Chapter Summaries

Neji Hyuga adapted to Naruto’s fighting rhythm and began to unlock the Tenseigan’s powers, but Naruto revealed Sage Mode and his Tomoe Rinnegan. As they continued their battle, Naruto sensed that his accumulated knowledge was developing into something that could fulfill his dream.

• Neji Hyuga found the rhythm of Naruto’s attacks and struck him with Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms, but Naruto dispelled the chakra blockage with Sage Mode.
• Naruto overwhelmed Neji with a punch and hurled him into the ground, after which Neji used the Tenseigan to launch rocks at him.
• Naruto stopped the rocks with his Tomoe Rinnegan and used Banshō Ten'in to pull Neji into the air.
• Neji countered Naruto’s gravitational pull with a repulsive force, revealing that he had awakened an unfamiliar Tenseigan ability.
• Naruto tested whether Neji could create a Black Receiver, then sensed that the Rinnegan was helping his accumulated knowledge form something that could realize his dream.

Naruto tested Hinata and Neji’s Tenseigan abilities, then encountered Orochimaru and Kabuto in Konoha’s Mask Storage Hall as they sought to undo the Reaper Death Seal. Naruto agreed to trade the mask Orochimaru needed for the Cell Activation Secret Technique and his father’s soul, and Orochimaru began the ritual.

• Naruto sparred with Neji and Hinata, discovering that Hinata’s Tenseigan could probe and alter thoughts and open spatial rifts.
• Naruto advised Hinata and Neji to develop fighting techniques suited to their Tenseigan, then said goodbye to Hinata after dining with the Hyuga Clan.
• Naruto followed Orochimaru and Kabuto to the Mask Storage Hall, where they planned to undo the Reaper Death Seal and restore Orochimaru’s arms.
• Naruto demanded the Cell Activation Secret Technique and his father’s soul in exchange for helping Orochimaru, then used chakra to retrieve the needed demon mask.
• Kabuto produced a scroll containing a man, and Orochimaru put on the Shinigami Mask and began a ritual.

Naruto helped Orochimaru undo the Reaper Death Seal, secured Minato’s chakra, and attended a brief meeting where Konoha sent a team to support Kumogakure. As the support team departed, Naruto ate ramen while his Shadow Clone investigated the aftermath of Akatsuki’s battle with the Fourth Raikage and considered the other powers watching Akatsuki.

• Orochimaru opened the Reaper’s abdomen, released five souls, and used a replacement body after the Reaper’s injuries killed the caster.
• Naruto placed Minato’s chakra in his Mental Space, while Kabuto sealed the remaining souls and Orochimaru gave Naruto a scroll containing the Cell Activation Secret Technique.
• Shikamaru summoned Naruto to Tsunade’s jonin meeting, where Tsunade ordered Kakashi to lead a support team to Kumogakure and put Shikaku in charge of village defenses.
• Naruto watched Kakashi’s team depart, then went to Ichiraku Ramen and reunited with Uncle Ichiraku and Ayame.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clone surveyed the Land of the Moon battlefield with Zabuza, learned that one Akatsuki core member had died, and decided not to intervene while asking after Haku’s training.

Kumogakure’s survivors told Kakashi about Akatsuki’s attacks, while Naruto rescued Isobu and discussed his attempts to create Truth-Seeking Orbs. Nagato and Konan launched a plan to capture the Five-Tails in Iwagakure, leaving the masked Uchiha Madara to act separately.

• Mabui briefed Kakashi and the other Konoha shinobi on Kumogakure’s losses and Akatsuki’s relentless attacks.
• Shadow Clone Nimei questioned Second Pillar about the mysterious ocular technique that had left him badly injured.
• Akatsuki attacked Isobu, but Naruto summoned him away and healed his wounds with Yang Release chakra.
• Naruto explained his efforts to condense Truth-Seeking Orbs, and Kurama warned that their power could be immense.
• Nagato sent the Six Paths of Pain into Iwagakure to draw the village’s defenses while the masked Uchiha Madara pursued the Five-Tails.
• The Animal Path summoned giant beasts into Iwagakure, terrifying the villagers below.

Akatsuki attacked Iwagakure, captured Han, and left the village devastated, while Naruto learned that Akatsuki had gathered nearly all the Tailed Beasts and arranged for Minato’s soul to enter the Pure Land. The chapter ended with Ōnoki asking the other villages for help as Iwagakure struggled to recover.

• Ōnoki sent Kitsuchi and the ANBU to repel Akatsuki’s attack while he led two squads toward the battlefield.
• The masked man captured Han after restraining him with Black Receivers, and Ōnoki’s forces later found that Han’s chakra had vanished.
• Shadow Clone Nimei told Second Pillar that the Five Tails had been captured and Akatsuki had gathered chakra from nearly every Tailed Beast.
• Naruto ordered his Shadow Clones to clear White Zetsu spies from the Five Great Nations’ Daimyo residences and sheltered Isobu by a lake.
• Naruto spoke with Minato, who chose to reunite with Kushina in the Pure Land and transferred his half of Kurama’s chakra to Kurama before departing.
• After the attack left Kitsuchi injured and Iwagakure in ruins, Ōnoki agreed to seek aid from the other shinobi villages.

Naruto became a Konoha jonin and discussed his promotion banquet with Tsunade, who worried about treating the village’s rising talents fairly. Meanwhile, Shadow Clone Yiming sought the last two Sound Notes in Tonica, where he encountered a Konoha team and offered the Village Chief twenty years of lifespan for them.

• Naruto received his jonin uniform and documents from Tsunade after completing the required missions.
• Tsunade fretted over how to treat the village’s talented young people fairly and impulsively asked Jiraiya to become the Sixth Hokage, but he refused.
• Shadow Clone Yiming arrived in Tonica to obtain the final two Sound Notes from the Village Chief.
• Sai sensed someone watching his team as Sakura and Ino reassured him during their mediation mission.
• Shadow Clone Yiming explained his interest in the Sound Notes and offered the Village Chief twenty years of lifespan in exchange for them.

Naruto and Shadow Clone Yiming completed a secret bargain with the Tonika Village Chief, who traded two notes for a rejuvenated body. Naruto used the notes to activate the Heavenly Spear and, urged on by Kurama, leaped into its dark-red beam for a baptism of energy.

• The Tonika Village Chief agreed to keep his transaction with Shadow Clone Yiming secret in exchange for thirty more years of life.
• Shadow Clone Yiming transferred Life Energy to the Tonika Village Chief, restoring his youth, and received two transparent notes.
• Naruto arrived and inserted the notes into the instrument, summoning the Heavenly Spear from beneath the earth.
• Naruto rearranged the notes and activated the Heavenly Spear, unleashing a dark-red beam and violent lightning.
• Naruto felt the Heavenly Spear’s energy calling to him, and Kurama encouraged him to follow his instincts.
• Naruto leaped into the beam to accept the energy’s baptism.

Naruto used the Heavenly Spear’s vast stores of Natural Energy to form six Truth-Seeking Orbs and gave Five-Inch Nail and bounty hunter Lian strength to conceal his involvement in the sinkhole incident. After testing the orbs’ power, Naruto returned to Tonika Village and rewarded a Dragonborn member, while news of the sinkhole spread across the ninja world.

• Jigen briefly noticed the Heavenly Spear activating, while Sakura, Sai, and Ino fled the area and treasure seekers rushed toward it.
• Five-Inch Nail reached the top of the Heavenly Spear, received a Black Blade and greatly increased power from Naruto, and entered the pillar of light; Lian followed but missed the encounter.
• After the pillar vanished and the Heavenly Spear shrank away, Five-Inch Nail and Lian fought off the other treasure seekers and battled each other.
• Naruto revealed that he had arranged the two men’s power gains to hide his role, then explained to Kurama that the Heavenly Spear’s Natural Energy had let him form six Truth-Seeking Orbs.
• Naruto tested a Truth-Seeking Orb by swallowing part of a mountain peak, then returned to Tonika Village and gave a Dragonborn member energy to help him grow stronger.
• Word of the sinkhole incident spread, stirring up the ninja world.

Naruto held a banquet to celebrate his jonin promotion as allies gathered to support his bid for the Sixth Hokage candidates’ selection. Meanwhile, Akatsuki launched a full-scale assault on Kumogakure while Shadow Clone Yiming and Urashiki watched, leaving the village’s fate dependent on whether the Fourth Raikage sent Killer B into battle.

• Naruto and Shikamaru hosted a jonin promotion banquet, where Sasuke warned Naruto that the Seven-Tails was about to revive.
• Hyuga Hiashi, Hinata, Ino, and Naruto’s other friends arrived, followed by the Fifth Hokage and the two advisors.
• In the Land of Lightning, Shadow Clone Yiming watched Kumogakure with Urashiki and discussed his role in the approaching attack.
• Outer Path Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and several giant beasts above Kumogakure.
• Urashiki predicted that Kumogakure’s battle would be decided once the Fourth Raikage allowed Killer B onto the battlefield.

The Akatsuki attacked Kumogakure, revealing Nagato’s unseen Rinnegan ability as they captured the Eight-Tails and incapacitated Killer B. Hidan’s ritual killed the Fourth Raikage, leaving Darui and the other Kumogakure shinobi facing a world thrown into chaos.

• Shadow Clone Yiming observed the Akatsuki’s assault and told Kurama to have the Third locate Sky Ninja Village’s remaining assets.
• Nagato’s invisible shadow struck the Eight-Tails, and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path sealed Killer B and knocked him unconscious.
• Hiruko blocked the Fourth Raikage while Hidan drew his blood and began his ritual.
• Hidan stabbed himself in the heart, causing the Fourth Raikage to suffer the same injury and die despite his final charge.
• Shi reported that the Fourth Raikage’s life signs had vanished, and Darui asked for the location as Shadow Clone Yiming and the puppet foresaw turbulent times.

Akatsuki killed the Fourth Raikage and captured Killer B, leaving Darui to organize Kumogakure’s response. Meanwhile, Yiming’s forces began a plan to seize the Land of Rivers’ Daimyo Palace, while Lian took a hostage after he and Five-Inch Nail stumbled into its guards.

• Darui mourned the Fourth Raikage, then assigned Kumogakure shinobi to treat the wounded, contact other villages, and prepare for Akatsuki’s next attack.
• Shadow Clone Yiming reported that Darui would likely become the Fifth Raikage, then relayed his gathered information to the original body.
• In the Hidden Leaf Village, Shikaku Nara introduced Naruto to Konoha’s leaders, and Naruto told Kurama to notify Number Two to begin.
• Shadow Clone Nimei ordered Karin and Haku to set out for the Daimyo’s Palace as the Dragon’s Heritage Organization began its plan to establish its own country.
• Lian chased Five-Inch Nail into the Daimyo’s Palace grounds, fought off the guards, and took a richly dressed man hostage.

Lian was framed for attacking the Land of Rivers’ Daimyo while Dragonborn ninjas seized control of the country. Shadow Clone Nimei took the Daimyo’s seat and announced that the Land of Rivers would be renamed Dragonborn.

• Lian discovered that his hostage was the Daimyo and released him, but Five-Inch Nail secretly struck the Daimyo with a hidden nail and left Lian blamed for the attack.
• Five-Inch Nail spotted Shadow Clone Nimei watching from a distant building and fled, while Nimei confirmed that he had previously met him.
• Dragonborn ninjas overwhelmed the guards and completed their cleanup as Nimei declined to intervene in the fighting below.
• Shadow Clone Nimei entered a hall of ministers, sat in the Daimyo’s chair, and had Haku kill an elder who objected.
• Shadow Clone Nimei gave the ministers a chance to voice opposition, then announced that the Land of Rivers would change its name to Dragonborn.

As the Akatsuki prepared to capture the Seven-Tails, White Zetsu revealed that Dragonborn had taken over the Land of Rivers and renamed it the Land of Dragons. Naruto continued building the new country's foundations and created a pseudo-Kurama Jinchuriki to represent Dragonborn at the Seven-Tails' revival.

• The Akatsuki learned that Kumogakure had gathered five thousand shinobi while the other villages were distracted by Dragonborn's takeover of the Land of Rivers.
• Black Zetsu explained that Dragonborn had seized the Land of Rivers after its Daimyo was assassinated, renamed it the Land of Dragons, and invited the Daimyo and Kage to a ceremony.
• Shadow Clone Nimei discussed border security and plans with Haku, including establishing twelve Ninja Academies to expand education throughout the Land of Dragons.
• Naruto arrived to take over the country's affairs, then released a White Zetsu and used Yin-Yang Release and Kurama's chakra to create a pseudo-Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Naruto sealed the clone's chakra with a Four Symbols Seal, arranged for it to travel to the Land of Waterfalls, and named it Sekiro.

Uzumaki Karin deployed Dragonborn forces to infiltrate the Land of Tea while Naruto sent Sekiro to observe Chōmei’s resurrection in the Land of Waterfalls. As the Akatsuki and other forces clashed, Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to capture the newly resurrected Seven-Tails.

• Uzumaki Karin ordered her subordinates to keep the Daimyo of the Land of Tea alive as they began their covert operation.
• Naruto sent Sekiro to the site where Chōmei and its Jinchuriki had died, intending for the clone to find an opening to be captured by Nagato.
• Sekiro observed the Akatsuki and four powerful familiar chakra sources gather around Chōmei’s resurrection site.
• Second Pillar, Nagato, Kisame Hoshigaki, Kakuzu, Hiruko, and Hidan fought across the lake as forces from all Five Great Shinobi Villages approached.
• Chōmei resurrected, and Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, whose chains dragged the Seven-Tails toward the ground.

The Five Village Allied Forces overwhelmed the Akatsuki while Sasuke drew the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path away from them. The masked man captured the Seven-Tails, Hiruko escaped, and Kakuzu chose to die rather than be taken by betrayal.

• Naruto recognized Neji among the Allied Forces and reflected on his hopes for changing the Hyuga Branch Family's fate.
• Sasuke moved his battle with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path away from the Allied Forces, while the troops overwhelmed Hidan and other Akatsuki members.
• Kisame Hoshigaki and Kakuzu faced the Allied Forces together, while Sasori sent his puppets against Yanako and her allies.
• The masked man phased through attacks, captured the Seven-Tails, and vanished as Naruto identified the likely basis of his space-time ability.
• Hiruko fled under cover of a lightning storm, and Kakuzu unleashed his black threads after his Earth Grudge Fear were slain.

Kisame Hoshigaki used the Hiding in Mist Technique to slaughter the allied shinobi while Chojuro charged to confront him. Naruto then entered Obito Uchiha’s alternate space, confronted him over his choices, and left him beaten and unable to escape through his ocular technique.

• Kisame Hoshigaki took control of the mist and attacked the surrounding shinobi, killing several as Chojuro advanced with Hiramekarei.
• Naruto concluded that Kisame Hoshigaki and the other Akatsuki members could be eliminated now that the organization held eight Tailed Beasts.
• Naruto left the Land of Dragons and found Obito Uchiha in his alternate space as he prepared for the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Obito Uchiha blamed Minato Namikaze for Rin’s death and said he had killed him for peace.
• Naruto severed Obito Uchiha’s connection to the alternate space, beat him, and twisted one of his fingers until he screamed.

Naruto tortured Obito Uchiha until he admitted he had been too weak to save Rin, then scanned his memories and transformed him into the Naraka Path. The new puppet headed to the Land of Waves to infiltrate the Akatsuki.

• Naruto repeatedly asked Obito Uchiha why Rin Nohara had died and broke his fingers and toes until Obito answered that he had been too weak.
• Obito Uchiha used Izanagi and attacked Naruto with chains and Black Receivers, but Naruto pinned him down with Truth-Seeking Orb arrows.
• Naruto scanned Obito Uchiha's memories, removed his soul from his body, and refined him into the Naraka Path, retaining his right Mangekyo Sharingan and giving him a Rinnegan control eye.
• Naruto confirmed the Naraka Path could recall enough of Obito Uchiha's memories to carry out the plan, then left the alternate dimension.
• The Naraka Path traveled to the Land of Waves and opened a passage inside a giant tree.

Naruto learned that Shion, priestess of the Land of Demons, wanted to meet him because only she could undo Moryo’s seal, and he set out to handle the matter and secure the Stone Statue Army. Meanwhile, a Shadow Clone Nimei faced Konoha’s leaders and a Daimyo’s envoy, telling them Dragonborn sought to fulfill his mother’s final wish.

• Naraka Path returned to Nagato and Konan with the Seven-Tails, and Nagato arranged rotating pairs to extract its chakra.
• Haku told Naruto that Karin had brought the Land of Tea and the Land of Rainbows under control and that Shion wished to see him.
• Naruto ordered preparations for Ninja Academies and funding for marine development, then headed to the Land of Demons.
• Tsunade questioned Shadow Clone Nimei about Dragonborn’s objective in front of Konoha’s leaders and a Daimyo’s envoy.
• Shadow Clone Nimei told the meeting that Dragonborn’s objective was to fulfill his mother’s final wish.

Naruto met with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire’s envoy, agreed to an alliance, and then traveled to the Land of Demons to meet its priestess, Shion. Shion asked him to remove a seal on her body.

• Naruto explained that the Land of Dragons had taken in people displaced by war, and the Land of Fire’s envoy proposed an alliance.
• Shadow Clone Nimei agreed to the alliance, and the envoy departed to report the decision to the Daimyo.
• Naruto arrived at the Land of Demons and told the guards to ask Shion to verify his identity.
• Ashisuke apologized for the guards and escorted Naruto to Shion.
• Naruto asked Shion for her terms, and she requested his help removing the seal on her body.

Naruto offered to help Shion control her power in exchange for her help undoing Moryo’s seal, then demonstrated his strength and revived Yomi as one of his bodies. Yomi absorbed Moryo and took control of the Undead Army, whose approaching force Naruto prepared to assess.

• Naruto explained that Shion’s spiritual energy overwhelmed her physical energy and offered to help her balance them if she helped undo the seal; Shion agreed.
• Shion led Naruto and Ashisuke to Moryo’s sealed underground palace, where Naruto challenged her belief in the demon’s power and summoned the captured Yomi.
• Yomi attacked Shion but Naruto crushed him with gravity, then used his power on Yomi and changed Shion’s vision of Ashisuke’s death so it disappeared.
• Naruto revived Yomi as Animal Path Yomi, who broke Moryo’s seal, forced Moryo’s soul into his body, and claimed control of the Undead Army.
• The Undead Army began marching toward the palace as Naruto sensed its strength and prepared to test it.