Chapter Summaries

Naruto accompanied Asada Kei and Kuroda into the Daimyo Palace of the Land of Water, where he assessed its defenses before meeting Daimyo Asada Masashi. Asada Masashi warmly thanked Naruto for saving his son and offered to grant him a request, leaving Naruto wary but willing to accept.

• Naruto told Sakura and the others to wait outside the palace, then entered with Asada Kei and Kuroda.
• Naruto sensed numerous powerful guards and hidden ninjas protecting the palace and its central hall.
• Asada Kei greeted his father, Asada Masashi, while Kuroda and Naruto bowed according to their standing.
• Asada Masashi thanked Naruto for saving Asada Kei and offered to grant a request within his power.
• Naruto accepted Asada Masashi's offer while remaining suspicious of the father and son's enthusiastic welcome.

Naruto met the Daimyo of the Land of Water and learned that the Fifth Mizukage would soon visit the capital, while the princes Asada Kei and Asada Kaze concealed their rivalry beneath friendly manners. After the Daimyo left, Naruto declined Asada Kaze's offer to show him around and said he would remain with Asada Kei until his mission ended.

• Asada Masashi told Asada Kei and Asada Kaze to arrange the Mizukage's reception together, and both princes pretended to welcome the task.
• Asada Masashi invited Naruto to stay in the Land of Water and offered to introduce him to the arriving Mizukage.
• Naruto noticed Asada Kaze's friendly attitude toward him and wondered whether Kaze had sent the attackers he had defeated.
• After Asada Masashi left, Asada Kaze offered to show Naruto around the festival, but Asada Kei stepped between them and claimed responsibility for his guest.
• Naruto thanked Asada Kaze but said he had to stay by Asada Kei's side until his mission was over.

Naruto watched the tense political rivalry between Asada Kei and Asada Kaze unfold, while weighing the risks to himself and the Land of Snow. He returned to Asada Kei’s residence wary of the Mizukage’s impending arrival, as Asada Masashi watched his son leave in disappointment.

• Asada Kaze left the hall with a black-robed man after warning Asada Kei to treat Naruto well.
• Naruto judged that Asada Kei was under pressure from his elder brother and resolved to prioritize his own safe departure and the Land of Snow’s security.
• Asada Kei told Naruto that the Mizukage would arrive in a few days and asked him to protect him while promising to persuade his father.
• Naruto concealed his distrust and decided to stay on guard during the remaining seven or eight days.
• Asada Kei led Naruto back to his residence, while Asada Masashi watched them from the palace tower and said Kei had disappointed him.

Naruto kept guarding Asada Kei while avoiding the Land of Water’s political turmoil and hoping to leave before Mei Terumi arrived. He learned that Hoshichi had found Utakata, who was considering Naruto’s offer of refuge in the Land of Snow.

• Naruto resolved to stay out of the Asada family’s power struggle and continue guarding Asada Kei until his assignment ended.
• Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki entered the Land of Water’s capital as Mei Terumi and her guards approached from the east.
• Sakura delivered Hoshichi’s message to Naruto, reporting that Hoshichi had located Utakata in the southern coastal region.
• Naruto learned that Utakata had been moved by the promise of safety in the Land of Snow and the presence of other Tailed Beasts there.

Naruto agreed to meet Utakata in a week, hoping to recruit the Six-Tails Jinchuriki while avoiding the Land of Water’s growing political turmoil. That night, the Sakurai Clan was massacred, and the Daimyo sent princes Asada Kei and Asada Kaze to investigate, leaving both wary of their father and each other.

• Naruto agreed to Utakata’s terms and told Sakura to inform Hoshichi that the meeting would take place after another week.
• Naruto sensed a looming crisis in the Land of Water and decided to avoid the political infighting and return to the Land of Snow as soon as he could.
• Sakurai Junichi and his entire family were killed, prompting Asada Masashi to lock down the capital and order an investigation.
• Mei Terumi arrived in the capital with two guards, and Asada Masashi personally met with her.
• Asada Masashi sent Asada Kei and Asada Kaze to investigate the massacre, making both princes suspicious of their father and uncertain about each other.

Naruto accompanied Asada Kei to investigate the massacre of the Sakurai Clan, where 127 people had been killed without alerting the guards. As Naruto wondered whether the Daimyo was responsible and how to avoid being exposed, he recognized Ao at the estate and feared his identity might be discovered.

• Naruto accompanied Asada Kei and Kyu to the Sakurai estate after the entire clan had been massacred.
• The investigators found 127 victims, including Sakurai Junichi, whose head had been blown apart.
• Naruto sensed no unusual traces and judged that the killer was a highly skilled assassin, possibly connected to the Daimyo or a new faction.
• Kyu asked Naruto what he thought, and Naruto answered that the killer was strong.
• Naruto entered the inner area with Asada Kei and recognized Ao, triggering alarm that his identity could be exposed.

Naruto entered the Asada residence disguised as Snow Ninja leader Narimiya Narimiya and faced Ao, whose Byakugan could expose transformations. Kurama concealed Naruto’s chakra from Ao’s inspection, but Ao remained curious about him.

• Ao recognized Naruto’s Snow Ninja Forehead Protector and activated his Byakugan to examine him.
• Kurama covered Naruto with a special barrier, and Ao detected no chakra or unusual aura.
• Naruto thanked Kurama inwardly and continued into the residence with Asada Kei and Kyu.
• Asada Kaze introduced Ao to Asada Kei, Kyu, and Naruto, emphasizing Naruto’s status as Snow Ninja leader.
• Ao exchanged courtesies with Asada Kei, then focused his attention on Naruto and praised his achievements.

Ao found no useful clues at the Sakurai Clan massacre and warned that foreign ninjas might be responsible. Naruto kept Ao from noticing anything unusual about him while the investigation continued.

• Ao became more interested in Naruto, who concealed his discomfort at being watched and addressed him respectfully.
• Asada Kei asked whether Ao and Asada Kaze had found anything at the estate, and Ao said the investigation had uncovered no clues.
• Ao concluded that the culprit was a highly skilled ninja who had left no trace, even to his Byakugan.
• Ao suggested the massacre might have involved foreign ninjas, mercenaries, the black market, or a ninja village taking an assassination contract.
• The narration revealed that Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki had killed the Sakurai Clan after Minister of Treasury Okura learned important information about the Akatsuki and became a potential traitor.

Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki killed the Minister of Treasury and his family, then discovered Naruto’s identity and location. While Naruto tried to leave the Land of Water, Ao reported his suspicions to Mei Terumi, who became interested in him.

• Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki investigated the Minister of Treasury, confirmed his betrayal, and killed him and his family.
• A crow watched Ao investigate the massacre and used its Sharingan to observe Naruto.
• Uchiha Itachi recognized Naruto as Namikaze Naruto and learned he was with the Snow Ninja Village, but left without approaching him.
• Naruto grew wary of Ao and tried to find a way out of the Land of Water.
• Ao reported that Naruto seemed dangerous to Mei Terumi, who became interested in him.

Asada Kei visited Naruto late at night to propose a mutually beneficial deal, after deciding that time was running out and he had to take a risk. Naruto agreed to hear him out, leaving the terms of the deal undisclosed.

• Mei Terumi ordered Ao to investigate the destroyed outpost, the murdered Anbu squad, and the shinobi who wiped out the Sakurai Clan.
• Mei Terumi grew interested in Naruto, though neither she nor Uchiha Itachi sought him out immediately.
• Naruto considered leaving the Land of Water after returning to his residence.
• Asada Kei arrived with Kuroda and Kyu and asked to speak with Naruto privately.
• Asada Kei proposed a deal, and Naruto agreed to hear what he had in mind.

Asada Kei asked Naruto to help him take the position of Daimyo of the Land of Water, offering political and trade benefits as well as information about a Tailed Beast. Naruto appeared tempted but questioned how Asada Kei would deal with the Fifth Mizukage and whether the Tailed Beast information was reliable.

• Asada Kei asked Naruto to help him take the Daimyo position in three days, insisting that replacing his father would bring peace and development rather than constitute a rebellion.
• Asada Kei offered to make the Land of Water a friendly partner to the Land of Snow and help with shipbuilding plans, foreign trade, and geothermal heaters.
• Asada Kei revealed that he knew where to find a Tailed Beast once possessed by Kirigakure and offered to help Naruto capture it.
• Naruto concealed his surprise and kept Asada Kei talking, asking how he would handle the Fifth Mizukage and which Tailed Beast he meant.
• Naruto questioned how Asada Kei knew the beast's location, whether Kirigakure had recaptured it, and how he would manage Kirigakure's response.

Naruto agreed to help Asada Kei’s planned rebellion after demanding information about the Six-Tails and assurances that he would wait until Mei Terumi left the capital. Asada Kei believed he had secured Naruto’s support, while Naruto examined the questionable scroll and kept his own plans hidden.

• Asada Kei told Naruto that Mei Terumi had come to the capital over the Three-Tails and offered the Six-Tails Jinchuriki’s whereabouts, though he had fabricated the latter information.
• Naruto feigned hesitation, agreed to cooperate for now, and demanded the Six-Tails’ location and a delay until Mei Terumi left the capital.
• Asada Kei and Naruto exchanged assurances of cooperation while each privately planned to outmaneuver the other.
• Kuroda asked Asada Kei whether the negotiations could cause trouble, and Asada Kei said he would ensure Naruto had no choice but to side with him.
• Naruto returned to his room and examined the scroll alleging that Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, had betrayed Kirigakure.

Naruto recognized that Asada Kei planned to use him as a diversion, so he sent Sakura to warn the Daimyo and prepared to pursue the Three-Tails. Meanwhile, Asada Kaze chose to avoid risky moves, unaware that Asada Masashi had been monitoring both princes and preparing for their ambitions.

• Naruto compared Asada Kei’s intelligence with his own and realized Kei intended to use the Snow Ninja as a diversion or battering ram.
• Naruto gave Sakura a letter for Asada Masashi and told her that the Land of Snow would remain the Land of Snow.
• Naruto learned the Three-Tails’ location and considered risking a confrontation with Mei Terumi to claim Isobu for the Snow Ninja Village.
• Asada Kaze strengthened his security but avoided drastic action, believing his position as heir and Kirigakure’s preference for stability protected him.
• Asada Masashi had tracked most of Asada Kei and Asada Kaze’s movements and had prepared for his sons’ ambitions.

Asada Masashi decided to move against his son Asada Kei after learning that Naruto’s envoy, Sakura, had shown that Narumi Narimiya would not support Kei. He planned to send Mei Terumi away from the capital before bringing the conflict to a conclusion, while Naruto and Mei remained focused on Isobu.

• Asada Masashi resolved to eliminate Asada Kei after learning his son wanted to control Kirigakure and the Land of Water.
• Sakura delivered Naruto’s information, convincing Asada Masashi that Narumi Narimiya’s arrangement was merely a business deal and that he would not back Kei.
• Asada Masashi confirmed his plans using Kuroda’s intelligence and ordered his subordinates to carry them out.
• Asada Masashi decided to send Mei Terumi away from the capital before making his final move against Asada Kei.
• Naruto and Mei Terumi remained focused on finding Isobu rather than the political struggle.

Naruto exposed Asada Kei’s plans to Asada Masashi, then left the capital as Kirigakure forces gathered for a confrontation with the Third Prince. He headed after Mei Terumi while Sakura and Miki stayed behind to carry out the night’s mission, leaving Naruto free to pursue Isobu before his planned meeting with Utakata.

• Naruto revealed to Asada Masashi that Asada Kei had tried to recruit him with information about the two Tailed Beasts.
• After Mei Terumi left the capital, Naruto sensed elite Kirigakure Ninja gathering at the Daimyo Palace and judged that a fight with Asada Kei was imminent.
• Naruto ordered Sakura and Miki to carry out their mission in the capital, then rendezvous with Taizan and retreat.
• Naruto left to follow Mei Terumi and seek Isobu, having arranged to meet Utakata in five nights.
• Naruto discarded his disguise and Snow Ninja Forehead Protector so he could face Mei Terumi in his true form if they crossed paths.

Asada Kei launched his rebellion with the Snow Ninja, believing Naruto was keeping his agreement, while Naruto traveled separately toward the Three-Tails. Naruto left the chapter avoiding Mei Terumi and Ao as he headed for the island where the beast was believed to have appeared.

• Asada Kei learned that Naruto would not join the assault on the Royal Palace and accepted Sakura's explanation that the Snow Ninja would support him while Naruto dealt with the First Prince.
• Asada Kei interpreted Naruto's cautious plan as clever risk management and ordered his followers to begin the rebellion.
• A towering wave surged as the rebellion began in the capital of the Land of Water.
• Naruto followed intelligence about a giant sea monster sighting and detoured to avoid Mei Terumi and Ao, whose Byakugan could detect his chakra.

Naruto sought Kurama’s help locating Isobu, the missing Three-Tails, while Mei Terumi and her Kirigakure party narrowed their search to the Zhixuan Archipelago. Naruto set off for the islands as Mei and her team headed there too.

• Land of Water officials connected a fisherman’s account of a gigantic creature to the missing Three-Tails and sent out search parties.
• Naruto asked Kurama to sense Isobu’s location and promised to protect the Tailed Beasts from being treated as weapons and from the Akatsuki’s plans.
• Kurama reluctantly gave Naruto rough coordinates for Isobu, and Naruto raced toward a small island to the northeast.
• Ao told Mei Terumi that Kirigakure’s Anbu had narrowed Isobu’s location to the Zhixuan Archipelago.
• Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro set off toward the archipelago.

Naruto raced toward Isobu, the Three-Tails, hoping to recruit it before Mei Terumi and her Mist Ninja group arrived. Isobu sensed Naruto and the approaching Mist Ninja, grew angry at being drawn into human conflicts again, and unleashed a surge of chakra as Naruto reached its location.

• Naruto reasoned that gaining the support of Isobu and the Six-Tails would let him challenge the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Naruto raced across the sea toward Isobu while Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro sailed toward the suspected location to search for it.
• Isobu sensed Naruto’s chakra and the approaching Mist Ninja, recognized that both groups wanted to recruit it, and grew angry.
• Naruto arrived above Isobu’s location, and Isobu unleashed a terrifying burst of chakra that sent a towering wall of waves upward.

Naruto was ambushed by Isobu, the Three-Tails, and barely redirected its Tailed Beast Ball before the blast alerted Mei Terumi and her team. As Isobu charged again, Naruto found Kurama unwilling to help and tried to defend himself.

• Isobu emerged from the sea and attacked Naruto with a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Naruto used Kurama’s chakra and struck the Tailed Beast Ball off course, sending it crashing into the sea.
• Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro detected the blast and rushed toward the battle.
• Naruto complained to Kurama, but Kurama refused to intervene as Isobu prepared another attack.
• Isobu curled into an armored spinning charge, and Naruto cast Water Style: Water Formation Wall.

Naruto fought Isobu after the enraged Three-Tails refused to hear him out. He overwhelmed Isobu with Nine-Tails Chakra and left the beast sprawled in the sea as the battle calmed.

• Naruto used a water wall and a kick to divert Isobu’s charge, then tried to explain that he had come to talk.
• Isobu ignored Naruto and fired Water Bullet Cannons, so Naruto covered himself in Nine-Tails Chakra and punched the projectiles aside.
• Naruto summoned dozens of Shadow Clones and attacked Isobu with Wind Style techniques, provoking a wave that destroyed the clones.
• Naruto grabbed Isobu’s middle tail, spun the Three-Tails repeatedly, and hurled him across the sea.
• Isobu crashed into the water, and the battle’s frenzied atmosphere gradually calmed.