Recaps

Kabuto joined the Akatsuki Organization undercover, but Sarutobi Hiruzen accused him of being a spy. Pain dismissed the accusation and affirmed Kabuto’s loyalty, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen furious and warning that the leader would regret it.

• Kabuto confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen, who called him a spy with ulterior motives for joining the Akatsuki Organization.
• Kabuto mocked Sarutobi Hiruzen’s history of misjudging people and cited his failures with his disciples and Uchiha Genya.
• Pain considered Sarutobi Hiruzen’s record and decided to trust Kabuto, saying time would prove his loyalty.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen threatened that Pain would regret the decision, and Pain reminded him that he was the Akatsuki Organization’s leader.

Pain and Konan revealed that the Akatsuki Organization had received a huge commission to capture Uchiha Genya, prompting mixed reactions from its members. Zetsu then urged the organization to begin the Eye of the Moon Plan by first capturing Sunagakure’s One-Tail and then targeting the tailed beasts in Konoha.

• Konan announced that the Akatsuki Organization had received a two-billion-ryo deposit to take Uchiha Genya dead or alive.
• Biwa Juzo and Kisame Hoshigaki feared facing Uchiha Genya, while Deidara eagerly looked forward to fighting him and Sasori focused on Genya’s Anbu commander.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen hoped Pain and Uchiha Genya would weaken each other so he could seize an opportunity to regain power in Konoha.
• Zetsu revealed that the Two-Tails, Three-Tails, and Nine-Tails were in Konoha and proposed capturing the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki.
• Black Zetsu said the Akatsuki Organization needed to capture Sunagakure’s One-Tail first to launch the Eye of the Moon Plan.

Kabuto volunteered to capture the One-Tail and secretly sent intelligence to Konoha while traveling with Hidan to Sunagakure. Xuanye learned that Sunagakure was the Akatsuki Organization’s first target and that the organization had also been hired to attack Konoha, then ordered Konoha to support Kabuto.

• Kabuto volunteered for the One-Tail mission, and Pain assigned him and Hidan to travel to Sunagakure.
• Kabuto sent a note to Konoha in a summoned white snake after the team separated from the Akatsuki Organization.
• Xuanye reviewed reports about Konoha’s reforms and learned that Rasa was encouraging villagers to bully Gaara.
• Xuanye learned that Kumogakure and Iwagakure were secretly preparing to join an attack on Konoha if Uchiha Genya struck one of them.
• Xuanye identified Sunagakure as the Akatsuki Organization’s likely first target and ordered Konoha to support Kabuto as needed.
• Xuanye learned that the Akatsuki Organization had been hired to launch a large-scale terrorist attack on Konoha by the Daimyo.

Xuanye rejected Konoha's plan to attack the Akatsuki Organization, saying he intended to use them to cripple the Ninja World. He revealed to Orochimaru that the Rinnegan could resurrect the dead, then admitted he had used the promise of restoring Nawaki to pressure Tsunade into moving into the Castle Keep.

• After learning that Pain possessed the Rinnegan and the Akatsuki Organization planned to gather the Tailed Beasts, Orochimaru urged Konoha to attack Amegakure and seize the eyes.
• Xuanye refused the proposal, explaining that he had sent Kabuto to use the Akatsuki Organization against the Ninja World, then dismissed the others and kept Orochimaru behind.
• Xuanye told Orochimaru that the Rinnegan's Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique could truly resurrect the dead when combined with Impure World Reincarnation.
• Xuanye asked whether Orochimaru wanted Nawaki brought back, and Orochimaru realized Xuanye could use that offer to pressure Tsunade.
• Xuanye confirmed that he had already used Nawaki's possible resurrection to coerce Tsunade into moving into the Castle Keep, while Jiraiya spent three days drinking after giving up hope about her.

Orochimaru agreed to find a way to recover the Nine-Tails chakra sealed in the Death God’s stomach in exchange for Xuanye’s help reviving Nawaki. After the others left, Raiden Ei appeared and told Xuanye that he was now the real Shogun.

• Orochimaru accepted that reviving Nawaki with the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique would require a life in exchange.
• Xuanye tasked Orochimaru with retrieving the half of the Nine-Tails chakra that Namikaze Minato had sealed inside the Death God.
• Orochimaru agreed to investigate the Uzumaki Clan’s former home, Uzushio Village, for a way to undo the sealing technique.
• Xuanye noted that Kabuto was away plotting against the Akatsuki Organization and seeking the Rinnegan.
• After the others left, Raiden Ei emerged from behind the screen and told Xuanye that he was the real Shogun.

Xuanye asked Raiden Ei about reviving Raiden Makoto and what distinguished mortals from Demon Gods, while Ei misread his offer of help as romantic interest. The chapter left Xuanye pressing her to explain the gap between them as he considered how far he might grow.

• Xuanye offered to make Raiden Ei a new body, but she refused because she had no wish to appear before mortals.
• Xuanye asked whether Ei had found a way to reach Raiden Makoto's lingering spirit, and Ei said her attempts had yielded no answer.
• Ei asked why Xuanye cared about reviving her sister and concluded that he was trying to win her favor because he desired her.
• Xuanye recognized Ei's romantic misunderstanding and asked what separated mortals from Demon Gods.
• Ei said Xuanye already rivaled some weaker Demon Gods and could have become one of her familiars, prompting him to ask what mortals truly lacked and declare that he might surpass her.

Uchiha Genya asked Raiden Ei to train him in martial arts after learning that demon gods possessed instinctive command over their laws. Their first sparring match in the Plane of Euthymia ended with Raiden Ei defeating him in fewer than ten exchanges, and he prepared to try again.

• Raiden Ei worried that she could not return Uchiha Genya’s romantic feelings and offered to introduce him to Yae Miko if they found Teyvat’s coordinates.
• Raiden Ei explained that demon gods differed from mortals through their command over laws and authority, leading Uchiha Genya to identify instinctive control as a goal.
• Uchiha Genya asked Raiden Ei to train him in martial arts, and she agreed to teach him through demanding sparring.
• Raiden Ei and Uchiha Genya entered the Plane of Euthymia and agreed not to use their special powers to suppress each other.
• Raiden Ei disarmed Uchiha Genya in fewer than ten exchanges, and he demanded another bout while secretly placing Flying Thunder God marks on the ground.

Xuanye endured a day of punishing combat training with Raiden Ei and returned home sore and exhausted. He discovered Hong Dou hiding in his bed, and her bold attempt to force a commitment left it unclear who was truly in control.

• Raiden Ei repeatedly defeated Xuanye during training while advising him on balance and instinct, and he survived only a little longer despite using several powerful modes.
• Xuanye summoned Katsuyu to heal his bruises, then returned home still exhausted and sore.
• Xuanye mistook the figure under his covers for Yugito, but Hong Dou revealed herself in a daring outfit and demanded he make their relationship official.
• Hong Dou noticed Xuanye was sore from training, shoved him onto the bed, and pounced despite his protests.

Uchiha Genya’s new marriage to Hong Dou barely stirred Konoha, while Orochimaru advanced his super-soldier research and deciphered the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. The chapter ended with Orochimaru preparing to use Impure World Reincarnation on Namikaze Minato.

• Hong Dou moved into the Castle Keep as one of Uchiha Genya’s wives, and after more than half a month of torment she agreed to his demands.
• Orochimaru informed Uchiha Genya that he had deciphered the Dead Demon Consuming Seal and could release Namikaze Minato’s soul.
• Uchiha Genya visited the Research Department, where Tsunade described the progress of the Astartes Super Soldier Project built around Hidan’s immortal body.
• Orochimaru showed Uchiha Genya that the project could produce fighters around jonin level, though attempts to use Otsutsuki Cells had failed.
• Orochimaru brought out a prepared White Zetsu and began setting up Namikaze Minato’s Impure World Reincarnation.

Xuanye summoned Namikaze Minato to reclaim the Nine-Tails’ sealed power, while Orochimaru released Minato from the Death God with the Hannya Mask. After Orochimaru escaped the Death God’s required sacrifice, Xuanye bound the phantom to his Rinnegan as the Human Path.

• Xuanye told Tsunade he planned to summon Namikaze Minato and recover the half of the Nine-Tails taken into the Death God’s stomach.
• Matatabi considered how the Tailed Beasts might need to learn ninjutsu to adapt to the changing Ninja World.
• Orochimaru used the Hannya Mask to release Minato’s soul and the Nine-Tails’ power from the Death God, then reincarnated Minato in a White Zetsu body.
• Orochimaru escaped the Death God’s demand for a soul by shedding his skin and leaving an empty husk.
• Xuanye used his Rinnegan to bind the Death God and make it his Human Path avatar.

Xuanye absorbed the Death God into his Human Path avatar and explained that Minato had been resurrected five years after the Nine-Tails' attack. He ordered Minato to surrender the half of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, while Minato remained concerned about Naruto and the reason Xuanye had summoned him.

• Xuanye absorbed the Death God into his Rinnegan and refined it into his Human Path avatar.
• Xuanye told Orochimaru that the Death God was under his control and that others would need his contract to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
• Minato awoke through Impure World Reincarnation, and Xuanye told him that five years had passed and that he was now Lord Shogun.
• Xuanye ordered Minato to hand over the half of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, and Minato asked to see Naruto first.
• Orochimaru assured Minato that Naruto was doing well and explained that Xuanye was displeased by Minato's questioning, but Minato did not understand the hint.

Minato released the Nine-Tails’ half of Kurama at Xuanye’s request, while the other half tried to transfer its consciousness from Naruto. Kurama emerged expecting Xuanye to seek his power, but Xuanye instead demanded his knowledge of Yin-Yang Release and Truth-Seeking Orbs.

• Minato apologized to Xuanye and released the sealed Nine-Tails chakra in the research facility.
• Naruto ignored the other half of Kurama’s summons and went back to sleep.
• The Nine-Tails transferred his consciousness into the released chakra and reveled in his freedom.
• Kurama offered Xuanye his power in exchange for respect and having his demands met.
• Matatabi watched Kurama with pity, knowing that Xuanye had released him for a purpose.
• Xuanye demanded that Kurama hand over what he knew about Yin-Yang Release and Truth-Seeking Orbs.

Xuanye sent Kurama through a rift into Raiden Ei’s realm, where the fox realized how dangerous she was and tried to survive by acting cute. Kurama ended up shrinking to pet size and calling Raiden Ei “Master.”

• Xuanye used his Rinnegan to freeze Kurama and sent him through a rift into a strange realm.
• Kurama found he could no longer return his consciousness to Naruto and trembled when Raiden Ei stroked him.
• Raiden Ei called Kurama too big to keep as a pet, so he obediently shrank to hand-warmer size.
• Raiden Ei placed Kurama on her lap and asked whether he was male or female.
• Kurama said he would be whatever Master wanted, while Matatabi laughed at his attempt to stay alive.

Kurama became Raiden Ei’s second familiar after Xuanye sent him to the Plane of Euthymia, while Ei privately considered giving Xuanye a chance if he brought back her sister Makoto. Minato learned Xuanye had raised Naruto and asked Orochimaru what had happened in Konoha, ending with a question about Danzo’s role in the Nine-Tails attack.

• Raiden Ei stroked Kurama and named him her second familiar, while Kurama trembled and vowed to serve her loyally.
• Raiden Ei thought Xuanye might be courting her and decided she could give him a chance if he brought back Makoto.
• Xuanye told Minato he had raised Naruto alongside Fugaku’s son and let Minato decide whether to reveal his identity to Naruto.
• Minato thanked Xuanye, who warned him to disguise himself in town before leaving with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Minato asked Orochimaru what had happened in Konoha, and Orochimaru said he and Xuanye had blamed Danzo for Minato’s death and killed him publicly.
• Minato questioned whether Danzo had actually released the Nine-Tails.

Orochimaru told Minato how Uchiha Genya transformed Konoha and revealed that Sarutobi Hiruzen had been blamed for murdering the Daimyo before fleeing to Akatsuki. Minato suspected Hiruzen had been framed and questioned whether Konoha had treated a former Hokage too harshly.

• Orochimaru told Minato that Danzo had been framed and hinted that someone unexpected had stood beside the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails Incident.
• Orochimaru described how Uchiha Genya became Fifth Hokage and led Konoha to immense growth, leaving Minato to confront his own failures as Hokage.
• Orochimaru handed Minato a history textbook and said Sarutobi Hiruzen and his son Asuma had murdered the Daimyo and his family before joining Akatsuki.
• Orochimaru said the Adamantine Staff and Hiruzen's signature techniques proved Hiruzen had committed the murders, while Minato inferred that Hiruzen had been framed.
• Minato expressed sorrow over Hiruzen's fate and asked whether Konoha had gone too far in its treatment of a former Hokage.

Orochimaru criticized Minato for his hesitation as Hokage, and Minato read about the changes Xuanye had made to Konoha before returning to the village to see his son. After the Security Division stopped him for using a jutsu inside the village, Kakashi intervened and recognized him despite his disguise.

• Orochimaru told Minato that his reluctance to make hard decisions had made him an ineffective Hokage, and Minato reflected on how Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Elder Council had limited his power.
• Minato read Xuanye's history book, which openly recorded Konoha's policies and its underhanded actions against other villages, then slipped away to return to Konoha.
• Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reach Konoha and was struck by the village's new buildings, businesses, technology, and Security Division patrols.
• The Security Division confronted Minato for using a jutsu on a Konoha street, and Kakashi arrived with a written order from the Administrative Affairs Office to resolve the situation.
• Kakashi advised Minato to enter through the main gate next time, and Minato asked how Kakashi had recognized him through his Transformation Technique.

Kakashi brought Minato to the Uchiha clan grounds, where Minato met Fugaku and then saw Naruto training with Sasuke and Itachi. Minato recognized Naruto as his son but concealed his identity, and Kakashi arrived as Minato asked Itachi to speak privately.

• Kakashi led Minato to the Uchiha clan grounds, where Fugaku welcomed him and explained that the First had also returned before.
• Fugaku took Minato to the backyard, where Itachi was training Naruto and Sasuke.
• Itachi warned Naruto that he might have to repeat a year, prompting Naruto and Sasuke to argue over their school performance.
• Itachi sensed Minato's powerful Chakra and shielded Naruto and Sasuke while they prepared to defend themselves.
• Minato revealed himself, and Itachi and Sasuke recognized the Fourth Hokage while Naruto did not identify him.
• Minato asked Itachi to speak privately, and Kakashi emerged from the shadows as Itachi lowered his Sharingan.

Minato met Naruto but chose not to reveal that he was his father, then visited Xuanye before returning to the Pure Land. Xuanye stopped Minato from seeking revenge on the Masked Man and claimed the attacker was Minato’s former student Obito, a revelation Minato refused to believe.

• Naruto failed to recognize Minato, and he and Sasuke started arguing and fighting.
• Minato told Itachi that Orochimaru had let him move around temporarily and that he had come to check Naruto’s seal.
• Minato decided not to tell Naruto who he was and said he would return to the Pure Land after one last task.
• Minato went to Xuanye and revealed that he intended to avenge Kushina by killing the Masked Man.
• Xuanye said the Masked Man could not die yet and identified him as Obito, prompting Minato to angrily reject the claim.

Xuanye told Minato that Obito had survived and was the masked man behind Konoha’s attack, and explained how trauma could change an Uchiha. Minato questioned why Xuanye seemed unchanged after awakening the Mangekyō, and Xuanye said he had always been focused on his clear goal; Minato realized that gaining power peacefully had been a pipe dream.

• Xuanye told Minato that Obito had survived and was the masked attacker, while Minato recalled the failed search and struggled to accept the claim.
• Xuanye argued that Obito’s trauma and fragile outlook had driven him over the edge, and reflected on his efforts to reform Uchiha education.
• Minato asked why Xuanye seemed unchanged after awakening the Mangekyō, and Xuanye said he had always known what he wanted and pursued it step by step.
• Minato recognized that Xuanye planned further ahead and would use any means to overcome obstacles, while Minato had wrongly expected power to pass to him peacefully.

Xuanye persuaded Minato to sign a servitude contract by promising to revive him and Kushina, then assigned him to wait in a coffin until needed. Meanwhile, Kabuto and Hidan reached the Land of Wind to capture the One-Tail Jinchuriki, with Kabuto planning to use Hidan’s attack to gather combat data.

• Xuanye promised Minato that he could bring him and Kushina back to life, and Minato agreed to help in exchange for the promise.
• Xuanye had Minato sign a servitude contract and told him to sleep in one of Orochimaru’s coffins until called.
• Kabuto and Hidan traveled to the Land of Wind to capture the One-Tail Jinchuriki for the Shogun.
• Kabuto told Hidan to attack Sunagakure head-on while he circled around to seize the Jinchuriki.
• Kabuto secretly prepared camera-equipped snakes to record Hidan’s performance, while Hidan questioned whether Kabuto planned to take the credit.

Kabuto manipulated Hidan into attacking Sunagakure while he used Sage Jutsu to locate the village’s Jinchuriki. As Hidan fought his way into the village and faced Rasa, Kabuto infiltrated separately to abduct his target.

• Kabuto convinced Hidan to attack Sunagakure, then sensed the Tailed Beast’s aura and transformed into snakes to burrow toward the village.
• Gaara faced the villagers’ hostility and threatened them while trying to buy necessities.
• Hidan stormed Sunagakure’s gate, killing defenders to draw attention away from Kabuto’s infiltration.
• Rasa arrived with elite Anbu and confronted Hidan, who announced that Akatsuki had come to take Sunagakure’s Tailed Beast.

Hidan attacked Sunagakure to seize the One-Tail, but Rasa, Chiyo, and the village’s fighters struggled to stop his near-invulnerable assault. As Hidan revealed Shikotsumyaku and continued fighting, he wondered why Kabuto had not yet succeeded elsewhere in the village.

• Rasa attacked Hidan with Gold Dust, but Hidan charged through it and killed a Sunagakure Shinobi despite the Anbu jonin’s efforts to restrain him.
• Rasa ordered the puppet masters into battle, and Chiyo joined the fight with the Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets.
• Hidan broke through the puppets and survived a combined Gold Dust and Fire Release tornado with only burned clothes.
• Hidan revealed Shikotsumyaku and killed several Shinobi with Hundred Piercing Bullets, prompting Chiyo to recognize the Kaguya Clan technique.
• Hidan refused to explain his identity unless Chiyo defeated him, then wondered why Kabuto had not completed his mission.

Kabuto infiltrated Sunagakure, subdued Gaara, and sealed Shukaku before escaping with the child. Meanwhile, Rasa, Chiyo, and Ebizo fought Hidan, who expelled the Gold Dust Rasa had planted inside his body, leaving Rasa alarmed by his resilience.

• Kabuto killed the Shinobi guarding Gaara and subdued the wary child with a venomous snake bite.
• Shukaku began to break free when Gaara lost consciousness, but Kabuto silenced him with a Four Symbols Seal.
• Kabuto carried Gaara away from Sunagakure using Earth Release and watched Hidan's battle from a distance.
• Rasa, Chiyo, and Ebizo attacked Hidan, while Rasa secretly sent Gold Dust into Hidan's body.
• Hidan used Shikotsumyaku to wrap the Gold Dust in bone and expel it, making Rasa realize how dangerous their enemy was.

Kabuto appeared during Hidan’s fight with Sunagakure, revealed that he had captured Gaara, and escaped with Hidan using the White Rage Technique. After reaching safety underground, Kabuto activated a Flying Thunder God mark to contact Xuanye.

• Hidan protected himself from the gold dust and continued fighting Rasa, Chiyo, and the Sunagakure Shinobi.
• Kabuto emerged with Gaara trapped in a snake coil and told Hidan their objective was complete.
• Kabuto pulled Gaara into his robes and used the White Rage Technique to blind and deafen the pursuing Sunagakure Shinobi.
• Rasa failed to sense the fleeing enemies and ordered Sunagakure to suppress the news and search the world for the Akatsuki Organization.
• Kabuto took Hidan underground, surfaced near the edge of the desert, and activated the Flying Thunder God mark to alert Xuanye.

Kabuto reported that he and Hidan had captured the One-Tail Jinchuriki, and the Akatsuki Organization gathered to plan a mission targeting tailed beasts in Konoha. Obito warned the members about Uchiha Genya’s overwhelming power, but Deidara mocked him, leaving Obito furious.

• After receiving Xuanye’s instructions, Kabuto told Hidan their mission remained unchanged and activated his Akatsuki Organization ring.
• Nagato welcomed Kabuto’s report as the Akatsuki Organization assembled around the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path in Amegakure.
• Pain announced that the Akatsuki Organization would target the Two-Tails, Three-Tails, and Nine-Tails in Konoha, and the members raised no objections.
• Pain asked Obito to explain Uchiha Genya’s abilities, and Obito warned that Genya could cast nearly unavoidable illusions without eye contact.
• Sasori of the Red Sands questioned Obito’s warning, so Obito insisted that everyone retreat if they encountered Genya and claimed that only Pain and he could match him.
• Deidara mocked Obito for losing to Genya in Kirigakure and allegedly fleeing without his shoes, angering Obito.