Chapter Summaries

Uzumaki Kuming led his squad into the Land of Rivers to hunt the Sand Shinobi unit that had ambushed Konoha’s scouts. After locating a Sand Shinobi transport squad, Kuming and Uchiha Fugaku attacked it with explosive kunai, while the others stayed behind.

• Uzumaki Kuming left camp with Uchiha Fugaku, Might Duy, Hizashi Hyuga, and Kaoru Hyuga to find the Sand Shinobi ambushers and establish a scout network.
• After four hours of travel, Kuming ordered the squad to rest and set up a sensory barrier, while Fugaku kept watch.
• Fugaku detected more than ten approaching chakra signatures, and Kuming identified them as Sand Shinobi heading east.
• Kuming gave Fugaku formula-inscribed explosive kunai and sent him to attack, while Duy and Hizashi stayed behind to protect Kaoru.
• Aihara Ryo warned his Sand Shinobi transport squad to stay alert, but Kuming and Fugaku’s kunai exploded among them, injuring several members.

Uzumaki Kuming and Uchiha Fugaku defeated a Sunagakure supply squad and learned that a secret unit had crossed into the Land of Rivers toward the Land of Fire. Kuming’s team changed course to strike behind enemy lines and head for Sunagakure while Konoha dealt with the threat.

• Aihara Ryo sent intelligence away by summoning a mole before Uzumaki Kuming confronted and disarmed him.
• Uchiha Fugaku and Uzumaki Kuming slaughtered the Sunagakure squad, and Fugaku used genjutsu to question Aihara Ryo.
• Kuming learned that the squad had already sent intelligence and lost its supplies, then killed Aihara Ryo while Fugaku burned the bodies.
• Kuming and Fugaku returned to their team and announced that the plan had changed to target Sunagakure.
• Uchiha Fugaku explained that a secret Sunagakure unit was moving through the Land of Rivers toward the Land of Fire, and that he had sent the intelligence to Konoha.
• Uzumaki Kuming ordered the team behind enemy lines toward Sunagakure while they waited for Consultant Yan’s orders.

Uzumaki Kuming ignored Mitokado Homura’s orders and led his team across the desert toward Sunagakure, hoping to infiltrate the village. At the Thread of Sky, they found the passage heavily guarded, so Kuming launched himself toward the defenses while the others prepared to find an opening.

• Uzumaki Kuming received Mitokado Homura’s order to patrol the Land of Rivers and stay out of the Land of Wind, but decided to continue toward Sunagakure.
• Uchiha Fugaku, Might Duy, Hizashi, and Kaoru chose to stay with Kuming despite the danger of disobeying orders and entering enemy territory.
• Kuming’s team crossed into the Land of Wind, avoided Sunagakure patrols, and reached the Thread of Sky after five days.
• Hizashi scouted the passage with his Byakugan and reported dozens of guards and several powerful Chakra signatures.
• Kuming created a Shadow Clone, had it hurl him toward the passage, and told Fugaku and the others to wait for an opening or retreat.

Uzumaki Kuming launched a one-man assault on Sunagakure, claiming he had come to negotiate peace as he broke through the village barrier. He landed in the village center and announced himself to Ebizo, while Sunagakure’s forces mobilized to defend the village.

• Two Sunagakure guards at Thread of Sky discussed who might become the Fourth Kazekage before spotting Gamabunta approaching and raising the alarm.
• Uzumaki Kuming summoned Gamabunta and rode him through Thread of Sky’s defenses toward Sunagakure.
• Ebizo ordered the village to protect the One-Tail, reinforce the barrier, evacuate civilians, and send Pakura, Jonin Rasa, Elder Chiba, and the Puppet Squad to confront the intruder.
• Surrounded at Sunagakure’s entrance, Kuming declared that he wanted to negotiate peace, then used lightning strikes to crack and destroy the village barrier.
• Gamabunta leaped into Sunagakure and landed near Ebizo’s office, where Kuming identified himself to Ebizo.

Uzumaki Kuming invaded Sunagakure and fought the taijutsu specialist Chiba while Ebizo, Rasa, and Pakura tried to contain him. After Kuming survived Chiba’s powerful blows and counterattacked, Chiba transformed into a much younger, stronger-looking form.

• Uzumaki Kuming broke through Sunagakure’s barrier and confronted Ebizo, who gathered Rasa, Pakura, and Chiba to stop him.
• Chiba attacked Kuming with nearly silent punches, then dodged Kuming’s lightning and struck him hard enough to send him through several walls.
• Kuming survived by activating Lightning Armor and Strength of a Hundred, then struck Chiba and moved toward Ebizo before Rasa blocked him with Gold Dust.
• Chiba rose again, declared he would crush Kuming, and underwent a transformation that restored his vitality and bulk.

Uzumaki Kuming fought Chiba, whose enhanced strength let him overwhelm Kuming until his life force began to fade. Kuming used a barrier to create an opening and killed Chiba with a strike through the heart.

• Chiba used his enhanced speed and strength to batter Kuming, but Kuming noticed that Chiba had to pause for breath as his life force weakened.
• Kuming counterattacked during Chiba’s pauses, while Chiba used Gold Dust and the Sunagakure puppet forces to keep Kuming occupied.
• Chiba gathered his life force and charged Kuming with a powerful attack, while Kuming formed four Shadow Clones and raised the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Chiba broke through the barrier, giving Kuming the chance to stab him through the heart with the Heavenly Feather Blade.
• Chiba died, and Kuming said he would remember his name.

Uzumaki Kuming battled Rasa and Pakura while Ebizo prepared a sealing technique, then used his Adamantine Sealing Chains to capture Ebizo. The fight paused with Ebizo bound in the air as Kuming proposed they talk.

• Ebizo ordered Rasa, Pakura, and the Puppet Squad to attack Kuming, while Rasa moved Chiba's body out of the fight.
• Kuming sent Shadow Clones against the Puppet Squad and fought Rasa and Pakura, whose Gold Dust and Scorch Release forced him back.
• Ebizo gathered Chakra and began forming a sealing technique while Rasa and Pakura kept Kuming at a distance.
• Kuming used six Adamantine Sealing Chains to feint at Rasa and Pakura, then struck Ebizo's position, but Rasa blocked the chains with Gold Dust.
• Kuming revealed three more chains beneath Ebizo, bound him, and pulled him into the air, forcing Pakura to stop her attack.

Uzumaki Kuming captured Ebizo and pressed Sunagakure to negotiate peace after a costly battle. Rasa agreed to talks, and the chapter ended with Uzumaki Kuming following him to the Kazekage’s office.

• Uzumaki Kuming held Ebizo hostage and proposed peace talks, while Ebizo urged Rasa and Pakura to kill him.
• Rasa stopped the Puppet Squad from attacking and agreed to hear Uzumaki Kuming’s demands.
• A Sunagakure shinobi threw an explosive-tag kunai at Uzumaki Kuming, who intercepted it and restrained the attacker with a Chakra chain.
• Uzumaki Kuming demanded Sunagakure withdraw unconditionally and offered a friendly alliance, but the Puppet Squad protested over Konoha’s killing of their Kazekage.
• Rasa sealed the protesting shinobi inside walls of Gold Dust, asked Uzumaki Kuming to release Ebizo, and agreed to discuss peace.
• Uzumaki Kuming released Ebizo after placing a Cursed Seal on his back, then followed Rasa toward the Kazekage’s office.

Uzumaki Kuming negotiated with Ebizo and Rasa, revealing that Sasori had likely killed the Third Kazekage and offering an explanation for Sunagakure’s war against Konoha. Ebizo said he could not simply end the conflict, but Kuming proposed a plan that could benefit Sunagakure and trouble Madara Uchiha.

• Rasa set up a barrier for his meeting with Kuming and Ebizo, while Pakura guarded the detained Puppet Squad shinobi outside.
• Kuming proposed that Sunagakure withdraw from the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain, send Ebizo and Chiyo to retire in Konoha, and second Rasa to Konoha for a year.
• Rasa rejected the demands and insisted Sunagakure would withdraw only if Konoha handed over Hiruzen Sarutobi’s body, but Ebizo persuaded Kuming to continue negotiating.
• Kuming claimed he had encountered Sasori in the Land of Rivers and identified Sasori’s puppet as Hiruko, leading Ebizo to suspect Sasori had assassinated the Third Kazekage.
• Ebizo admitted that Sunagakure could not stop fighting just because he wished to, and Kuming said he had an idea that could bring the village substantial benefits.

Uzumaki Kuming’s actions in Sunagakure triggered a crisis that drew Iwagakure and Kumogakure into war with Konoha. Kuming then revealed to his team that he had secretly allied with Sunagakure, and they prepared to infiltrate the Land of Earth as Konoha and Sunagakure launched a surprise offensive.

• Uzumaki Kuming left Sunagakure with Uchiha Fugaku’s team after an explosion, and reports of the attack prompted Third Raikage A and Ōnoki to mobilize against Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi lost contact with Kuming, who sent Minato Namikaze a secret scroll that led Hiruzen to summon Hatake Sakumo.
• A week later, Rasa killed Hatake Sakumo in a staged battle in the Land of Rivers, prompting Iwagakure and Kumogakure to invade the Land of Fire.
• Sunagakure secretly withdrew its troops from the Land of Rivers and sent them toward the Land of Earth as Kuming’s team traveled to infiltrate it.
• Kuming told Uchiha Fugaku and the others that he had secretly allied with Sunagakure, staged the explosion and the Land of Rivers battle, and planned sabotage and assassinations to support a joint surprise attack on the Land of Earth.

Uzumaki Kuming led his squad into the Land of Earth to disrupt Iwagakure’s supplies and communications as Konoha and Sunagakure launched a joint invasion. The invaders established connected bases, and their first clash with Iwagakure’s reinforcements ended in failure for Iwagakure.

• After hearing that Konoha and Sunagakure had begun moving, Uzumaki Kuming ordered his squad to cross into the Land of Earth and target supply convoys and messengers rather than attack Iwagakure directly.
• Konoha and Sunagakure broke through the lightly guarded border, allowing Uzumaki Kuming’s squad to slip into the Land of Earth under cover of night.
• Ōnoki received news of the invasion, ordered Iwagakure’s available shinobi to mobilize, and rushed to organize a response.
• Sunagakure shinobi slaughtered residents in several villages and turned them into bases, while Konoha established bases after killing only the shinobi.
• Konoha and Sunagakure connected their bases into a network, and Iwagakure’s first attempt to drive them out failed; Ōnoki then learned that the invaders were building bases in the Land of Earth.

After Konoha and Sunagakure invaded the Land of Earth, Roshi and Han struck their outposts and inflicted heavy losses. Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Uzumaki Kuming commander of the Surprise Attack Force, and Kuming redirected his squad to confront the assault.

• Orochimaru received word that Uzumaki Kuming’s plan had sent the Surprise Attack Force into the Land of Earth, and he began pressing the Stone Ninja on the Land of Rain front.
• Roshi and Han arrived with a large Stone Ninja force and destroyed Sunagakure and Konoha outposts, steadying Stone Ninja morale and killing or wounding more than two hundred Konoha shinobi.
• Sunagakure sent Rasa to the Land of Earth as the outpost attacks spread across the battlefield.
• After Kuming’s squad ambushed a Stone Ninja supply convoy, Hatake Sakumo delivered Hiruzen Sarutobi’s order appointing Kuming commander of the Surprise Attack Force.
• Kuming told Sakumo that Han was too powerful for the outpost forces and ordered the squad to change direction.

Uzumaki Kuming arrived at Konoha’s besieged stronghold in the Land of Earth and took command of its forces by order of the Third Hokage. The chapter ended with the Konoha ninja still skeptical of their young new commander as the Stone Ninja pressed their attack.

• Ōnoki ordered Roshi to join Han’s unit and strike Konoha’s strongholds after Rasa helped Sunagakure hold off the Stone Ninja.
• At Konoha’s main stronghold, Sarutobi Kotaro argued with Shin Hyuga about retreating as the Stone Ninja attack intensified.
• Aburame Shikuroo prepared to order a withdrawal, but a messenger announced that six Anbu had arrived with orders from the Third Hokage.
• Uzumaki Kuming entered the command tent, revealed his identity, and announced that he would lead all Konoha forces in the Land of Earth.
• Hatake Sakumo and the Hyuga ninja revealed themselves, confirming the newcomers’ identities, while Fukuyama and Sarutobi Kotaro questioned Kuming’s appointment.

Uzumaki Kuming asserted his authority over Konoha’s forces in the Land of Earth and decided to gather them in a fortified village to face Iwagakure’s counterattack. He left the troops preparing defenses and planned to coordinate with Sunagakure.

• Sarutobi Kotaro challenged Kuming’s authority, and Hatake Sakumo tried to smooth over the confrontation.
• Another ninja openly rejected Kuming’s command, so Kuming ordered Uchiha Fugaku to take over the man’s unit; Fugaku subdued him with genjutsu, and Kuming had him arrested for ten days.
• Kuming ordered the Konoha ninja in the Land of Earth to gather at the village, assigned Hatake Sakumo to oversee its expansion, and directed Earth Release users to build defenses.
• Aburame Shikuroo warned Kuming that the Stone Ninja were too powerful to face, but Kuming displayed his chakra and appointed Shikuroo as his secretary.
• Kuming and Sakumo decided to concentrate their forces and prepare for Iwagakure’s assault, while Kuming arranged to contact Sunagakure for a coordinated attack.

Uzumaki Kuming discovered that two Stone Ninja forces led by Jinchuriki were closing in on the Konoha base and decided to strike one force before they could join up. He led more than fifty Jonin in a surprise attack against Han’s force, then confronted Han directly.

• The Barrier Team detected more than a thousand Stone Ninja Chakra signatures approaching the base from the east and west, and Kuming ordered the village to prepare for battle.
• Kuming placed Hatake Sakumo in command of the base and ordered him to defend with the barrier while Kuming took every combat-squad Jonin to attack one enemy force.
• Kuming immobilized Fukuyama with a Cursed Seal after Fukuyama objected, then led the Jonin out of the base toward the Stone Ninja.
• Kuming’s force struck Han’s assembled troops with lightning, Fire Release, and attacks from above, killing and scattering Stone Ninja.
• Kuming appeared before Han and swung his blade at him, but Han used a snow-white tail to block the attack.

Kuming and the Konoha force defeated a Stone Ninja unit and captured Han by sealing off his access to Kokuō's Chakra. Kuming took most of the surviving force back to the stronghold, which was under heavy attack from Roshi.

• Kuming wounded Han with his sword and used Sage Art: Lightning Prison to kill several Stone Ninja, but Han escaped the lightning net.
• Fugaku attacked Han with his Sharingan, but Han broke free of the genjutsu and knocked Fugaku unconscious; Might Duy then struck Han with Night Phoenix and left him badly injured.
• Kuming used his speed and a strengthened Cursed Seal to cut Han off from Kokuō's Chakra and immobilize him, then knocked him unconscious and captured him.
• Kuming joined the battle with Shadow Clones, and the Konoha force routed the Stone Ninja, losing fewer than ten of its own while forty-four survivors remained.
• Kuming left Kaoru Hyuga, Hizashi, Duy, and several lightly wounded Ninja to tend the injured, then led thirty-three Ninja back to the stronghold.
• At the stronghold, Roshi's molten Chakra bombs battered the barrier until it shuddered violently.

Uzumaki Kuming returned to the outpost during the Stone Ninja assault and freed the Five-Tails from Han’s seal, unleashing Kokuō among the Stone Ninja. He watched from a nearby peak and left the beast to confront them, promising to return for it later.

• Hatake Sakumo prepared the outpost’s defenders as Roshi’s lava attacks broke the barrier, and the Konoha ninja used a Water Formation Wall to block the magma.
• Roshi transformed and began gathering Chakra for a Tailed Beast Bomb, but Uzumaki Kuming struck him and redirected the attack into the Stone Ninja ranks.
• Uzumaki Kuming returned with Han bound in Chakra chains, while Hatake Sakumo followed Kuming’s order to keep the outpost’s ninja from going outside.
• Uzumaki Kuming broke the seal on Han’s abdomen, and the Five-Tails, Kokuō, emerged as the Stone Ninja backed away.
• Uzumaki Kuming watched Kokuō from a stone peak and told the Stone Ninja not to hurt it because he would return to collect it.

Uzumaki Kuming disrupted the Stone Ninjas’ efforts to subdue the Five-Tails, while Roshi coordinated a series of Earth Style techniques that trapped and immobilized Kokuō. Roshi then confronted Kuming, and the two faced off as Roshi transformed into a more powerful form.

• Kokuō awakened, targeted Uzumaki Kuming with a Tailed Beast Bomb, and flooded the battlefield with water while fighting off the Stone Ninjas’ attempt to bind it.
• Uzumaki Kuming electrified the flood, injuring Kokuō and the Stone Ninjas, and Kokuō’s rampage caused heavy casualties.
• Roshi rallied the surviving Stone Ninjas, who used Iron Prison and Earth Pit Core to trap Kokuō underground; Roshi struck it back into the pit with a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• The Stone Ninjas pinned Kokuō with Rock Prison Pillars, but Uzumaki Kuming destroyed the sealing boulder with a Lightning Arrow and planned to keep Roshi away until their Chakra ran low.
• Roshi attacked Uzumaki Kuming, who blocked the blow with the Heavenly Feather Blade; Roshi then transformed into a one-tailed form surrounded by Magma Armor.

Uzumaki Kuming attacked Roshi while diverting his Lightning Arrows toward the Stone Ninja suppressing Five-Tails Kokuō. After entering Sage Mode, Kuming clashed with Roshi at close range, and both recognized the other as a formidable opponent.

• Uzumaki Kuming surrounded Roshi with Shadow Clones and fired Lightning Arrows at the Stone Ninja forces, battering their defensive wall.
• Roshi expanded a field of lava and charged through the Shadow Clones, forcing Kuming to retreat and assess his scorching body.
• Uzumaki Kuming used the Reverse Summoning Technique and entered Sage Mode as Roshi rushed to attack him.
• Roshi’s tail deflected Kuming’s blade thrust, but Kuming blocked Roshi’s counterattack with his Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Uzumaki Kuming cut through a lava clone of Roshi while Roshi’s lava attack struck the chains, and Roshi rose from a river of lava to face him again.

Uzumaki Kuming fought Roshi through Roshi’s lava attacks, revealed his Nine-Tails Chakra, and gained the upper hand in their close combat. As Konoha’s troops prepared to support him, Kuming summoned a massive thunder dragon and named his next attack Heavenly Execution.

• Roshi surrounded Kuming with lava and struck him with a barrage of molten rock, burning him through his defenses.
• Kuming drew on the Nine-Tails Chakra, revealed his identity as Konoha’s Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and quickly healed his burns.
• Kuming and Roshi clashed across the battlefield, with Kuming overpowering Roshi in close combat.
• Hatake Sakumo ordered Hizashi Hyuga to prepare the troops to support Kuming, despite Aburame Shikuroo’s reminder to hold the outpost.
• Kuming pointed the Heavenly Feather Blade toward the sky and summoned a massive thunder dragon as Roshi looked on.