Chapter Summaries

After Hiruzen’s memorial, Homura and Koharu agreed to keep Danzo from becoming Fifth Hokage, while Jiraiya quietly watched. As Konoha began recovering, Kakashi spotted two suspicious visitors in black cloaks and followed them through the village.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu said Danzo was unfit to become Fifth Hokage and resolved to prevent him from taking the position.
• Jiraiya watched Homura and Koharu leave in the rain and stayed behind to mourn in peace.
• The rain stopped, the sun appeared, and the memorial attendees gradually dispersed as Konoha began returning to daily life.
• Kakashi left home to find food after changing into clean clothes.
• Kakashi noticed two figures in black robes patterned with red clouds and followed them, suspecting they had come to Konoha for a hidden purpose.

Kakashi followed Itachi and Kisame through Konoha as they stopped for tea, then called for help when they slipped away. Asuma and Kurenai confronted the two, while Kakashi and Pakkun moved to catch up.

• Itachi and Kisame entered a tea shop to wait out Kakashi, who watched them from outside while reading his book.
• Asuma and Kurenai encountered Kakashi, who told them he was following two suspicious men.
• Asuma and Kurenai spotted that Itachi and Kisame had escaped and used the Body Flicker Technique to pursue them.
• Kakashi summoned Pakkun and sent him after the fugitives before setting off himself.
• Asuma and Kurenai blocked Itachi and Kisame, and Kurenai asked what business they had in Konoha.

Itachi and Kisame revealed their identities to Asuma and Kurenai, then fought the two Konoha ninja. Kurenai cast her Tree Binding Technique on Itachi, and a tree rose behind him.

• Itachi removed his hat and told Asuma he had once been a member of Konoha.
• Kisame revealed himself as Itachi's partner, and Asuma recognized both men as dangerous opponents.
• Kurenai and Asuma attacked Itachi and Kisame, but struggled to keep up with them.
• Kurenai used the Tree Binding Technique on Itachi, causing a sapling behind him to grow into a towering tree.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki confronted Konoha shinobi while searching for an inheritance left by the Fourth Hokage. Kakashi arrived to challenge them, and he revealed his Sharingan as he faced Itachi.

• Itachi Uchiha reflected Kurenai Yuhi’s Genjutsu back at her, but she was rescued before he could kill her.
• Asuma abandoned his strategy to save Kurenai Yuhi, while Kisame Hoshigaki restrained him.
• Kakashi confronted Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki and asked why they had come to Konoha.
• Itachi Uchiha said they were looking for an inheritance left behind by the Fourth Hokage.
• Itachi Uchiha stopped Kisame Hoshigaki from attacking and prepared to face Kakashi.
• Kakashi revealed his three-tomoe Sharingan and asked Itachi how much his eyesight had deteriorated.

Jiraiya tried to persuade Naruto to train with him after Naruto left the hospital, but Naruto suspected he only wanted material for his writing and refused. Jiraiya hinted that he knew a ninjutsu more powerful than Sasuke’s Chidori, leaving Naruto’s response uncertain.

• At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto complained to Ayame that Kakashi had kept him in the hospital for extra observation.
• Ayame remarked that Naruto and Kakashi seemed to have a good relationship, making Naruto choke on his ramen.
• Jiraiya visited Naruto and asked him to train, but Naruto paid and left without answering him.
• Jiraiya followed Naruto, and Naruto accused him of wanting material for his writing.
• Jiraiya asked whether Sasuke’s Chidori impressed Naruto and claimed he knew a stronger ninjutsu.

Naruto agreed to train with Jiraiya after hearing about a technique stronger than Chidori, while Jiraiya was summoned by Konoha’s advisors. Hinata sent Mizuki Rei and Kurama Mutsu away with funds and Shukaku-infused sand, then began training in the Forest of Death to strengthen her foundation for using the Tenseigan.

• Naruto eagerly accepted Jiraiya’s offer to teach him a powerful technique and agreed to meet at Konoha’s gates the next morning.
• An Anbu informed Jiraiya that Konoha’s two advisors wanted to see him, and Jiraiya solemnly agreed to go.
• Hinata met Mizuki Rei and Kurama Mutsu and gave them Shukaku-infused sand and most of her silver coins before they left Konoha to travel.
• Hinata entered the Forest of Death with a double Cultivation Potion to train her body and strengthen her foundation for using the Tenseigan.

Hinata considered ways to rapidly improve her physical endurance and mental strength, but rejected the Eight Inner Gates because she lacked the dedication and body to use them safely. She remained interested in Shinnō’s Body Activation Forbidden Technique and Zero-Tails, and waited for news of Shinnō so she could pursue his research and legacy.

• Hinata considered taijutsu and the Eight Inner Gates, but concluded she could not endure the training or safely use the technique.
• Hinata recalled that the System Store could teach her the Gates but could not strengthen her body enough to withstand them.
• Hinata thought Shinnō’s Body Activation Forbidden Technique might be worth researching and noted that she had asked Kurama Mutsu and Mizuki Rei to look for information about him.
• Hinata considered taking Shinnō’s aerial fortress, Anker Bandian, but judged it impractical and too dangerous to operate.
• Hinata decided that Shinnō’s Zero-Tails was worth considering.

Hinata considered how to strengthen her mind and soul, then resolved to focus on improving her physical condition. Jiraiya planned to take Naruto out of Konoha to protect him from the Akatsuki, while Sasuke raced off after learning that Itachi Uchiha had appeared.

• Hinata considered asking Ino for help strengthening her mind and Tsunade for advice about the soul, but rejected the idea of learning from Orochimaru.
• Hinata ended her meditation and decided to focus on improving her physical condition.
• Jiraiya learned that the Akatsuki had targeted the Nine-Tails and planned to take Naruto out of Konoha the next day.
• Sakura told Sasuke that Kakashi had been seriously injured while confronting Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha.
• Sasuke immediately rushed away, vowing to kill Itachi.

Sasuke rushed to Konoha Hospital to confront Kakashi but was stopped by Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and Might Guy. He waited outside Kakashi’s room with Sakura as Asuma recalled the battle and Guy devised a new training method.

• Sasuke reached Kakashi’s hospital room with his Sharingan active and tried to wake him.
• Asuma stopped Sasuke, and Kurenai Yuhi and Might Guy urged him to wait until Kakashi woke up.
• Sasuke left the room and sat on a hallway bench, where Sakura joined him.
• Asuma remembered that Kakashi had saved his and Kurenai Yuhi’s lives during the battle.
• Asuma said Shikamaru would not wait long after he missed their meeting, and Might Guy named a new training method the Asuma-style Willpower Tempering Method.

At the hospital, Might Guy explained his plan to train his subordinates’ willpower while Kakashi remained unconscious. After Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi reassured Sakura about Kakashi’s recovery, Sasuke kept her from telling Naruto about the injury because Naruto was leaving to train with Jiraiya, though Sasuke’s eyes revealed his jealousy.

• Might Guy described how he would secretly observe his subordinates during a staged mission to test their resolve, and Asuma discussed the plan with him.
• Might Guy agreed to keep watch over Kakashi overnight while Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi left the hospital room.
• Asuma warned Sasuke not to act recklessly against his opponent, and Kurenai Yuhi told Sakura that Kakashi could recover with rest.
• Sakura remembered she had not told Naruto about Kakashi, but Sasuke said not to disturb him because he was leaving to train with Jiraiya.
• Sasuke appeared calm as he reassured Sakura, though jealousy flickered in his eyes.

Naruto left Konoha with Jiraiya to begin training, while Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki prepared to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Kisame asked whether Itachi planned to see his younger brother.

• Naruto packed an enormous backpack, struggled downstairs, and asked Jiraiya whether he had brought everything he needed.
• Jiraiya told Naruto that carrying less was part of traveling and training, so Naruto went back upstairs to reduce his baggage.
• Naruto eventually left Konoha with Jiraiya without any major trouble.
• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki discussed their mission to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the spies who had identified him.
• Kisame Hoshigaki asked Itachi whether he planned to visit his younger brother.

Itachi and Kisame set out, while Sasuke fled Konoha to pursue Naruto and Jiraiya after learning that Itachi was targeting Naruto. As Naruto reminded Jiraiya of his promise to teach him a powerful ninjutsu, Sasuke continued chasing them toward an unknown encounter.

• Itachi dismissed the idea of fighting Jiraiya and left with Kisame, who looked forward to the mission.
• Sasuke escaped from Konoha Hospital, and Kurenai questioned Kakashi about letting him go after Naruto and Jiraiya.
• Kakashi explained that Sasuke would have sought the truth anyway and that traveling with Jiraiya could show him the gap between himself and Itachi, then passed out.
• Sasuke learned from Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane which way Naruto and Jiraiya had gone and hurried after them, furious that Itachi had chosen Naruto as his target.
• Naruto complained to Jiraiya that Kakashi had taught Sasuke Chidori and reminded Jiraiya of his promise to teach him a stronger ninjutsu.

Jiraiya demonstrated the Rasengan to Naruto and agreed to teach it after they rested for a couple of days. Naruto’s eagerness inspired Jiraiya with ideas for his novel, and he decided he wanted to get away from his student.

• Naruto asked Jiraiya to teach him a powerful ninjutsu, and Jiraiya introduced the Rasengan, created by the Fourth Hokage.
• Jiraiya demonstrated the Rasengan by crushing a tree and blasting apart several nearby trees.
• Naruto eagerly asked to learn the technique, and Jiraiya said they would begin after a couple of days of rest.
• Jiraiya reflected on Naruto’s resemblance to Kushina, found inspiration for his novel, and resolved to send Naruto away so he could write.

Jiraiya traveled with Naruto to find Tsunade and explained her importance, while secretly noticing that Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha were pursuing them. The Akatsuki members watched from a distance and considered their next move.

• Jiraiya agreed to teach Naruto ninjutsu and continued traveling with him toward a nearby town.
• Jiraiya sensed that someone had caught up with them, but told Naruto they were slowing down to reach a town around lunchtime.
• Naruto asked why Jiraiya had taken him training, and Jiraiya explained that they were looking for Tsunade, a former Konoha ninja and one of the Sannin.
• Naruto questioned what the Sannin were, frustrating Jiraiya with his ignorance.
• Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha watched from a tree, and Kisame asked Itachi what they should do next.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki approached Naruto, intending to take him, while Jiraiya stood in their way. Sasuke arrived in time and attacked Itachi after the two sides confronted each other.

• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki decided to attack early rather than risk the enemy preparing a trap.
• Jiraiya noticed Sasuke approaching, and Sasuke arrived to warn Naruto that someone was after him.
• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki appeared before Naruto, Sasuke, and Jiraiya.
• Itachi Uchiha insulted Sasuke, and Jiraiya refused to let Naruto leave with the Akatsuki Organization.
• Kisame Hoshigaki said he wanted to fight Jiraiya, while Sasuke charged at Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi brutally defeated Sasuke while Jiraiya explained the Uchiha clan's past to Naruto. Sasuke kept getting up and finally charged Itachi with Chidori, leaving Itachi calm and seemingly impressed by the technique.

• Kisame remarked on Itachi and Sasuke's relationship as Itachi slapped Sasuke aside and asked Jiraiya not to interfere.
• Sasuke attacked Itachi again, but Itachi caught his fist, punched him in the stomach, threw him down, and kicked him away.
• Naruto tried to rush to Sasuke, but Jiraiya stopped him and explained the Uchiha clan's history.
• Itachi told Sasuke to live with his anger, then beat him repeatedly as Sasuke kept getting back up.
• Sasuke formed a Chidori and charged at Itachi, who calmly praised the technique.

Itachi dodged Sasuke’s Chidori and continued beating him while Naruto struggled to intervene. Jiraiya recognized that Itachi was protecting Sasuke from being killed, though he did not understand why.

• Itachi evaded Sasuke’s Chidori, grabbed his wrist, and struck him, sending him flying again.
• Naruto watched furiously, but Jiraiya held him back from rushing into the fight.
• Jiraiya told Naruto that a ninja needed wisdom and patience rather than recklessly forcing his way forward.
• Jiraiya judged Sasuke’s injuries to be superficial and realized Itachi would not kill his younger brother.

Sasuke fought Itachi Uchiha, relying on the curse mark’s enhanced strength, but Itachi overwhelmed him with crow illusions and clones. Sasuke’s pain and exhaustion caught up with him, and he collapsed.

• Sasuke charged Itachi Uchiha with increased speed and kicked him, but Itachi turned into a flock of crows.
• Sasuke used the Great Fireball Technique against the circling crows, which scattered and surrounded him as dozens of Itachi Uchihas.
• Sasuke attacked the Itachi clones, but they repeatedly reformed from crows and struck him from behind.
• Sasuke crashed to the ground, screamed in pain from the curse mark, and collapsed.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki abandoned their failed mission to capture Naruto, but Jiraiya attacked them with a summoning technique as they tried to leave. The chapter ended with Jiraiya explaining that they were trapped inside the stomach wall of the Great Toad of Mount Myōboku.

• After Sasuke's curse-mark episode, Itachi Uchiha decided to withdraw with Kisame Hoshigaki because Jiraiya was protecting Naruto and the mission had failed.
• Jiraiya refused to let Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki leave and summoned the Toad Mouth Bind around them.
• Kisame Hoshigaki cut through the tentacles growing from the fleshy walls, but they quickly regenerated.
• Itachi Uchiha ordered a retreat, and Kisame Hoshigaki followed him toward the far end of the enclosed area.
• Jiraiya told them the summoned walls were part of the Great Toad of Mount Myōboku's stomach.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki escaped Jiraiya’s summoned prison, and Jiraiya sealed Sasuke’s curse mark after Naruto chose to save him. Sakura and Might Guy arrived as Sakura’s search for Sasuke continued.

• Itachi Uchiha used his Mangekyō Sharingan to burn through the prison gate, and he and Kisame Hoshigaki escaped.
• Jiraiya dismissed his summoning, then examined Sasuke while Naruto asked him to help.
• Jiraiya used the Five Elements Seal to suppress Sasuke’s curse mark and told Naruto it was only temporarily sealed.
• Sakura reached the hospital, found Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi unconscious, and learned Sasuke had gone after Naruto.
• Kurenai Yuhi stopped Sakura from leaving the village alone and directed her to Might Guy, whom Sakura found and brought to the battlefield.