Chapter Summaries

The Emperor decided to travel to the Land of That to persuade Aizen to stop his involvement in the war, while the rebels gained strength after Kaguya arrived. After Vermilion Bird was murdered and Aikawa Nobunaga claimed the country, Aizen and Kaguya watched the blossoms together, and Aizen asked what was troubling her.

• The Emperor ordered preparations to leave for the Land of That, insisting he had to persuade Aizen to end the conflict he had helped set in motion.
• Kaguya's arrival strengthened the rebels, while the Land of That's warriors lost morale.
• Vermilion Bird was found dead, and Zuo Nara fled toward the rebels carrying a bloodied bundle.
• Aikawa Nobunaga received Vermilion Bird's head, declared himself ruler of the Land of That, and learned from Xiao Li that Aizen and Kaguya wanted him to follow their agreement.
• Aizen and Kaguya watched cherry blossoms in the palace courtyard as White Snake rested nearby, and Aizen asked Kaguya what troubled her.

After the war in the Land of That ended, Kaguya revealed to Aizen that the Divine Tree would soon bear a Chakra Fruit and offered to help him obtain it. They prepared for the fruit’s arrival, while Aizen warned that its appearance would draw dangerous creatures, including dragon beasts.

• Xiao Li said farewell to her father, who urged her to serve Aizen and Kaguya well.
• Kaguya asked Aizen whether he would stay after the war, and he said the human world could not truly be free of war because of human desires.
• Kaguya revealed that the Divine Tree would bear a Chakra Fruit that could grant immense power and claimed her clan possessed a secret technique to obtain it.
• Aizen admitted that he wanted the fruit’s power, and Kaguya asked him for strands of his hair as a medium for the technique.
• Kaguya warned that the fruit’s fragrance would attract living creatures, and Aizen said dragon beasts such as White Snake would likely pursue it too.

Aizen and Kaguya met the Emperor at his border encampment after he requested a meeting. The Emperor asked Aizen to stay out of the Land of That’s war, while Kaguya increasingly believed Aizen could impose lasting peace through absolute power.

• Aikawa Nobunaga learned that the Emperor wanted to meet Aizen and decided to inform him first.
• Aizen agreed to meet the Emperor and invited Kaguya to come along.
• Aizen and Kaguya arrived at the Emperor’s encampment, where the Emperor recognized Aizen as the Divine Tree Great Dharma King.
• The Emperor knelt before Aizen and begged him not to involve himself further in the wars of the world.
• Kaguya approved of the Emperor’s wish for peace but believed that only Aizen’s absolute power could end war.

Aizen secured the Emperor’s agreement to end the Land of That’s war and reveal where the dragon beasts first appeared, then departed to seek them while Kaguya stayed behind. After a devastating clash left Aizen missing, Kaguya became pregnant, ate the Divine Tree’s fruit amid renewed war, and wept as she whispered his name.

• Aizen agreed to stop involving himself in the wars in exchange for the Emperor’s help locating the dragon beasts’ first appearance.
• The Land of That declared a ceasefire, and Sensui, Aikawa Nobunaga, and the Emperor restored their tripartite alliance.
• Aizen left the Land of That after telling Kaguya to prepare the secret technique for obtaining the Divine Tree’s fruit, and Kaguya asked him to return safely.
• Explosions devastated a vast area of Ancestor Country, and Kaguya arrived with Aikawa Nobunaga, Emperor, and Sensui before Xiao Li took her back to the Land of That.
• Three months later, Kaguya’s pregnancy advanced as nations went to war over her, and the Divine Tree bore fruit without any dragon beasts appearing.
• Kaguya climbed the Divine Tree, ate its fruit, and shed tears as she murmured Aizen’s name.

Aizen returned to the Nara Desert, where his power restored vegetation across the barren land, and then vanished through a black door. In the Land of Rain, Gin challenged Ulquiorra over Aizen’s long absence before Aizen’s arrival was interrupted by the appearance of two red-eyed siblings.

• Aizen emerged from a pillar of light in the Nara Desert and caused plants to grow across the sand as his body returned to its original form.
• Aizen realized his body had fused chakra with natural energy, spoke of the world’s power sending him back after exiling him, and entered a black door.
• Ulquiorra, Hyuga Minato, Shijimi Tamako, Gin, and others gathered in the palace’s main hall in the Land of Rain.
• Gin questioned Ulquiorra about Aizen’s whereabouts and challenged his reasons for keeping them secret.
• Black lightning interrupted Gin and Ulquiorra’s confrontation as a long-haired man and a woman with blood-red eyes arrived.

Fifteen years after Aizen left, the Ninja World endured major wars and disasters while Las Noches remained active. Ulquiorra announced that he had sensed Aizen’s presence and believed their lord had returned.

• Uchiha Tokino and Uchiha Sakuya arrived, and Sakuya stopped her brother from arguing with Gin.
• Barragan arrived, called himself Emperor, and defended his pursuit of power in the Ninja World.
• The chapter recounted the Third Raikage’s death, Chidong’s suspicious death and Rasa’s succession, the massacre of the Land of Flow, and the Nine-Tails’ rampage in Konoha.
• Shijimi Tamako warned Barragan that his conspicuous actions could expose Las Noches, and Barragan fell silent when she challenged him.
• Ulquiorra told the gathered Las Noches members that he had sensed Aizen’s presence and believed Aizen had returned.

Sasori and Deidara returned to a village in the Land of Rivers, where Sasori warned Deidara not to insult Aizen in front of Nagato. In Konoha, Naruto was caught by a golden chain while escaping Iruka and began falling from Kage Rock.

• Sasori and Deidara arrived at a village in the Land of Rivers as rain began to fall.
• Deidara mocked Sasori for waiting on a promise and dismissed the rumored-dead Aizen.
• Sasori warned Deidara that Nagato would not tolerate insults about Aizen.
• Naruto evaded Iruka on Kage Rock, then stepped off the edge to escape.
• A golden chain wrapped around Naruto and sent him plummeting toward the ground.

Naruto’s prank led Kushina to punish him and have him clean the paint from Kage Rock under Iruka’s supervision. While cleaning, Naruto admitted he felt ashamed of his poor performance at the Ninja Academy, then exchanged hostile looks with two Uchiha, including a smaller boy.

• Kushina stopped Naruto’s fall with her chains, scolded him for his prank, and arranged for him to clean Kage Rock with Iruka supervising.
• Iruka helped Naruto scrub the paint and asked whether his pranks came from worries about the Ninja Academy.
• Naruto confessed that he felt like a failure and feared bringing shame to his father, and Iruka reassured him that his parents loved him.
• Naruto spotted two Uchiha in black kimono, and he and the smaller boy frowned at each other when their eyes met.

Yahiko announced that Akatsuki would begin capturing the Jinchuriki, while Nagato and Konan appeared unusually energized. At a laboratory near Amegakure, Shimura Kazumi asked Orochimaru whether he had returned.

• Yahiko and Konan arrived at Akatsuki’s meeting with Nagato, drawing the group’s attention to Nagato’s unusually excited appearance.
• Yahiko announced that the Dawn Plan would begin and that Akatsuki would target the Jinchuriki holding the nine Tailed Beasts.
• Zetsu welcomed the plan’s start, Deidara complained that capturing Jinchuriki sounded boring, and Itachi resolved to investigate what had prompted the decision.
• At a laboratory near Amegakure, Shimura Kazumi confronted Orochimaru and urgently asked whether he had returned.

Orochimaru told Shimura Kazumi that Aizen had returned after fifteen years and assigned her to finish studying White Zetsu’s body. Orochimaru went to Otogakure, where Kimimaro greeted him, but an unknown voice suddenly asked whether Kimimaro was his disciple.

• Orochimaru confirmed to Shimura Kazumi that Aizen had returned after fifteen years.
• Orochimaru told Kazumi to uncover the secrets of White Zetsu’s body and left her in charge of the test subjects.
• Orochimaru arrived in Otogakure, where Kimimaro supervised the prisoners and experiments.
• Kimimaro greeted Orochimaru eagerly when he appeared.
• An unknown voice asked Orochimaru whether Kimimaro was his disciple.

Aizen returned after more than fifteen years away and revealed that his power had become unstable, asking Orochimaru to help turn White Zetsu cells into Hollows. Orochimaru warned that the transformation remained difficult to achieve, leaving Aizen’s request unresolved.

• Aizen emerged from a tear in space, and Orochimaru told Kimimaro to stand down because he could not stop him.
• Aizen praised Kimimaro, while Orochimaru described him as a fine tool brought back from the Land of Water.
• Orochimaru explained that Jirobo, Sakon, and the others were half-finished products he had trained while Aizen was gone.
• Aizen revealed a blue crystal embedded in his chest and demonstrated his unstable power by cracking space with his bare hand.
• Aizen asked Orochimaru to help determine whether White Zetsu cells could be converted into Hollows, and Orochimaru cautioned that the transformation seemed nearly impossible.

Aizen agreed to begin the Hollow experiment with Orochimaru, but rejected Kimimaro as its subject after learning about his clan’s bloodline disease and becoming intrigued by his Kaguya heritage. Aizen took Kimimaro into his service, while Orochimaru offered Kidomaru and the others as replacement test subjects.

• Aizen told Orochimaru that Hollows would appear in the world and agreed to leave with him immediately.
• Orochimaru proposed Kimimaro for the Hollow experiment, explaining that his Kaguya Clan bloodline disease was difficult to cure and might soon kill him.
• Aizen questioned whether Kimimaro’s name and Kaguya heritage connected the Kaguya Clan to the Otsutsuki, then asked to see his Shikotsumyaku.
• After Kimimaro demonstrated his bone blade, Aizen said he could treat the bloodline disease and claimed Kimimaro as his own subordinate instead of using him in the experiment.
• Orochimaru ordered Kimimaro to serve Aizen and offered Kidomaru and the three others as replacement subjects for the experiment.

Itachi and Kisame traveled through the Land of Rivers as Itachi reflected on his past, while Deidara and Sasori headed back toward the Akatsuki’s base. Deidara’s explosive flight cleared the storm and alerted Yahiko, who was approached by Konan.

• Kisame asked Itachi whether returning to Konoha would stir his emotions, and Itachi said he had acted to test the limits of his capacity.
• Itachi silently hoped his sins could be exchanged for true peace as he continued through the rain with Kisame.
• Deidara complained about the weather while traveling with Sasori, then used C2 clay to create a flying dragon and took off on a white bird.
• Sasori used Earth Release: Shallow Swimming Dragon Technique to sink into the ground and pursue Deidara.
• Deidara’s explosion scattered the clouds and eased the rain, drawing the Akatsuki’s attention.
• Yahiko opened his eyes inside the Akatsuki building, and Konan asked him what had happened.

Yahiko and Nagato remained estranged over their conflicting visions for the Akatsuki, but Konan urged them to reconcile before meeting Aizen. Aizen appeared and noted how much had happened while he was away, leaving the three to face their reunion.

• Yahiko told Konan that the explosion came from Deidara's technique, while they wondered whether an enemy had discovered the Akatsuki.
• Nagato confirmed that Deidara had caused the explosion, and Yahiko responded coldly as their long-standing estrangement became clear.
• Konan rebuked Yahiko and Nagato, reminding them that Aizen had returned and explaining how their disagreements over Akatsuki's membership and methods had driven them apart.
• The chapter recalled how Nagato's massacre of the Land of Flow after its ruler spread rumors about Aizen had created a lasting rift between him and Yahiko.
• Aizen spoke from above, observing that many stories had unfolded during his absence, and the three remembered their younger days together.

Aizen returned to Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko, chastised them over their strained relationship, and watched them reconcile. In Konoha, Minato reflected on neglecting Kushina and Naruto before Jiraiya arrived in a disguise.

• Aizen emerged from the darkness, and Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko greeted him with excitement.
• Aizen warned Nagato and Yahiko not to let their relationship deteriorate again, and they promised to mend their bond.
• Aizen set off with the three to hear what the Akatsuki had achieved during his fifteen-year absence.
• In Konoha, Minato felt guilty that his work as Fifth Hokage had caused him to neglect Kushina and Naruto.
• Jiraiya appeared in Minato's office disguised with a fake beard, and Minato recognized him.
• Jiraiya removed the fake beard and eagerly asked Minato whether he liked his outfit.

Jiraiya visited Minato and planned to portray the Sage of Six Paths in his new book, then reflected on his estranged friends while looking at Aizen’s statue on Kage Rock. He blamed himself for taking Aizen’s place as the Third Hokage’s disciple, leaving Minato to hear his regrets.

• Jiraiya proudly revealed that his new book featured him portraying the legendary Sage of Six Paths, and Minato agreed to treat him to a meal.
• Minato and Jiraiya left the Hokage Building and discussed Jiraiya’s failure to find Orochimaru.
• Jiraiya admitted he felt like a failure and wondered whether he had failed the friends who had left Konoha.
• Jiraiya and Minato stopped before Kage Rock, where Jiraiya stared at the dim statue carved in Aizen’s likeness.
• Jiraiya recalled that he had taken Aizen’s place among the Third Hokage’s disciples and wondered whether Aizen, Orochimaru, and Tsunade would have stayed together if he had not.

Jiraiya returned to Minato and Kushina’s home and offered to stay in Konoha to help look after and teach Naruto. Naruto was dismayed at the thought of Jiraiya becoming his teacher, especially after Jiraiya’s stomach growled during his stern lecture.

• Minato comforted Jiraiya and praised his contributions to Konoha, lifting his spirits.
• Jiraiya teased Minato about having another child with Kushina and planned a training program for Naruto.
• Minato and Jiraiya rang the doorbell, and Kushina burst out angrily over Minato missing Naruto’s parent-teacher conference and birthday.
• Kushina realized Jiraiya was there and apologized, then Jiraiya scolded Minato and Kushina before offering to stay and guide Naruto.
• Naruto dreaded being taught by Jiraiya when the older man’s stomach growled and interrupted his lecture.

Tokino warned Sakuya that Aizen threatened the world and said he intended to act against him, while Sakuya defended Aizen and threatened to report Tokino. Their confrontation was interrupted by Ichimaru Gin, who revealed he was waiting to learn whether Kakuzu could assassinate Captain Aizen.

• Sakuya asked Tokino whether he would still move against Aizen now that Aizen had returned, and Tokino said Aizen's power made him too dangerous to ignore.
• Tokino argued that Aizen could destroy the world, while Sakuya accused him of making an irresponsible decision based on his assumptions and said she would report him to Aizen.
• Tokino asked whether Aizen had ever truly trusted him, and both he and Sakuya sensed someone nearby.
• Tokino activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and demanded that the hidden person reveal himself as lightning broke through the clouds.
• Ichimaru Gin emerged from the shadows and said he had come to find out whether Kakuzu could assassinate Captain Aizen again.

Gin revealed to Tokino that Aizen and the Las Noches figures came from another world and hinted that Aizen was manipulating Tokino as he had manipulated Gin. Tokino attacked Gin after hearing that he lacked the qualifications to threaten Aizen, and their fight continued as Gin questioned the power of Tokino’s eyes.

• Gin told Tokino and Sakuya that he, Aizen, and the two from Las Noches did not belong to their world.
• Gin said Aizen was an enemy to him and warned Tokino that Aizen treated people as pieces, suggesting Tokino was even more pitiful than Gin had been.
• Gin explained that Ulquiorra and the other figure ignored Tokino’s hostility because they believed he could not threaten Aizen, then turned to leave.
• Tokino attacked Gin with black lightning, but Gin dodged and told him he would understand the danger of opposing Aizen someday.
• Tokino launched another attack with black flames and a thunder hammer, and Gin blocked the blow with his short blade before asking about Tokino’s exceptional dynamic vision.

Gin and Uchiha Tokino fought in the rain at Las Noches, while Sakuya attacked Gin with powerful lightning. Their battle was interrupted by two Cero blasts, and Ulquiorra emerged to threaten them.

• Gin struck Tokino with Shinso, but Tokino dodged the killing blow, and Sakuya fired Hado #88 at Gin.
• Gin dodged Sakuya's lightning attack as several residents of Las Noches noticed the fighting but chose not to intervene.
• Tamako ordered Oni not to disturb her, Barragan dismissed his subordinates' concerns, and Minato told Zongji to focus on becoming stronger before disappearing from his palace.
• Tokino covered himself in Futsu-no-Mitama and attacked Gin with black flames, but two Cero blasts struck and sent both fighters flying.
• Ulquiorra emerged from his palace and warned Gin and Tokino that he would kill them if they threatened to destroy Las Noches.