Meanwhile, Iwagakure and Konoha began searching for the red-haired woman, and Kushina recognized Kana as a fellow Uzumaki.

• Long Lan asked Kana to heal his back wounds by biting her, and she reluctantly let him draw on her life energy until his injuries closed.
• Huaming and Wind Heart searched the village chief’s house, found clothing with scents leading in the same direction, and pursued the travelers.
• After hearing a report of a long red-haired woman traveling with Kusagakure ninja, Higashishini ordered Taiseki’s intelligence unit to find her.
• Yamanaka Akira learned from an Iwagakure captive that Iwagakure was searching for a red-haired woman traveling with Kusagakure ninja.
• Kushina saw the image of Kana and recognized her as one of her clanspeople, urging Konoha to find her.

Araki learned that Kana had been found in the Land of Grass, where Kusagakure and Iwagakure were both moving against her, and decided to handle the matter personally. Kana reached a Kusagakure outpost with Long Lan, who confined her under guard so he could claim credit for her healing abilities.

• Huaming and Wind Heart secretly followed Kana and Long Lan, then Wind Heart killed an Iwagakure ninja who had attacked them from underground.
• Huaming decided to escort Kana and her companions to a Kusagakure outpost and request reinforcements from Oyashiro En.
• Oyashiro En told Araki that Kana was in Kusagakure's hands and Iwagakure was pursuing her, while his search for another child in the Land of Rivers continued.
• Araki said he would personally deal with Kana's situation and reasoned that she had chosen not to seek refuge in Konoha.
• Long Lan brought Kana and the old village chief into the crowded Kusagakure outpost, ordered two genin to keep them from leaving, and went to claim credit from his former superior.

Araki, Sasori, and Suilian set out for Kusagakure, where Kana was captured and exploited by Maeda. As Konoha and Iwagakure confronted Kusagakure over Kana, Maeda stalled them while advancing his own political scheme.

• Araki took Sasori and Suilian by boat toward the Land of Grass, choosing a route that avoided Konoha's guarded territory.
• Maeda learned Long Lan had brought Kana to Kusagakure and confirmed her healing ability by watching Long Lan bite her.
• Maeda seized Kana and planned to use her healing power for his own ambitions, while the old village chief could not intervene.
• Taiseki reported Kusagakure's attack on Iwagakure ninja, and Higashishini ordered Hikō to demand their return.
• Konoha and Iwagakure dispatched forces after hearing Kusagakure had Kana, creating a tense standoff near the compound.
• Maeda stalled both villages while secretly pursuing a deal with Mui and maneuvering to replace Kusagakure's leader.

Araki reached the Land of Grass and rescued Kana from the Kusagakure stronghold, where Maeda had abused her and exploited her. He helped Kana kill Maeda, then promised to help her take revenge on everyone who had bullied her.

• Huaming told Araki that Kusagakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha were competing over Kana and tracked her location by scent.
• Araki and Huaming infiltrated Maeda's stronghold under the [Wind King Barrier], and Araki sent Huaming to join Suilian.
• Araki found Kana in a storeroom and offered to help her kill the Kusagakure ninja who had mistreated her.
• Araki led Kana to Maeda's bedroom and gave her a kunai, then used wind to restrain Maeda as Kana stabbed him to death.
• Araki promised Kana they would kill everyone who had bullied her, and Kana agreed to go with him.

After helping Kana avenge her abuse in Kusagakure, Araki offered to train her as Kirigakure’s medical leader and brought her before Konoha and Iwagakure’s forces. As Kusagakure ninja charged them, Araki unleashed his Crescent Moon sword technique.

• Kana followed Araki through the Kusagakure compound, killing Maeda, Long Lan, and their allies to avenge her suffering.
• Kana asked why Araki had helped her, and he explained that he wanted her to become Kirigakure’s Tsunade and offered to teach her.
• Hikō and Shiroyama led Iwagakure and Konoha forces into the compound, where Araki introduced Kana as his subordinate and claimed her for the Land of Water.
• Kusagakure ninja surrounded Araki and attacked, while Hikō and Shiroyama considered using the chaos to take Kana.
• Araki swept his sword and unleashed Slash Wave: Crescent Moon against the charging Kusagakure ninja.

Araki rescued Kana from the Kusagakure base after overwhelming the Konoha and Iwagakure ninjas who tried to stop him, while Sasori infiltrated the Konoha camp and caused chaos. When news reached headquarters that Araki had taken a member of the Uzumaki clan, Kushina set out to pursue him alone.

• Araki killed scores of Kusagakure ninjas with one sword strike, then left the base with Kana as Hikō and Shiroyama stood aside.
• Shiroyama sent Konoha scouts after Araki, while Hikō secretly sent Kamizuru Clan ninjas to follow the scouts.
• Sasori used a Nara Puppet and Shadow Sewing to infiltrate the Konoha camp and turn its night-watch ninjas against their comrades.
• Torifu Akimichi gathered Konoha's leaders to respond to the chaos, then learned Araki had taken a Uzumaki clansman from Kusagakure.
• Kushina demanded to lead reinforcements after Araki, but when Torifu hesitated, she decided to pursue him alone.

Uzumaki Kushina pursued Araki to the Kusagakure base, hoping to take Kana back, but Araki defeated her opening attack and challenged her claim that she could stop him. As Kushina prepared to face him again, Araki wondered what would happen to Asura if he killed her.

• Torifu Akimichi sent Akimichi Taishoku after Uzumaki Kushina while he stayed behind to deal with the unrest in the Konoha camp.
• Uzumaki Kushina raced to the Kusagakure base, and Shiroyama led her and her guards northeast after Araki; an Iwagakure Ninja spotted the small group and hurried to report it.
• Araki decided to leave the Land of Grass with Kana, and Wind Heart and Huaming chose to return to Kirigakure with him.
• Araki healed Kana's arm, then ordered Wind Heart and Huaming to help keep her safe when he sensed Uzumaki Kushina approaching.
• Uzumaki Kushina demanded that Araki hand Kana over, but Araki struck her with sword qi and knocked her backward before taunting her about her strength.

Araki tried to persuade Uzumaki Kushina that Konoha and other villages had helped bring about Uzushio Village’s destruction, while considering whether Kana could become Asura’s reincarnation. Kushina began to falter under his accusations about Uzumaki Mito, and her Tailed Beast Cloak started to ripple.

• Araki considered whether Kana’s Uzumaki bloodline could make her a candidate for Asura’s reincarnation and imagined training Asura in Kirigakure.
• Uzumaki Kushina called out to Kana and accused Araki of hiding Kirigakure’s role in Uzushio Village’s destruction.
• Araki argued that several villages had attacked Uzushio Village and suggested that Konoha had also contributed to the clan’s vulnerability.
• Araki explained how Uzumaki Mito’s Jinchuriki sealing technique and Senju Hashirama’s distribution of the Tailed Beasts had made the Uzumaki Clan a target.
• When Kushina defended Uzumaki Mito, Araki suggested that Mito had cared for her as Konoha’s future Jinchuriki rather than as an Uzumaki relative.
• Kushina shook as Araki called her a container for the Tailed Beasts, and her Tailed Beast Cloak began to ripple.

Araki provoked Kushina’s doubts about being a vessel for the Nine-Tails, then fought her after she resisted the fox’s influence. He impaled Kushina with a chakra-draining blade and urged the Nine-Tails to act.

• Araki’s words and the Nine-Tails’ whispers stirred Kushina’s doubts, but she regained control and forced the fox back inside her.
• Kushina attacked Araki with her Tailed Beast Cloak, and Araki dodged her fox tails with Water Breathing.
• Kushina used Adamantine Sealing Chains to trap Araki, but he broke through with Moon Collapse and vanished using Stellar Restoration.
• Kushina anticipated Araki’s return and struck him with Four-Limb Heavy Seal, only for the target to burst into water as a Water Replacement.
• Araki appeared behind Kushina, pierced her abdomen with a chakra-draining sword, and called on the Nine-Tails to act.

Araki helped the Nine-Tails take control of Uzumaki Kushina and brought her to the Konoha camp, hoping to provoke Konoha without restarting the war. The Nine-Tails could not escape Kushina’s reinforced seal, and Araki left Konoha with Kushina in his hands as Torifu demanded her return.

• Uzumaki Kushina transformed under the Nine-Tails’ control and killed Shiroyama with a chakra claw when he attacked Araki.
• Araki asked the Nine-Tails to leave Kushina and join him, but it could not break the seal she had reinforced.
• Araki brought Kushina to Sasori at the Konoha camp, where Sasori was being pursued by Torifu Akimichi and Hyuga Clan Byakugan users.
• Torifu confronted Araki, who claimed he had found Kushina unconscious and brought her back as a gesture of goodwill.
• Araki tossed Kushina toward Torifu and told him to sign for the Nine-Tails.