Recaps

Kakuzu battled Araki, Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu, and their allies, shrugging off their attacks with powerful Earth Style defenses. After Hozuki Sengetsu sent him crashing into the forest, the group regrouped and wondered whether Kakuzu was an Iwagakure ninja in disguise.

• Kakuzu's Lightning Style attack failed against Araki's Wind Wall, so he split the battlefield with Earth Style techniques.
• Kisame Hoshigaki flooded the battlefield, allowing Hozuki Sengetsu to use Water Release: Body Flicker Technique and attack Kakuzu with Hiramekarei.
• Kakuzu hardened his arm with Earth Spear Technique and blocked Hiramekarei, then punched Hozuki Sengetsu, who evaded harm with Hydrification.
• Hozuki Sengetsu strengthened his arm with Great Water Arm Technique and sent Kakuzu flying into the forest, but suspected his strike had not injured him.
• Karatachi Yagura and the others regrouped, and Yagura wondered whether Kakuzu was an Iwagakure ninja in disguise because of his powerful defensive technique.

Kakuzu unleashed a devastating attack against Karatachi Yagura’s group, then withdrew when Yagura reflected it. Aburame Ryoma and Root ambushed Kakuzu to reclaim their deposit, but Kakuzu revealed his masked hearts and turned the fight against them.

• Aburame Ryoma learned that Kakuzu was at a disadvantage and ordered Root to wait until both sides were wounded before attacking.
• Kakuzu used Earth Grudge Fear: Ultimate Shot against Karatachi Yagura’s group, but Yagura reflected the attack with Water Style: Water Mirror Technique.
• Karatachi Yagura stopped Hozuki Sengetsu from pursuing Kakuzu and ordered the group to withdraw.
• Aburame Ryoma confronted Kakuzu and demanded the return of the mission deposit while Root prepared an ambush.
• Root immobilized Kakuzu with a sealing-and-lightning assault, but Kakuzu escaped the attack by releasing his masked tentacle creatures and counterattacked.

Kakuzu killed Unya and Sota, but Aburame Ryoma escaped after tricking Kakuzu with an insect clone. In the Land of Hot Water, Karatachi Yagura and his companions discussed the powerful three-element technique they had faced and blamed Konoha for interfering with their mission.

• Kakuzu killed Unya with a single technique, leaving Aburame Ryoma and Sota without their close-combat specialist.
• Aburame Ryoma gave Kakuzu a scroll containing forty million ryō, but Kakuzu killed Sota and then discovered Ryoma’s body was an insect clone.
• Aburame Ryoma received a message from a Kikaichū and left the forest after learning Kakuzu had wiped out the others.
• Karatachi Yagura relaxed in a hot spring with Zabuza, Hozuki Sengetsu, Araki, and other men, explaining that he had not been injured but had been drained by the technique.
• Hozuki Sengetsu suspected Konoha had ordered the attack, while the group wondered who the Takigakure shinobi involved might have been.

Araki’s group exposed Root’s surveillance and captured Yamanaka Taku, Yamashiro Matsu, and their companion after Zabuza detected them. Karatachi Yagura planned to take the three Root operatives to Kirigakure for interrogation.

• Araki speculated that Danzo might have been behind Kakuzu’s actions and worried that blame falling on Konoha could change the cause of the Third Shinobi World War.
• Yamanaka Taku and two Root operatives confirmed that Karatachi Yagura and Hozuki Sengetsu were present, then argued over whether to attack despite their support-focused roles.
• Yamanaka Taku claimed the Mist Village might discover secrets in Aburame Ryoma’s remains, but Yamashiro Matsu realized Root’s Cursed Seals would destroy a dead operative’s brain.
• Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu, Kaguya Black Bone, and Araki confronted the Root squad and quickly overwhelmed them.
• Araki’s group cut off the operatives’ hands and captured all three alive after Zabuza detected Yamashiro Matsu’s unusual footsteps.

Sarutobi Hiruzen confronted Shimura Danzō over Root shinobi captured by Mist Village, but Danzō denied responsibility and proposed an assassination to silence them. Hiruzen also questioned Orochimaru about alleged experiments in the Land of the Sea, and Orochimaru denied involvement as Konoha prepared to reject both accusations.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen presented Shimura Danzō with a report and accused him of sending Root shinobi to attack Mist Village shinobi without authorization.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura criticized Danzō while trying to mediate, but Danzō denied the captured shinobi belonged to Root.
• Danzō suggested eliminating the prisoners in Mist Village, and Hiruzen ordered someone to summon Hatake Sakumo for the mission.
• Hiruzen questioned Orochimaru about alleged human experiments and biological weapons research in the Land of the Sea, but Orochimaru denied ever going there.
• Hiruzen decided Konoha would deny both accusations and rely on Sakumo to remove the captured shinobi as evidence.

Kakashi asked Hatake Sakumo to teach him more swordsmanship, but Sakumo left on an urgent mission after promising to train him next time. At the Hokage’s office, Sakumo learned that Mist Village, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure planned to hold a joint Chunin Exam, while Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō debated how Konoha should respond and seek an ally.

• Kakashi showed Hatake Sakumo his Lightning Style: Fang Thrust and asked him to teach more moves, but Sakumo left after making another pinky promise.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Hatake Sakumo intelligence that Mist Village, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure planned to hold a joint Chunin Exam, and ordered him to investigate their conspiracy.
• Hatake Sakumo left the Hokage’s office, and Sarutobi Hiruzen wondered what common interest could unite the three villages against Konoha.
• Shimura Danzō suggested that Konoha seek an alliance with Sunagakure and proposed sending it the person it hated most as compensation.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen angrily threw his pipe at Shimura Danzō, who caught it and then urged him to take the initiative by another method.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo discussed how to counter the growing threat from the Land of Water, Land of Earth, and Land of Lightning, and Hiruzen agreed to let Danzo prepare to fight Iwagakure under the guise of self-defense. Hiruzen then warned Orochimaru and Jiraiya that war was approaching Konoha, leaving Jiraiya bickering with Orochimaru over his unfinished Sage Mode.

• Danzo argued that Konoha should strike one of the three threatening nations first and identified the Land of Earth as the best target.
• Hiruzen said Konoha could not proactively start a war, and Danzo understood that he was expected to make Iwagakure appear to be the aggressor.
• Hiruzen assigned the matter to Danzo, then summoned Orochimaru and Jiraiya and warned them to prepare for war.
• Orochimaru guessed that the conflict involved Kirigakure, while Jiraiya read the intelligence reports and speculated about joint Chunin Exams bringing peace.
• Orochimaru mocked Jiraiya for challenging him before mastering Sage Mode, and Jiraiya faltered while defending himself.

Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed that Konoha planned to feint toward the Mist Village while attacking Iwagakure, and asked Orochimaru to lead the campaign. Orochimaru chose a rapid route through the Land of Grass, while Jiraiya failed to persuade Sarutobi to send Kushina to the battlefield.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Orochimaru and Jiraiya that Konoha's true target was Iwagakure and asked Orochimaru to lead the forces.
• Orochimaru ruled out marching through the Land of Rain without Hanzo's approval and the Land of Grass because breaking Kusagakure's agreement would harm Konoha's reputation.
• Orochimaru considered seeking Takigakure's Seven-Tails but said Kushina and Konoha's Nine-Tails were not ready for battle.
• Jiraiya argued that Kushina was capable and praised her, but Sarutobi refused to send her to the battlefield.
• Orochimaru chose to move through the Land of Grass and strike Iwagakure before it could react.

Orochimaru proposed capturing an Iwagakure Jinchuriki to force the Land of Earth to make peace, with Uzumaki Kushina providing the sealing expertise. Sarutobi Hiruzen sought Danzo’s judgment, and Danzo volunteered to join the mission under the pretext of protecting Kushina.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen questioned whether Konoha should invade the Land of Earth directly and worried about the risks of the campaign.
• Orochimaru argued that capturing the Four-Tails or Five-Tails Jinchuriki would force Iwagakure to seek peace.
• Orochimaru said Uzumaki Kushina’s sealing techniques could ensure success, and Jiraiya eagerly welcomed her involvement.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen declined to send Hatake Sakumo and said he would assess the risks before making a decision.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen consulted Shimura Danzō, who objected to taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to Iwagakure but then offered to join the team and watch over her.

Danzo persuaded the Third Hokage to let him accompany Orochimaru's mission, promising to protect Uzumaki Kushina without interfering. In Kirigakure, Araki sparred with Hozuki Mangetsu and answered Mangetsu's powerful techniques and Hydrification Secret Technique with a fierce sword attack.

• Danzo assured the Third Hokage that he only wanted to ensure Uzumaki Kushina's safety, and the Third Hokage allowed him to join Orochimaru's operation under strict orders not to affect the mission.
• Araki redirected Hozuki Mangetsu's powerful strike and used Dragon Soaring Flash to sever his arm, but Mangetsu's Hydrification Secret Technique made the injury harmless.
• Mangetsu joked that Araki had only cut his new sleeve, so Araki threatened to ruin another outfit and used Wind Instant Body Technique and Nine-Headed Dragon Flash to slice Mangetsu's body into water and scraps of cloth.

After selling the Rasengan to Hozuki Sengetsu for clan resources, Araki was asked to teach Hozuki Mangetsu swordsmanship. After defeating Mangetsu and becoming friends with him, Araki demonstrated a hand-seal-free Wind Style sword technique and invited him to learn it.

• Araki sold the Rasengan to Hozuki Sengetsu in exchange for Hozuki Clan resources.
• Hozuki Sengetsu asked Araki to teach Hozuki Mangetsu swordsmanship, and Araki agreed to instruct him in a technique suited to Hiramekarei.
• Mangetsu challenged Araki, but Araki defeated him and cut apart his clothes; the two soon became friends.
• Araki demonstrated Wind Style: Rending Wave Slash, a sword technique that required no hand seals, and asked Mangetsu if he wanted to learn it.

Araki and Hozuki Mangetsu rushed toward lightning striking near the Anbu base, while the chapter revealed that Hatake Sakumo and two cloaked allies had secretly entered the Land of Water with help from an old Mist operative. Sakumo accepted Kawamura’s offer to provide cover, and the group continued its dangerous mission.

• Araki demonstrated his newly created Wind Style: Rending Wave Slash to Mangetsu and decided he no longer needed to exchange for ordinary damage-dealing ninjutsu.
• Lightning struck near the Anbu base, and Araki and Mangetsu headed toward the disturbance to help.
• Kawamura used a story about a huge fish to distract patrolman Kawase Shinsuke from the three cloaked figures hiding in his boat.
• Hatake Sakumo quietly thanked Kawamura for offering to create a diversion if needed, but warned him that the mission was dangerous.
• Kawamura explained that he had accepted his role as a disposable operative, and Sakumo promised to take him back to the village if they got the chance.

White Fang and Hatake Sakumo’s team located the three captives in Kirigakure while Blood Fang tried to break their silence. Xiu Bing used an Ice Release technique to inspect Yamanaka Taku’s mind, as a tiny insect escaped the dungeon.

• Hyuga Washi used his Byakugan to locate the three captives and spotted their guards.
• Hatake Sakumo sent Washi to wait while he and Shihui moved in.
• Blood Fang learned that the captives had resisted torture and suspected a Sealing Technique was preventing them from speaking.
• Blood Fang summoned Xiu Bing, who used Ice Release to examine Yamanaka Taku’s mind.
• A tiny insect silently flew out of the dungeon.

Aburame Shihui warned Hatake Sakumo that Mist Village ninjas were interrogating the captured Konoha team, and Sakumo infiltrated the Anbu base to rescue them. He reached the Water Prison, where Blood Fang challenged him, leaving the two Fangs poised to fight.

• Aburame Shihui used his Kikaichū to report the prisoners' location and interrogation to Hatake Sakumo as Mist Village forces detected intruders.
• Shihui sent insect clones to distract the Mist ninjas while Sakumo slipped into the base and killed Tanigawa and three guards.
• Raiga Kurosuki destroyed Shihui's clones with Lightning Style and entered the base in pursuit of Sakumo.
• Blood Fang sent two guards outside, while Xiu Bing examined Yamanaka Taku's seal and prepared to test a way to undo it on Yamashiro Matsu and another prisoner.
• Sakumo burst into the Water Prison, cut Xiu Bing's ice thorn, and faced Blood Fang, who declared that only one Fang blade would remain legendary.

Hatake Sakumo fought Blood Fang and Xiu Bing in the dungeon, overcoming their techniques with his White Lightning. He killed Blood Fang, Kirigakure’s Anbu Commander.

• Hatake Sakumo killed the three tortured Root shinobi before attacking Blood Fang.
• Hatake Sakumo and Blood Fang clashed with their blades, while Sakumo’s lightning paralyzed Blood Fang.
• Xiu Bing used Ice Ground Lock to freeze the ground, but Blood Fang recovered and demanded a one-on-one fight.
• Blood Fang attacked with Swarm of Dancing Bees, using buzzing vibrations to disorient Hatake Sakumo.
• Hatake Sakumo unleashed Lightning Style: White Fang, shattered Blood Fang’s clones, and killed him.

Araki and Hozuki Mangetsu joined the hunt for Konoha’s infiltrators while Raiga Kurosuki and Xiu Bing fought Hatake Sakumo. Araki identified Aburame Shihui’s decoy and struck the ground to find his real hiding place.

• Karatachi Yagura told Araki and Hozuki Mangetsu that Konoha ninja had infiltrated the Anbu base and that Raiga Kurosuki and Xiu Bing were fighting Hatake Sakumo.
• Hozuki Sengetsu claimed to grieve over Blood Fang’s death, though Araki realized he was struggling to suppress his laughter.
• Karatachi Yagura sent Araki and Hozuki Mangetsu to capture the infiltrators accompanying Hatake Sakumo.
• Aburame Shihui repeatedly escaped the Mist Village Anbu underground using Earth Release and Insect Clone Technique, but his dwindling chakra left him exhausted.
• Araki stopped Hozuki Mangetsu from pursuing Shihui’s Insect Clone, then used Earth Split: Wave Sword to attack the ground where Shihui was hiding.

Araki and Hozuki Mangetsu captured Aburame Shihui alive while Hyuga Washi sent up a signal flare for help. Kawamura Masahiko answered the call and prepared to return to action, leaving his home to aid the younger ninjas.

• Araki forced Aburame Shihui out of the ground, swept away his insect swarm, and knocked him unconscious.
• Hozuki Mangetsu bound Aburame Shihui, while Araki decided to keep him alive in case he could be useful.
• Hyuga Washi saw Shihui captured and used a Shadow Clone to launch a signal flare asking Kawamura Masahiko for help.
• Karatachi Yagura spotted the flare and ordered Kuriarare Kushimaru to help restrict White Fang of the Leaf.
• Kawamura Masahiko saw the signal, dug up his old ninja gear, and set out to help.

Kawamura Masahiko chose the Six-Tails as his target and infiltrated a large estate with fish soup laced with Genjutsu Potion. Meanwhile, Hatake Sakumo was driven toward Kirigakure’s coast by Raiga Kurosuki, Xiu Bing, and Kuriarare Kushimaru.

• Kawamura Masahiko decided to target the Six-Tails because he thought the Three-Tails would be suppressed too quickly by Karatachi Yagura.
• Kuriarare Kushimaru’s wire trap and Raiga Kurosuki and Xiu Bing’s combined ice-and-lightning attack restricted Hatake Sakumo and forced him to dodge a barrage of freezing beams.
• Hatake Sakumo realized the battle had moved from near the Anbu base toward the coastline, where the Mist Village ninjas had the advantage.
• Kawamura Masahiko entered an estate with fresh fish and claimed he had obtained a rare spice after fighting a whale shark.
• Kawamura Masahiko poured a whole bottle of Genjutsu Potion into the fish soup for the estate’s master.

The Third Mizukage and his allies fought the rampaging Six-Tails after its Jinchuriki lost control under genjutsu. They immobilized the beast and began sealing it, leaving its capture underway.

• The Six-Tails broke free and attacked Kirigakure, while the Third Mizukage ordered Xiu Bing, Karatachi Yagura, and Hozuki Sengetsu to assist.
• The Third Mizukage summoned Ganyamaru, who used its rocky shell and tail to drive back the Six-Tails and interrupt its Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Karatachi Yagura bound the Six-Tails with Coral Parasite, and Xiu Bing trapped it inside a Six-Pillar Ice Prison.
• Hozuki Sengetsu applied the Six-Harmony Seal to the immobilized Six-Tails.

The Third Mizukage ordered the Six-Tails extracted from the dying Keikoku and named Utakata as its next Jinchuriki. On the battlefield, Hatake Sakumo escaped with Blood Fang’s head, so Araki used Aburame Shihui to try to make him stop.

• Hozuki Sengetsu warned that Keikoku was dying, and the Third Mizukage ordered the Six-Tails’ seal released and Utakata brought in as the new Jinchuriki.
• With the Six-Tails’ rampage drawing away Kirigakure forces, Hatake Sakumo gained the advantage over Raiga Kurosuki and Kuriarare Kushimaru.
• Araki arrived with Aburame Shihui and attacked Hatake Sakumo, but White Fang fled rather than fight the three of them.
• Raiga Kurosuki revealed that Hatake Sakumo had taken Blood Fang’s head, while he and Kuriarare Kushimaru hesitated to pursue.
• Araki struck Aburame Shihui with his sword sheath and called out to Hatake Sakumo, using Shihui to try to stop his escape.

Araki forced Hatake Sakumo to trade Blood Fang’s head for Aburame Shihui, but Hatake used a summoning trick to rescue his teammate while giving up the scroll. Araki and Hozuki Mangetsu regrouped after the fight and learned the Six-Tails Jinchuriki had gone berserk, possibly as part of Konoha’s scheme.

• Araki threatened Aburame Shihui, and Hatake Sakumo stopped fleeing when he saw his comrade in danger.
• Raiga Kurosuki’s forces encircled Hatake Sakumo as Kuriarare Kushimaru injured Aburame Shihui to pressure him into surrendering Blood Fang’s head.
• Hatake Sakumo agreed to exchange the scroll for Aburame Shihui, then used a Summoning Technique to bring the ninja hound carrying him back to his side.
• Kuriarare Kushimaru retrieved the scroll and confirmed that it contained Blood Fang’s head.
• Hatake Sakumo assured the injured Aburame Shihui that the team would return together, while Araki chose not to pursue Raiga Kurosuki and Kuriarare Kushimaru.
• Araki reunited with Hozuki Mangetsu, who reported that the Six-Tails Jinchuriki had gone berserk and destroyed the surrounding area.

After the White Fang of the Leaf killed Kirigakure’s Anbu Commander, the Third Mizukage weighed retaliation and ordered covert strikes against Konoha. He appointed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to lead the operation and prepared to rally the other nations against Konoha.

• Kaguya Steel Bone urged an invasion of the Land of Fire, but Xiu Bing and Karatachi Yagura warned that the White Fang of the Leaf was too strong to defeat without the Third Mizukage.
• The Third Mizukage set aside a direct attack on the White Fang and asked for ways to retaliate against Konoha.
• Karatachi Yagura proposed sending elite jonin to attack the Fire Temple and supply sites belonging to the Nara and Akimichi clans.
• The Third Mizukage assigned the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to the operation, put Karatachi Yagura in charge of Anbu, and ordered Suifeng to stockpile war supplies.
• The Third Mizukage ordered a protest letter sent to Konoha and the other three nations to portray Konoha as a threat to them all.

Karatachi Yagura invited Kisame Squad to join the Anbu after becoming its commander, and Araki, Kaguya Black Bone, and Zabuza chose to form an independent squad despite the danger. Yagura agreed to register them, and the squad celebrated Kisame’s likely promotion to jonin.

• Karatachi Yagura took Kisame Squad to a tavern and asked Kisame to join the Anbu.
• Kisame agreed, and Yagura explained that he needed trusted people to support him as the new Anbu Commander.
• Yagura offered Araki, Kaguya Black Bone, and Zabuza the choice of another chunin captain or joining the Anbu as an independent squad.
• Araki chose the Anbu, arguing that dangerous missions would prepare them for the approaching war, and Kaguya Black Bone and Zabuza supported him.
• Yagura agreed to register the three with Kisame at the Anbu Base, then left after paying the bill.
• Araki and the others congratulated Kisame on his likely promotion to jonin and toasted him at the tavern.

Araki, Kisame, Zabuza, and Kaguya Black Bone formed the Anbu’s Hawk Squad and received a mission to hunt two rogue ninjas in the Land of the Moon. After reviewing the targets’ abilities, Araki warned his teammates not to underestimate them and told everyone to prepare for the sea journey.

• Karatachi Yagura took the four ninjas to choose Anbu masks and codenames: Kisame became Shark, Zabuza became Blood Catfish, Kaguya Black Bone became Crab, and Araki became Hawkeye.
• Karatachi Yagura declared the Hawk Squad established and assigned them a mission to hunt rogue ninjas.
• Araki led the squad to its room, reassured Kaguya Black Bone that they would still train together, and reviewed the mission intelligence with him and Zabuza.
• Araki warned the squad that Shi Li’s suspected petrification Kekkei Genkai could be dangerous and told them to prepare for a several-day voyage to the Land of the Moon.

Araki challenged Yasuo in the Consciousness Space and defeated him after developing a more advanced form of Wind Style swordsmanship. He gained the complete Wind-Slaying Sword Technique and a new sword-force move called Gale Blade, then reviewed his updated abilities.

• Araki entered the Consciousness Space to test his progress against Yasuo, wielding a pale cyan Wind Style blade.
• Araki and Yasuo fought at high speed, trading sword techniques and wind attacks as Araki countered Yasuo’s Wind Slash with Rending Wave Slash.
• Araki and Yasuo clashed inside a tornado until Araki emerged victorious and absorbed the fragments of light feathers.
• Araki tested the complete Wind-Slaying Sword Technique and extended his cyan sword force into a move he named Gale Blade.
• Araki reviewed his status and noticed that Sword Intent and Sword Heart were listed as parallel concepts.