Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya returned to Konoha and met with his former teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, after years away. When Jiraiya asked whether Minato and Kushina were alive, Naruto revealed that Minato was speaking through him and greeted Jiraiya.

• Jiraiya apologized to Hiruzen for staying away while Konoha endured the aftermath of the Nine-Tails Incident.
• Hiruzen welcomed Jiraiya back and noted that he seemed to have changed during his years away.
• Jiraiya asked Hiruzen whether Minato and Kushina were still alive.
• Hiruzen pointed Jiraiya toward Naruto, who stopped rummaging through the office and began speaking as Minato.
• Minato confirmed his identity to Jiraiya and greeted him after their long separation.

Minato, speaking through Naruto, told Jiraiya that Kou had helped him and Kushina survive as souls inside Naruto. He recounted how Kou’s idea for a sealing technique to prolong a dying person’s life began to interest him and Kushina, then left off as Kushina became pregnant with Naruto.

• Kushina took control of Naruto’s body and punched Jiraiya for making Minato peep at the women’s bathhouse, before Minato explained that he and Kushina could temporarily control Naruto with his permission.
• Minato told Jiraiya that he and Kushina had died in the Nine-Tails Incident and existed inside Naruto as souls thanks to Kou’s help.
• Minato recalled that Kou began learning Sealing Jutsu from him after Rin’s death, and that Kou grasped the theory quickly but needed extensive practice to master its use.
• Minato said Kou proposed sealing life-like energy inside a dying person so it could later be released to extend their life, but he and Kushina set the difficult plan aside after researching it.
• Minato revealed that they revisited the idea when Kushina became pregnant with Naruto.

Minato explained how he and Kushina developed the Soul-Sealing Dharma Seal to protect Kou and seal the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. After learning what happened while they were unconscious, he revealed that the Nine-Tails Incident had been orchestrated by someone outside the Uchiha Clan, possibly Uchiha Madara.

• Minato explained that the Uchiha Clan kept Kou away from Kushina during her pregnancy and that he assigned Kou to work with Ino–Shika–Cho as a future Jonin Commander.
• Minato and Jiraiya recalled Kou’s anxiety over his stalled growth, prompting Minato and Kushina to research a sealing technique to help him.
• Minato described how he and Kushina combined research on the Spirit Transformation Technique, the Reaper Death Seal, and other seals to create the Soul-Sealing Dharma Seal.
• Kushina revealed that she and Minato used the jutsu to seal the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, then condemned the Third Hokage after learning how Naruto had been treated in Konoha.
• Minato said Kou had defected and Shisui had died before he and Kushina could intervene, then asserted that the Nine-Tails Incident’s mastermind had a Summoning Contract with the Nine-Tails and might have been Uchiha Madara.

Minato explained why he believed the masked mastermind behind the Nine-Tails Incident was an Uchiha successor rather than Madara himself, while Hiruzen described why Konoha could not publicly accuse the Uchiha or prevent their coup. Jiraiya then revealed that he had recently encountered Kou.

• Minato told Jiraiya that the masked man’s height, fighting style, and behavior suggested he was an Uchiha who inherited Madara’s legacy, not Madara himself.
• Jiraiya asked why Konoha did not make the mastermind’s role in the Nine-Tails Incident public, and Hiruzen said they lacked evidence and could worsen distrust of the Uchiha.
• Hiruzen explained that he and Minato had hoped to bring Kou back, believing Kou’s old comrades could weaken support for an Uchiha coup and create time for negotiations.
• Jiraiya told Hiruzen, Minato, and Kakashi that he had encountered Kou not long ago.

Jiraiya told Kakashi that Kou would not return to Konoha, then explained that he had encountered and fought Kou at Mist Harbor while investigating Akatsuki. He left Kakashi with a chance to seek Kou out, and revealed his suspicion that Kou had trained under an exceptionally powerful teacher.

• Kakashi urgently asked Jiraiya where he had seen Kou and whether he would return, but Jiraiya told him Kou would not come back to Konoha.
• Minato reminded Kakashi of Kou’s history with him, including how Kou had defended Hatake Sakumo when the village condemned him.
• Minato encouraged Kakashi to find Kou and make his feelings heard, and Kakashi thanked him.
• Jiraiya said he had gone to the Land of Water to investigate Akatsuki and unexpectedly met Kou at Mist Harbor.
• Jiraiya revealed that he had fought Kou and believed Kou might now be stronger than him, perhaps due to guidance from a powerful teacher.

Jiraiya reported that Kou had escaped after Akatsuki's leader intervened, and proposed cooperating with a powerful faction opposing Yagura in Mist Village to investigate Akatsuki. The Third Hokage rejected the proposal, leaving Kakashi's hopes of pursuing the mission unresolved.

• Jiraiya told the Third Hokage, Minato, and Kakashi that Kou had fought him at a level comparable to his own before Akatsuki's leader helped Kou escape.
• Jiraiya said Akatsuki's base was likely in the Land of Water, but the Third Hokage warned that sending Konoha agents there risked a diplomatic incident and alerting Akatsuki.
• Minato proposed approaching Mist Village through official channels, while the Third Hokage explained that the village's isolation made public contact dangerous.
• Jiraiya revealed that Mist Village was divided and that a faction opposing Yagura's Bloody Mist rule had grown under a respected leader whom he believed could become the Fifth Mizukage.
• Jiraiya urged Konoha to cooperate with the faction against Akatsuki, and Kakashi silently considered seeking the assignment for himself.
• The Third Hokage listened to Jiraiya's proposal and declared that he disagreed.

The Third Hokage argued that Jiraiya should stay in Konoha to reduce the risk of war while Konoha pursued cooperation with the Mist Village. Jiraiya revealed that he had already intended to stay and wanted to become Konoha's Fifth Hokage.

• The Third Hokage warned that contacting the Mist Village's reformist faction could provoke the Fourth Mizukage's faction and even lead to war.
• Jiraiya and Minato argued that Konoha could contact the reformists discreetly because the Mist Village had cut off outside communication.
• The Third Hokage cautioned that the Mist Village might start a limited conflict to distract from its internal divisions, then urged Jiraiya to stay in Konoha.
• Minato and Kakashi joined the Third Hokage in asking Jiraiya to stay, and Jiraiya admitted he had not planned to leave again.
• Jiraiya told the Third Hokage that he wanted to become Konoha's Fifth Hokage.

Jiraiya agreed to become Konoha’s Fifth Hokage but insisted on investigating the Uchiha clan massacre and putting Shimura Danzō and the other involved officials on trial. The Third Hokage revealed that Danzō had defected.

• Naruto struck the Third Hokage to prove Jiraiya had really returned, and the Third Hokage ordered Kakashi to announce Jiraiya as the next Hokage.
• Jiraiya confirmed he would become Fifth Hokage and said he would expose the truth behind the Uchiha clan massacre and put the responsible officials on trial.
• Jiraiya condemned Danzō as the main culprit and told the Third Hokage he would deal with him, despite the Third Hokage’s reluctance.
• Minato revealed that Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had been placed under house arrest on the Third Hokage’s orders.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Jiraiya that Danzō had defected.

The Third Hokage told Jiraiya that Danzo had fled Konoha after using Hashirama cells, stolen Sharingan, and Izanagi to escape capture over his suspected role in the Uchiha Clan Massacre. Danzo and his elite Root troops remained missing as Jiraiya learned the scale of the crisis.

• The Third Hokage told Jiraiya that the Uchiha Clan Compound had been wiped out in half an hour and that no Uchiha bodies remained when he arrived.
• Jiraiya questioned whether Itachi could have killed the entire Military Police Force alone, and the Third Hokage said Danzo and Root were the only ones at the scene.
• The Third Hokage revealed that Danzo had implanted Hashirama cells and more than three Three Tomoe Sharingan in his arm, and had used Izanagi to evade capture.
• The Third Hokage said Danzo ordered Root to retreat, fought him, and escaped after sacrificing his last Sharingan to activate Izanagi.
• The Third Hokage said he had sealed Root's headquarters, confined Homura and Koharu, and sent Anbu squads after Danzo, but had found no trace of him or his followers.

Jiraiya entrusted Konoha to himself and appointed Kakashi to lead a mission to the Mist Village to discuss cooperation. In the Land of Water, Kou realized Orochimaru’s knowledge could greatly accelerate his plans and learned that Konoha would soon send a team, giving him a chance to return there as the Mizukage Aide.

• Jiraiya accepted the responsibility of leading Konoha, and the Third Hokage promised to look after Sasuke and Naruto while Kakashi was away.
• Minato recommended Kakashi for the Mist Village mission, and Kakashi accepted the assignment with the Third Hokage’s and Jiraiya’s approval.
• Kou discovered that Orochimaru’s vast knowledge could serve as a powerful source of information despite being controlled by the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Kou considered how cooperation with Konoha could let him travel there as Shiina Sora, the Mizukage Aide, and meet Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
• After Kimimaro reported Jiraiya’s proposal, Kou learned that Konoha would send a team to make initial contact and wondered whether he would meet old friends.

In Mist Harbor, a barbecue stall owner recalled how Shiina Sora’s efforts helped restore the town and then mistook Haku for a girl. Zabuza hurried Haku away after the owner gave them food, leaving money behind and learning that Haku had been mistaken for a boy.

• The stall owner remembered how Shiina Sora helped reopen Mist Harbor and how Kirigakure shinobi restored order and trade.
• The owner offered Haku a free grilled squid skewer, but Haku hesitated when the owner mentioned his parents.
• Zabuza arrived and rebuked Haku for getting distracted, while the owner mistook him for Haku’s teacher and urged him to be kinder.
• The owner gave Zabuza and Haku a package of grilled skewers, and Zabuza stiffly thanked him.
• Zabuza pulled Haku away, and Haku waved goodbye while revealing that he was actually a boy.
• The owner realized his mistake as Zabuza and Haku left, unaware that they had left banknotes beneath greaseproof paper.

Zabuza, Haku, and Kimimaro reached the harbor with the overeating Suigetsu in tow, while Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kabuto arrived by ship in the Land of Water. The two groups approached each other at the pier as Kabuto sensed four figures coming toward them.

• Zabuza and Haku found Kimimaro dragging a bloated, burping Suigetsu toward the harbor.
• Suigetsu defended his delay by saying Lord Sora had told them to have fun, angering Zabuza.
• Might Guy leaped ashore from the ship, struck a pose, and immediately vomited from seasickness.
• Kabuto questioned Kakashi about bringing Might Guy on the diplomatic mission, while Might Guy declared he would rescue Kou from an abyss without youth.
• Kabuto noticed four figures with distinct chakra signatures rapidly approaching the group at the pier.

Kakashi and Zabuza met at the docks to coordinate their groups, each trying to hide an embarrassing teammate. Kou watched from a nearby rooftop and was stunned by the scene below.

• Kakashi spotted Zabuza's group approaching as Guy retched over the dock railing and Kabuto tried to shield him.
• Zabuza hurried toward the docks, blaming Suigetsu for the delay while Kimimaro dragged the battered boy and translated his muffled complaints.
• Kakashi and Zabuza met and exchanged polite greetings, both relieved that the other group also had an embarrassing teammate.
• Guy recognized Kou's presence by his aura, but Kabuto dismissed it as a hallucination before Guy collapsed.
• Kou watched from a rooftop in his Akatsuki cloak and wondered what was happening.

Kou watched the Konoha delegation meet the Mist Village and reflected on his childhood training with Might Guy and Might Duy, the deaths of his parents, and the choices that shaped his life. After seeing Guy unchanged, Kou wondered how Duy was coping with his defection, then noticed Kabuto beside Guy and questioned why he was there.

• Kou watched the Konoha and Mist Village delegations meet and reasoned that Kakashi had brought Guy as protection against possible danger.
• Kou remembered joining Guy and Might Duy for grueling Eight Inner Gates training and cherishing their friendship.
• After Kou's parents died and he awakened the Sharingan at six, Duy urged him to focus on Uchiha training so he would be more likely to survive the coming war.
• Kou recalled continuing morning runs with Guy and Duy, later learning the Eight Inner Gates, and helping save Duy during the Third Ninja World War.
• Kou saw Guy lying on the docks and wondered whether Duy was still troubled by Kou's defection.
• Kou noticed Kabuto standing beside Guy and wondered why he was there.

Kou watched Kakashi’s delegation arrive in Mist Village and realized that Kabuto’s appearance with them meant something had disrupted Danzō’s plans. After Kou dismissed his Shadow Clone, Kakashi met with Zabuza, who explained that the delegation would travel to Kirigakure to discuss cooperation with Mizukage Aide Shiina Sora.

• Kou recognized Kabuto and reasoned that an investigation into Danzō had brought the young spy into the Third Hokage’s sight.
• Kou decided to ask Orochimaru what had gone wrong for Danzō and worried that Might Guy might recognize him as Sora.
• Kou released his Shadow Clone, and Kakashi briefly sensed that someone had been watching the dock.
• Zabuza told Kakashi that Kirigakure’s Mizukage Aide, Shiina Sora, would discuss cooperation with the Konoha delegation.
• Zabuza, Kimimaro, and the other Kirigakure shinobi led Kakashi and the rest of the delegation toward Kirigakure.

Kakashi and his companions arrived in Mist Village and saw how peaceful and energetic it had become under the Reformist Faction. As Zabuza led them to meet Lord Sora about cooperation, Obito watched from the Mizukage's office and prepared to visit the Mizukage Aide's office with Kisame.

• Kakashi was impressed by Mist Village's thriving streets and realized the village had changed from the place he remembered as the Bloody Mist.
• Might Guy tried to join a group of Mist genin for morning training, and Kakashi stopped the encounter from escalating by apologizing to them.
• The genin recognized Zabuza and bowed to him and his group, then spoke of wanting to grow stronger and serve Lord Sora.
• Zabuza ended Haku, Kimimaro, and Suigetsu's mission, then told Kakashi that Lord Sora would discuss cooperation with him personally.
• Kakashi followed Zabuza toward the Mizukage Aide's building and worried that conflict among Mist's leadership might disrupt their negotiations.
• Obito watched Kakashi enter the Mizukage Aide's office building, then told Kisame they would pay it a visit.

Kakashi’s delegation met Shiina Sora, whose disguise nearly drew suspicion from Might Guy before Kakashi restrained him. The meeting took a startling turn when Kabuto introduced himself as the head of Konoha’s Intelligence Bureau, Root, leaving Sora stunned.

• Zabuza escorted Kakashi and his companions to Sora’s office, then left them to conduct negotiations.
• Sora introduced himself as the Mist Village’s Mizukage Aide and Reformist Faction representative, while Kakashi formally introduced himself.
• Might Guy examined Sora at close range and said he seemed familiar, alarming Sora, who feared his Transformation Jutsu had been detected.
• Kakashi pulled Guy away and apologized to Sora for his teammate’s behavior.
• Kabuto introduced himself as the head of Konoha’s Intelligence Bureau, Root, and Sora froze in surprise.

Kou met with Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kabuto as Konoha sought Mist Village’s help investigating Akatsuki, believed to be based in the Land of Water. The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, arrived and revealed himself as the Three-Tails jinchuriki, leaving Kakashi shaken by memories of Rin.

• Kou was surprised to learn Kabuto worked for Konoha’s Intelligence Bureau, then concealed his confusion and resumed the meeting.
• Kabuto resolved to secure the cooperation deal, motivated by the money he hoped to use to expand Yakushi Nonō’s orphanage.
• Kakashi asked Kou to cooperate in investigating Akatsuki, whose base Konoha believed was in the Land of Water.
• Karatachi Yagura entered and declared that Mist Village’s Mizukage should be included in the negotiations.
• Kou introduced Yagura as the Fourth Mizukage and Three-Tails jinchuriki, prompting Kakashi to remember Rin and silently clench his fists.

Karatachi Yagura unexpectedly joined Kou, Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kabuto as they met in the Mizukage Aide's office. Yagura confirmed that Akatsuki's leader and base were in the Land of Water, leaving the Konoha delegation with a lead to investigate.

• Karatachi Yagura entered the office, and Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kabuto prepared to meet him while Kou watched the confrontation.
• Obito controlled Yagura as he welcomed the Konoha delegation and exchanged tense words with Kou over their authority and protocol.
• Kakashi introduced himself to Yagura, who called him the 'Red-Eyed' White Fang and shook his hand.
• Yagura proposed setting aside his dispute with Kou to discuss cooperation, and Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kabuto took seats across from the Mist Village officials.
• Yagura said that Akatsuki's leader and base were in the Land of Water.

Yagura and Kou agreed that Akatsuki posed a potential threat to Mist Village and supported working with Konoha to investigate it. Yagura revealed that Mist Village wanted to turn the cooperation into an alliance with Konoha.

• Guy excitedly asked Yagura whether he meant to cooperate, and Kakashi restrained him before Guy apologized.
• Yagura explained that Mist Village had tracked Akatsuki because the group’s black-market missions competed with Mist Village’s business.
• Kou said Mist Village could not remain ignorant of Akatsuki if its base was in the Land of Water, and he supported cooperating with Konoha.
• Kakashi confirmed that Yagura and Kou had agreed on the matter and asked for Mist Village’s final decision.
• Yagura voiced concern about Konoha shinobi conducting a long-term investigation in the Land of Water, then proposed an alliance with Konoha.