Chapter Summaries

Hanzō of the Salamander betrayed Akatsuki and launched a massacre, prompting Nagato to fight him after protecting Yahiko and Konan. Nagato’s powerful Water and Wind Release attacks devastated the Rain ninja, while Hanzō escaped underground with Ibuse and poisoned the battlefield.

• Amegakure’s forces ambushed Akatsuki with Explosive Tags, and Xinhe died fighting a Rain ninja.
• Yahiko confronted Hanzō over his betrayal, but Nagato intervened and sent Konan away with Yahiko.
• Hanzō recognized Nagato’s Rinnegan and fought him, gaining a slight advantage in close combat before Nagato created distance.
• Nagato used Cutting Rain and several Water Release techniques against Hanzō, who protected himself with a Water Prison Technique.
• Nagato unleashed Water Shockwave and Wind Release: Pressure Damage, killing many Rain ninja as Hanzō summoned Ibuse and escaped underground.
• Ibuse left poisonous mist spreading across the battlefield, and the Rain ninja put on their prepared gas masks.

Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to break through Hanzō of the Salamander’s poison-based attack and drive him to retreat. Nagato then tried to hurry to Yahiko and Konan, but the statue’s enormous chakra cost left him depleted.

• Rain ninja used poisonous mist and ambushed Yahiko and Konan, while Hanzō of the Salamander taunted Nagato about their danger.
• A Rain ninja trapped Yahiko and Konan with Earth Release, and Yahiko told Konan to escape if she got the chance.
• Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, which hurled a boulder at Ibuse and forced Hanzō of the Salamander to flee its attack.
• Hanzō of the Salamander escaped underground after the statue smashed into a huge pit, leaving a water clone behind that Nagato destroyed with a boulder.
• Nagato felt drained by the statue’s chakra cost but forced himself to make it leap toward Yahiko and Konan.

Yahiko and Konan were captured by Amegakure ninja, and Nagato halted the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path when Naomasa threatened their lives. Before Nagato could dismiss the statue, a scarlet figure killed Naomasa and rescued them, leaving Hanzō facing the statue’s charge.

• Yahiko and Konan fought Naomasa, Yamauchi, and two Chūnin, but exhaustion and anesthetic senbon left them unconscious and captured.
• Naomasa and Yamauchi grew wary as the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path approached with Nagato standing on its shoulder.
• Naomasa seized Yahiko and Konan and threatened to kill them unless Nagato dismissed the statue.
• Nagato tried to bargain for one companion’s release, but Naomasa refused and forced him to agree to dismiss the statue.
• A scarlet figure appeared behind Naomasa, beheaded him, and rescued Yahiko and Konan as the statue charged toward Hanzō of the Salamander.

After Amegakure’s betrayal left Akatsuki devastated, Nagato asked Naruto to help overthrow Hanzō and take control of the village. Naruto agreed to join once Nagato recovered, while Yahiko struggled with the hatred taking root in him.

• Naruto carried the unconscious Yahiko and another man away as Nagato used the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to crush the Rain ninja.
• Yamauchi fled with the surviving Rain ninja, while Nagato led the injured Akatsuki members back to their base.
• Yahiko woke beside Naruto and hurried to the cave, where he apologized to the few surviving Akatsuki members for their losses.
• Nagato asked Naruto to help overthrow Amegakure, arguing that Akatsuki could prevent further tragedies by replacing Hanzō’s rule.
• Naruto agreed to help once Nagato recovered, and Yahiko recognized that hatred had begun to grow in him and the others.

Naruto restored Nagato's chakra, awakening a powerful Rinnegan ability, and the two headed toward Amegakure. They arrived as Hanzō recounted his defeat to the Rain jōnin, and Naruto entered the room to face them.

• Naruto replenished Nagato's chakra, and Nagato realized the Rinnegan had felt resistant because he had not supplied it with enough chakra.
• Nagato tested a newly awakened repulsive-force technique by shattering a boulder, then Naruto told him he would lead the charge.
• Myoji, Yingyu, and the other Rain jōnin waited outside Hanzō's room, worried about his injuries and Amegakure's future.
• Hanzō told the jōnin that he had been completely defeated and that fear of the red-haired boy had made him flee.
• Naruto opened the door, greeted the Rain jōnin, and met their wary stares.

Naruto and Nagato killed Hanzō of the Salamander and his Amegakure jonin, then brought Amegakure’s ninja under control. With Hanzō dead, they relied on three elders to help govern the village.

• Nagato used Shinra Tensei to clear the battlefield while Naruto fought the Amegakure jonin.
• Nagato battled Hanzō of the Salamander, trapped him with Banshō Ten'in, and killed him with iron implements.
• Naruto killed his wounded opponent with Kusabimaru.
• Naruto and Nagato gathered Amegakure’s ninja on a plain outside the village, where Naruto’s shadow clones maintained order.
• The three elders arrived with Naruto and Nagato, and the gathered ninja saw them following the newcomers.

Nagato took control of Amegakure, using force to establish his authority while Naruto dealt with the village elders and helped maintain order. Months later, Amegakure had adapted to Akatsuki rule, and Naruto had begun learning more of the village’s jutsu.

• Nagato announced that he had killed Hanzō and threatened anyone seeking revenge, then killed several Amegakure shinobi who attacked him.
• Naruto killed Chief Elder Kazuhiko for breaking their agreement, and Elders Mimura and Nobuha agreed to manage the village.
• Over the following months, Amegakure adjusted to Akatsuki rule, and its economy improved under Nagato’s leadership.
• Naruto used chakra perception, Kurama’s malice sensing, and Shadow Clones to monitor the village while Akatsuki trained members to take over supervision.
• Naruto studied Amegakure’s jutsu collection, adding Fire Release and Earth Release techniques to his skills.

Naruto received his reforged Kusabimaru and joined Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan as Konoha's delegation arrived in Amegakure. Yahiko welcomed his former teacher Jiraiya, while Naruto concealed his identity behind a specially made mask.

• Kiyoshi presented Naruto with a reforged Kusabimaru that conducted chakra far more efficiently, and Naruto thanked him.
• Naruto arrived at Amegakure's temporary office, where Yahiko handled leadership duties with Nagato and Konan's help.
• An Akatsuki member announced that Jiraiya and two Konoha jōnin had arrived, prompting Yahiko to prepare to welcome his former teacher.
• Naruto put on a mask that changed his appearance and voice, explaining that he was Yahiko's personal ANBU and could not reveal his face.
• Jiraiya entered with two Konoha jōnin, and Yahiko greeted him as his former teacher.

Jiraiya reunited with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, now leaders of Amegakure, and proposed an equal alliance with Konoha. Yahiko accepted the offer in principle and arranged for Konan to coordinate the treaty details, while Jiraiya took his former students out to eat.

• Jiraiya reunited with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, and praised how they had grown since he taught them.
• Jiraiya proposed an equal alliance between Konoha and Amegakure, offering intelligence and economic exchanges as well as ninja training.
• Yahiko accepted Jiraiya’s offer and asked Konan to work with Elder Mimura on the treaty details.
• Jiraiya introduced Hyuga Wada and Nara Kugiki, who would coordinate the agreement with Amegakure.
• Yahiko invited Jiraiya to try local specialties, while Naruto vanished from where he stood.

Naruto tried to undo the Eight Trigrams Seal and deliberately let Kurama’s chakra overwhelm him, triggering Minato Namikaze’s hidden safeguard. Minato appeared in Naruto’s Mental Space and awakened Kushina’s chakra, leaving her confused by the unexpected situation.

• Naruto examined the Eight Trigrams Seal and concluded that Jiraiya likely held the key to its hidden lock.
• Naruto asked Kurama to pour all his chakra into him while he stopped resisting it.
• Kurama’s chakra transformed Naruto as his tails appeared, and Minato Namikaze’s chakra manifested to close the seal.
• Naruto asked Minato how chakra could persist and where his mother was, prompting Minato to awaken Kushina’s chakra.
• Kushina Uzumaki appeared, saw Naruto and Nagato, and wondered why Nagato had awakened her.

Naruto reunited with Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki inside the seal, then received his father’s memories and a farewell gift as their Chakra faded. He used the memories to remove the Eight Trigrams Seal, freeing Kurama, who chose to stay with him for now.

• Kushina Uzumaki met Naruto and listened with Minato Namikaze as he described the good parts of his childhood.
• Kushina Uzumaki gave Naruto advice and told him she loved him as she and Minato Namikaze faded away, leaving him memories of Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu.
• Naruto copied the Eight Trigrams Seal’s unsealing formula and removed the seal from his abdomen.
• Kurama’s Chakra filled the Mental Space after the seal opened, but Kurama told Naruto he wanted to rest with him for a few years.

Naruto released the seal and discovered that Kurama’s chakra had transformed him into a powerful golden Kurama Chakra Mode. After returning to Amegakure, Naruto copied his father’s Forbidden Jutsu onto a storage scroll and decided to study them to gain the strength needed to pursue peace.

• Naruto activated Kurama Chakra Mode and accidentally blasted a human-shaped tunnel through the cave wall without being injured.
• Kurama explained that his chakra was close to the Ten-Tails’ and could be adapted to suit others, while Naruto marveled at Kurama’s vast, rapidly replenishing reserves.
• Nagato visited Naruto after sensing his chakra erupt and asked what had happened, so Naruto claimed he had been testing a ninjutsu.
• Naruto worried that his memories of his father’s knowledge might disappear, so he copied the Forbidden Jutsu onto a scroll and sealed it inside a storage scroll.
• Naruto decided to study the Forbidden Jutsu, believing he needed overwhelming strength before the Five Great Ninja Villages would listen to his arguments for peace.

The Third Kazekage traveled through the Land of Wind toward Konoha to renew Sunagakure’s alliance treaty as the Third Great Ninja War drew near. He left Sasori thinking over whether Konoha might strike first rather than wait for its rivals to attack.

• The Third Kazekage explained that Sunagakure’s political interests and need for a stable ally made renewing its treaty with Konoha worthwhile.
• The Third Kazekage asked Sasori which village was most likely to start the Third Great Ninja War, and Sasori chose Kumogakure.
• The Third Kazekage warned Sasori not to assume Konoha would avoid war because it had been forced into earlier conflicts.
• The Third Kazekage asked Sasori to consider whether Hiruzen Sarutobi would defend Konoha or attack first, and told him to give his answer the next day.

Sasori poisoned the Third Kazekage and revealed his desire for eternity as Sunagakure blamed Konoha for the Kazekage’s disappearance and launched an attack. Naruto, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan prepared Amegakure for the war while Naruto explained that he might eventually return to his original world.

• Sasori poisoned the Third Kazekage and three others with gas that prevented them from using chakra, then asked the Kazekage whether he desired eternity.
• Konan told Naruto that Sunagakure had attacked the Land of Fire, claiming Konoha assassinated the Third Kazekage, while Konoha denied it.
• Yahiko ordered Amegakure to prepare for war against the Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Fire, while initially focusing on defense.
• Naruto advised Yahiko and Nagato to leave him out of their combat-strength calculations and explained that Ryūmyaku energy might be keeping him in their world until it ran out.
• Yahiko suggested guarding Ryūmyaku to keep Naruto from returning, but Naruto said Amegakure could not safely station ninjas in Rōran during the war.

Naruto shared a farewell meal with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan before his departure. As Konoha prepared for Sunagakure’s sudden invasion and the wider war, Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned forces across the fronts and agreed that Minato would target Sunagakure’s puppet factory in Rōran.

• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan shared food and sake with Naruto, teasing him as they spent time together before he left.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Shimura Danzō to defend against Sunagakure and planned to send Orochimaru and Jiraiya north against Kumogakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Mitokado Homura to deal with Kirigakure and assigned Minato to the western front alongside Tsunade and Danzō.
• Mitokado Homura reported that Sunagakure had likely occupied Rōran and established a large-scale puppet manufacturing site there.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed that Minato should attack the puppet factory in Rōran.

Sāya worried that Anrokuzan’s ambitions threatened Rōran, while Yahiko asked Naruto to retrieve Chakra Metal for Amegakure as war approached. Naruto set out for the Land of Rain, unaware that Yahiko had overlooked a formula inscribed on the wall.

• Jiraiya showed Minato the Rasengan, but Minato barely reacted and left to find Kakashi.
• Minato told Kakashi that he had recommended him for a special mission and ordered him to gather at the gates in half an hour.
• Sāya and Sara found the wooden stick Naruto had left them and discussed summoning him for help with their concerns about Anrokuzan.
• Yahiko asked Naruto to buy Chakra Metal from Outer Circle in the Land of Rain so Amegakure could prepare for war.
• Naruto took Yahiko’s Storage Scroll and left, while Yahiko failed to notice the formula for Dragon's Heritage Power on the wall.

Naruto completed the Chakra Metal trade with Outer Circle at the Asuka Ruins and sent a Shadow Clone to deliver it to Yahiko in Amegakure. In Rōran, Anrokuzan persuaded Sāya to provide more Ryūmyaku energy for his puppets, while Konan studied Kekkei Genkai with Nagato.

• Naruto met Outer Circle’s disguised female representative at Asuka Shrine and exchanged money for two large Sealing Scrolls.
• Naruto sensed activity near the Land of Wind, made a Shadow Clone carry the Chakra Metal to Yahiko, and headed toward Rōran himself.
• Sara wondered why her message had not brought a reply, and Sāya told her to clean the ashes from the floor.
• Anrokuzan asked Sāya for more Ryūmyaku energy to power puppets and expand Rōran’s farmland, and she agreed after he cited the people’s need for food.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clone delivered the Chakra Metal to Yahiko, who said the supplies would help counter Sunagakure’s puppet masters.
• Yahiko told the Shadow Clone that Konan was studying Kekkei Genkai with Nagato and explained how difficult it was to develop one.

Minato Namikaze and his team infiltrated Rōran, where they found a vast puppet arsenal and began destroying its puppets. Anrokuzan noticed the attack and reported it to Sāya, who ordered him to confront the intruders, while the team was interrupted by a woman's question.

• Minato Namikaze, Chōza Akimichi, Kakashi, and Shibi Aburame approached Rōran and saw its towering buildings and many moving puppets.
• Anrokuzan sensed that the Ryūmyaku's energy was growing stronger and planned to eliminate Sāya so he could put Sara on the throne.
• Anrokuzan noticed that more than a dozen puppets had lost contact and realized intruders had entered Rōran.
• Anrokuzan told Sāya that shinobi had destroyed more than fifty puppets, and Sāya ordered him to meet them.
• Minato Namikaze and the others discussed how weak and strange the puppets seemed before a woman asked why they had come to Rōran.

Minato Namikaze’s team confronted Sāya and Anrokuzan in Rōran, then withdrew after Sāya defended Anrokuzan and unleashed her puppets. Minato decided to target Rōran’s puppet manufacturing base rather than its people, while Anrokuzan gained greater access to the Ryūmyaku and considered killing the Konoha team.

• Sāya identified herself as Rōran’s Queen and rejected Minato Namikaze’s claim that his team had come in goodwill.
• Minato claimed the team were Sunagakure ANBU pursuing Anrokuzan, but Sāya ordered them to leave and had Anrokuzan’s puppets attack them.
• Minato sensed danger and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Kakashi, Shibi Aburame, and Chōza Akimichi outside Rōran.
• Minato explained that the Queen’s protection of Anrokuzan suggested he was a Sunagakure Rogue Ninja, and revised the mission to destroy the puppet manufacturing base instead of Rōran.
• Sāya confirmed the intruders had left and granted Anrokuzan greater access to the Ryūmyaku so he could guard Rōran’s borders.
• Anrokuzan realized the intruders were from Konoha and considered burying them in Rōran.

Naruto returned to Rōran after Sāya activated the token he had left her, finding Anrokuzan involved in a power struggle over the Ryūmyaku. He learned Anrokuzan had made himself a Pseudo-Jinchuriki by fusing with the Ryūmyaku’s energy, while Sāya sought his help deciding how to handle the crisis.

• Naruto used Kurama Mode to reach Sāya’s palace while observing Rōran’s vast puppet production.
• Anrokuzan urged Sāya to expand puppet production, but she hesitated to let him gain more power.
• Naruto appeared beside Anrokuzan, who recognized and feared him, while Sāya welcomed Naruto and asked him to assess the situation.
• Sāya stopped Anrokuzan from leaving and explained that she had invited Naruto to help judge the puppet-production question.
• Naruto learned Anrokuzan had fused with part of the Ryūmyaku’s energy and praised his idea of becoming a Pseudo-Jinchuriki.