Chapter Summaries

Snow Ninja Village mobilized for war against Kirigakure as Naruto prepared to confront Mei Terumi, while both sides continued limited skirmishes. Kirigakure’s leaders underestimated Snow Ninja Village, and Ao directed Mist Ninja operations from an island near the Land of the Sea.

• Naruto ordered Snow Ninja forces to mobilize, though many villagers worried about facing one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Utakata, Taizan, Karin, Hoshichi, Sakura, and other leaders divided the Snow Ninja into two legions and sent them toward the front lines.
• Naruto remained behind to arrange the village’s affairs, then set out for the southern coast to await Mei Terumi and challenge her again.
• Mei Terumi left Ao in command of nearly five thousand Mist Ninja and planned to win local battles before forcing Snow Ninja Village into negotiations.
• Ao established a command base on an island near the Land of the Sea while Mist Ninja and Snow Ninja continued small-scale skirmishes in the Land of the Sea and the Land of Rainbow.

Ao learned that Snow Ninja Village had sent roughly a thousand reinforcements to both the Land of the Sea and the Land of Rainbow, bringing its forces in the two battlefields to about two thousand. Enraged by what he saw as a provocation, he ordered Kirigakure to engage head-on, unaware that Naruto intended to destroy its entire frontline force.

• Ao reviewed the history of the Land of the Sea and Kirigakure's struggle to reclaim the country from Snow Ninja Village.
• A Mist Ninja Anbu reported that about a thousand Snow Ninja reinforcements were marching toward the Land of the Sea.
• A young Mist Ninja delivered Lang Xing's report that another force of about a thousand Snow Ninja had arrived in the Land of Rainbow.
• Ao reacted with shock and anger, wondering why Snow Ninja Village dared to challenge Kirigakure.
• Ao ordered his troops and Lang Xing's forces to fight head-on without retreating.
• Naruto planned for Snow Ninja Village to destroy the entire Kirigakure force on the front lines.

Snow Ninja and Mist Ninja forces began a full-scale war in the Land of the Sea and the Land of Rainbow, with both sides advancing under orders from Naruto and Ao. Civilians fled to the capitals as thousands of ninjas clashed across the front lines.

• Ao ordered Mist Ninja forces on both fronts to mobilize, overwhelm the Snow Ninja, and withdraw after delivering a heavy blow.
• Guyue and Garaga rallied the Snow Ninja front-line commanders to engage first as Naruto had ordered, promising victory with reinforcements led by Utakata and Karin on the way.
• Residents of the Land of the Sea and the Land of Rainbow fled toward their capitals, while both villages kept their forces away from those cities and chose battlefields far from officials and nobles.
• Thousands of Snow Ninja and Mist Ninja fought in a full-scale clash using weapons and powerful techniques, putting ordinary Genin at grave risk.

The Snow Ninja were losing heavily against Kirigakure on the Land of the Sea front, and Ao expected them to retreat soon. Then a Snow Ninja aerial unit arrived and attacked Kirigakure’s rear lines.

• Kirigakure’s superior numbers and stronger Jonin gave it the advantage as the two forces clashed, with the Snow Ninja suffering heavier casualties.
• Ao watched the battle and planned to limit the pursuit, hoping to force Snow Ninja Village out of the Land of Rainbow and the Land of the Sea without provoking an all-out war.
• Hundreds of Snow Ninja in the special Aerial Combat Unit flew over the battlefield and targeted Kirigakure’s wounded and reserves.
• The aerial unit dropped bombs and launched wide-area ninjutsu at Kirigakure’s rear.

The Snow Ninja aerial combat unit bombed the Mist Ninja rear, turning the battle and restoring the Snow Ninja’s momentum. Ao rushed in Kirigakure’s reserves as he sensed a powerful group of Snow Ninja reinforcements approaching, and the two sides fought on in a desperate clash.

• The Snow Ninja aerial combat unit launched explosive techniques at the Mist Ninja, causing dozens of casualties and splitting their formation.
• Ao used his Byakugan to identify the attackers and ordered the Mist Ninja to treat the wounded and target the aircraft’s exposed wings.
• Guyue ordered the Snow Ninja reinforcements to spread out and advance, rallying them by promising that Utakata would soon arrive.
• The Mist Ninja regrouped under Ao and fought the Snow Ninja to a stalemate, though they could no longer easily regain their earlier advantage.
• Ao sensed a large chakra surge to the northwest and sent the remaining reserve forces into battle as the fighting intensified.

The Snow Ninja Aerial Combat Unit disrupted Kirigakure’s advance, and Ao ordered newly arrived Mist reinforcements to attack the aircraft and surround the Snow Ninja. As the battle threatened to turn again, Utakata’s reinforcements arrived from the northwest, leaving Ao bracing for another clash.

• The Snow Ninja Aerial Combat Unit attacked from above, helping the Snow Ninja hold the line and push back Kirigakure.
• Ao watched the Mist Ninja suffer heavy casualties and recognized that the Snow Ninja aircraft outmatched the aerial unit he had faced before.
• Ao ordered the fresh Mist reinforcements to target the aerial unit, flank the Snow Ninja, and crush their ground forces.
• The Mist Ninja launched a counterattack and surrounded the Snow Ninja, but Ao sensed hundreds of Snow Ninja reinforcements approaching from the northwest.
• Ao mistook the tall figure leading the new force for Narumi Narimiya, while Utakata surveyed the battlefield from a ridge.

Utakata and the Snow Ninja drew Ao’s Mist Ninja forces deeper into their trap as Ao led a charge toward the center of the battlefield. Utakata transformed into the Six-Tails, leaving Ao shocked and furious as the beast appeared among the Mist Ninja.

• Utakata ordered Taizan to cut off the Mist Ninja’s retreat and prepared to transform when the time came.
• Taizan and Guyue led the Snow Ninja in an encircling attack that pressed the Mist Ninja back on both flanks.
• Ao handed command to Miyamura and led his guards toward the front, intending to break through the center and confront Utakata.
• Utakata recognized Ao’s advance as the Mist Ninja forces moved deeper into the Snow Ninja trap.
• Utakata and Saiken transformed into the Six-Tails, whose arrival swept Mist Ninja away and left Ao shocked and furious.

Utakata transformed into the Six-Tails and led the Snow Ninja in a devastating assault that broke Kirigakure’s defenses. Ao ordered a retreat and stayed behind to cover it, facing Utakata as the Mist Ninja fought to buy their comrades time.

• Utakata appeared in complete Tailed Beast form, and Snow Ninja leaders told their troops that he was their ally and could control the Six-Tails.
• Utakata sprayed corrosive gas into the Mist Ninja ranks and charged forward, while the Snow Ninja followed and smashed through the enemy formation.
• Ao saw Kirigakure’s defenses collapsing and ordered a retreat, sending Oda to lead the wounded and rearguard to safety.
• Ao opened his Byakugan and rallied the remaining Mist Ninja to hold the front line while their comrades escaped.
• The Mist Ninja unleashed jutsu to slow Utakata, and Ao kept directing the defense despite being badly wounded.

Utakata and the Snow Ninja crushed Kirigakure’s forces in the Land of the Sea, while Karin’s army destroyed the Mist Ninja main force in the Land of Rainbow. The Mist Ninja front lines were nearly annihilated, plunging Kirigakure and the Land of Water into turmoil.

• Ao lost too much blood and chakra to keep fighting, and elite Mist Ninja sacrificed themselves to cover his retreat and hold off Utakata’s assault.
• Utakata and the Snow Ninja eliminated the remaining resistance, after which Utakata ordered Guyue to capture as many surviving Mist Ninja as possible for intelligence and negotiations.
• The Snow Ninja pursued the scattered Mist Ninja toward the Land of Water’s border and sought to capture their fleeing commander alive.
• Karin’s forces crushed Kirigakure’s main force in the Land of Rainbow, killing Lang Xing in the opening attack and routing the disorganized Mist Ninja.
• News that the Mist Ninja front lines had been nearly annihilated threw Kirigakure and the Land of Water into turmoil.

Kirigakure learned that its forces had been routed in the Land of Rainbow and the Land of the Sea, with fewer than two thousand of nearly five thousand deployed Mist Ninja returning. Mei Terumi headed for the front line while Naruto received confirmation that Snow Ninja Village had won both battles.

• The Mist Ninja retreated into the Land of Water after suffering heavy casualties, with Lang Xing dead, hundreds captured, and Ao badly wounded and unconscious.
• An Anbu reported the defeats and the appearance of the Six-Tails and Three-Tails to Mei Terumi, who connected the attack to Snow Ninja Village and Naruto.
• Mei ordered the intelligence sent to Genji, mobilized Anbu to investigate Snow Ninja Village, and set out for the border with Chojuro and her Shadow Guard.
• Xinghuo reported to Naruto that Utakata and Karin had routed the Mist Ninja forces, and that Karin had killed Lang Xing.

After Snow Ninja Village routed Kirigakure’s vanguard, Naruto learned that his forces had suffered about four hundred deaths and prepared to intercept Mei Terumi as she traveled to the front. Mei rushed north toward Tianyin Cliff, unaware that Naruto was waiting along her route.

• Naruto learned that Utakata and Karin were unharmed and that Snow Ninja Village had suffered around a thousand casualties, including about four hundred confirmed dead.
• Xinghuo reported that the retreating Mist Ninja were converging on Tianyin Cliff, as Naruto had predicted.
• Naruto set out with a dozen Snow Ninja to intercept Mei Terumi, hoping to end the war by defeating her without destroying Kirigakure.
• Mei Terumi hurried north toward the collapsing front, focused on protecting Kirigakure from further disaster.

Mei Terumi rushed to the front after learning Kirigakure had suffered devastating losses, and ordered aid and defenses for its retreating forces. On the way to the northern frontier, she encountered Namikaze Naruto, whose route crossed hers.

• Mei Terumi learned that Kirigakure’s forces had been crushed by the Three-Tails, the Six-Tails, and Snow Ninja’s Aerial Combat Unit, with Ao missing.
• An Anbu reported that Ao was seriously injured but safe, and that most of the surviving Mist Ninja had reached Tianyin Cliff.
• Mei Terumi ordered reinforcements, medical aid, supplies, and defensive patrols along the northwestern coast.
• Mei Terumi hurried toward Tianyin Cliff to rally the retreating Mist Ninja and help those still being pursued by Snow Ninja.
• Mei Terumi encountered Namikaze Naruto on the route to the northern frontier and addressed him by name.

Naruto revealed himself to Mei as the leader of Snow Ninja Village and demanded Kirigakure withdraw from the Land of Rainbow and the Land of the Sea. Mei rejected his offer and attacked him, driven by her fury over the deaths of thousands of Mist Ninja.

• Naruto introduced himself to Mei as the leader of Snow Ninja Village and declared his intention to become its First Snow Shadow.
• Naruto demanded that Kirigakure withdraw from the Land of Rainbow and the Land of the Sea so their villages could restore friendly relations.
• Mei dismissed Naruto's proposal and launched a sudden attack, prompting Naruto to order his people to fall back.
• Naruto and Mei clashed, then ordered Xinghuo, Chojuro, and the other guards to retreat from the battlefield.
• Mei blamed herself for failing to stop the deaths of three or four thousand Mist Ninja and began using Lava Release: Lava Technique against Naruto.

Naruto faced Mei Terumi, dodging her Lava Release and closing in to attack. Mei countered with Boil Release and quick defenses, but Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to get behind her and knock her to the ground.

• Mei Terumi attacked Naruto with Lava Release, but he dodged and avoided her follow-up molten attack.
• Naruto rushed Mei Terumi at close range, using a clash of Water Style and Wind Style techniques to create an opening.
• Naruto formed a Rasengan and charged, but Mei Terumi used Boil Release to produce corrosive mist.
• Naruto escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique and attacked Mei Terumi from behind.
• Mei Terumi raised a wall of lava and countered with a Water Style sword, but Naruto struck her and sent her crashing to the ground.
• Chojuro watched from a distance and called out in concern for Mizukage-sama.

Naruto activated the perfected Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and defeated Mei Terumi in a brief, overwhelming clash. As Chojuro and the Mist Ninja rushed to the injured Mizukage, Chojuro drew his swords and stepped between Naruto and Mei.

• Mei Terumi survived Naruto’s opening attack, and Naruto decided to end their fight.
• Naruto entered his perfected Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, astonishing Mei with his power and sensing ability.
• Naruto struck Mei before she could complete Boil Release, breaking her bones as she tried to block.
• Mei used Skilled Mist Technique, but Naruto’s chakra arms dispersed the acidic mist and his chakra cloak neutralized the droplets that reached him.
• Naruto hit Mei with a Nine-Tails-empowered Rasengan, sending her crashing across the ground.
• Chojuro and the Mist Ninja rushed to the motionless Mei, and Chojuro drew Hiramekarei and stepped in front of Naruto.

After defeating Mei Terumi, Naruto spared her and pressed for negotiations, weighing the risks of prolonging the war against threats to the Snow Ninja Village. Mei accepted his terms to end the war and transfer the Land of the Sea and Land of Rainbow’s interests, and Naruto then asked Kirigakure for supplies.

• Naruto canceled Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and asked Mei Terumi to negotiate, while Chojuro prepared to protect her.
• Naruto considered the risks of killing Mei or continuing the war as threats from Konoha, the Akatsuki, and Kumogakure loomed.
• Mei Terumi swallowed her anger and agreed to end the war and transfer the interests of the Land of the Sea and the Land of Rainbow to the Snow Ninja Village.
• Naruto called the agreement a sign of friendship and asked Kirigakure to provide supplies to cover the Snow Ninja Village’s costs.

Naruto forced Mei Terumi to agree to a ceasefire after defeating her, then returned to lead Snow Ninja Village toward a larger role in the Shinobi World. Mei collapsed into a coma, while Snow Ninja forces under Guyue, Sakura, Taizan, and Hoshichi finished clearing the battlefield.

• Mei Terumi accepted Naruto's demand to halt hostilities and arrange later negotiations.
• Naruto left with Xinghuo and his guards as Mei ordered reports sent to Elder Genshi and reinforcements dispatched, then lost consciousness from her injuries.
• Chojuro split the Shadow Guard to carry out Mei's orders and took her to a nearby Kirigakure outpost for treatment.
• Naruto discussed Snow Ninja Village's victory with Xinghuo and declared that the village would now seek to conquer the Shinobi World.
• Naruto headed northwest to rejoin his forces, which had stopped pursuing the Mist Ninja and begun clearing the battlefield under Guyue, Sakura, Taizan, and Hoshichi.

Naruto returned to the Land of Rainbow after defeating Mei Terumi, and the Snow Ninja organized the postwar work while celebrating their victory. He ordered Sakura to contact Sandayu and arrange the countries’ merger with proper procedures and protection for the two Daimyo.

• The Snow Ninja confiscated war spoils, guarded captured Mist Ninja, and treated their injured after the battle.
• Naruto returned to the camp and was welcomed by the Snow Ninja, whose victory had strengthened their confidence.
• Naruto met Karin, Utakata, Sakura, and Hoshichi, and confirmed that he had defeated the Fifth Mizukage and ended the war as planned.
• Karin asked whether Naruto was injured, and he reassured her that he was unharmed.
• Naruto instructed Sakura to contact Sandayu and oversee the merger preparations, including protecting the Land of Rainbow and Land of the Sea Daimyo.

After defeating Kirigakure, Naruto arranged the Snow Ninja Village’s postwar defenses and prepared to announce its rise as the Sixth Great Ninja Village. News of the war spread throughout the Shinobi World, leaving Naruto waiting to see how the other nations would respond.

• Naruto chose to leave Kirigakure alone for now and planned to guard the border while the Snow Ninja Village recovered and strengthened.
• Naruto learned that Kumogakure had gathered troops along its border but had shown no further sign of invading.
• Naruto ordered Sakura and Hoshichi to monitor the situation and announce Kirigakure’s surrender and the Snow Ninja Village’s rise as the Sixth Great Ninja Village.
• Karin teased Naruto about becoming Snow Shadow, while Utakata resolved to follow Naruto and help build a peaceful world.
• News of the Snow Ninja Village and Kirigakure’s war spread across the great nations and smaller countries, and Naruto waited to see their reaction.

The Fourth Raikage and Kumogakure learned that the Snow Ninja had crushed Kirigakure, overturning their expectations of the war. The chapter ended with A demanding confirmation that the Snow Ninja had deployed the Three-Tails and Six-Tails.

• The Shinobi World was shocked that the Snow Ninja Village had mobilized more than three thousand troops to challenge Kirigakure.
• The Fourth Raikage sent more than a thousand Cloud Ninja toward the border, hoping to exploit the war after Kirigakure weakened the Snow Ninja.
• The Snow Ninja routed Kirigakure, inflicting more than three thousand casualties and deploying the Three-Tails and Six-Tails.
• The Cloud Ninja commander at the border ordered his troops to withdraw and sent the news to Kumogakure.
• A heard the report from Samui and demanded to know whether Kirigakure's defeat and the two Tailed Beasts could be confirmed.