Chapter Summaries

Hashira shattered the barrier with Wood Release, raised a colossal tree, and killed the ninjas who had trapped him. After spotting Kakashi, Might Guy, and Yuhi Kurenai, he confronted them, and Kakashi offered him safety in Konoha.

• Hashira broke through the barrier and grew a 350-meter Giant Tree Touching the Sky.
• Kakashi, Might Guy, and Yuhi Kurenai watched the tree rise and judged Hashira’s power a threat they should not confront.
• The injured ninjas who had trapped Hashira tried to flee, but he pursued them and killed eight or nine of them.
• Hashira sensed Kakashi and the others hiding nearby and demanded to know if they had come to capture him.
• Kakashi denied wanting a fight and invited Hashira to stay in Konoha under its protection.

Hashira rejected Kakashi and the others’ demand to return to Konoha, then killed the Konoha ninjas who attacked him. He declared himself Wood Bull of the Akatsuki Organization and left the forest, while Might Guy wondered why Hashira’s back looked familiar.

• Hashira refused to return to Konoha, saying he valued his freedom and warning Kakashi, Yuhi Kurenai, and Might Guy not to follow him.
• Konoha ninjas sent to capture Hashira rushed to attack despite Kakashi’s warning.
• Hashira swiftly killed the attackers with his Wood Release techniques, leaving the remaining onlookers terrified.
• Hashira warned everyone not to pursue him, carved a threat and his Akatsuki Wooden Ox name into a massive tree, and vanished into the forest.
• Might Guy watched Hashira leave and wondered why his figure seemed familiar.

After Hashira left the confrontation, he recovered from the Forbidden Technique’s effects and continued his bounty hunt. News of his strength and the Akatsuki spread, prompting several hidden villages to issue wanted orders and drawing Orochimaru’s interest.

• Kakashi led Might Guy and Yuhi Kurenai back to Konoha to report Hashira’s strength, while confronting other ninja who blamed him for failing to stop Hashira.
• Hashira confirmed that deactivating the Forbidden Technique had left him only slightly weak, then rested and planned to hunt another target on the Bounty Exchange list.
• Lightning Ei ordered a wanted notice for Hashira and the Akatsuki Organization and classified the group as dangerous and evil, while refusing Killer B’s offer to capture Hashira.
• Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to issue wanted notices after learning that Hashira had killed Land of Earth ninja.
• An old woman in the Land of Wind wondered whether Hashira would become like Hashirama Senju, and Orochimaru read about Hashira with interest.

Orochimaru decided to wait before sending Kimimaro after Wood Bull, while Kakashi reported the failed mission to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo. The chapter ended with Kakashi refusing to capture Wood Bull and Sarutobi Hiruzen ordering him to accept punishment.

• Orochimaru told Kimimaro that Wood Bull could be a valuable vessel but ordered him to wait until he had mastered Jugo's Curse Mark research.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen questioned Kakashi and his team about their failure to bring Wood Bull back to Konoha.
• Kakashi explained that Konoha shinobi had ambushed Wood Bull despite warnings, and Yuhi Kurenai and Might Guy described his overwhelming strength.
• Danzo accused Kakashi of abandoning fellow Konoha shinobi, but Kakashi argued that avoiding a confrontation had saved more lives.
• Kakashi refused to continue the mission, saying Wood Bull was too strong to capture, and Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered him to accept punishment.

Kakashi, Yuhi Kurenai, and Might Guy accepted suspension after failing to stop Wood Bull, while Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō considered their next move. Xuanyu continued planning to recruit powerful allies and find a way to protect his father, leaving Hidan as his next target for investigation.

• Kakashi, Yuhi Kurenai, and Might Guy accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen's punishment and were barred from missions until they recognized their mistakes.
• Shimura Danzō pressed Sarutobi Hiruzen to pursue Wood Bull, and Hiruzen considered asking Itachi to capture Hashira.
• Uchiha Itachi learned that Akatsuki wanted him to test Wood Bull and wondered whether Wood Bull was connected to Uchiha Xuan Yu and the Zhatian Organization.
• Kakashi, Might Guy, and Yuhi Kurenai left the Hokage Office, discussed the flourishing village and their plans during their time off, and Kakashi offered to treat them to ramen.
• Xuanyu trained his Flying Thunder God Technique, Dust Release, and Gravity Domain, while his fifth-Magatama Sharingan remained stalled.
• Xuanyu planned to recruit Jugo and Kimimaro, find a way to protect his father, and capture Hidan to investigate his Undying Body.

Xuanyu learned that Shisui’s eye integration was nearly complete and saw his father continue training under Uchiha Xia. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Uchiha Itachi and ordered him to capture a powerful Wood Release Ninja, leaving the two men threatening each other over Sasuke and the Sarutobi Clan.

• Hua Yu told Xuanyu that Shisui’s eye integration was over ninety-nine percent complete and that his Cellular Potion would be ready in three days.
• Uchiha Xia reported that Uchiha Hanjō had finally learned the Substitution Technique after more than three months of training.
• Xuanyu sensed Itachi’s return as Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned him to the Hokage Office and ordered him to capture the Wood Release Ninja.
• Itachi said the target was strong and he could not guarantee success, while Hiruzen warned him that he would take care of Sasuke.
• Itachi threatened to visit the Sarutobi Clan if Hiruzen harmed Sasuke, and Hiruzen remarked that Itachi had changed greatly.

Uchiha Itachi refused Sarutobi Hiruzen’s attempt to control him and met Uchiha Xuan Yu, who asked him to find information on Hidan. Meanwhile, Hashira completed his first bounty task and prepared to search for Orochimaru and Kimimaro.

• Uchiha Itachi rejected Sarutobi Hiruzen’s appeal to their past and left, prompting Hiruzen to regret letting him live.
• Uchiha Xuan Yu confronted Itachi outside Konoha, and Itachi prepared to fight but learned Xuanyu had come to ask for help instead.
• Uchiha Xuan Yu asked Itachi to find Hidan’s whereabouts and promised Sasuke would remain safe in the village.
• Uchiha Xuan Yu vanished using what Itachi suspected was the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Itachi left the forest.
• Hashira emerged from the Bounty Exchange with a suitcase after completing his first task and planned to search for Orochimaru and bring back Kimimaro.

Hashira found Orochimaru’s hidden base and fought his way past its guards to meet Kimimaro. Their battle left Hashira wondering whether Kimimaro was strong enough to recruit, until Kimimaro drew a bone sword from his body.

• Hashira followed a lead to a cave in a snowy wilderness and asked its three Otogakure guards to let him see Orochimaru.
• The guards attacked Hashira, but he defeated them without killing them.
• Kimimaro emerged from the cave, recognized Hashira’s mask, and challenged him to get past him before meeting Orochimaru.
• Hashira and Kimimaro fought with taijutsu, and Hashira broke the Bone Spikes in Kimimaro’s palms while suppressing him.
• Kimimaro pulled a Bone Sword from his back, and Hashira marveled at his Bone Spurs.

Hashira defeated Kimimaro and tried to persuade him to join his young master, but Jugo appeared and attacked Hashira to free Kimimaro. The chapter ended as Jugo’s transformed body overwhelmed Hashira with a powerful blow.

• Hashira imagined how Kimimaro’s bone abilities could strengthen him, while Kimimaro charged and attacked.
• Kimimaro grew bone spikes to block Hashira’s kick, but Hashira countered with vines and defeated him.
• Hashira restrained Kimimaro and asked him to come with him, but Kimimaro refused out of loyalty to Orochimaru.
• Jugo arrived, transformed into a monster, and charged Hashira to make him release Kimimaro.
• Jugo struck Hashira with growing strength, leaving Hashira’s arm numb and in pain.

Hashira fought and captured Jugo and Kimimaro, then encountered Orochimaru, who freed them and refused to let them leave. Orochimaru proposed a rematch in one month, leaving Hashira to decide whether to accept the wager and what he would owe if he lost.

• Hashira subdued Jugo with his vines and bound him and Kimimaro.
• Hashira offered Jugo a chance to join his young master's group, but Jugo refused and said he followed Kimimaro.
• Orochimaru arrived, freed Jugo and Kimimaro, and became interested in Hashira's Wood Release.
• Hashira explained that his young master wanted to meet with Jugo and Kimimaro, but Orochimaru refused to let his subordinates leave.
• Orochimaru proposed that Hashira fight Jugo and Kimimaro again in one month, and Hashira asked what he would have to do if he lost.

Hashira agreed to Orochimaru’s wager to return in a month and fight Kimimaro, while Orochimaru secretly planned to prevent him from leaving. In Konoha, Deidara demonstrated his replicated Lava and Ice Releases, and Xuanyu urged him to research the Tsuchikage’s Dust Release.

• Orochimaru wagered Hashira’s cells and blood against Hashira’s victory over Kimimaro in a month, and Hashira accepted before leaving.
• Kimimaro questioned why Orochimaru had not captured Hashira, but Orochimaru said Hashira was too strong to hold by force.
• Orochimaru promised to strengthen Kimimaro with a Cursed Seal and hinted that he had another plan to stop Hashira from leaving.
• Deidara showed Xuanyu how he had replicated Lava Release and Ice Release by balancing Chakra attributes in clay.
• Xuanyu told Deidara that he should use his technique to replicate stronger ninjutsu, such as the Tsuchikage’s Dust Release.

Deidara considered developing a Clay Dust Release and asked Xuanyu to help him research it. Xuanyu demonstrated his Dust Release, then joined Deidara in the laboratory to test his chakra-stabilizing clay.

• Deidara said developing Clay Dust Release was possible but dangerous, and he initially planned to seek Ōnoki’s guidance in Iwagakure.
• Xuanyu revealed that he knew Dust Release and demonstrated it by annihilating a boulder inside a chakra cube.
• Xuanyu explained that he had copied the technique after watching Ōnoki use it, then took Deidara to the laboratory.
• Deidara showed Xuanyu his special clay, which stabilized chakra and could hold two chakra types without exploding.
• Deidara explained that he wanted Xuanyu to inject Dust Release’s three chakra types into the clay and test whether it could release them safely.

Xuanyu and Deidara experimented with combining chakra in Explosive Clay, allowing Deidara to produce a weak Dust Release. After days of slow progress, Xuanyu returned to Konoha, where Shisui appeared before him in a mask.

• Xuanyu infused Explosive Clay with wind, earth, and fire chakra, and it briefly formed a cube that unleashed Dust Release before bursting apart.
• Xuanyu tried storing wind and fire chakra in the clay before adding earth chakra, but the resulting Dust Release was weak.
• Deidara shaped the prepared clay into a bird and successfully used Dust Release for the first time, though it destroyed only a small area.
• Xuanyu and Deidara researched the clay for several more days, and Deidara increased the size of his Dust Release to about a head's size.
• Xuanyu returned to Konoha to train at the Military Police Force, where he recognized the masked Uchiha visitor as Shisui.

Shisui recovered his eyes and chose to join Xuanyu’s Akatsuki Organization as the masked Phantom Tiger. Xuanyu assigned him to remain at his side while he welcomed Uchiha Izumi into the Military Police Force and arranged for her to receive cultivation medicine.

• Shisui told Xuanyu that his eyes had recovered and that he had tested his improved genjutsu on the way to the office.
• Xuanyu offered Shisui the chance to leave, but Shisui chose to join the Akatsuki Organization and accepted the name Phantom Tiger.
• Xuanyu told Phantom Tiger to stay by his side and avoid being seen by people in Konoha who knew Shisui.
• Uchiha Xia brought Uchiha Izumi to Xuanyu after she reached elite jonin level.
• Xuanyu assigned Izumi to the Military Police Force under Uchiha Xia and told him to arrange cultivation medicine with Hua Yu as a reward for her actions during the Night of the Massacre.

Uchiha Xuan Yu learned that Hidan had been sighted in Yugakure Village and left Konoha with Shisui, whose identity remained hidden. After departing, Xuan Yu proposed visiting Orochimaru’s base because of a wager Hashira had made with Orochimaru.

• Uchiha Izumi asked Uchiha Xia about Xuan Yu and the masked Uchiha, and Xia told her someone would soon take a tube of her blood.
• Xuan Yu and Uchiha Shisui discussed Izumi’s past friendship with Itachi and the tragedy of the clan massacre.
• A crow delivered Xuan Yu a message reporting that Hidan had been sighted in Yugakure Village in the Land of Rivers.
• Uchiha Xuan Yu left Konoha with Shisui after reassuring Uchiha Hanjō that he would be safe.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen heard that Xuan Yu had left with a masked Uchiha, and Shimura Danzō said the man resembled Shisui.
• Outside Konoha, Xuan Yu suggested that he and Shisui visit Orochimaru because of Hashira’s wager.

Hashirama arrived at Orochimaru’s base to claim Kimimaro and Jugo under their wager, but found Orochimaru backed by Itachi and Kisame. Xuanyu and Shisui watched from hiding, leaving Shisui poised to face Itachi again while Hashirama prepared for the confrontation.

• Xuanyu and Shisui discussed Orochimaru’s schemes and followed Hashirama to Orochimaru’s base.
• Orochimaru waited with Jugo, Kimimaro, Itachi, and Kisame, who was eager to fight Hashirama.
• Hashirama questioned whether the wager still stood, and Orochimaru said Kimimaro and Jugo could leave if Hashirama defeated them.
• Xuanyu and Shisui watched the group from a kilometer away, hidden behind a rock.
• Shisui became troubled at seeing Itachi, but Xuanyu urged him to watch quietly and speak with Itachi later.

Kimimaro and Jugo activated their Cursed Seals and fought Hashira, who gradually gained the upper hand with Wood Release. As Hashira’s vines closed around Kimimaro, Kimimaro transformed into a monstrous second form and tore free, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Kimimaro activated his Cursed Seal, and Jugo transformed as well before they attacked Hashira.
• Hashira learned firsthand how the Cursed Seals magnified Kimimaro’s and Jugo’s strength, while Xuanyu observed their power and resolved to obtain Orochimaru’s sealing method.
• Jugo and Kimimaro struggled against Hashira’s Wood Release, and Hashira gradually took control of the fight.
• As vines nearly sealed Kimimaro, he unleashed a second form with dark skin, bone spikes, and a thick tail, then ripped the vines apart.

Kimimaro transformed into his Third Form and fought Hashira with renewed strength, while Orochimaru, Itachi, Kisame, Xuanyu, and Shisui watched. Hashira held a slight advantage, but neither fighter had won when Xuanyu decided not to intervene because Hashira still had a trump card.

• Kimimaro entered his Third Form, surprising Hashira and drawing the interest of Orochimaru, Itachi, Kisame, Xuanyu, and Shisui.
• Hashira summoned enormous Wood Release Hands and struck Kimimaro, who braced himself beneath one and forced his way back to his feet.
• Kimimaro escaped the Wood Release Hand, broke its little finger, and used bone chains to launch himself toward Hashira.
• Hashira and Kimimaro fought fiercely, with Hashira holding a slight advantage as Kimimaro attacked relentlessly.
• Shisui asked whether they should help Hashira, but Xuanyu refused, saying Hashira still had a trump card.
• Kisame stepped forward and said the battle was becoming boring.

Hashira fought Kimimaro and Kisame until he was trapped in a Water Prison, but he activated the Yin Seal, Mitotic Regeneration, and the Strength of a Hundred Sealings to restore himself. Orochimaru recognized the techniques and became wary as Hashira began breaking through the prison.

• Kisame joined the fight and attacked Hashira while Hashira continued trying to seal Kimimaro.
• Kisame’s Samehada drained Hashira’s Chakra, and Kimimaro’s Bone Chain pierced Hashira’s shoulder.
• Hashira bound and sealed Kimimaro, then asked Orochimaru to honor their wager and let Kimimaro and the other boy leave with him.
• Orochimaru said Hashira could take them only if he escaped, and Kisame trapped him in a Water Prison.
• Hashira activated the Yin Seal, Mitotic Regeneration, and the Strength of a Hundred Sealings, restoring his Chakra and healing his injuries.
• Orochimaru recognized Tsunade’s Forbidden Techniques and retreated warily as Hashira’s hand pierced the Water Prison.

Hashira used the Yin Seal, Mitotic Regeneration, and the Strength of a Hundred Sealings to overpower Kisame in close combat, but Kisame trapped him inside a vast sphere of water. Hashira destroyed Kisame’s first water shark, then faced four more as Kisame sent them all to attack.

• Orochimaru warned Kisame that Hashira had become much stronger after activating three Forbidden Techniques.
• Hashira caught Samehada and struck Kisame with overwhelming physical force, then explained that his sealed Chakra could not be devoured.
• Hashira tried to leave with Kimimaro and Jugo, but Kisame blocked his path and they fought again.
• Hashira repeatedly sent Kisame flying and broke his Water Shark Bomb, while Samehada helped Kisame recover.
• Kisame formed a three-hundred-meter sphere of water around Hashira with Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave.
• Hashira crushed Kisame’s first shark, but Kisame summoned four more and sent all five sharks after him.