Recaps

Naruto and Jiraiya met Tsunade in a town and asked her to return to Konoha as the Fifth Hokage. Tsunade initially refused, but Jiraiya’s reminder of her grandfather’s village made her hesitate.

• Tsunade, disguised as a child, knocked Naruto flying, and Jiraiya recognized her when he arrived.
• Naruto, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune ate together, where Jiraiya confirmed that the Third Hokage had died and Orochimaru was responsible.
• Tsunade asked why Jiraiya had come, and Naruto told her they wanted her to become the Fifth Hokage.
• Tsunade refused because memories of her dead brother and lover made the Hokage title painful.
• Naruto declared that he wanted to become Hokage, and Jiraiya reminded Tsunade that her grandfather had founded the village, causing her to waver.

Tsunade challenged Naruto to a one-handed fight, betting that she would return to Konoha and become Hokage if he won. Naruto revealed his overwhelming strength and defeated her in a clash of punches, leaving Tsunade’s right arm limp.

• Tsunade offered to fight Naruto with one hand, wagering that she would return as Hokage and give him a gift if he won.
• Naruto accepted the bet and warned Tsunade that his strength was beyond what she imagined.
• At an empty spot outside the tavern, Tsunade easily caught Naruto’s first chakra-powered punch.
• Naruto added wind-nature chakra to his next punch, and Tsunade caught it but was pushed back slightly.
• Naruto used a chakra cloak to power a serious punch, and Tsunade met it with her own fist.
• Naruto’s punch sent Tsunade flying and left her right arm hanging limp.

After defeating Tsunade, Naruto received a chakra crystal from Hashirama and set off with her for Konoha. Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Hidan accepted a bounty to hunt Naruto, while Danzo spread rumors in the village that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Fox.

• Tsunade conceded defeat to Naruto, agreed to return to Konoha as Hokage, and gave him Hashirama's chakra crystal to study.
• Naruto and Tsunade stayed overnight and began their journey back to Konoha the next morning.
• Kakuzu took Danzo's 40-million bounty mission to hunt Naruto, and Hidan went with him.
• Fū Yamanaka and Torune watched Kakuzu and Hidan leave the bounty station, then reported that someone had taken the mission.
• Danzo ordered Root to spread the claim that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Fox, and the rumor in Konoha grew into wild stories about him eating children.

As Naruto and his companions returned to Konoha, Kakuzu and Hidan ambushed them, but Naruto pursued the Akatsuki pair after sensing their chakra. He faced them alone and considered drawing on the Nine-Tails’ power, but found the fox too confident to rely on.

• Koharu Advisor and Mitokado Homura recognized Danzo’s attempt to undermine Tsunade and chose not to stop him, while Kakashi and Hinata felt powerless to help Naruto.
• Naruto sensed killing intent on the journey back to Konoha, and Kakuzu decided to retreat after recognizing Jiraiya and Tsunade.
• Naruto detected Kakuzu and Hidan with the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura and went after them, while Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune followed.
• Naruto recognized the Akatsuki members as Kakuzu and Hidan and suspected someone had put a bounty on him, possibly Danzo.
• Naruto considered using the Nine-Tails’ chakra, but the fox’s renewed confidence made Naruto decide he could not count on him.

Naruto fought Hidan and Kakuzu in the woods, wrecking the battlefield and forcing Kakuzu to reveal his unusual bodies and elemental attacks. As Naruto struggled to finish the immortal Hidan, Kakuzu considered retreating, while someone called Naruto a hypocritical brat for holding on to his humanity.

• Naruto's Serious Punch shattered Kakuzu's Earth Wall, cleared the surrounding trees, and badly wounded Hidan.
• Hidan and Kakuzu attacked Naruto in close combat while Tsunade and Jiraiya watched in confusion at their lack of ninjutsu.
• Naruto summoned ten Shadow Clones, and Kakuzu split into five tendril monsters to fight them.
• Naruto dodged Hidan's attempt to obtain his blood, while Kakuzu used five elemental releases to destroy most of Naruto's clones.
• Naruto's remaining Shadow Clones used Lightning Style: Laser to destroy two of Kakuzu's masks and lives.
• Kakuzu considered retreating as Naruto continued fighting Hidan, who taunted him for clinging to his humanity.

Naruto killed Hidan by revealing his Wood Release, then gave Tsunade and Jiraiya a fabricated explanation involving Danzo. The group continued their journey in a subdued mood as Naruto resolved to improve his combat skills.

• The Nine-Tails tempted Naruto to stop holding back, and Hidan cut Naruto's arm while preparing his ritual.
• Naruto used Wood Release to crush Hidan, while Kakuzu escaped underground.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya questioned Naruto about his Wood Release, and Naruto claimed a blind old man had given him a potion as a child.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya suspected Danzo had used Hashirama Cells on Naruto, and Naruto overheard their concerns.
• Naruto sealed his chakra with the Five Elements Seal to block the Nine-Tails, then reflected that he needed more combat training.

Kakuzu took Hidan’s still-beating heart and collected Naruto’s blood before Naruto returned to Konoha with Tsunade and Jiraiya. As Tsunade began her inauguration, Naruto suspected Danzo had turned the villagers against him, while an ordinary-looking man watched Danzo from the crowd.

• Kakuzu found Hidan barely alive, took his damaged heart, and collected a drop of Naruto’s blood from Hidan’s scythe.
• Naruto returned to Konoha with Tsunade and Jiraiya, where villagers whispered fearfully about him and Naruto suspected Danzo had framed him.
• Naruto went to see Hinata, then planned how to kill Danzo using the Flying Thunder God and the Heavenly Cloud Sword.
• Fū Yamanaka and Torune reported to Danzo that Naruto could use Wood Release, and Danzo wondered about Naruto’s connection to Orochimaru.
• Three days later, Tsunade delivered her declaration at her inauguration while Naruto watched and an ordinary-looking man fixed his attention on Danzo.

Naruto secretly marked Danzo with his Mangekyō Sharingan, while Tsunade investigated Naruto’s abilities and Danzo’s role in his past. Naruto defeated the Nine-Tails and absorbed its chakra, then appeared beside Danzo at Root Base in disguise.

• Naruto used his Mangekyō Sharingan to place a small mark on Danzo, then waited for a day before acting.
• Tsunade questioned Kakashi and Jiraiya about Naruto, learned Danzo was behind his troubles, and asked what to do about his possible Wood Release.
• Naruto entered the Sealing Space, revealed his Sharingan to the Nine-Tails, defeated it, and absorbed its chakra.
• Naruto disguised himself as a black-haired young man and appeared beside Danzo during a Root meeting, leaving everyone frozen.

Naruto trapped Danzo and his guards inside a barrier, then fought Danzo after discovering he had implanted Naruto’s blood in his arm. Danzo triggered a self-sacrificing sealing technique, but Naruto escaped and killed him, leaving part of Root’s base destroyed.

• Naruto formed a Perfect Cube barrier and killed the ninjas surrounding Danzo, leaving Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame alive.
• Danzo recognized Naruto and revealed that he had Naruto’s blood implanted in his arm; his Kotoamatsukami failed to control Naruto.
• Naruto killed Torune and Fū, then fought Danzo with the Ame-no-Murakumo Sword, which prevented Izanagi from restoring Danzo’s severed arm.
• Danzo used Wood Release and attacked Naruto’s Susanoo, then activated Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing to take Naruto with him.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clones dispelled the barrier, and Naruto used Flying Thunder God to cut off Danzo’s arm and head before escaping as the sealing blast destroyed part of Root’s base.

After Danzo's base collapsed and he was presumed dead, Tsunade concealed Root's crimes and tightened Konoha's defenses. Naruto absorbed Danzo's remains, then questioned whether people were livestock and began contemplating humanity's place in the natural world before a knock interrupted him.

• Naruto devoured Danzo's head and arm, strengthening his Dōjutsu without gaining Kotoamatsukami.
• Kakashi and Jiraiya reported that Root's base had collapsed and Danzo was missing, leading them to conclude he was likely dead.
• Tsunade ordered Root sealed off and its investigation restricted to Anbu, while publicly attributing the destruction to an earthquake.
• Naruto observed Konoha's unchanged public life and wondered whether its people were livestock kept safe until slaughter.
• Naruto's thoughts turned toward heaven, earth, and humanity's purpose, but a knock at his door broke his strange state of awareness.

Mui used the destruction of Kusagakure to frame Naruto and pressure the Five Great Nations into demanding that Konoha surrender him. As Tsunade and Konoha’s leaders debated how to respond, Naruto realized Hinata had learned Danzo’s name and that the Third Hokage’s Telescope Technique was watching them.

• Hinata confronted Naruto about Danzo’s death, and Naruto sensed someone watching them with the Third Hokage’s Telescope Technique.
• Mui learned that refugees blamed Naruto for destroying Kusagakure and decided Naruto’s chakra could open the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
• Mui sent accusations to the Five Kage, prompting the Raikage and Ōnoki to pressure Konoha to hand over Naruto.
• Tsunade received demands from the other great nations, while Koharu suggested sending Naruto to Hozuki Castle and Mitokado Homura opposed giving in.

Jiraiya and the village leaders tried to persuade Naruto to accept punishment for Danzo's killing, but Hinata accidentally revealed his involvement while being watched. Exposed and refusing to surrender, Naruto fled toward the village gates as the Anbu attacked him.

• Jiraiya warned the village leaders to consider Naruto's wishes, and they asked Hiashi to have Hinata speak with him.
• Jiraiya used the Third Hokage's crystal ball to watch Hinata meet Naruto, and Hinata asked Naruto whether he had killed Danzo.
• Naruto realized he was being watched, and Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Anbu arrived to confront him.
• Hinata urged Naruto to run, but Naruto said goodbye to her and refused the leaders' offers to surrender or go to Hozuki Castle.
• Naruto dashed toward the village gates, then casually sent the Anbu's Fire Style, Earth Release, and Wind Release attacks flying into the sky.

Naruto broke free of Konoha’s attempt to capture him, displayed control of the Nine-Tails and the Sharingan, and left the village after learning Senjutsu by watching Jiraiya. Tsunade was left facing the political fallout as villagers celebrated Naruto’s departure.

• The Anbu formed the Four Red Yang Formation around Naruto, but he transformed into the Nine-Tails’ full Chakra Cloak and shattered the barrier, injuring its four users.
• Naruto reached Konoha Gate, where Jiraiya summoned the Two Elder Toads and tried to stop him with Frog Call and Senjutsu.
• Naruto revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, studied Jiraiya’s Chakra, and used Natural Energy to create a gigantic palm attack.
• Naruto said goodbye to Jiraiya and vanished from Konoha, leaving Tsunade and the Jonin worried about the village’s security.
• The villagers cheered Tsunade for driving out the Nine-Tails Fox, while Tsunade blamed Danzo and ordered everyone to return.

After Naruto left Konoha, Tsunade’s circle struggled to understand his strength and decide how to respond. Tsunade called his departure temporary and ordered the news suppressed, while the elders worried about the other villages learning that the Nine-Tails’ Perfect Jinchūriki was outside Konoha.

• Shikamaru, Choji, and Naruto’s other friends were stunned to hear that Naruto had defected, while Sasuke vowed to defeat him.
• Tsunade ordered the village leaders to keep Naruto’s departure quiet, then blamed Koharu and the elders for indulging Danzo.
• Shikaku urged the group to find Naruto, but Jiraiya questioned how they could persuade him to return after failing to defeat him in Sage Mode.
• Jiraiya recalled that Naruto had awakened the Uzumaki Clan’s Adamantine Sealing Chains at eleven and guessed that he had already mastered the Nine-Tails’ power.
• The leaders questioned how Naruto had awakened a Sharingan, but Kakashi could not explain it and Hinata stayed silent about her own suspicions.
• Koharu and Mitokado Homura warned that other villages would exploit the Nine-Tails being outside Konoha, while regretting that they had allowed Danzo to target Naruto.

After leaving Konoha, Naruto took Karin Uzumaki with him to a deserted island in the Land of Water and began setting up a base. He made the underground space more comfortable with Wood Release and told Karin to choose a room, while Konoha quietly sent a Genin squad to search for him.

• Tsunade decided Konoha would make no public announcement about Naruto leaving and would secretly send teams to find him.
• Jiraiya and the elders agreed to deny Naruto’s defection to other villages and stall for time.
• Naruto brought Karin Uzumaki with him as he left Konoha, then flew with her to the Land of Water.
• Naruto chose a deserted island and used more than a hundred Shadow Clones to build a huge underground base.
• Naruto used Wood Release: World Tree to bring glowing roots and sunlight into the base after Karin complained it was damp.
• Naruto told Karin she could choose a room and ask his Shadow Clones to bring her anything she needed.

Naruto remained hidden after defecting from Konoha, developed a personal Sage Mode, and began researching Sage Art. Meanwhile, Orochimaru pursued Hiruko, and Nagato used Naruto’s blood to restore his crippled legs.

• The Five Great Nations secretly searched for Naruto, while Mui chose Yugito, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, as a new target for Hozuki Castle.
• After a month in his underground laboratory, Naruto tested his Sage Mode and had his Shadow Clones experiment with Sage Art.
• Orochimaru learned that Hiruko was in the Land of Birds and set out there with Kabuto Yakushi.
• Nagato studied the drop of Naruto’s blood and, determined to fulfill Yahiko’s dream and protect Konan, applied it to his crippled legs.
• Nagato’s body absorbed the blood, and he showed pain as it took effect.

Nagato recovered his legs and vitality using Naruto's blood, while Naruto considered his plans to find more chakra and reach the moon. Naruto's Flying Thunder God experiment frightened Otsutsuki Toneri, though Naruto did not realize Toneri had been watching him.

• Nagato regained the use of his legs and some of his red hair after using Naruto's blood, but stayed in his wheelchair to guard against Madara Uchiha.
• Naruto noticed the full moon, recalled Otsutsuki Toneri, and worried that he lacked information and had little time before the Akatsuki began hunting the Tailed Beasts.
• Naruto decided that the Dragon Vein was an accessible source of chakra and considered how to reach other Jinchūriki.
• Naruto entered Sage Fox Mode and threw a Flying Thunder God-marked Kunai toward the moon, hoping to teleport there.
• Otsutsuki Toneri, who had been observing Naruto with the Tenseigan, panicked when Naruto threw the Kunai toward him and stopped watching.
• Naruto sensed that the Kunai had not reached the moon and concluded that ordinary Kunai could not survive the journey.

Hinata remained consumed by guilt over questioning Naruto, but resolved to improve and show him her progress. Meanwhile, Orochimaru visited Hiruko in the Land of Birds and learned that Hiruko’s experiments were unfinished after mentioning someone with several Kekkei Genkai.

• Karin Uzumaki continued studying while Hinata withdrew into herself, blaming herself for Naruto leaving the village.
• Hinata recalled why she had questioned Naruto about Danzo and decided to improve rather than use her forehead protector to summon him.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi arrived at Hiruko’s hideout in a valley in the Land of Birds.
• Hiruko recognized Orochimaru’s completed jutsu and described the progress of his own experiments, which were not yet finished.
• Orochimaru told Hiruko that he had met someone with several different Kekkei Genkai in his body.

Hiruko and Orochimaru discussed someone who had surpassed Hiruko's research, while Naruto continued training until he mastered Sage Mode. Naruto left Karin Uzumaki behind and headed toward the Land of Wind to investigate the Dragon Vein.

• Orochimaru told Hiruko that someone possessed the Uzumaki Constitution, Uchiha eyes, and Senju Wood Release, and they wondered whether Danzo had obtained Hiruko's research.
• Naruto used Sage Arts and the Buddha Palm to develop his strength, while Karin Uzumaki emerged from studying Sealing Jutsu after more than half a month and discovered Naruto had entered Sage Mode.
• Naruto sparred with the Nine-Tails by beating him and absorbing his chakra, then decided to investigate the Dragon Vein near the Sand Village.
• The next day, Naruto left without telling Karin Uzumaki and traveled through the Land of Fire toward the Land of Wind in disguise.

Naruto traveled through the Land of Fire, studied Wood Release and experimented with its energy before joining a merchant convoy headed for Sunagakure. He hid his identity from Neji, who was escorting the convoy with Might Guy, and continued riding with them.

• Naruto sensed the life in the forests and theorized that Wood Release drew on a special form of natural energy connected to the God Tree.
• Naruto produced a sapling in his palm and realized he could use wood energy to turn weaker opponents into trees.
• A kindhearted merchant invited Naruto to travel with his convoy, and Naruto accepted a ride to the Land of Wind under the false name Little Nine.
• Naruto learned that Konoha ninja were escorting the convoy and sensed Neji among them.
• Neji noticed Naruto but dismissed him as an ordinary child, while Naruto activated his Sealing Jutsu to avoid being recognized.

Naruto found the Dragon Vein beneath the Rōran ruins and began absorbing its power, storing it in his Middle Dantian as the vein resisted. The chakra pillar alerted Sunagakure, where Chiyo ordered a force to investigate.

• Naruto traveled with a caravan into the Land of Wind and left it at an oasis.
• Naruto used Sage Mode to locate the Dragon Vein beneath the Rōran ruins and studied its power for three days.
• Naruto broke Minato Namikaze's seal and began absorbing the conscious Dragon Vein's chakra.
• The Dragon Vein resisted, sending a massive pillar of chakra into the sky, so Naruto sealed the power inside his chest.
• Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro went to Baki, who identified the Dragon Vein as the source of the disturbance.
• Chiyo arrived and ordered Sunagakure's forces to gather and head for Rōran.

Naruto struggled to seal the Dragon Vein, then transformed into his Nine-Tails Fox form to overpower it. The Dragon Vein transported Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, and their companions from the past into the present, where they confronted Naruto and learned they had traveled to the future.

• Granny Chiyo explained that removing the Dragon Vein could change the Land of Wind’s climate, and she led more than fifty Anbu to investigate its chakra pillar.
• Emperor Guy and his team also headed toward the pillar, while Naruto spent hours trying to suppress and seal the Dragon Vein.
• Naruto revealed his Nine-Tails Fox form and restrained the Dragon Vein with his nine tails, but its power remained undiminished.
• The Dragon Vein opened its mouth and brought Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Anrokuzan, the queen of Rōran, and others into the present.
• Chiyo demanded that Naruto stop absorbing the Dragon Vein, and Baki identified him as the Nine-Tails Fox who destroyed Kusagakure.
• Minato realized that his group had traveled to the future, while Naruto insisted that everyone call him the Nine-Tails Immortal.

Chiyo, Baki, Minato Namikaze, and their allies united to stop Naruto Uzumaki from absorbing the Dragon Vein's power. Their attack met fierce resistance from Naruto's Shadow Clones, and the battle escalated as the coalition unleashed a powerful combined Wind Release.

• Neji and Emperor Guy declared that the Konoha shinobi had come to help, while Minato Namikaze also offered his group's aid.
• Baki recognized Anrokuzan as a rogue ninja, and Chiyo made him join the Sand shinobi while promising to settle his score later.
• Chiyo summoned ten puppets, and the allied shinobi attacked Naruto's real body as he absorbed the Dragon Vein's power.
• Naruto's Shadow Clones used Sage Arts to repel the attackers, while one clone fought Minato Namikaze at high speed.
• Four Shadow Clones formed a barrier around Naruto and the Dragon Vein, but the coalition's combined Wind Release shattered their earthen wall and dispersed two clones.
• Emperor Guy opened the Five Gates to protect his students, and the remaining Naruto clones decided to target the ordinary shinobi first.

Naruto used his Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo, and Adamantine Sealing Chains to pull the Dragon Vein from the ground while the shinobi tried to stop him. Minato summoned Gamabunta, and they broke through the Four Red Yang Formation to reach Naruto.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clones and Might Guy fought the Sand shinobi as Naruto’s Dragon Vein battle began to turn against him.
• Naruto summoned Adamantine Sealing Chains and awakened a golden Susanoo, which seized the Dragon Vein and tore it from the ground.
• Baki asked Guy and Minato to stop Naruto, warning that losing the Dragon Vein would worsen the Land of Wind’s climate.
• Minato summoned Gamabunta, who recognized the complete Susanoo and charged at Naruto with Minato’s help.
• Minato and Gamabunta used several attacks and Senjutsu to break through the Four Red Yang Formation.

Naruto absorbed the Dragon Vein while Minato learned that he was facing his future son, Naruto Uzumaki, and vowed to stop him. Naruto attacked Minato and Gamabunta as his strange Flying Thunder God-like ability let him evade Minato.

• Naruto's chakra fox pinned Gamabunta, and Might Guy opened the Seventh Gate to knock it away.
• Might Guy told Minato that the powerful rogue ninja was Naruto Uzumaki, and Minato realized Naruto was his future child.
• Naruto absorbed the Dragon Vein, sealed it with a Five Elements Seal, and immobilized everyone with his chakra.
• Naruto told Minato that the Nine-Tails inside him proved Minato had sealed it into his child, then taunted him about pursuing power.
• Minato vowed to stop Naruto, who attacked him while Susanoo fought Gamabunta.
• Naruto used his left-eye ability to appear beside Minato, who teleported away with the Flying Thunder God Technique.