Chapter Summaries

Naruto calmed Isobu and tried to persuade him to become his partner, acknowledging the Three-Tails’ distrust of humans and his own desire to borrow Isobu’s power. Isobu remained wary, but Naruto asked him to consider placing a little trust in humans when the chance came.

• Naruto approached Isobu after suppressing the Three-Tails’ rampaging chakra and asked to talk.
• Isobu accused Naruto of coming to capture him and vowed never to surrender.
• Naruto introduced himself as Namikaze Naruto and invited Isobu to become his partner for a shared future between humans and Tailed Beasts.
• Isobu responded with disbelief, and Naruto recognized why the Tailed Beasts struggled to trust humans.
• Naruto admitted he wanted to borrow Isobu’s power but promised to treat him as a partner like Kurama and asked him to give humans a little trust.

Namikaze Naruto tried to persuade Isobu to become his ally by treating him as an equal and warning him that Kirigakure intended to capture him and that the Ten-Tails could be revived. Isobu learned that Kurama had chosen to stand with Naruto, but Naruto left the decision to Isobu.

• Namikaze Naruto told Isobu he wanted him as an ally and promised to prove his sincerity through his actions.
• Isobu said he wanted no part in human affairs and only wished to live peacefully.
• Naruto warned Isobu that Kirigakure's new Mizukage wanted to capture him and use him as a weapon.
• Naruto revealed that the Ten-Tails might be revived, prompting Isobu to question whether Kurama supported him.
• Kurama confirmed he had chosen to stand with Naruto but said Isobu could decide for himself.

Naruto persuaded Isobu to join him and sealed the Three-Tails inside his body. When Mei Terumi, Chojuro, and Ao arrived, Naruto refused to return Isobu, and Mei ordered an attack.

• The Nine-Tails helped Naruto convince Isobu that he could be trusted, and Isobu agreed to cooperate for the time being.
• Naruto and Isobu signed a contract, and Naruto sealed the Three-Tails into his body as a dormant chakra began to stir within him.
• Mei Terumi, Chojuro, and Ao arrived and saw that Naruto had sealed Isobu.
• Naruto introduced himself to Mei Terumi and rejected her claim that the Three-Tails belonged to Kirigakure.
• Mei Terumi ordered Chojuro and Ao to attack Naruto.

Naruto fought Mei Terumi, Chojuro, and Ao after Mei abandoned negotiations over Isobu. He used the Three-Tails’ chakra to overpower their attacks, and the chapter ended as he unleashed the Great Waterfall Technique against them.

• Mei Terumi attacked Naruto with Lava Release while Chojuro and Ao moved to surround him.
• Naruto used the Three-Tails’ chakra to unleash a massive Water Style technique that overwhelmed Mei’s lava, then countered with a Water Dragon Jutsu.
• Chojuro struck from behind with Hiramekarei, but Naruto blocked him with a Rasengan before evading Mei’s renewed Lava Release attack.
• Ao attacked Naruto with projectiles and close combat, briefly gaining the advantage with his Byakugan.
• Naruto increased his Three-Tails chakra output, forced Ao back, and unleashed the Great Waterfall Technique against Mei, Chojuro, and Ao.

Naruto tested the Three-Tails’ chakra against Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro, then escaped using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Mei Terumi recognized him as Konoha’s Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and wondered why he was in the Land of Water and whether Orochimaru was involved.

• Naruto’s towering Water Style waves collided with a Water Formation Wall created by Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro.
• Naruto judged that he had tested his power enough and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to disappear from the marked spot.
• Ao searched the area with his Byakugan but found no trace of Naruto.
• Mei Terumi connected Naruto’s appearance and name to rumors about Konoha’s Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Yellow Flash’s legacy.
• Ao wondered whether Orochimaru was involved in Naruto’s presence in the Land of Water and the sealing of the Three-Tails.

Mei Terumi suspected Orochimaru or an insider had taken the Three-Tails and ordered tighter security and caution around Utakata. Naruto escaped to the Land of Water’s main island with Flying Thunder God, having made Isobu his companion and avoided the Akatsuki.

• Mei Terumi considered that Orochimaru or someone within Kirigakure might have targeted the Three-Tails, and she warned Ao not to make rash decisions.
• Mei Terumi ordered stronger security in the village and along its borders, a search for Orochimaru, and extra caution from the pursuit squad tracking Utakata.
• Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro headed back to Kirigakure, while Ao wondered why Namikaze Naruto seemed familiar.
• Naruto used Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique to create an opening, then escaped with Flying Thunder God to a marked spot on the main island of the Land of Water.
• Naruto confirmed he was safe and reflected that he had made Isobu his companion without encountering the Akatsuki.

Naruto obtained the Three-Tails and traveled to the Southern Sea Frontier to meet Utakata, while the Snow Ninjas killed Asada Kei after his failed rebellion. The Land of Water's power struggle ended for now, and Hoshichi waited at the rendezvous point.

• Naruto considered the threat Uchiha Itachi might pose and set out for the Southern Sea Frontier to meet Utakata.
• Asada Kei escaped the Royal Palace at dawn, but the Snow Ninjas intercepted him and killed him and his guards.
• The Snow Ninjas sealed Asada Kei's body in a scroll and withdrew toward the Northern Sea Frontier under Lord Naruto's orders.
• Land of Water pursuers found the aftermath but could not locate Asada Kei's body, leaving Asada Masashi with a future problem.
• Naruto crossed the main island of the Land of Water in about two days and reached the agreed location, where Hoshichi was waiting.

Naruto met Hoshichi in Li, received Sakura’s report confirming Asada Kei’s death, and ordered the Snow Ninja to withdraw from the Land of Water’s affairs. After dismissing Hoshichi, Naruto prepared to face the opponent expected to arrive the next day.

• Hoshichi welcomed Naruto and delivered Sakura’s report confirming that Asada Kei had been killed and that Asada Masashi had handled the aftermath as Naruto expected.
• Naruto reflected on the judgment and political skill he wanted his Snow Ninja subordinates to develop, and was satisfied with Hoshichi’s performance.
• Naruto ordered Hoshichi to have Taizan bring Sakura, Miki, and the others to the border, withdraw the Snow Ninja from the capital, and avoid further involvement in the Land of Water.
• Hoshichi confirmed that Naruto’s opponent had chosen the meeting place and time and was expected the next day.
• Naruto sent Hoshichi away and said he would handle the encounter alone.

Naruto spent a day waiting for Utakata, hoping to persuade the hunted Six-Tails Jinchuriki to join him. While he waited, he shared what he knew about Uchiha Madara and the Ten-Tails plan with Kurama and Isobu, who questioned how he knew so much.

• Naruto reasoned that Utakata needed a safe place and was unlikely to trust one of the great shinobi villages, so he felt confident he could recruit him.
• Naruto stayed put and strengthened his bond with Kurama and Isobu, sharing his knowledge of Uchiha Madara's plan to revive the Ten-Tails and the history of Hagoromo and Kaguya.
• Kurama and Isobu reacted with shock and anger as they learned that Madara had been deceived about the Ten-Tails and Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Isobu asked how Naruto knew so many secrets despite being twelve and lacking Asura's consciousness.
• Naruto offered a vague explanation about uncovering secrets from clues and deductions, leaving Kurama and Isobu impressed by his convincing bluffing.

Naruto met with Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, and revealed that he was the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha and the current leader of the Snow Ninja Village. He invited Utakata to join the village, leaving Utakata to consider Naruto’s offer.

• Naruto sensed Utakata approaching and called him out by name.
• Utakata emerged from the woods and questioned whether the young Naruto was truly the leader of the Snow Ninja Village.
• Naruto released the Nine-Tails’ chakra, startling Utakata and Saiken and proving his identity as a Jinchuriki.
• Naruto introduced himself as Namikaze Naruto, explained that he had left Konoha, and invited Utakata to join the Snow Ninja Village.

Utakata considered joining Snow Ninja Village but demanded proof that Naruto could protect him from Kirigakure and would not betray him. Naruto brought him into the mental world, where Utakata discovered Naruto had the Nine-Tails and Three-Tails as allies.

• Utakata admitted he was tired of being hunted by Kirigakure and was considering joining Snow Ninja Village, but questioned whether Naruto could protect him or might hand him over.
• Naruto acknowledged Utakata’s concerns about the village’s strength and trustworthiness, then asked him to bump fists and promised answers.
• Utakata accepted Naruto’s outstretched fist, and their chakra link transported them into the mental world.
• Naruto summoned Kurama, Isobu, and Saiken, and Utakata recognized the Six-Tails, the Nine-Tails, and the Three-Tails.
• Naruto revealed that Isobu had recently become his partner and presented his two Tailed Beasts as proof of Snow Ninja Village’s strength.

Naruto tried to persuade Utakata to join Snow Ninja Village by explaining its strength and introducing him to the Tailed Beasts. Utakata was left to choose whether to trust Naruto and seek a place in the village.

• Utakata was shaken to learn that Naruto hosted two Tailed Beasts, but questioned whether that alone could challenge the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Naruto argued that Kirigakure had been weakened by years of conflict and claimed Snow Ninja Village could match the great villages in the quality of its ninjas.
• Naruto called on Kurama, Isobu, and Saiken, who greeted one another inside the mental world.
• Isobu encouraged Utakata to consider Naruto's village as a place of peace, while Kurama stayed silent and Saiken watched Naruto.
• Naruto told Utakata that Snow Ninja Village was his best option and asked him to decide whether to join.

Naruto secured Utakata’s agreement to join him by honestly explaining his ambitions and what he expected in return. They left for the Land of Snow together, while Kirigakure’s Anbu arrived too late to find them and began searching the coastline.

• Utakata questioned whether Naruto could offer him peace and confronted him about wanting the Six-Tails’ power.
• Naruto admitted he wanted Utakata’s strength and revealed his goal of bringing everything together to change the world and achieve peace.
• Utakata accepted Naruto’s offer and agreed to become his partner, adding his support to the Snow Ninja Village.
• Naruto released the mental world and led Utakata toward a waiting ship bound for the Land of Snow.
• Kirigakure’s Anbu found the place Naruto and Utakata had left, failed to identify or track Naruto’s chakra, and ordered a coastal search and a report to the Mizukage.

Naruto returned to the waiting ship with Utakata and the Snow Ninja, who began the journey back to the Land of Snow. As Naruto prepared to rest, a red-haired woman appeared before him, and he recognized her as his mother.

• Naruto brought Utakata to the ship, where Hoshichi and the Snow Ninja greeted them and reported that the area had stayed undisturbed.
• Naruto told the group to set sail for the Land of Snow and take a detour to avoid the Mist Ninja pursuit squad.
• Utakata affirmed that he would join Snow Ninja Village and asked Naruto to keep his promise; Naruto agreed and introduced him to Guyue, Suzuki, and the others.
• Utakata settled into his room aboard the ship and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
• As Naruto began to rest, a red-haired woman appeared before him, and he tearfully called her “Mother.”

Naruto reunited with Kushina Uzumaki in his spiritual world after twelve years apart, and they shared an emotional embrace as he admitted he had been afraid to meet her. Kushina comforted him and promised to support him, leaving Naruto assured that his mother would stand by him no matter what he chose to do.

• Naruto saw Kushina Uzumaki and struggled to contain his grief, guilt, and excitement at meeting his birth mother for the first time in twelve years.
• Kushina apologized for not being there to care for Naruto, and they embraced while she comforted him.
• Naruto told Kushina that he had wanted to see her but had been afraid she would scold him.
• Kushina told Naruto she only wanted him to grow up healthy and said she would always believe in and support him.

Kushina reunited with Naruto and cherished an ordinary conversation with her son, putting his happiness above Konoha and the world. After hearing about his life and friends, she asked Naruto to promise her one thing, and he agreed before hearing what it was.

• Kushina decided to spend her final moments with Naruto talking about his life rather than dwelling on Konoha or the past.
• Kushina teased Naruto about his awkwardness and reassured him that she sometimes scolded Minato for being too focused on his Hokage duties.
• Naruto relaxed and told Kushina about his childhood, training, favorite foods, and the girls he liked, including Hinata.
• Naruto told Kushina about his friends, including Sasuke, and Kushina recalled that she and Mikoto had once discussed their children marrying if one had a boy and the other a girl.
• Kushina accepted Naruto's different path but asked him to promise her one thing, and Naruto agreed without knowing what she would ask.

Kushina advised Naruto to protect himself and his friends, then explained why her chakra had appeared and discussed removing the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style. She left Naruto with two ways to undo it: use the key held by Jiraiya or perform Reverse Sealing.

• Kushina urged Naruto to protect himself, live up to his friends' trust, and protect Hinata, and Naruto promised to do so.
• Naruto told Kushina that Minato had explained the events of twelve years ago and that he and Kurama had become partners.
• Kushina said sealing the Three-Tails inside himself had disturbed the chakra in the seal and caused her to appear, then scolded Naruto for taking the risk.
• Naruto asked Kushina how to remove the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style because it interfered with using Kurama's chakra.
• Kushina said Jiraiya held the key that could undo the seal and that Naruto could also remove it through Reverse Sealing.

Kushina taught Naruto about the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing techniques and passed on knowledge of the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style and Adamantine Sealing Chains before fading away. Naruto woke on the ship with a renewed sense of belonging and vowed to become a shinobi his mother could be proud of.

• Kushina told Naruto she would pass on the Uzumaki Clan’s secret techniques, including the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style and Adamantine Sealing Chains, and suggested he could teach them to Karin.
• Naruto eagerly promised to learn the techniques and use them to protect himself and help Karin grow stronger.
• As Kushina’s presence faded, she told Naruto she loved him, and Naruto returned her words before she disappeared into golden light.
• Naruto received Kushina’s knowledge, fell asleep, and woke the next morning aboard the ship.
• Naruto reflected on his parents’ acceptance and vowed to become the greatest shinobi in the world and make Kushina proud.

Naruto studied the Uzumaki sealing techniques Kushina taught him and used them to stabilize the Nine-Tails and Three-Tails' chakra inside him. He also planned how to investigate Natural Energy, while the voyage remained peaceful and Utakata grew comfortable aboard the ship.

• Naruto studied Kushina's notes and adjusted the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style to balance the chakra of the Nine-Tails and Three-Tails.
• Naruto decided to make sealing techniques a major training priority and planned to pursue sensing Natural Energy to strengthen his body.
• Naruto considered Mount Myōboku too risky and instead sought information about Natural Energy and Orochimaru's Cursed Seal through Sasuke.
• Naruto continued studying during the quiet voyage, while Utakata relaxed and settled into life aboard the ship.

After eight days at sea, Naruto and Utakata reached the Land of Snow, where Naruto welcomed Utakata to his new home. Naruto avoided Lin City to keep Utakata's identity discreet and brought him toward Kazahana Castle to meet the Queen.

• Utakata admired the Land of Snow’s mountains and accepted Naruto’s welcome, deciding to trust him and begin a settled life there.
• Naruto explained how geothermal heaters had warmed much of the country, changing its climate from year-round winter to autumn in some areas.
• Naruto’s ship bypassed Lin City and docked at a nearby military port to avoid attracting attention to Utakata.
• Snow Ninja and a senior military officer greeted Naruto with great respect, prompting Utakata to realize Naruto held unusual standing in the Land of Snow.
• Naruto told Utakata they would go to Kazahana Castle so he could meet Her Majesty the Queen.