Recaps

Uzumaki Kuming demanded that Orochimaru accept a Cursed Seal before they could cooperate in studying Otsutsuki Jianshi, but Orochimaru resisted and summoned the First and Second Hokage along with Kuming’s grandmother, Uzumaki Mito. Mito broke free of Orochimaru’s control and bound him with her Golden Chains, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Uzumaki Kuming rejected Orochimaru’s Living Corpse Reincarnation technique and demanded permission to place a Cursed Seal on him as a condition for studying Otsutsuki Jianshi.
• Orochimaru tried to escape Kuming’s attack by using Human Molting, then summoned Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and a third figure from coffins.
• Uzumaki Kuming recognized the third figure as Uzumaki Mito, who had raised him, and called her Grandmother.
• Uzumaki Mito sent Golden Chains at Orochimaru and the two Senju brothers, binding Orochimaru before he could release the Impure World Reincarnation.
• Uzumaki Mito declared that Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal could not control her and stepped on the talisman attached to a Kunai emerging from her body.

Uzumaki Kuming stopped Uzumaki Mito from killing Orochimaru and placed a soul-targeting Cursed Seal on him, then spent time with Mito, Hashirama Senju, and Tobirama Senju. After Orochimaru released Impure World Reincarnation and the three departed, Kuming left Orochimaru in charge of the Immortality Laboratory.

• Uzumaki Mito broke free of Orochimaru's control, restrained him with Adamantine Sealing Chains, and reunited with Uzumaki Kuming.
• Mito learned that Nawaki had a daughter, Karin Senju, Kushina had two sons, Naruto Uzumaki and Yoriichi Namikaze, and Tsunade remained unmarried.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju attacked Mito and Kuming, but Mito blocked them and Kuming asked her to spare Orochimaru.
• Kuming imprinted a Cursed Seal on Orochimaru's soul, causing him intense pain, and explained that he had researched Fuinjutsu found in the Land of Whirlpools.
• Mito refused to visit Konoha and warned Kuming against pursuing resurrection; later, Orochimaru released Impure World Reincarnation and Mito, Hashirama, and Tobirama departed.
• Kuming told Orochimaru he would leave the Immortality Laboratory's work to him, and Orochimaru accepted that he had no choice.

Uzumaki Kuming’s secret abduction of Konoha researchers to support Orochimaru’s laboratory continued unnoticed as the Chunin Exams entered the Forest of Death stage. Kuming recognized a disguised enemy among the Grass Ninja and sent Itachi and Shisui to stop him, while Team 7 realized they were being followed.

• Uchiha Fugaku learned that seventeen Konoha Academy of Sciences researchers had disappeared and ordered the police to conduct widespread screenings, while privately doubting that foreign spies were responsible.
• Uzumaki Kuming admitted that he had secretly taken the researchers to help Orochimaru’s Immortality Laboratory.
• Minato asked Kuming to monitor the Sunagakure participants during the Forest of Death exam, and Kuming agreed to stop any threat they posed.
• Anko Mitarashi explained the scroll-based team test, and Sasuke warned Naruto and Karin about a suspicious Grass Ninja watching him.
• Kuming spotted the disguised enemy on the surveillance screens, identified Naruto and Karin as likely targets, and sent Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha to deal with him.
• Team 7 stopped beneath a tree, where Sasuke told Naruto and Karin that someone was following them.

Madara Uchiha ambushed Team 7 in the Forest of Death, incapacitated Naruto and Karin, and tried to draw Sasuke to his side before Shisui and Itachi intervened. Madara escaped, and Sasuke woke hours later troubled by what he had seen in the genjutsu about the Uchiha clan and Madara.

• Sasuke sensed a watcher in the forest, but Madara Uchiha appeared and broke Karin's Wood Release vines while pinning Sasuke with a terrifying pressure.
• Sasuke hurt himself to break free and throw a kunai, while Naruto charged with a Rasengan and Karin tried to help; Madara dislocated Naruto's wrist and knocked both Naruto and Karin unconscious.
• Madara revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and urged Sasuke to leave Konoha with him, but Sasuke refused and attacked with shuriken that could not pierce Madara.
• A Venus flytrap-like figure warned Madara that Konoha was approaching, so Madara placed Sasuke in a genjutsu and tried to take him before Shisui and Itachi arrived.
• Shisui and Itachi fought Madara, but his body turned intangible and he escaped underground after threatening to kill Uzumaki Kuming.
• Shisui dispelled Sasuke's genjutsu and confirmed that the three members of Team 7 were safe; after Naruto and Karin recovered, Sasuke woke hours later thinking about what he had seen.

Uzumaki Kuming learned that a Sharingan user with space-time ninjutsu had targeted Sasuke with genjutsu, then verified Sasuke was free of its influence as the Forest of Death exam ended. As the surviving teams gathered for the next test, Kuming sealed Gaara’s uncontrolled Shukaku Chakra, and Minato began explaining the purpose of the Chunin Exams.

• Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha reported that a Sharingan user who could use space-time ninjutsu had escaped after casting genjutsu on Sasuke.
• Kuming reassured Itachi that the genjutsu would not change Sasuke’s nature and decided to wait for Black Zetsu’s next move.
• Gaara’s team reached the central tower first, and Team 7 arrived just before the Forest of Death deadline with Sasuke looking troubled.
• The nine teams that passed gathered in the training ground, where Kuming checked Sasuke for foreign Chakra and noticed Sakura Haruno among the survivors.
• Kuming sensed Gaara’s rising killing intent and sealed the Shukaku Chakra leaking from him, calming Gaara without preventing him from releasing it willingly.
• Anko introduced Minato Namikaze, who began explaining the true purpose of the Chunin Exams.

Minato explained that the Chunin Exams were also a contest of national strength, and Itachi announced a sudden preliminary round for the remaining Genin. Sasuke chose to compete despite his condition, Gaara received a bye, and Sakura faced Karin in the first match, where Sakura trapped Karin in a genjutsu but Karin’s counterattack appeared to put her at an advantage.

• Minato told the Genin that the Chunin Exams showcased their nations’ strength and prestige, while also selecting Chunin.
• Itachi announced individual preliminary matches with no fixed time limit, and Sasuke refused to withdraw despite feeling dizzy and weak.
• Gaara received a bye for placing first in the second stage, and the draw selected Sakura Haruno to fight Karin Senju first.
• Sakura calmly began the match and used the Tree Binding Killing Technique to trap Karin in an apparent Wood Release illusion.
• Karin recognized the genjutsu and tried to escape with pain, but Sakura released her restraints and kept her trapped; Karin’s apparent counterattack remained inside the illusion.

Karin Senju defeated Sakura Haruno in the preliminaries, and Sasuke Uchiha overcame Takahashi Kai after revealing his three-Tomoe Sharingan. Uzumaki Kuming left the exams intending to investigate Sasuke’s Sharingan and travel to the Land of Rain after the Chunin Exams.

• Karin Senju broke free of Sakura Haruno’s genjutsu and knocked her down with a powerful strike, earning a place in the finals.
• Takahashi Kai pinned Sasuke Uchiha and drained his Chakra, but Sasuke escaped and revealed his three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Uzumaki Kuming told Shisui to have Itachi bring Sasuke to him after the assessment, then left the arena.
• Sasuke used Lion’s Barrage to defeat Takahashi Kai while Minato Namikaze watched.
• Uzumaki Kuming decided to go to the Land of Rain after the Chunin Exams and investigate Akatsuki.

Itachi Uchiha brought Sasuke Uchiha to meet Uzumaki Kuming, who explained the Uzumaki Clan’s destruction and urged Sasuke to understand how clans and villages protected one another. The brothers left in silence, and Itachi revealed that his dream was to become Hokage.

• Itachi Uchiha brought Sasuke Uchiha to Uzumaki Kuming’s home, where Kuming asked Sasuke about the trouble his team faced in the Forest of Death.
• Sasuke asked Kuming what he thought of the Uchiha clan, then described it as Konoha’s hidden blade and a clan feared by its leaders.
• Kuming told Sasuke that the Uzumaki, Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga clans shared an ancient origin, and recounted how the Land of Whirlpools and Uzushio Village were destroyed.
• Kuming explained that powerful clans needed a village’s protection and said the Uchiha’s strength came from protecting their loved ones.
• Itachi asked Kuming for advice about clans, villages, countries, and history before he and Sasuke left for home.
• Near the village entrance, Sasuke asked Itachi about his dream, and Itachi said he wanted to become Hokage.

Minato investigated the murder of Gekko Hayate and suspected Sunagakure, while Rasa visited Uzumaki Kuming to reveal Orochimaru’s plan to attack Konoha. Rasa also said a Konoha shinobi’s body had been found near the Sunagakure delegation, suggesting someone was trying to frame them.

• An Anbu reported that Gekko Hayate and a Sound Ninja had been found dead, and Minato ordered a discreet investigation and informed Uzuki Yugao.
• Minato suspected the Sunagakure delegation and ordered stronger patrols as Rasa and his party went to Uzumaki Kuming’s residence.
• Rasa met Uzumaki Kuming, and Gaara asked what Kuming knew about his mother, Karura.
• Uzumaki Kuming told Gaara that he had inherited Karura’s Magnet Release, surprising Temari and Kankuro.
• Rasa showed Kuming a contract and battle plan connecting Sunagakure and Otogakure, explaining that Orochimaru had recruited Sunagakure to attack Konoha.
• Rasa said a Konoha shinobi had been found dead near the Sunagakure inn and suspected someone was framing Sunagakure.

Uzumaki Kuming agreed to let Rasa lead Sunagakure in destroying Otogakure, then set out with Uchiha Fugaku and Kisame to investigate Akatsuki in the Land of Rain. The three reached the Land of Rain and approached Amegakure, while Kushina and Minato learned of Kuming’s departure and worried about him.

• Rasa revealed Sunagakure’s alliance treaty with Otogakure and asked Kuming to help destroy Otogakure; Kuming agreed to accompany Rasa’s forces through the Land of Fire.
• Kuming told Minato about the plan, and Minato strengthened Konoha’s night patrols without opposing it.
• Kuming asked Fugaku to join him on a covert mission to investigate Akatsuki in the Land of Rain, and Fugaku agreed.
• Kuming, Fugaku, and Kisame waited outside Konoha as nearly three hundred Sunagakure shinobi assembled, then Kuming warned Baki before the force departed.
• Kushina and Minato watched Kuming leave, and Kushina worried over his safety despite Minato’s reassurance.
• After guiding the Sunagakure force to the Land of Fire’s border, Kuming, Fugaku, and Kisame continued on to the Land of Rain and approached Amegakure.

Uzumaki Kuming entered Amegakure with Kisame and Uchiha Fugaku, sensing Nagato and drawing the attention of Akatsuki. The chapter ended as Kuming prepared to fight the assembled Akatsuki members, beginning with Hidan.

• Uzumaki Kuming sensed a familiar Chakra in Amegakure’s rain and led Kisame and Uchiha Fugaku toward the person he had come to find.
• Nagato learned that Uzumaki Kuming had arrived, while Madara Uchiha threatened him and demanded that he send out the Six Paths.
• Uzumaki Kuming’s group reached a training ground, where Madara Uchiha, Zetsu, the Six Paths, Hidan, Sasori, and Deidara confronted them.
• Kakuzu, appearing as the Deva Path, greeted Uzumaki Kuming as his uncle, and Kuming recognized him as someone he had killed years earlier.
• Hidan attacked Kuming, but Kisame blocked him and sent him flying with a Water Dragon Bullet before Sasori and Deidara arrived.
• Uzumaki Kuming removed his rain cape, drew the Heavenly Feather Blade, warned Kisame and Fugaku to protect themselves, and charged lightning around himself as he chose Hidan as his first target.

Uzumaki Kuming fought the Akatsuki forces in the Land of Rain, quickly sealing Hidan and overpowering Deidara before clashing with Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu. After Black Zetsu pierced him from behind, Kuming revealed that he had anticipated the attack and vanished, leaving a Chibaku Tensei behind him.

• Uzumaki Kuming struck first, but Sasori pulled Hidan aside while Kakuzu’s Deva Path used Banshō Ten'in to disrupt the attack.
• Uzumaki Kuming used his lightning-enhanced speed to cut Hidan in half, then sealed him inside a mound of earth.
• Uzumaki Kuming charged Sasori, and the Deva Path blasted him away with Shinra Tensei, but Kuming emerged unharmed from the crater.
• Deidara attacked Uzumaki Kuming with explosive clay, but Kuming survived the blasts and held a blade to Deidara’s neck.
• Madara Uchiha and the Third Kazekage Puppet interrupted Kuming’s attack, but Kuming destroyed the Puppet with lightning and escaped Madara’s space-time pull using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Uzumaki Kuming struck Madara with a marked throwing knife, but Black Zetsu pierced Kuming through the chest; Kuming then revealed he had been on guard and vanished, calling out Chibaku Tensei.

Uzumaki Kuming captured and sealed Black Zetsu, but Nagato and the Masked Man escaped Amegakure. As Kuming returned toward Konoha, the joint Chunin Exams concluded with Gaara and Naruto winning their final matches.

• Uzumaki Kuming trapped Black Zetsu in Chibaku Tensei while the Six Paths, Deidara, and Sasori escaped the battlefield.
• Uzumaki Kuming used the Heavenly Feather Blade and Sake-Cutter Gourd to seal Black Zetsu, then went to Amegakure’s central tower and discovered Nagato and the others had fled.
• Uzumaki Kuming sealed the White Zetsu corpses for Orochimaru and left the Land of Rain with Uchiha Fugaku and Kisame.
• The Masked Man demanded Nagato use Rinne Rebirth to revive someone in exchange for Konan and Yahiko, while Nagato insisted he first see the person to be revived.
• The Masked Man ordered preparations to capture the Tailed Beasts and said he would divert Uzumaki Kuming’s attention.
• The joint Chunin Exams ended with Gaara defeating Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki defeating Hyuga Neji; Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Neji also received Chunin qualifications despite losing.

Naruto celebrated his promotion to Chunin with his family, while Sasuke struggled with his defeat and Itachi urged him to strengthen his resolve. Rasa visited Minato to ask Konoha to help Gaara control Shukaku, leaving after Minato explained that Kuming alone could decide whether he could help.

• Naruto returned home to a celebration, and Kushina reminded him that becoming a Chunin meant taking responsibility for his team.
• Sasuke withdrew to his room after losing to Gaara, and Itachi warned him that Naruto would surpass him if he did not change his mindset.
• Rasa arrived at Minato's home with Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro and explained that Gaara's leaking seal and Shukaku's influence had tormented him since birth.
• Rasa asked Konoha to help Gaara control Shukaku, but Minato said the decision belonged to Kuming and that Konoha had no proven way to create another perfect Jinchuriki.
• Minato urged Rasa to care for Gaara and told Gaara that his mother had loved him, and Gaara felt warmth at his father's visible guilt.
• After Rasa and Gaara left, Minato told Naruto that Konoha's strength let it face rampaging Tailed Beasts, and Yoriichi connected that strength to his father and uncle.

After Sasuke Uchiha vanished from Konoha, Minato ordered an investigation while Fugaku secretly sent Uchiha clan members to search for him. Two travelers from the future, Boruto and a one-armed young man with a nine-Tomoe Rinnegan, arrived at Konoha’s gate looking for Urashiki.

• Rasa left Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro in Konoha so Uzumaki Kuming could help Gaara master Shukaku’s power.
• Minato tightened security after learning about Akatsuki and sent Naruto to train with Jiraiya, who carried a Flying Thunder God kunai.
• Kuming guided Gaara’s training, and Gaara grew closer to his siblings while Konoha underwent major construction.
• An explosion rocked the Uchiha compound, and Kuming discovered Sasuke’s Chakra was missing from the village.
• Minato ordered Team Guy to investigate Sasuke’s disappearance, while Fugaku secretly dispatched Uchiha to search for him.
• Boruto and a one-armed traveler with a nine-Tomoe Rinnegan arrived at Konoha seeking Urashiki and warning against altering the timeline.

Sasuke and Boruto’s attempt to slip through Konoha was interrupted by village ninja, forcing Sasuke to escape with Susanoo. Outside the village, Uzumaki Kuming encountered Otsutsuki Urashiki and prepared to fight him.

• Sasuke and Boruto entered Konoha from the future while searching for Urashiki, but Sasuke noticed they were being watched and led Boruto toward a quiet river.
• Asuma and Kurenai confronted the pair; Sasuke used genjutsu to incapacitate them, but Yoriichi Namikaze arrived and attacked Boruto.
• Four Konoha Anbu surrounded Sasuke, who summoned Susanoo and escaped with Boruto, leaving the Anbu, Asuma, Kurenai, and Yoriichi unconscious.
• Uzumaki Kuming sensed Sasuke’s chakra from outside Konoha, but Urashiki appeared behind him and kicked him away.
• Uzumaki Kuming recognized Urashiki as an Otsutsuki, drew the Heavenly Feather Blade, and readied himself to face the Six Paths-level opponent.

Uzumaki Kuming fought Otsutsuki Urashiki, overwhelmed him with a giant Kurama-enhanced fox form, but failed to stop his escape through a spatial rift. In Konoha, Sasuke Uchiha recognized the immense Sage Mode chakra and decided he and Boruto Uzumaki needed to contact someone from this world to find Urashiki and a way home.

• Otsutsuki Urashiki absorbed Uzumaki Kuming's chakra, but Kuming used a scroll to conceal his presence and fought back with his blade.
• Kuming's attacks seemed to leave Urashiki unharmed, so Kurama urged Kuming to stop holding back and supplied him with chakra.
• Kuming transformed into a giant golden fox and smashed Urashiki into the ground, badly injuring him.
• Urashiki revealed a nine-tomoe Rinnegan on his forehead and escaped through a spatial rift before Kuming could kill him.
• Kisame checked on Kuming after the battle, and Kuming returned to his estate while considering how difficult Urashiki would be to defeat.
• Sasuke Uchiha sensed Kuming's powerful Sage Mode chakra in Konoha and told Boruto Uzumaki they needed to contact someone from this world to find Urashiki and a way back.

Konoha sent Anbu to investigate the battle at Uzumaki Kuming’s residence, while Sasuke Uchiha and Boruto Uzumaki arrived from the future to ask about Otsutsuki Urashiki. Kuming recognized who they were and learned that he died fighting Princess Kaguya in the Fourth Shinobi World War, but Sasuke’s explanation that Madara Uchiha broke the seal left him in disbelief.

• Uzuki Yugao led an Anbu squad to Kuming’s residence, then returned to report while the others secretly guarded the surrounding woods.
• Sasuke detected the hidden Anbu, knocked them unconscious, and brought Boruto to Kuming’s study.
• Kuming’s Cursed Seals bound Sasuke and Boruto, and he said he knew they had come from the future.
• Kuming explained that he had injured an Otsutsuki he called Soron Otsutsuki, who escaped with space-time ninjutsu, and learned from Sasuke that the enemy was Otsutsuki Urashiki.
• Kuming asked whether he was alive in the future, and Boruto told him that he was not.
• Sasuke revealed that Kuming died fighting Princess Kaguya in the Fourth Shinobi World War, and said Madara Uchiha had broken the seal after returning from the Pure Land.

Uzumaki Kuming learned that Madara Uchiha had become a pseudo Ten-Tails jinchuriki before sending Sasuke Uchiha and Boruto back toward Konoha. At the Immortality Laboratory, he discovered that Orochimaru had used Living Corpse Reincarnation to take over the captured Otsutsuki's body and was claiming he could make Kuming immortal.

• Sasuke Uchiha told Uzumaki Kuming that Madara Uchiha had awakened the Rinnegan, captured six Tailed Beasts, and become a pseudo Ten-Tails jinchuriki.
• Uzumaki Kuming arranged for Kisame to escort Sasuke and Boruto back to Konoha, then secretly gave Boruto a Chakra Cursed Seal.
• Uzumaki Kuming visited the Immortality Laboratory and found that Orochimaru was missing from the researchers' ranks.
• The captured Otsutsuki began speaking, and Uzumaki Kuming realized Orochimaru had used Living Corpse Reincarnation to take over its body.
• Orochimaru explained his theory that the Otsutsuki's Chakra-based body could carry a soul indefinitely, then claimed he could make Uzumaki Kuming immortal.

Uzumaki Kuming freed Orochimaru after hearing his promise of a path to immortality, but quickly defeated him when he tried to attack. Two years later, Karin’s team prepared to leave Konoha as Deidara and Sasori visited a bounty exchange, where Asuma’s squad set out to ambush Deidara.

• Orochimaru offered Uzumaki Kuming a way to become immortal, and Uzumaki Kuming released him from the Adamantine Sealing Chains after sending the researchers away.
• Orochimaru attacked Uzumaki Kuming, who dodged his strike, wounded him with the Heavenly Feather Blade, and warned him not to provoke him again.
• Orochimaru regrew his severed arm and agreed to help Uzumaki Kuming pursue immortality; Uzumaki Kuming later spent much of his time working in the laboratory over the next two years.
• Karin Senju assembled with a temporary team at Konoha’s gates, where she spotted two figures approaching from the horizon.
• Deidara and Sasori brought a damaged monk’s corpse to a bounty exchange, and Deidara left after arguing with the manager over the payment.
• Asuma identified Deidara as an Akatsuki member and ordered his team to kill him before the other Akatsuki member emerged.

Asuma’s squad confronted Deidara and Sasori at the exchange house, where the Akatsuki pair’s traps and attacks overwhelmed the Konoha ninja. After Izumo and Kotetsu were gravely wounded, Asuma summoned Enma and struck Sasori’s Hiruko puppet, forcing Sasori to reveal his true appearance and leaving Deidara stunned.

• Deidara escaped Shikamaru’s Shadow Possession Technique with a clay decoy, then attacked Asuma’s squad with explosive clay beetles and a centipede.
• Asuma flooded the exchange house with smoke and ignited it, causing Sasori to emerge from the flames in his damaged Hiruko puppet.
• Shikamaru tried to restrain Sasori, but Sasori fired poisoned Senbon at him while Asuma attacked Hiruko and was knocked away by its iron tail.
• Deidara detonated clay beetles beneath the squad, leaving Izumo and Kotetsu unconscious with their legs blown off while Shikamaru escaped the blast.
• Asuma summoned Enma and extended a black staff through Hiruko, forcing Sasori to abandon the puppet and reveal his youthful appearance.

Asuma and Shikamaru fought Sasori while Deidara watched from hiding, and Izumo and Kotetsu were killed by the Third Kazekage puppet's iron sand. Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived after Asuma used a surprise attack to create an opening, and the chapter ended as Hiruzen prepared to fight Sasori.

• Asuma summoned Enma as a Black Receiver and struck Sasori's Hiruko puppet, while Sasori summoned the Third Kazekage puppet and launched its iron sand attack.
• Asuma shielded Shikamaru and urged him to escape, but Shikamaru was wounded while trying to protect Izumo and Kotetsu, who were killed by Sasori's iron sand.
• Asuma rescued Shikamaru and fled into the forest as Deidara sent Clay Beetles after them, then Asuma and Shikamaru hit Sasori with a combined Fire Style and Wind Style attack.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared behind Sasori and smashed Hiruko's iron tail and head, but Asuma warned him that Sasori's heart was his only weak point.
• Sasori attacked Hiruzen and Asuma with iron sand, and Hiruzen pushed Asuma aside and began forming hand seals to fight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma fought Sasori’s Puppet army, but Deidara wounded Hiruzen as the pair tried to escape. Just as Sasori and Deidara moved in to finish them, a red-haired young man in a black God Robe appeared and stopped their attacks with lightning.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi outmaneuvered Sasori with layered Earth Style techniques, but Sasori escaped underground and emerged to unleash his hundred-Puppet army.
• Deidara secretly mined the battlefield while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma defended themselves against Sasori’s Puppets with Rashomon and coordinated Fire and Water Style techniques.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma attacked Sasori through the mist, but Sasori survived by transferring his heart into another Puppet and trapped them with iron sand.
• As Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma tried to retreat, Deidara’s Clay Birds exploded near them and gravely wounded Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Sasori and Deidara cornered the injured pair, but lightning destroyed their incoming attacks, and a red-haired young man in a black God Robe appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma.

Uzumaki Kuming rescued Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma's squad, defeated Sasori and Deidara, and took the Akatsuki members prisoner. Konoha's interrogation yielded little useful intelligence, and Sunagakure's delegation arrived to seek Sasori's extradition.

• Uzumaki Kuming arrived at the Bounty Exchange, stopped Deidara from escaping, destroyed Sasori's Puppet army, and captured both Akatsuki members.
• Uzumaki Kuming took Hiruzen Sarutobi back to Konoha and ordered Asuma to bring Sasori and Deidara after him.
• Asuma gathered Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki's remains, and Shikamaru Nara later beat the prisoners when Konoha's reinforcements arrived.
• Minato ordered the interrogation unit to question Sasori and Deidara, but their answers offered little Akatsuki intelligence, and Fuinjutsu in their minds hindered further questioning.
• Gaara, Kankuro, Temari, and Chiyo arrived from Sunagakure to negotiate for Sasori's extradition.

Chiyo brought a Sunagakure delegation to Konoha to reclaim Sasori and learned that he had joined Akatsuki and killed the Third Kazekage. She secured his release by secretly negotiating with Minato Namikaze, while Uzumaki Kuming and Minato planned to demand valuable techniques from the Stone Ninja in exchange for Deidara.

• Chiyo's delegation entered Konoha and was escorted by Anbu to the prison, where she confirmed Sasori's identity.
• Chiyo asked Sasori about the Third Kazekage's disappearance and his Akatsuki membership, and he admitted both his connection to Akatsuki and his killing of the Kazekage.
• Chiyo and Minato Namikaze negotiated in secret, and the Sunagakure party left Konoha with Sasori after Chiyo offered her puppet-technique knowledge and poison-making research.
• Uzumaki Kuming explained Sasori's value to Minato and proposed demanding Dust Release from the Stone Ninja in exchange for Deidara, with lesser techniques as fallback terms.
• Minato told Uzumaki Kuming that Ōnoki would soon visit Konoha, and they discussed coordinating against Akatsuki and sending teams after its members.