Chapter Summaries

Tsunade and Jiraiya hurried toward the tower after realizing its nearby Anbu guards were missing, while Orochimaru secretly returned to Konoha. Inside the tower, Kabuto and Ibiki struggled against seemingly unkillable Rock Ninja and suspected Aizen or Orochimaru was behind the attack.

• Tsunade noticed that no Anbu were guarding the route to the tower and questioned Jiraiya about the missing paper slip before leading the Konoha ninja onward.
• Orochimaru appeared in the forest outside Konoha, reflected on his return and his newfound eternal life, then vanished into the forest.
• Aizen's observers watched the fierce battles outside the tower, hoping the desperate fighting would force Kimimaro, Jirobo, and Kidomaru to evolve.
• Rock Ninja killed another Anbu inside the tower, and Kabuto failed to damage one of the attackers while rescuing a Konoha ninja.
• Ibiki identified the Rock Ninja's traits as resembling Impure World Reincarnation and recalled that Aizen had used the Forbidden Technique during the Second Rock Ninja Invasion War.
• Kabuto grew alarmed and asked whether Aizen or Orochimaru was responsible for the attack.

Ibiki and Kabuto considered whether Orochimaru could have mastered the forbidden technique, while Kabuto privately feared Kyoka Suigetsu might be involved. In the ruined tower, a gray-haired Konoha ninja rescued Sakura and carried her toward the other examinees, saying he would deal with old matters after they reached safety.

• Ibiki said Orochimaru might have mastered the forbidden technique, and Kabuto wondered whether Kyoka Suigetsu could be responsible.
• Sakura crawled from the rubble, feared Naruto had died protecting her, and was attacked by a bandaged monster.
• A gray-haired old man in a green outfit knocked the monster away and offered to take Sakura to the other examinees.
• The old man freed Sakura's injured leg and carried her on his back as she asked whether he knew Rock Lee.
• Sakura spotted Naruto in his Four-Tails state and pleaded for the old man to help him, but he continued toward safety and said Naruto would be fine.
• The old man said he would settle some old matters after getting the examinees somewhere safe.

Sakura reunited with Ino and the other Konoha examinees in a forest refuge, where Might Duy revealed he was returning to settle an old grievance. At the tower, Duy joined Sakumo against Kimimaro while Naruto continued pursuing Kidomaru in his Four-Tails state.

• Might Duy carried Sakura to a hidden forest refuge, where she reunited with Ino and learned that many Konoha examinees had gathered there.
• Neji asked Might Duy whether he had found Rock Lee, and Duy reassured him that Lee was likely hiding somewhere.
• Might Duy told the examinees to remain hidden and said old matters needed to be settled before he vanished toward the tower.
• Neji told Sakura that Might Duy was Guy's father and the former Azure Beast, leaving Sakura wondering about the grievance behind the attack.
• Naruto pursued Kidomaru in his Four-Tails state while Sakumo fought Kimimaro at the tower.
• Might Duy charged into the battle and struck at Kimimaro with his Crouching Tiger technique.

Tsunade and Jiraiya stopped Four-Tails Naruto’s rampage while the Kage confronted the strength of Las Noches. Dai stayed behind to fight Kimimaro, revealing his resolve to destroy the organization born from the wrongdoing of his former companion.

• Tsunade arrived and identified Kidomaru as a member of Las Noches while Minato realized the supposed examinees also belonged to the organization.
• Jiraiya restrained Four-Tails Naruto, and Tsunade struck him long enough for Jiraiya to seal away the crimson chakra and hand Naruto over for treatment.
• Sakumo told Dai that Kimimaro regenerated the wounds he had inflicted, then left to help Kakashi and Might Guy.
• Dai faced Kimimaro alone and said he intended to wipe out Las Noches and the evil left behind by his former companion.
• Dai removed the guards from his wrists and ankles, recalling that his companion had been the first to call him a genius of hard work.

Dai removed his weights and scarf, then overwhelmed Kimimaro with a series of powerful strikes. Kimimaro survived and unleashed a forest of bone spikes, forcing Dai to open the Third Gate as the fight continued.

• Dai dropped his weights and scarf, smashing the tower floor with their impact.
• Dai struck Kimimaro twice and drove him through the tower into a crater.
• Kimimaro burst bone spikes from underground, and Dai leaped clear of the rising forest.
• Kimimaro emerged atop a giant bone spike and threatened Dai's companions before hurling bone spears at him.
• Dai vowed to defeat his enemies one by one and opened the Third Gate, the Gate of Life.

Dai awakened a green chakra power and fought Kimimaro among the bone spikes, matching the Hollow’s strength despite Kimimaro’s disbelief. As Kimimaro attacked at close range, Dai held his ground and rejected the idea that only monsters with powerful bloodlines could attain true strength.

• Dai unleashed a green chakra aura, dodged Kimimaro by destroying a bone spike, and used Air Break to shatter Kimimaro’s bone spears and surrounding spikes.
• Kimimaro emerged behind Dai in bone armor and thrust at his back, but Dai sensed the attack and met him head-on.
• Dai and Kimimaro clashed with their fists, and Dai stopped Kimimaro’s bone drill without being pushed back.
• Kimimaro questioned how a human could match his strength, while Dai recalled someone who had encouraged him and insisted that true strength came through effort.
• Kimimaro snarled and fired bones from his body at Dai from close range.

Dai opened the Fourth Gate and overwhelmed Kimimaro with the Azure Dragon technique, while Tsunade and Jiraiya faced Kidomaru. As Kimimaro was blasted through a tower, Gin ordered Las Noches to intervene and stop the Kage.

• Dai opened the Fourth Gate, sent Kimimaro flying, and attacked him relentlessly.
• Dai struck Kimimaro with the Secret Art of Konoha Flow Body Technique: Azure Dragon, blasting him through a tower.
• Tsunade recognized Dai and told Jiraiya that the Las Noches members were the same group she and Nawaki had found in the Land of Rain, but had grown far stronger.
• Kidomaru formed a bone bow and fired a bone spear at Tsunade, who charged toward him.
• Gin decided Las Noches had to intervene to protect the experiment and ordered his side to stop the Kage.
• Minato shouted for the Kage to move as Gin vanished.

The Kage and Las Noches began fighting after Kimimaro was defeated, while Dai pursued the battered Kimimaro through the sky. As Dai prepared to finish him, someone suddenly stabbed Dai through the shoulder.

• Ulquiorra attacked Mei Terumi, but she used Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique to force him out of her corrosive mist.
• Ōnoki fired Dust Release at the charging Las Noches fighters, and Ulquiorra warned them to evade the dangerous beam.
• Yammy charged Ōnoki, but the Raikage intercepted him and struck him with Lightning Armor; Yammy endured the blow and said it hurt.
• Dai caught up to the injured Kimimaro and prepared a powerful finishing attack.
• An unseen attacker pierced Dai's shoulder with a sharp blade just as he was about to strike Kimimaro.

Dai and Minato fought Gin, who redirected Shinso toward the concealed examinees. Dai took the slash to protect them and, gravely injured, resolved to hold on once more as the battle continued.

• Gin confronted Kimimaro about his evolution and whether he had submitted to Captain Aizen.
• Minato attacked Gin with a Big Ball Rasengan while Dai struck him from behind, sending him crashing into the forest.
• Gin recovered and extended Shinso toward the concealed forest, forcing Minato and Dai to move against him.
• Dai redirected Shinso’s slash with his body, protecting Neji, Sakura, and the other examinees but leaving his right leg severely injured.
• Dai stopped the examinees from approaching and told himself he would hold on one more time.

Dai opened the Seventh Gate and unleashed overwhelming power, defeating Gin before racing toward the tower. There, he struck down the Las Noches fighters and was confronted by Ulquiorra.

• Dai opened the Seventh Gate in front of Neji, Sakura, Tenten, Kiba, and the other Konoha examinees.
• Dai blasted Gin away from Minato and battered him into the ground with the Konoha Secret Technique: Ten Thousand Rock Fist.
• Dai left Gin defeated and rushed toward the tower.
• Dai struck down the Las Noches fighters battling the Kage.
• Ulquiorra searched for the attacker as a magnetic voice called, "Stop, Dai!"

Gin survived the battle and began transforming as bone-like structures emerged from his body. Duy overwhelmed the Las Noches fighters with the Eight Gates Released Formation, but Aizen appeared and told him to stop.

• Gin crawled out from beneath the crater dust, reflected on the power of ninjas, and began sprouting bone-like structures.
• Duy struck down the Las Noches members fighting the Kage, shocking the gathered fighters.
• Sakumo explained Duy’s resolve to Kakashi, while Might Guy proudly described the Eight Gates Released Formation and its fatal cost.
• Ōnoki identified Duy as Konoha’s Azure Blue Beast and revealed that he had once been Sosuke Aizen’s companion.
• Ulquiorra healed his injuries, while Yammy, Kaname Tosen, and Starrk recovered from Duy’s attack and prepared to face him.
• A black opening appeared before Duy, and Aizen stepped through and told him to stop.

Aizen appeared above the tower, shocking the Kage and Konoha while revealing that he had survived and deceived everyone. Dai faced him, explaining why he would still fight to protect Konoha, and Aizen accepted the challenge.

• Aizen appeared in the sky, and Ulquiorra realized the mission had failed as the Kage and Las Noches members reacted in shock.
• Ōnoki and Mei recognized Aizen as the Ninja World's taboo, while Tsunade and Jiraiya grappled with his return.
• Neji and the other Konoha examinees returned to the forest's edge, and Neji warned them that Aizen had noticed them.
• Aizen told Dai he had no chance of stopping him, but Dai said he was glad Aizen was alive and explained that he had to protect his village.
• Dai raised his arm against Aizen, who calmly invited him to make his move.

Dai fought Aizen in the sky but could not land a meaningful blow against him. After rejecting Aizen’s offer and vowing to protect Konoha, Dai was struck down and hurled toward the ground.

• Dai attacked Aizen at tremendous speed, but Aizen casually caught his kick.
• Dai used the Rising Dragon technique, but Aizen caught his flaming fist and dismissed his resistance as futile.
• Dai vowed to stop Aizen and prevent him from destroying Konoha again.
• Aizen called Dai pitiable, mocked his persistence, and said he would make Dai understand his answer.
• Aizen released Dai’s hand and punched him in the chest, sending him crashing toward the ground.

Dai recovered from Aizen’s devastating blow and, after urging Minato to seize an opening, chose to continue fighting alone. He opened the Eighth Gate as Aizen set aside Kyoka Suigetsu and began to manifest an azure crystal.

• Aizen’s attack sent Dai crashing into the ground, creating a vast crater and collapsing the nearby tower.
• Minato arrived and found Dai injured but determined to keep fighting, while Dai told him Aizen was not invincible and hinted at an opportunity.
• Guy told his father Dai that he was proud of him, and Dai accepted his support before walking toward Aizen.
• Minato asked Jiraiya, Tsunade, Sakumo, Kakashi, and Guy to help him, while Dai faced Aizen alone.
• Dai opened the Eighth Gate and unleashed a powerful blood-red chakra aura.
• Aizen set Kyoka Suigetsu aside and began forming a brilliant azure crystal from his chest.

Aizen transformed after removing Kyoka Suigetsu and emerged with immense power. Dai spent his life force to attack him, but Aizen caught his punch and declared that Dai could never defeat him.

• Aizen removed Kyoka Suigetsu, and the Hogyoku emerged from his chest as his body transformed.
• Dai overcame his hesitation and burned his life force to strengthen his chakra and protect the village.
• Dai used Secret Art: Hundred Day Tyrant and appeared before Aizen with a powerful punch.
• Aizen released overwhelming energy and caught Dai's fist with one hand.
• Aizen told Dai that his strength and resolve would not change the outcome, while Dai vowed to keep trying to stop him.

Dai bound Aizen with crimson chakra and hurled them both toward the ground in a spinning attack, creating an opening for the others to act. Minato, Jiraiya, and the Kage prepared a final gamble as the flaming tornado struck the golden tower.

• Dai revealed that he had never expected to defeat Aizen alone, then used blood and crimson chakra to bind Aizen’s arms and legs.
• Dai spun with Aizen into a crimson tornado and plunged toward the ground with his Konoha Secret Technique: Blood Shadow Leaf.
• Ulquiorra stopped Yammy from interfering, while Sakura and Neji watched the attack in stunned disbelief.
• A silver-haired figure recognized Aizen as Captain Aizen and reflected on his complicated motives toward Dai.
• Minato, Jiraiya, and the Kage took their positions around the golden tower as Dai’s flaming tornado crashed into it.

Minato and the other Kage used the Four-Sided Gold Seal to trap Aizen, but the chains failed to make them certain he was defeated. Dai confronted Aizen in the underground seal and vowed to finish him by opening the Eight Gates, while Aizen calmly invited him to try.

• Minato, Jiraiya, and the others activated the Four-Sided Gold Seal, sending golden chains down into the dust-covered pit.
• Dai emerged from the dust, and he and Minato wondered whether Aizen had been sealed.
• Aizen’s voice came from underground, and the sound of chains made the gathered Kage fear the seal was failing.
• Dai cleared the dust and found Aizen compressed inside a massive cage of golden chains.
• Dai vowed to defeat Aizen by opening the Eight Gates, and Aizen told him to do it.

Dai unleashed his final technique against Aizen, whose golden chains and energy barrier withstood the attack. The Five Kage joined the assault, and Ōnoki began dismantling Aizen’s barrier with Dust Release.

• Dai apologized to Aizen, then gathered crimson chakra and used Secret Technique: Tiger Vine Martial.
• Dai charged Aizen, who was bound by golden chains, but the Hogyoku’s energy barrier absorbed the impact.
• The underground clash shook the surface, and Aizen emerged unharmed inside a golden coffin as Dai continued punching his barrier.
• Ōnoki urged the others to attack, and the Five Kage rushed toward Aizen.
• Minato told Dai to leave the rest to them, and Ōnoki fired Dust Release: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu at Aizen’s barrier.

The Kage’s combined attacks pierced Aizen’s defenses and blasted a hole through his abdomen, making them believe they had killed him. Aizen survived and revealed that their assault had given him what he needed to advance to the next stage, as the Hogyoku glowed and white bone-like fluid engulfed him.

• Mei Terumi and the other Kage joined Ōnoki’s Atomic Dismantling Jutsu in attacking Aizen while Dai apologized.
• Ōnoki’s beam broke through Aizen’s energy barrier and passed through his abdomen as the Kage’s other attacks struck him.
• The Kage believed Aizen was dead until he turned toward them, smiled, and said he was still alive.
• Aizen told the Kage that their united assault had shown him how to advance to the next stage.
• The Hogyoku in Aizen’s chest blazed, and white bone-like fluid poured from his Hollow Hole and engulfed his injured body.

Aizen transformed into a seamless, bone-white form and broke free of Minato’s Four-Sided Gold Seal, leaving the Kage fearing they could not stop him. Dai, nearing death after burning his blood, charged Aizen and unleashed his remaining strength in a relentless assault.

• Aizen’s body merged with the white substance, leaving the Hogyoku embedded in his chest and his spiritual pressure solidified around him.
• Minato feared Aizen would outgrow the Four-Sided Gold Seal, but Aizen stepped forward and shattered the golden coffin.
• Aizen taunted Dai and challenged him to show the power he had gained by sacrificing his life.
• Dai rushed Aizen with a powerful knee strike that sent him flying and tore a deep gash through the ground.
• Dai’s crimson chakra flared again as he caught up to Aizen and repeatedly drove his fists down on him.