Chapter Summaries

Natsuki infiltrated the Cloud Village’s guarded Seven-Colored Ore mine and discovered the enormous scale of its deposits. Seeing that the mine could strengthen the Cloud Village and risk another war with the Mist Village, he sent a Shadow Clone away with a token while he stayed behind to wait.

• Natsuki returned to the mine area using Flying Thunder God and used Transparent Release to sneak past the guards and Investigation Barrier.
• Natsuki entered the mine unnoticed, passing C and the Sensory Unit near the entrance.
• Natsuki explored the mine and saw Cloud Village workers extracting Seven-Colored Ore with machines and pickaxes.
• Natsuki discovered that the ore vein extended across at least twenty square kilometers and four to five hundred meters vertically.
• Natsuki decided to act against the mine to curb the Cloud Village’s growing strength and help prevent a war with the Mist Village.
• Natsuki created a Shadow Clone, gave it a token, and sent it away with Flying Thunder God while his main body waited in the mine.

Natsuki arranged for Hidden Light Village and Mist Village to buy large shares of Rainbow Ore, while planning to destroy Cloud Village’s Seven-Colored Ore vein. Cloud Village received intelligence accusing the Uchiha Clan of colluding with Mist Village, but Yugito and Killer B questioned the claims.

• Natsuki ordered Iori to reserve thirty percent of the Land of Rainbow’s annual Rainbow Ore output at ten thousand per ton.
• Disguised as Hibaku, Natsuki told Ao that Cloud Village’s Seven-Colored Ore reserves threatened Mist Village and urged Mist Village to buy thirty percent of Rainbow Ore before he attacked the mineral vein in three days.
• Hidden Light Village and Mist Village each contracted to buy thirty percent of the Land of Rainbow’s annual output, giving the struggling country buyers for much of its stockpile.
• The Raikage gathered Killer B, Yugito, Samui’s team, and Dodai to discuss intelligence alleging that the Uchiha Clan had colluded with Mist Village.
• Yugito called for a thorough investigation, pointing out that the Uchiha Clan had saved her and Killer B instead of killing them.
• Killer B confirmed that Uchiha Itachi had saved him when Hibaku nearly killed him.

Natsuki used a Shadow Clone disguised as Hibaku to flood Cloud Village’s Seven-Colored Mine and destroy its central levels with a C0 explosion. He escaped to Hidden Light Village after the ore vein was largely obliterated, while the Raikage and Killer B fled the blast.

• Dodai warned the Raikage that the Uchiha Clan’s alleged collusion with Mist Village remained unproven, but the orders from Mist Village and the Land of Rainbow suggested someone wanted the Seven-Colored Ore Vein.
• An Anbu reported that Hibaku had appeared in the Seven-Colored Mine and flooded it.
• Natsuki’s Hibaku Shadow Clone wrecked the mine’s pumps and drainage outlets, flooded the tunnels, and began cutting through the mine’s central supports.
• Killer B transformed into Gyuki and entered the flooded mine, but fled after Hibaku began compressing chakra for a massive attack.
• Hibaku detonated C0 underground, destroying most of the Seven-Colored Ore Vein and blasting the Cloud Village shinobi away.
• Natsuki confirmed the mission was complete and used Flying Thunder God to return to Hidden Light Village.

Hibaku’s attack destroyed the Cloud Village’s Seven-Colored Ore Vein and left the Raikage worried that Hibaku could threaten the village itself. While Yugito investigated the crater, she discovered a remarkably hard metal deposit, and Dodai reacted with joy when he saw it.

• The Raikage and the Cloud Village shinobi inspected the massive crater, and Dodai reported that there were only a few injuries and no deaths.
• Dodai urged the Raikage to change the Cloud Village’s attitude toward the Mist Village, and Killer B described Hibaku compressing Chakra into a sphere before the explosion.
• Yugito suggested Hibaku might have escaped with a Reverse Summoning Technique, and the Raikage ordered Dodai to coordinate the aftermath while he took Killer B to the training ground.
• Yugito searched the crater and found unfamiliar grayish-black metal that her claws could not damage.
• Yugito brought Dodai to the metal deposit, and he froze before erupting with joy.

Kakuzu collected payment and a new assignment from the Uchiha Clan, while Obito learned that Dionysus had secretly researched the Spear of Heaven. After White Zetsu took over Dionysus, Obito ordered him to retrieve the Melody Rods so they could activate the weapon and obtain its energy.

• Kakuzu received ten million for his intelligence and forty million to acquire Hiruko's Chimera Technique, then selected bounty targets and warned the bald man that his mission might take time.
• Dionysus collapsed during an experiment as Puppet Spores spread through his body, and he awoke with emotionless eyes.
• Obito questioned the invaded Dionysus and learned that he could perform high-precision Impure World Reincarnation and had been researching the Spear of Heaven.
• Dionysus explained that the Spear of Heaven absorbed ley-line energy and that its activation required an organ and seven Melody Rods located in Tonika Village.
• Obito ordered Dionysus to retrieve the Melody Rods immediately, and Dionysus's memories began awakening after Obito left.

Leo and Mina survived the destruction of Tonika Village with help from their teacher, Takatsu, who returned the next day with three other children. The village lay in ruins, and the siblings were left to follow Takatsu toward Hachi Town.

• Leo and Mina woke to find Tonika Village ablaze and saw ninjas slaughtering their neighbors as their grandfather led the Guard Team against the attackers.
• Trapped by flames in their home, Leo and Mina jumped from a window into Takatsu’s arms, and he carried them out of the village.
• Takatsu left the children outside the village and returned to search for survivors, telling them to go to Hachi Town if he did not come back.
• After finding no survivors among the ruins, Leo and Mina set out barefoot for Hachi Town but stopped when Mina could walk no farther.
• Takatsu limped back with three children, and Mina ran to him as they embraced.

After Tonika Village was destroyed, Dionysus used Impure World Reincarnation to question the village chief and learned that the remaining Melody Rods had been given to Takatsu. Konoha sent Kakashi, Naruto, Hinata, and Tenten to investigate, while Sasuke continued training under Itachi.

• Dionysus reincarnated Mina's grandfather and learned that Takatsu had the remaining two Melody Rods.
• Dionysus told Obito he expected to retrieve the Melody Rods in Hachi Town and warned that Konoha would investigate.
• Minato assigned Kakashi to investigate Tonika Village's destruction and ordered him to bring Naruto and Neji along.
• Kakashi assembled Naruto, Hinata, and Tenten, and the four set out on the potentially S-rank mission.
• After two years of training with Itachi, Sasuke had reached Jonin level, though Itachi secretly let him win some of their fights.

Cloud Village backed down after Hibaku destroyed its Seven-Colored Ore Vein, allowing Mist Village and Hidden Light Village to regain their influence in the Rainbow Ore trade. Back in Hidden Light Village, Natsuki completed his mission and decided to investigate a possible plot involving the Spear of Heaven while preparing Sasuke and others for experience.

• Hibaku destroyed Cloud Village’s Seven-Colored Ore Vein, and Mist Village claimed responsibility while Cloud Village stayed silent and withdrew from the dispute.
• The Land of Rainbow resumed supplying ore, and Mist Village and Hidden Light Village agreed to sell it at standardized prices.
• Natsuki’s mission to reverse Mist Village’s destruction was completed, so he used its reward to improve the Reanimation Jutsu.
• Natsuki read Naruto’s report about an S-rank mission near Hall and suspected Dionysus was plotting for the Spear of Heaven.
• Natsuki planned to investigate Hall and bring Sasuke and the others along, noting that Naruto’s strength had outpaced Sasuke’s.

Natsuki sent Sasuke, Haku, and Kimimaro to investigate a massacre and disappearances near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, warning them they might face Gū and Impure World Reincarnation. Meanwhile, Kakashi led Naruto, Hinata, and Tenten to the ruins of Tonika Village to search for clues.

• Natsuki found Sasuke, Haku, and Kimimaro training together and assigned them a dangerous investigation near the Land of Rivers.
• Natsuki warned the team that the case might involve Gū and enemies using Impure World Reincarnation, then secretly marked them with Flying Thunder God marks.
• Natsuki used Flying Thunder God to travel toward Konoha after briefing the team.
• Kakashi led Naruto, Hinata, and Tenten through the ruins of Tonika Village and said they would go to Hachi Town if they found no clues.
• Naruto sent out shadow clones, Hinata searched with her Byakugan, and Tenten dispatched summoned lizards to investigate the area.

Naruto and Tenten uncovered signs of human experimentation and a ritual in hidden rooms near Tonika Village, while Kakashi and Hinata investigated the village’s treasure vault and met the local Guard Team. The investigation pointed toward a stolen object and a massacre, and Kakashi learned that survivors were being treated at the town hospital.

• Naruto and Tenten noticed that the lush lakeside had no animals and found a water-pumping apparatus and nearby pipes.
• Kakashi and Hinata discovered a hidden chamber beneath the village’s treasure vault, where an organ-shaped object had once rested.
• The Hachi Town Guard Team, led by Heather, explained that Tonika Village survivors were at the town hospital and introduced Kakashi to the mayor.
• Dionysus, disguised as a priest, questioned Kakashi about his companions, and Hinata quietly signaled Kakashi.
• Tenten and Naruto found an illusion-hidden cave containing bloodstained secret rooms, where Tenten’s lizards reported hundreds of deaths and traces of an evil ritual array.
• Tenten identified signs of recent human experimentation and suggested that she and Naruto reunite with Kakashi to question the survivors.

Kakashi’s team connected the Hachi Town mayor to the Tonika Village massacre and suspected he was researching Impure World Reincarnation for Obito. Meanwhile, Dionysus learned that Naruto had arrived in town.

• Takatsu mistook Kakashi’s forehead protector for a sign that Kakashi’s group had attacked Tonika Village, but Heather confirmed they were Konoha reinforcements.
• Kakashi explained that the attackers Takatsu saw were dead Konoha ninjas controlled by Impure World Reincarnation, while Hinata and Kakashi noticed suspicious signs about the town mayor.
• Tenten reported a hidden underground base likely used for human experimentation, and Kakashi concluded the mayor might have slaughtered Tonika Village to research Impure World Reincarnation and aid Obito.
• Hinata suggested speaking with Heather before accusing the mayor, and Kakashi’s team agreed to wait until they could talk privately.
• Dionysus received White Zetsu’s report and learned that Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, had arrived.

Kakashi’s group learned that Hachi Town’s mayor, Dionysus, was a wanted man likely responsible for Tonika Village’s destruction. Heather agreed to keep the children and her colleagues safe while Konoha prepared to arrest him.

• At dinner, Heather told Kakashi that the mayor had lived in Hachi Town for years, first as a priest named Dionysus.
• Kakashi and the others recognized Dionysus as a man wanted by Konoha and suspected he was researching Impure World Reincarnation and had destroyed Tonika Village.
• At the baths, Naruto entertained the children while Kakashi warned Takatsu about the mayor and asked him to protect Mina and the others.
• Hinata told Heather that the mayor was suspicious and explained that her Byakugan had revealed blood and surgical scars on him.
• Hinata noticed Heather’s injuries and discovered that her uterus had been removed; Heather accepted the explanation and agreed to keep her colleagues vigilant.

Hinata told Heather that Konoha could clone her removed uterus, giving Heather and Takatsu hope for a future together. After Takatsu recounted Tonika Village’s destruction, Kakashi planned to visit the town mayor and use the Melody Rods to draw out whoever was behind the attack.

• Heather told Hinata that she and Takatsu had grown apart after she fell from a cliff and was left unable to have children.
• Takatsu described his guilt over failing to save Heather and the people of Tonika Village, and Kakashi urged him not to blame himself.
• Hinata explained that Konoha could clone Heather’s organs, and Heather agreed to go there after the crisis was resolved.
• Takatsu told Kakashi’s group that attackers had destroyed Tonika Village and that the wounded Guard Team members had recovered from fatal injuries.
• Takatsu gave Naruto two Melody Rods that Mina’s grandfather had entrusted to him, and Kakashi decided to use them as bait when they visited the town mayor.

Obito confronted Dionysus, a specially cultivated White Zetsu, after he acted on his own to lure Naruto and Kakashi into danger. Dionysus revealed that Impure World Reincarnation could restore Jinchuriki with some Tailed Beast Chakra and that other energy could help revive the Ten-Tails; Obito agreed to move forward with a plan to capture Naruto.

• Obito rebuked Dionysus for failing to obtain the final two Melody Rods and for risking Naruto's capture despite the Fourth Hokage's ability to arrive quickly.
• Dionysus summoned the Reanimated body of the previous Seven-Tails Jinchuriki and demonstrated that it retained a small amount of Tailed Beast Chakra.
• Dionysus explained that a stronger sacrifice could yield more Tailed Beast Chakra and that the Ten-Tails could absorb other energy to make up the difference.
• Obito realized that Dionysus was a specially cultivated White Zetsu carrying Black Zetsu's knowledge and acting independently to accelerate the Ten-Tails' resurrection.
• Dionysus revealed that he had placed Tailed Beast Chakra collectors around town to help Sora, an imitation Nine-Tails, grow faster.
• Obito planned to use the Spear of Heaven to break the Stone Sealing the next day and left the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to Dionysus.

The mayor and a blindfolded village head arrived at Heather’s house, but the group exposed the village head as a Reanimated body and the mayor as the wanted criminal Dionysus. Obito seized the Melody Rods and escaped, leaving Kakashi, Naruto, and their allies to face Dionysus and the Reanimated fighters.

• Dionysus brought a blindfolded man to Heather’s house, where Leo, Mina, and Takatsu recognized him as the village head.
• Hinata and Heather uncovered the deception, and Takatsu threw down the Reanimated village head while Tenten and Hinata evacuated the children and officials.
• Dionysus summoned several Reanimated bodies, and Heather’s Guard Team colleagues left to keep townspeople away from the battle.
• Obito emerged from underground, fought Kakashi briefly, took the Melody Rods with his Rinnegan, and escaped into the Kamui Dimension.
• Naruto prepared Multiple Shadow Clones while Tenten summoned three Humanoid Lizards, as Kakashi and the others faced Dionysus and the Reanimated fighters.

Naruto and his allies battled Dionysus’s reanimated forces while Kakashi tried to capture Dionysus. Naruto struggled to pin down the flying former Seven-Tails Jinchuriki as the fight continued across the battlefield.

• Naruto used a Wind Release: Tornado Technique to deflect the former Seven-Tails Jinchuriki’s paralyzing powder, and Kurama warned him about its effects.
• Dionysus sent his reanimated fighters against Hinata and Tenten’s summoned lizards while Kakashi tried to ambush him from underground.
• Dionysus countered Kakashi with branches and escaped using the Mayfly Technique, prompting Kakashi to pursue him.
• Hinata used Gentle Step Twin Lion Fist to blast through reanimated bodies, while Tenten supported her summoned lizards with explosive Hidden Weapons.
• Naruto fought the former Seven-Tails Jinchuriki in the air but could not catch him, and the formation Dionysus had prepared collected the Nine-Tails Chakra Naruto leaked.

Obito activated the Glass Organ with all seven Melody Rods, sending ancient music across Hor Basin while Naruto’s group struggled against reanimated opponents. Sasuke, Kimimaro, and Haku arrived to help defeat and restrain the enemies, leaving the exhausted group together as Hinata wondered whether Naruto liked Haku.

• Obito inserted all seven Melody Rods into the Glass Organ, and its music spread throughout Hor Basin.
• Naruto, Tenten, and Hinata continued fighting the reanimated bodies while the mysterious music distracted them.
• Sasuke, Kimimaro, and Haku joined the battle and immobilized the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki with genjutsu, lightning, bones, and ice.
• Naruto and the others gathered and froze the remaining reanimated bodies, then thanked their allies and dismissed Tenten’s injured Kubisaki Lizards.
• Hinata saw Naruto hug Haku and wondered whether Haku was the kind of girl Naruto liked.

Obito activated the Spear of Heaven and began gathering immense energy while Kakashi failed to stop him. In Konoha, Natsuki tested his newly developed Human Sage Art and considered storing Natural Energy in the Sun Seal.

• Obito raised the Spear of Heaven and used Susanoo to protect the Glass Organ from Kakashi's attack.
• Kakashi charged Obito, but Obito repelled him and blocked his attempts to destroy the Glass Organ.
• Obito transformed the Spear of Heaven into a cannon, draining nearby water and vegetation as crimson energy gathered overhead.
• Natsuki demonstrated his Human Sage Art to Tsunade and Orochimaru, displaying increased strength, durability, and a Sage-empowered Susanoo.
• Orochimaru identified that Natsuki's Sage Mode gathered Natural Energy too slowly and could not last long.
• Natsuki considered storing Natural Energy in the Sun Seal rather than using it to store Chakra.

Natsuki and Orochimaru went to investigate the Spear of Heaven as it extracted Ley Line Energy, while Otsutsuki Hagoromo decided Natsuki was obstructing the Savior Twins. Obito used the energy to begin undoing the seal on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, leaving Kakashi convinced that Obito was beyond redemption.

• Minato alerted Natsuki, Tsunade, and Orochimaru that the Spear of Heaven might have activated, and Natsuki took Orochimaru to investigate while Minato stayed to protect the village.
• Otsutsuki Hagoromo saw the Spear of Heaven extracting Ley Line Energy, but Natsuki's Sharingan blocked his vision, prompting Hagoromo to decide Natsuki must be removed.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and the others rushed to the Spear of Heaven, where Obito destroyed the Glass Organ and evaded their attacks.
• Natsuki and Orochimaru arrived as Obito summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path onto the Spear of Heaven.
• The Spear of Heaven's energy began peeling the stone seal from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and Kakashi condemned Obito after seeing the corpses covering it.

Obito used the Spear of Heaven to release the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, while Natsuki moved to stop the weapon. A black eight-headed creature emerged from the Spear of Heaven and attacked Natsuki’s Susanoo, leaving Obito to continue restoring the statue as Orochimaru watched.

• Orochimaru explained that the Spear of Heaven would drain underground energy and turn the surrounding lands into deserts.
• Obito used the Spear of Heaven to remove the seal on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and Natsuki flew toward him with Orochimaru following.
• The Spear of Heaven expelled black sludge that formed an Eight-Headed Black Snake, which Orochimaru identified as consciousness born from Dark Energy.
• Natsuki summoned his Susanoo and attacked, but Obito’s Shinra Tensei and the Eight-Headed Black Snake knocked it backward.
• Obito hoped the snake would hold Natsuki off while the Spear of Heaven restored the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, as Orochimaru watched without intervening.