Recaps

Natsuki forged an alliance with Cloud Village against Mist Village while positioning the Uchiha Clan to gain territory and influence. As Cloud Village invaded, Mei Terumi united Mist Village, and the Akatsuki prepared to exploit the conflict.

• Orochimaru told the Third Hokage that Yagura was dead, Isobu was gone, and Utakata had defected, while Natsuki’s plans drew interest from the leaders of Mist, Sand, Stone, and Cloud Villages.
• Natsuki met Nagato and Konan, agreed to protect Konan if Nagato died during his risky fusion, and proposed using a Cloud invasion and a Mist request for Akatsuki aid to give Nagato time to recover.
• Natsuki sent Orochimaru back to Konoha as an undercover agent, where Orochimaru told the Third Hokage about the Uchiha plans and agreed to cooperate with him.
• Natsuki arranged for Itachi and Shisui to help Cloud Village attack Mist Village, secured four islands for the Uchiha Clan, and promised to keep Konoha and Stone Village from interfering.
• Orochimaru began developing a replacement eye for Kakashi, while Sasori and Deidara prepared their puppets and explosive clay near the Land of Lightning.
• Obito and Zetsu prepared Danzo for experiments with Hashirama Cells as the Akatsuki considered exploiting the coming war to capture Tailed Beasts and expand the conflict.
• Konan gave Natsuki an Akatsuki ring and reported Zetsu’s push to intervene, and Natsuki warned her about Obito and gave her a box to help him locate her.
• Cloud Village seized a foothold on the islands with Yugito and Killer Bee, while Mei Terumi ordered Mist Village to use guerrilla tactics and united its factions behind her leadership.

Natsuki used Akatsuki to help Mist Village resist Cloud Village while secretly capturing Sasori and Deidara and drawing former Mist shinobi back to the village. The fighting left Killer B unconscious, Kakuzu fleeing, and Mei Terumi’s forces strengthened by returning allies.

• Mei Terumi sought help against Cloud Village, and Natsuki offered Ao Akatsuki’s services in exchange for payment and territory.
• Natsuki advised Nagato to target Cloud Village’s fresh forces, then organized Akatsuki’s attacks as Cloud Village advanced across the Twin Islands.
• Sasori and Deidara attacked Cloud Village forces, but Natsuki and Itachi captured Sasori while Shisui captured Deidara.
• Natsuki brought Zabuza, Suigetsu, and Juzo Biwa into the campaign, and Zabuza and Suigetsu agreed to return to Mist Village if their pasts were forgiven.
• Kisame fought Killer B with Samehada, and Hibaku’s poisoned water technique left Killer B unconscious before Itachi forced the attackers to retreat.
• Hibaku revealed Obito’s role in Mist Village’s suffering, and Ao welcomed Zabuza, Juzo Biwa, and Suigetsu back to the village.
• Shisui and Yōya defeated Kakuzu and Hidan’s resistance and rescued the badly wounded Yugito, while Kakuzu escaped into the sea.

As Cloud Village and Mist Village prepared for battle, Natsuki maneuvered Stone Village into delaying its attack and arranged for Ōnoki to take Deidara as his successor. Obito ambushed Itachi and Shisui, but Natsuki drove him off and brought the gravely injured Itachi back to the Uchiha compound, where Itachi woke with severely damaged eyesight.

• Yōya and Shisui defeated Hidan, sealed his head and body, and brought the injured Yugito back to the outpost, where Shisui promised Uchiha protection until she and Killer B recovered.
• Chiyo confirmed that Sasori had used the Third Kazekage’s corpse, heard Sasori speak through his puppets, and took both Sasori and the corpse back to Sand Village.
• Mei Terumi’s tsunami formation wrecked much of Cloud Village’s fleet, delaying its landing as Raikage A went ahead alone toward Tsuzawa Island.
• Natsuki defeated Deidara with help from the Uchiha Clan and negotiated with Ōnoki to delay Stone Village’s attack in exchange for Deidara and cooperation on a Uchiha base.
• Ōnoki defeated Natsuki’s Susanoo, took Deidara back to Stone Village, and began teaching him Dust Release, while Natsuki received new techniques through his Shadow Clones.
• Obito ambushed Itachi and Shisui, but Natsuki arrived through Shisui’s reverse summon and fought alongside Itachi until their Susanoo clash sent the fighters flying.
• Natsuki tracked Obito through the Kamui Dimension, incapacitated him, and returned the unconscious Itachi to the Uchiha compound for treatment.
• Tsunade stabilized Itachi but warned that his eyes had deteriorated severely, and Itachi woke with pain and blurred, doubled vision as Natsuki told him he could no longer see clearly.

Natsuki used the Uchiha Clan’s money and influence to build support for a new Hokage election while arranging treatment for Itachi and Fugaku. As Orochimaru’s cloning technology drew attention, Pain arrived to scout Cloud Village’s rear for an attack.

• Sasuke awakened his Three Tomoe Sharingan after learning that Itachi could barely see, while Mist Village’s assault on Cloud Village was repelled by Killer B’s Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Natsuki fought Orochimaru’s serpents to protect Itachi, then negotiated an Honorary Elder seat and a larger share of Orochimaru’s profits for the Uchiha Clan.
• Itachi agreed to marry Izumi, and Orochimaru transplanted Fugaku’s eyes into Itachi while beginning the fusion that could restore his sight.
• Natsuki warned Minato about threats beyond Obito, killed Hidan with Itachi’s Amaterasu, and gained Death Immunity.
• Natsuki recruited Hizashi, Hiashi, and Kakashi to support a new Hokage election, while the Hyuga Clan spread rumors questioning Hiruzen and Danzo.
• Natsuki offered billions to Konoha’s clans, and their growing support alarmed Hiruzen, who later agreed to let Orochimaru manage the voting matter while he handled official duties.
• Orochimaru announced cloning treatment for disabled ninja as Itachi’s eye fusion continued, while Kisame told Mei Terumi that Pain had arrived to scout Cloud Village’s rear.