Chapter Summaries

Konoha shinobi completed a barrier around the tower as they prepared for the threat of Las Noches. Minato revealed that the organization’s founder had once been Konoha’s Fourth Hokage.

• Kakashi identified the mysterious figure as Aizen Sosuke just as the barrier around the tower was completed.
• Sakon told Sasuke that something interesting had happened but said Sasuke could not get involved yet.
• Kidomaru discovered a barrier surrounding the building, but Kimimaro told his group to continue their mission and trust Lord Aizen and Lord Orochimaru.
• Minato confirmed that the Cage Boundary Seal had been completed, and Mujusuke explained that he knew Las Noches’ founder.
• Minato revealed that Las Noches’ founder had once been Konoha’s Fourth Hokage.

Minato told Mikawa and the others that Sosuke Aizen, the former Fourth Hokage, had founded Las Noches, and Mujusuke warned them that the group sought to destroy the Ninja World. After learning that Las Noches had attacked the other four Kage on their way to Konoha, Minato decided to proceed with the Five Kage Summit.

• Minato revealed that Sosuke Aizen had been the Fourth Hokage and founder of Las Noches, leaving Mikawa and the other young ninja shocked and angry.
• Mujusuke rebuked the demoralized ninja and explained that Las Noches targeted all the villages and had been involved in the disappearances of the Fourth Kazekage and Fourth Mizukage.
• A carrier pigeon delivered a message to Minato reporting that the other four Kage had reached Konoha after Las Noches attacked them, with the Mizukage and Raikage suffering especially heavy losses.
• Mujusuke explained that multiple Las Noches members had attacked the Kage and that each possessed strength comparable to a Kage.
• Minato suspected Las Noches wanted to stop the Five Kage Summit and sent a message ordering it to go ahead.

Aizen’s subordinates returned after completing their missions, and Yammy asked to kill the Mizukage, who had hurt him. Aizen promised Yammy an opportunity soon and concluded that the other four Kage had likely reached Konoha.

• Starrk and Lilynette arrived with the other figures and bowed to Aizen.
• Aizen said their tasks seemed to have gone smoothly, and Lilynette reported that the mission was completed perfectly.
• Yammy asked Aizen for the chance to kill the Mizukage, who had corroded his Steel Skin and made him feel pain.
• Aizen granted Yammy the right and promised an opportunity would soon arise, leaving Yammy eager to face her.
• Aizen said the other four Kage had probably arrived in Konoha.

Aizen and Gin deduced that Minato was preparing to lure Las Noches into a sealing trap, and Aizen ordered his followers to prepare for battle. Meanwhile, the Chunin Exams continued as Sakon completed his deal with Sasuke and taunted him about his weakness.

• Aizen asked Gin what Minato's actions meant, and Gin concluded that Minato was waiting for the other four Kage to serve as bait for a trap.
• Gin realized that Aizen had orchestrated the chain of events, while Aizen praised his analysis and told Las Noches to prepare for battle.
• Aizen offered Yammy a chance to fight, and Yammy eagerly vowed to tear the woman's head off.
• A Kirigakure examinee and a Kumogakure examinee continued fighting in the Chunin Exams arena.
• Sakon separated from Sasuke after their deal, and Sasuke insisted he expected Sakon to deliver what he had promised.
• Sakon mocked Sasuke's weakness and warned him that Naruto was far stronger.

Sakon carried out Kyoka Suigetsu’s instructions, securing Sasuke’s agreement to join Las Noches before joining Kimimaro’s group at the examination grounds. On Kyoka Suigetsu’s order, Kimimaro launched a surprise attack that plunged the Chunin exam into chaos, while the group’s assault was met by Konoha’s examiners.

• Sakon warned Sasuke to survive the coming chaos, then met Kyoka Suigetsu, who confirmed Sasuke had agreed to join Las Noches.
• Kyoka Suigetsu ordered Sakon to proceed with Lord Aizen’s mission, and Sakon returned to Kimimaro’s group to announce that the plan could begin.
• Kimimaro and the others removed their disguises, and Kimimaro shattered the platform to start the attack.
• The Sound Four and Jugo attacked the examinees with bone weapons, while Kidomaru rained bone spears down from the arena ceiling.
• Neji turned toward the platform’s collapse and readied himself as Konoha’s examiners charged the attackers, but a lean figure blocked them.

A group of attackers interrupted the Chunin Exams, and a silver-haired assailant killed two Konoha examiners while the burly Sound Ninja severely injured Rock Lee. Naruto recognized the figure who had once shattered Sasuke’s confidence and, terrified by a nearby examinee’s death, could not bring himself to attack.

• A silver-haired attacker killed two Konoha examiners with bone blades as the arena erupted into chaos.
• Neji warned Tenten that the attackers were not ordinary participants, then saw Rock Lee attack the burly Sound Ninja.
• The Sound Ninja caught Lee’s ankle, resisted his kick, and slammed him into the ground, leaving him badly injured.
• Naruto saw an examinee impaled through the head and spine by a bone spear.
• Naruto recognized the attacker hanging from the ceiling as the man who had shattered Sasuke’s confidence, but fear stopped him from fighting.

Kidomaru attacked Gaara after Gaara tried to stop his slaughter, while Naruto was left shaken and heard Kurama offer him more power. As Konoha's ninja arrived at the devastated arena, a lonely whistle drew everyone's attention to a red-haired woman.

• Kidomaru abandoned his taunting of Naruto and targeted Gaara, whose sand defenses could not stop the bone spears.
• Naruto escaped Kidomaru's killing intent, then heard Kurama tempt him with more power in the darkness.
• Baki used Wind Style: Divine Wind Scythe to stop Kidomaru from striking Gaara, and Temari and Kankuro carried Gaara away.
• Kidomaru threatened Baki and the others as Konoha ninja and Kakashi's group arrived at the ruined arena.
• A hollow whistle sounded, and Kakashi and the others turned toward a red-haired woman.

Tayuya’s monsters attacked the arena, and Neji used a powerful Air Palm Cannon to save Hinata before collapsing from the effort. As the destruction continued, Kurotsuchi encountered Omoi and Karui.

• Tayuya’s monsters smashed into the arena and overwhelmed the fleeing examinees.
• Neji spotted Hinata in danger and struck her attacker with Eight Trigrams: Air Palm Cannon, then collapsed as his Caged Bird curse mark was revealed.
• Hinata ran toward Neji, but Might Guy reached him first and carried him away, calling him a stubborn disciple.
• Kurotsuchi used Earth Release to stop falling rubble as the ceiling collapsed above her.
• Omoi and Karui shattered the falling ceiling and introduced themselves to Kurotsuchi.

Kurotsuchi, Karui, and Omoi were attacked by a strange black monster while discussing how to respond to the assault on Konoha. Kurotsuchi escaped with them to a hidden group of Konoha Anbu, who detained the trio and demanded an explanation.

• Kurotsuchi told Karui and Omoi she planned to gather ninjas from every village to defend Konoha, revealing that she was the Tsuchikage's granddaughter.
• A black, bone-armored monster appeared above them and attacked, calling them escaped stragglers and claiming they made twenty.
• Kurotsuchi used Earth Style: Ink Earth Wild Shift to transport herself, Karui, and Omoi away from the monster's blow.
• The trio appeared in an underground hideout, where Konoha Anbu held kunai to their throats and demanded to know why they were there.
• Omoi argued that they had sought a way out because Konoha had failed to contain the invaders, and a scarred, bald man said the Anbu would not object if their hiding place remained undiscovered.

Ibiki Morino restrained Kurotsuchi, Omoi, and their companion outside the tower while the attack inside continued. Hatake Sakumo confronted Kimimaro, wounded him and broke his bone blade, but Kimimaro drew a sharpened spinal bone to continue their fight.

• Ibiki Morino ordered Anbu to keep Kurotsuchi, Omoi, and their companion under supervision, and they knocked the three unconscious when Omoi protested.
• Ibiki Morino worriedly entrusted the situation inside the tower to Kabuto.
• Hatake Sakumo stopped Kakashi from confronting Kimimaro and charged at him with a broken blade, while Dai urged Kakashi to watch and went to check on Might Guy.
• Sakumo cut Kimimaro and split his bone blade, but Kimimaro drew a spinal bone as a new weapon and challenged Sakumo to continue their match.

Hatake Sakumo fought Kimimaro, who revealed a powerful spinal bone weapon and nearly matched the legendary White Fang. Sakumo defeated him with a desperate counterattack, leaving Kimimaro dying and regretting his mistake.

• Hatake Sakumo and Kimimaro clashed, and Sakumo's strike notched Kimimaro's bone blade.
• Kimimaro pulled a massive spine from his neck and charged Sakumo, while Kakashi watched in shock.
• Kimimaro used Dance of the Clematis to fire bone spikes and press his attack.
• Sakumo countered with Hatake Style: Sharp Edge, cutting through Kimimaro's protruding bones and wounding his chest.
• Kimimaro dropped his weapon and collapsed, regretting that he had let his guard down and could no longer serve Lord Aizen and Lord Orochimaru.

After Sakumo mortally wounded Kimimaro, a hidden figure inside him awakened and took control of his body. Aizen sensed the change and sent Gin to keep Minato from entering the tower.

• Kimimaro regretted letting his guard down as Sakumo's wound left him dying.
• A sinister voice awakened a pale figure inside Kimimaro, whose body began producing bone matter.
• The figure mocked Kimimaro for relying on Aizen and Orochimaru, then vanished to demonstrate his abilities.
• Aizen sensed the awakening, while Gin warned that Minato might interfere with their plan.
• Aizen allowed Gin to go and ordered him to keep Minato out of the tower.

Gin Ichimaru confronted Minato above the tower while Minato and the sealing ninjas guarded their trap against Las Noches. Inside, Kimimaro revived through a forbidden technique, leaving Sakumo and Kakashi facing a transformed opponent.

• Minato refused to send the sealing ninjas into the tower, insisting they preserve their strength to trap Las Noches with the barrier.
• Gin Ichimaru appeared above Minato and taunted him, but stayed beyond the barrier's attack range.
• Sakumo and Kakashi realized Kimimaro was still alive as strange white fluid poured from the wound in his back.
• Kimimaro straightened with crimson-yellow eyes, a white exoskeleton, and half of a savage mask covering his face.

Kimimaro awakened a forbidden technique and overwhelmed Sakumo with bone armor and attacks erupting from the ground. Sakumo escaped the first impalement but was sent flying by Kimimaro, who continued to taunt him.

• Kimimaro transformed, covering himself in crimson-stained bone armor and a half-mask before charging at Sakumo.
• Kimimaro drove a bone spike into the ground, causing more spikes to erupt beneath Sakumo and forcing him to dodge.
• Kimimaro emerged from a spike and pierced Sakumo through the shoulder with the bone spike on his arm.
• Sakumo escaped the impalement and split the spike with his broken blade, but Kimimaro vanished.
• Kakashi warned Sakumo as Kimimaro reappeared and blocked his strike, then sent him flying with a powerful swing.

Minato defended Konoha’s sealing ninjas from Gin Ichimaru’s attacks and sent them inside the tower, then tried to negotiate with Gin. As four dark figures arrived from the forest, Minato revealed that he had been buying time and prepared to face Gin.

• Gin attacked the tower with Shinso, wounding Mujusuke despite Minato warning the sealing ninjas about the blade’s speed and reach.
• Mujusuke said they could not deal with Gin, so Minato ordered him, Mikawa, and the other sealing ninjas to retreat inside the tower.
• Gin attacked the retreating ninjas, but Minato blocked Shinso with a kunai and gave them time to escape.
• Gin taunted Minato about their previous battle, and Minato proposed discussing Gin’s purpose and making a deal for Konoha’s benefit.
• Four dark figures rushed from the forest, and Minato told Gin that he had been stalling because Gin had no intention of negotiating.

Minato and the Five Kage faced Gin Ichimaru, who mocked their efforts against Las Noches and summoned four allies. The chapter ended with Yammy threatening Mei Terumi as she confronted the enemy who had devastated her forces.

• Minato summoned four golden chains as the Raikage and the other Kage arrived and demanded answers about Gin.
• Ōnoki warned the Kage that Las Noches possessed strength rivaling their own, and Minato said the coming conflict was why he had convened the summit.
• Ōnoki recognized Gin as the man who had escaped the Battle of Rock Peak with Aizen's help and vowed the villages would destroy everyone associated with Aizen.
• Gin mocked the Kage's threats and summoned four figures beside him as Minato sensed spatial fluctuations.
• Mei Terumi recognized Yammy Llargo, and Yammy threatened to rip off her head after admitting he had failed to kill her earlier.

Minato and the Five Kage held their ground as Gin taunted them, while Aizen and Kyoka Suigetsu watched from above and discussed the Hollows’ evolution. An explosion tore open the tower, revealing Hatake Sakumo locked in a fierce duel with an unknown young opponent, and both fighters struck each other at once.

• Mei Terumi moved to step forward, but Minato stopped her and urged her to stay calm.
• Gin asked Minato whether the Five Kage would go to war against his group, while Minato wondered why they were stalling.
• Aizen told Kyoka Suigetsu that the Hollows’ evolution was what truly mattered to him.
• An explosion blew a breach into the tower, and Aizen welcomed the sight as evolution breaking free of restraints.
• The smoke cleared to reveal Hatake Sakumo fighting an unknown young opponent, and both stabbed each other before springing apart.

Kimimaro regenerated after Sakumo impaled him and resumed their fight, while Gin’s group kept the Kage from intervening. Explosions revealed Naruto facing Kidomaru in a four-tailed state and an injured Might Guy confronting the seemingly unharmed Jirobo.

• Kimimaro pulled the broken blade from his chest and regenerated, then taunted Sakumo and the Kage.
• Kimimaro attacked Sakumo recklessly as Gin and the others kept the Kage occupied.
• Explosions shattered the tower walls, and Minato recognized Naruto beneath the blood-red chakra and four tails as he faced Kidomaru.
• Might Guy faced Jirobo, who mocked him for failing to cause any harm despite his repeated attacks.

Might Guy and Kakashi faced Jirobo, whose evolved defense withstood their attacks and left them struggling to harm him. Above them, Gin noted Jirobo’s growth toward Steel Skin, while Yammy wanted to challenge him but held back until Aizen gave permission.

• Might Guy told Kakashi that Jirobo had endured his attacks without injury, and the two prepared to fight him together.
• Jirobo rushed at Kakashi and Might Guy, who counterattacked from either side but failed to break through his defense.
• Jirobo mocked them as Kakashi and Might Guy retreated, and Guy warned that other evolved enemies were fighting inside the tower.
• Gin observed that Jirobo had developed greater power and compared his abilities to Yammy’s Steel Skin.
• Yammy expressed eagerness to fight Jirobo, but Gin reminded him to wait for Captain Aizen’s permission, and Yammy restrained himself.

The Konoha fighters struggled against powerful enemies inside and around the tower as Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra left him vulnerable to Kidomaru. Tsunade and her companions raced through the Forest of Death toward the tower, where Tsunade sensed danger ahead.

• Kakashi and Might Guy attacked Jirobo, but he let their blows hit his bone armor without trying to evade them, shocking the watching Kage.
• Kidomaru provoked the irrational Naruto into wasting chakra, while Minato restrained himself from intervening as long as the tower barrier remained.
• Gaara used his remaining strength to save a Konoha ninja from a mummy-like monster, then weakened and collapsed among the rubble.
• Kabuto discovered that the Rock Ninja attacking the tower were unaffected by the Mystical Palm Technique, and Ibiki Morino reported that they could not be killed.
• Tsunade and her companions approached the tower through the Forest of Death, but Tsunade stopped them after sensing something wrong ahead.