Chapter Summaries

Taiichi learned that the Cloud Village had been tricked with a Killer B clone, while Akatsuki discovered the deception during the Tailed Beast sealing. Jigen arrived at Akatsuki’s base with the real Killer B, intending to exploit the organization, and Pain and Obito went to meet him.

• Taiichi spoke with the injured Fourth Raikage A, who revealed that Akatsuki had captured a special clone instead of the real Killer B.
• Taiichi left Kumogakure to report back to Konoha, while Pain and Moryo returned to Akatsuki’s base after their attacks.
• Pain began sealing the Eight-Tails from the captive, but the apparent Killer B turned into a tentacle and exposed the deception.
• Natsuki reported that a stranger had brought an unconscious man resembling Killer B to the base, and Pain and Obito rushed to meet him.
• Jigen captured the real Killer B after he escaped and brought him to Akatsuki’s base, hoping to join the organization and find a new vessel.

Jigen joined Akatsuki after handing over the real Killer B, while Kumogakure discovered that Killer B had vanished and Fourth Raikage A vowed revenge. In Konoha, Taiichi left his students to meditate, and Itachi used the opportunity to disguise himself as Taiichi and trick Yami and Jiangtai.

• Jigen rescued Natsuki from his grip, showed him the unconscious Killer B, and asked him to summon Akatsuki's leader.
• Pain and the Akatsuki members met Jigen, accepted Killer B as genuine, and welcomed Jigen after he said he wanted help finding a particular constitution.
• Fourth Raikage A learned Killer B had not returned, found the tracking site in ruins, and discovered the tracking mark had disappeared.
• Fourth Raikage A left the sealing room consumed by fury and resolved to take revenge.
• Taiichi told Yami, Jiangtai, and Itachi that he needed to meditate, then left the Mission Hall.
• Itachi disguised himself as Taiichi and headed back into the Mission Hall, prompting Yami and Jiangtai to accuse him of taking advantage of them.

Taiichi broke through to Six Paths-level Yin and Yang Release, then awakened a destructive Six Paths Fire Style that could burn through space. As he tested the new power and prepared to return to Konoha, Hagoromo Otsutsuki sensed him and reached toward the living world.

• Taiichi used a shadow clone disguised as himself to collect another mission for Itachi and the three children.
• Taiichi trained in a secluded clearing and raised both Yin Release and Yang Release Nature Transformation to Lv15.
• Taiichi formed black chakra weapons and settled on a long blade before a surge of power triggered his Fire Nature Transformation breakthrough.
• Taiichi's Fire Nature Transformation reached Lv16, giving him milky-white flames, flight, and the ability to burn through space.
• Taiichi tested how to control the flames' heat and spatial destruction, then stopped when the power consumed more than half his chakra.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki sensed Taiichi's new Six Paths aura, reached through the barrier between the Pure Land and the living world, and touched Taiichi's mind.

Taiichi met Hagoromo Otsutsuki in a temporary space between the living world and the Pure Land, where they discussed the Ōtsutsuki Clan, the Ten-Tails, and the Ninja World's preparations. Hagoromo taught Taiichi about the paths beyond the Six Paths level, and Taiichi returned nearly drained but determined to continue his cultivation.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki contacted Taiichi and invited him to meet in a temporary space formed by their Six Paths power.
• Hagoromo warned Taiichi that the Ōtsutsuki Clan would return and explained how the God Tree and Ten-Tails threatened the world.
• Taiichi told Hagoromo that someone was gathering the tailed beasts and that Konoha was preparing for the Ōtsutsuki threat.
• Hagoromo explained that bloodline users advanced by accumulating energy, while cultivators like Taiichi studied the basic attributes of power.
• Taiichi learned that his cultivation path could lead beyond the Six Paths level, then returned to the living world nearly depleted of chakra and stamina.

Taiichi told Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Sage of Six Paths had confirmed the Akatsuki might revive the Ten-Tails using the Tailed Beasts, prompting them to restrict Minato, Kushina, and Naruto to Konoha. He then healed Yohei’s Mangekyō Sharingan side effects, while Kushina agreed to stay in the village after learning the danger.

• Taiichi reported his meeting with the Sage of Six Paths to Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi, including the possible connection between the Akatsuki’s Tailed Beast plans and the Ten-Tails.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato, Kushina, and Naruto to remain in Konoha, and Minato agreed to inform his family while Taiichi went to search for the Akatsuki.
• Taiichi visited Yohei and used his newly strengthened Yang Release to treat the damage to Yohei’s Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Minato explained the Akatsuki threat to Kushina, who abandoned her plans to leave Konoha and agreed that she and Naruto would stay there for his safety.

Akatsuki realized it could use Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s Nine-Tails Chakra to begin reviving the Ten-Tails while it waited for a chance to obtain the Amber Purifying Pot. As the Ninja World tightened its scrutiny of Akatsuki, Konoha called for a Five Kage Summit, which no village opposed.

• Black Zetsu identified Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto Uzumaki, and Minato Namikaze as possible Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, while Obito admitted he could not release the beast again under ordinary circumstances.
• Jigen suggested that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path might need higher-quality Chakra rather than an entire Tailed Beast, and Pain agreed that some Nine-Tails Chakra could suffice for now.
• Black Zetsu revealed that Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s preserved bodies and Nine-Tails Chakra were sealed inside the Cloud Village’s Amber Purifying Pot, and Pain ordered Akatsuki to wait for an opportunity to take it.
• Obito and Black Zetsu agreed to have White Zetsu monitor Jigen, whom they suspected of hiding a dangerous secret.
• After Akatsuki’s attacks and the capture of the Eight-Tails became known, the Daimyo ordered their villages to eliminate Akatsuki and monitor suspicious people and supply movements.
• Konoha proposed another Five Kage Summit, and every ninja village accepted.

The Five Kage Summit was scheduled for May 29 in the Land of Iron, while Taiichi gave Minato special kunai so he could protect him without leaving Kushina and Naruto exposed. Meanwhile, Kitsuchi tracked Natsuki to the Akatsuki Base, and Kusagakure’s leader tried to sell the location to the major villages for one million ryo.

• The Raikage and the other village leaders accepted Konoha’s invitation to hold the Five Kage Summit at Mifune Castle on May 29.
• Taiichi gave Minato Flying Thunder God Kunai, assuring Kushina that he could reach Minato even while staying in Konoha.
• Natsuki bought grain in Kira Castle, but the shopkeeper alerted the authorities, prompting Kitsuchi and a Grass Ninja to follow him.
• Kitsuchi discovered the Akatsuki Base and sent the Grass Ninja back to report the intelligence to Kusagakure.
• After learning Kitsuchi had found the base, the Grass Village Leader ordered his men to offer the information to agents from the major villages for one million ryo.

Taiichi organized a joint assault by Konoha, Iwagakure, the Cloud Village, and Sunagakure after Kusagakure sold them the Akatsuki Base’s location. The allied force reached the base, and Taiichi began the attack by blasting through its defenses with a massive Wind Style technique.

• Minato told Taiichi and Konoha’s leaders that Kusagakure had discovered the Akatsuki Base in the Land of Grass and sold the intelligence to all five great ninja villages.
• Taiichi traveled to the other villages and secured their agreement to send elite forces, while Kirigakure stayed out because it was too far away.
• Taiichi led a Konoha squad with Yohei, Kakashi, and Guy, warning them that the battle could be costly and discussing Obito’s status as a Rogue Ninja.
• Kitsuchi told Taiichi that he had helped a Grass Ninja obtain the base’s location, only for Kusagakure to sell the intelligence without crediting him.
• The forces of Konoha, Iwagakure, the Cloud Village, and Sunagakure assembled and advanced toward the Akatsuki Base, with Taiichi, the Fourth Raikage, Kitsuchi, and Chiyo leading the spearhead.
• When Kitsuchi warned that they could no longer avoid the base’s barriers and traps, Taiichi unleashed Wind Style: Super Vacuum Great Sphere to clear their path.