Recaps

Namikaze Minato’s team pursued Kirigakure while Yuhi Shinku and Fugaku Uchiha’s group found the Nara clan captured in the mist and rushed to rescue Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza. The reinforcements reached the exhausted trio, learned that Seven Ninja Swordsmen Kuriarare Kushimaru and Hozuki Sengetsu were responsible, and prepared to fight.

• Namikaze Minato ordered Hizashi Hyuga and Aburame Shibi to search the Fire Temple ruins, then led his team after the trail of unusual water vapor.
• Yuhi Shinku’s group discovered that at least a hundred Nara clan members were alive but immobilized in the mist, while Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and wounded Akimichi Choza fled from a pursuer.
• Hizashi Hyuga located the fleeing trio, and Yuhi Shinku ordered the group to rescue them.
• Kuriarare Kushimaru and Hozuki Sengetsu kept the trio trapped in the mist as they carried Choza and ran for hours.
• The reinforcements used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to clear the mist and reach the trio, and Shikaku identified Kushimaru and Sengetsu as members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
• Akimichi Todome told the injured Choza to rest and vowed to handle the Kirigakure attackers.

Hozuki Sengetsu lured Yuhi Shinku’s team toward an ambush while they pursued him through the forest. Tokuma Hyuga spotted the steel wires in the Ruthless Explosion Array, but the team continued after Sengetsu to rescue the captured Nara Clan members.

• Tokuma Hyuga located Hozuki Sengetsu, and Fugaku Uchiha and Yuhi Shinku attacked him, but Sengetsu escaped the genjutsu and turned into water when Fugaku struck him.
• Fugaku activated his Sharingan, prompting Sengetsu to flee and taunt the Konoha shinobi into chasing him.
• Tokuma Hyuga detected two more chakra signatures near the place where the Nara Clan members were being held and warned the team that Sengetsu had accomplices.
• Tokuma Hyuga spotted steel wires stretched through the forest, but Yuhi Shinku, Fugaku Uchiha, and Akimichi Todome continued into the trap to reach the captured Nara Clan members.
• Sengetsu saw the Konoha team enter the Ruthless Explosion Array and waited for them to move deeper into it.

Hozuki Sengetsu lured the Konoha squad into a prepared trap and attacked Tokuma Hyuga with [Hiramekarei], while the explosion gave Kuriarare Kushimaru the opening to spring the hidden Explosive Tags. The chapter left the Konoha squad reeling from the blast as Kushimaru began the next stage of the ambush.

• Kuriarare Kushimaru sensed that the Konoha group had entered the ambush zone, and Munashi Jinpachi and Hozuki Mangetsu prepared the concealed Explosive Tags.
• Hozuki Sengetsu stopped in the trap zone and faced the Konoha pursuers, while Yuhi Shinku identified the Mist Village attackers and ordered an attack.
• Fugaku Uchiha charged Hozuki Sengetsu, who closed his eyes and fired a massive chakra sphere from [Hiramekarei].
• Hozuki Sengetsu feinted past Fugaku Uchiha and redirected the attack toward Tokuma Hyuga, who defended himself with Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin.
• The chakra sphere and Tokuma Hyuga's rotating barrier collided in a huge explosion that forced the Konoha squad to defend themselves.
• Kuriarare Kushimaru yanked the steel wires covered in Explosive Tags and announced that the Mist attackers' turn had come.

Munashi Jinpachi’s explosive attack devastated Deer Garden, but Fugaku Uchiha used Izanagi and Namikaze Minato rescued the Konoha group with the Flying Thunder God Technique. The Konoha ninja caught up with the Mist Village team, where Araki’s Wind Wall thwarted Minato’s opening attack and drew his attention.

• Munashi Jinpachi’s Exploding Blade Shibuki triggered a massive chain of explosions over Fugaku Uchiha and his companions.
• Fugaku Uchiha used Izanagi, and Namikaze Minato teleported the four survivors away with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Hozuki Sengetsu and the Mist Village ninja prepared to withdraw, believing their attack had warned Konoha.
• Namikaze Minato, Hizashi Hyuga, Aburame Shibi, Akimichi Todome, Fugaku Uchiha, and Yuhi Shinku caught up with the Mist Village team.
• Araki raised a Wind Wall that stopped Minato’s Flying Thunder God Kunai and left him suspended in the air before he teleported back to his allies.

The Mist Village shinobi used mist and coordinated attacks to trap the Konoha team, but Hizashi Hyuga protected Namikaze Minato with Rotation. Araki pierced through the supposedly flawless defense and killed Hizashi, then took his Byakugan.

• Akimichi Todome enlarged his arms to attack, while Munashi Jinpachi forced him to retreat with explosive tags.
• At Araki's order, Hozuki Mangetsu thickened the mist, and Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi prepared another explosive-wire trap.
• Namikaze Minato cleared a patch of fog, revealing the trap as Hozuki Sengetsu attacked him with Hiramekarei.
• Hizashi Hyuga used Rotation to block Hozuki Sengetsu's Spiral Wave Slash while Namikaze Minato prepared to teleport the Konoha team away.
• Araki pierced Hizashi Hyuga's Rotation with his sword, drove the blade into his heart, and gouged out his eyes.

Araki killed Hizashi Hyuga and urged Hozuki Sengetsu to raid Konoha while its defenses were weakened. Sengetsu agreed to lead Araki and Mangetsu into the village while sending Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi to join Suikazan Fuguki.

• Araki's surprise attack killed Hizashi Hyuga, and Namikaze Minato escaped with Hizashi's corpse using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Araki found that the Byakugan he had taken had shattered, while Hozuki Sengetsu praised him for killing a Hyuga jonin.
• Araki proposed raiding Konoha to seize valuables, including the Sword of the Thunder God, while the village's forces were dispersed.
• Hozuki Sengetsu agreed to infiltrate Konoha with Araki and Mangetsu, and ordered Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi to join Suikazan Fuguki on the eastern coast.

Araki, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Hozuki Sengetsu infiltrated Konoha by disguising themselves as clams drifting through its sensory barrier. After regrouping in a private bath, they discussed their plans to seek the Sword of the Thunder God and prepared to split up.

• Araki relied on the Hozuki brothers’ clam summons to bypass Konoha’s sensory barrier, hiding inside a larger clam while they concealed themselves as water.
• Hozuki Mangetsu and Hozuki Sengetsu drifted through the barrier and reached a bathhouse, where they summoned Araki from his clam.
• Araki worried about being discovered in the women’s bath, but Mangetsu explained that they were in a secluded private bath for men.
• Hozuki Sengetsu warned Araki that the Sword of the Thunder God would be difficult to obtain and told him to stay with Mangetsu, while they agreed to communicate through summons and otherwise retreat separately.
• Hozuki Sengetsu left through the bath inlet, and Mangetsu asked Araki how they would leave.

Araki used his Wind King Barrier to conceal himself and Mangetsu as they escaped the bathhouse and approached the Hokage Office. They reached Konoha’s central district without being discovered and began assessing its defenses.

• Araki showed Mangetsu how his Wind Style could make objects and people invisible, naming the technique Wind King Barrier.
• Araki had Mangetsu wrap around his body as water, and Mangetsu absorbed the water soaking Araki’s clothes.
• Araki concealed them both and led Mangetsu out of the bathhouse toward the Hokage Office.
• Araki avoided the crowds and Uchiha members on the way, wary that the Sharingan could detect their chakra.
• Araki and Mangetsu reached the area near the Hokage Office and found Konoha’s internal patrols less frequent than Araki had expected.

Araki and Mangetsu searched the abandoned Senju Residence for the Second Hokage’s Sword of the Thunder God. Araki found the sword in the Senju ancestral hall and left with its golden lightning blade activated.

• Araki chose to search the Senju Residence before checking the Hokage Office, hoping to find the sword with fewer defenses.
• Araki and Mangetsu split up to search the unguarded estate, but Araki found neither the sword nor Katsuyu’s summoning scroll in the main house.
• Araki entered the ancestral hall and found a dark-blue sword hilt before Tobirama Senju’s memorial tablet.
• Araki poured chakra into the hilt, formed the Sword of the Thunder God’s golden energy blade, and tested it by slicing through the stone floor.
• Araki vowed that others would one day feel the sword’s power.

Araki and Mangetsu searched the Senju Residence for Tsunade’s medical research and obtained medical ninjutsu materials before Shizune’s classmates arrived. After an Anbu’s dog detected them, Araki fled toward the river to lose his scent, where he unexpectedly spotted Hozuki Sengetsu.

• Araki and Mangetsu searched the Senju Residence for Tsunade’s medical ninjutsu research and found materials.
• Shizune brought Kakashi, Rin, Obito, Asuma, Anko, and others into the house, forcing Araki and Mangetsu to hide.
• Araki decided to leave rather than risk exposing himself or harming the young Konoha ninja.
• An Inuzuka Anbu’s dog detected Araki, and Araki escaped toward the river while the Anbu pursued him.
• Araki headed for the river to wash away his scent and unexpectedly spotted Hozuki Sengetsu.

Hozuki Sengetsu set out to steal a Byakugan while Konoha’s shinobi regrouped after Hizashi Hyuga’s death and prepared to pursue the Mist Village team. Namikaze Minato sent Nara Shikaku to report to the Hokage and called for reinforcements, then followed the enemy’s trail with Aburame Shibi’s insects.

• Hozuki Sengetsu decided to find a Hyuga main-family member and take a Byakugan for Kirigakure.
• Namikaze Minato and the others regrouped around Hizashi Hyuga’s body, and Tokuma Hyuga demanded to know how he had died.
• Namikaze Minato explained that a Mist Village swordsman had pierced Hizashi’s Rotation and ordered Tokuma to report the death to the Hyuga clan head.
• Namikaze Minato sent Nara Shikaku to inform the Hokage and request reinforcements after assessing the Mist team’s tactical advantage.
• Aburame Shibi confirmed that his female Kikaichū were tracking the enemy, and Namikaze Minato led the five remaining shinobi in pursuit.

The chapter explained how the Hyuga Clan’s Caged Bird seal oppressed the Branch House and left the clan with few elite fighters. After Hizashi Hyuga was killed and Fugaku Uchiha lost an eye in battle with Kirigakure, the Third Hokage sent Anbu reinforcements to join Namikaze Minato.

• Hyuga Hiashi mourned Hizashi Hyuga and questioned Tokuma Hyuga about how the Mist ninja had overcome Hizashi’s Rotation.
• Tokuma told Hyashi that Namikaze Minato had reported a Mist ninja pierced Hizashi’s Rotation with a longsword.
• Nara Shikaku reported to the Third Hokage that Kirigakure’s swordsmen and their allies had forced Konoha’s team onto the defensive.
• Shikaku revealed that Fugaku Uchiha had lost one Sharingan and Hizashi Hyuga had been killed in a trap involving Shibuki and Nuibari.
• The Third Hokage ordered Mei to lead two Anbu squads to rendezvous with Namikaze Minato and make Kirigakure pay.

Hozuki Sengetsu watched the Hyuga Clan after Hizashi Hyuga’s death and targeted unbranded Hyuga children, whom he captured to obtain their Byakugan. He left the three unconscious children hidden in a summoned clam and began considering how to use their eyes to make ninja tools.

• Hozuki Sengetsu saw Hyuga Hiashi leave the clan compound and decided to target Hyuga children who had not yet received the Caged Bird Cursed Seal.
• Hyuga Ko, Hyuga Homura, and Hyuga Iroha slipped out of the tense clan compound to skip stones by the river.
• Hyuga Homura told the others that Hizashi Hyuga had died, then noticed Hozuki Sengetsu approaching as an unusual mass of chakra.
• Hozuki Sengetsu swept the three children into the river, trapped them in a Water Prison, and knocked them unconscious.
• Hozuki Sengetsu stored the children in a summoned clam and planned to turn their Byakugan into powerful ninja tools.

Araki, Hozuki Sengetsu, and Hozuki Mangetsu found hidden Explosive Tags beneath Hokage Rock and planned to trigger them. Araki proposed using the ensuing chaos to launch a surprise attack on the Third Hokage, and Sengetsu and Mangetsu agreed.

• Hozuki Sengetsu showed off the Byakugan he had taken, while Araki revealed that he had obtained the Sword of the Thunder God.
• Araki told Hozuki Sengetsu that he had learned Konoha was filled with hidden Explosive Tags and suggested destroying Hokage Rock.
• Araki, Hozuki Sengetsu, and Hozuki Mangetsu climbed to Hokage Rock and found Explosive Tags connected by wires in the rocks.
• Araki proposed attacking the Third Hokage after the explosions scattered Konoha's forces, and Hozuki Sengetsu and Hozuki Mangetsu agreed to assassinate him.

Araki exploited Konoha’s depleted defenses by detonating the Explosive Tag network beneath Hokage Rock, causing the massive stone landmark to collapse toward the village. He escaped the blast as Konoha’s forces scrambled to respond, while the assassination plan remained contingent on how many powerful defenders appeared.

• Araki told Hozuki Sengetsu and Hozuki Mangetsu to hide and said they would abandon the assassination if too many Konoha powerhouses appeared.
• After Sengetsu and Mangetsu left, Araki found the Explosive Tag trigger beneath rubble atop Hokage Rock and prepared a remote detonation.
• Araki destroyed the trigger’s sealing patterns with a shuriken and fled using the Wind Instant Body Technique.
• More than a thousand Explosive Tags detonated, severing Hokage Rock’s supports and sending the mountain crashing toward Konoha’s central district.
• Konoha’s Police Force and Anbu noticed the collapse and shouted warnings, but neither group had Byakugan users to spot Araki.

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.