Recaps

Muzan and Haku fought Jiraiya, whose attacks were weakened by Haku’s freezing Blood Demon Art. Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta as the courtyard froze, and Muzan urged Haku to unleash his full strength.

• Jiraiya appeared and challenged Muzan, while Muzan introduced him to Haku as an old teacher and one of Konoha’s Legendary Sannin.
• Muzan told Haku to freeze the area, and Haku used Falling Ice Rain to lower the temperature around Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya attacked with Fire Release, but Muzan split the flames with his blade and endured Jiraiya’s Rasengan as his wound healed.
• Jiraiya summoned Bunta, drawing Mukawa Hui and the other ninjas toward the disturbance.
• Muzan urged Haku to use all his strength, and Haku unleashed Ice Lotus Frost Assault, freezing the courtyard and shattering whatever it touched.

Muzan survived Jiraiya and Gamabunta’s combined attack by protecting himself and Haku with thorns, then fused his Demon King Form with Sage Mode and unleashed a dramatic increase in strength. Jiraiya dispelled Gamabunta after Muzan wounded him, but summoned two sages to continue fighting and capture Muzan.

• Jiraiya and Gamabunta used Toad Oil Flame Bullet against Muzan, while the arriving ninjas hesitated to enter the battlefield.
• Muzan raised three Earth-Style Walls and shielded himself and unconscious Haku inside thorny growths until the flames passed.
• Muzan fused his Demon King Form with Sage Mode, protected Haku, and absorbed natural energy through the mouths on his body.
• Muzan lifted Gamabunta and pierced him with his nails, prompting Jiraiya to dispel the summoning.
• Jiraiya summoned two sages to help him continue the fight and capture Muzan.

Jiraiya fought Muzan with the help of Elder Fukasaku and Elder Shima, but Muzan escaped the Mukawa Estate with Haku before Jiraiya could enter Sage Mode. Konoha’s leaders gathered to discuss the clash and learned that Muzan could enhance other people’s strength.

• Jiraiya and the two sages confronted Muzan, whose blood-red eyes reminded them of the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy.
• Muzan attacked Jiraiya with Black Blood Brambles and Spine Bone Spikes, but Jiraiya countered with Needle Jizo and Rasengan.
• Jiraiya began gathering natural energy, so Muzan spread brambles to distract him, grabbed Haku, and escaped the courtyard.
• Muzan met Mukawa Hui and told him to continue secretly digging the earth and pressure Konoha, promising to send people to help.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha injured, and the Hokage’s senior officials discussed Muzan’s allies and his ability to enhance other people’s strength.

Minato Namikaze’s effort to pursue Muzan was blocked after Konoha was blamed for attacks on Mukawa, while Danzo considered secretly aligning with Muzan. In the Land of Waves, Muzan continued researching sunlight resistance until Rain ninjas defeated the Demon Corps, prompting him to investigate their arrival himself.

• Minato Namikaze received word that Mukawa had reported ninja attacks to the daimyo, leading to an order forbidding ninjas from invading and halting Konoha’s open investigation of Muzan.
• Danzo saw Muzan’s outlaw status as a chance to form an alliance and take control of Konoha, though he first needed to locate him.
• Hizashi Hyuga warned Muzan that Rain ninjas had arrived, and Muzan said Hanzō of the Salamander was dead and Rain Village was controlled by an organization stronger than him.
• Muzan experimented with natural energy and sunlight, discovering that natural energy neutralized the cold power in his cells that caused his vulnerability to sunlight.
• Hizashi reported that a Rain ninja had defeated the Demon Corps, and Muzan suspected the visitor was an Akatsuki member before setting out to meet them.
• The Rain ninjas surveyed the Land of Waves and were astonished by its transformation into a developed place with cleared land and enormous cargo ships.

Muzan met Konan in the Land of Waves and proposed renewing his partnership with Akatsuki, offering to handle arms shipments and asking them not to interfere in his feud with Sasori. As Konoha traced Muzan’s ties to Mukawa Hui and the Land of Waves, the country emerged as a dangerous center of power backed by Akatsuki.

• Muzan emerged from the fog and reunited with Konan, explaining that he had ended contact with Akatsuki after defecting from Konoha.
• Konan revealed that Orochimaru had joined Akatsuki and offered to renew their cooperation, promising Akatsuki would not avenge Sasori if Muzan killed him.
• Konan warned that transporting Akatsuki’s goods through the Land of Fire risked conflict with Konoha, and Muzan offered to escort the shipments through Mukawa Estate.
• Muzan showed Konan the Land of Waves, whose people seemed unusually peaceful and content.
• Konoha’s Anbu traced Mukawa Hui’s recent secret dealings with Muzan to the Land of Waves, which had become Blood Moon’s headquarters and an ally of Akatsuki.

Konan and Muzan arranged cooperation between Akatsuki and the Land of Waves, while Minato Namikaze learned that Konoha’s investigators were heading there. After Hizashi Hyuga reported the intruders, Muzan ordered him to keep the shinobi who had entered the Land of Waves from leaving alive.

• Konan returned to Akatsuki and explained the cooperation with Muzan, warning Sasori to avoid the Land of Fire because of his history with Sakumo Hatake.
• Nagato told Sasori to stay away from the Land of Fire, while Deidara asked whether Akatsuki could begin causing destruction now that it had enough money.
• Konoha’s Anbu traced a lead to the Land of Waves, and Minato Namikaze ordered an Elite Jōnin to try to stop the investigators from entering.
• Hizashi Hyuga spotted an Anbu squad entering the Land of Waves with his Byakugan and informed Muzan.
• Muzan told Hizashi to keep the intruders there, noting that other shinobi had also entered and that Pakura had left with Akatsuki.

Hizashi Hyuga killed three Konoha ninja in the Land of Waves, while Shikaku Nara arrived too late to stop him. Shikaku confronted Hatake Muzan, but Muzan evaded his Shadow Imitation Jutsu and struck back with overwhelming force.

• Hizashi Hyuga left Muzan’s laboratory and ambushed three Konoha ninja entering the Land of Waves, killing them with his Blood Demon Art.
• Shikaku Nara arrived on the island to stop the three ninja, then changed his mission to rescue them and investigate the Land of Waves.
• Shikaku followed a blood trail to the three bodies and noticed their wounds were unusual before Muzan attacked him with an Explosive Tag kunai.
• Shikaku recognized Hatake Muzan, and the two exchanged words as Muzan insisted that the Land of Waves did not welcome ninja.
• Shikaku cleared a patch of mist with Great Breakthrough and tried to trap Muzan with Shadow Imitation Jutsu, but Muzan dodged and unleashed Monster Strength Fist.

Muzan defeated Shikaku Nara’s ambush and drove off Sakumo Hatake and Jiraiya, while evidence of the Gentle Fist raised suspicions about the Hyuga clan. As the Land of Waves expanded, rumors of Muzan’s power attracted dangerous outsiders, prompting him to seek new Twelve Kizuki.

• Muzan tracked Shikaku through the mist, survived his Shadow Strangulation Technique, and nearly killed him with Majestic Destroyer Flame.
• Sakumo Hatake and Jiraiya rescued Shikaku and fled the Land of Waves, while Muzan ordered Hizashi to follow them only as far as the border.
• Shikaku reported seeing traces of the Hyuga clan’s Gentle Fist on the dead Anbu, and Konoha’s leaders planned to inform Minato Namikaze.
• Muzan worried that rumors about the Land of Waves and his ability to strengthen others had exposed them and disrupted trade.
• Danzo watched his trained ninja in Root as Muzan faced an influx of power-seeking outsiders and decided to find new Twelve Kizuki.

Muzan arrived in the Land of Waves and offered a bottle of his blood as a prize to wandering ninja who could seize it within an hour. Kamizuru Poison Bee and Kamizuru Poison Butterfly decided to wait for the right moment to pursue the blood.

• Kamizuru Poison Butterfly and Kamizuru Poison Bee reached the Land of Waves after becoming rogue ninja to save their clan, and found that a companion had died amid the ruthless competition for power.
• Muzan arrived by ship with Haku and displayed a bottle of blood that could grant people greater strength.
• Muzan announced that anyone who claimed the bottle within an hour would receive the power he granted, provoking the gathered ninja to rush toward the ship.
• Kamizuru Poison Butterfly said they could not take the blood from the crowd, and Poison Bee urged her to wait while guarding against those seeking an opening.
• Poison Bee told Poison Butterfly to stay close and insisted they had to get the blood.

Kamizuru Poison Butterfly transformed into a Man-Eating Demon after witnessing her brother’s death and receiving Muzan’s blood. She gained butterfly wings and control over altered insects, but her body showed signs of collapse as Haku watched.

• Kamizuru Poison Bee sacrificed himself to hold the Mist Ninja while Poison Butterfly took in his blood.
• Poison Bee’s organs were shattered, and his death drove Poison Butterfly’s transformation and awakened her hunger and brutality.
• Muzan killed the Mist Ninja, restrained Poison Butterfly, and flooded her body with more Man-Eating Demon blood.
• Muzan explained to Haku that demons could become ravenously hungry and devour flesh, prompting Haku to resolve never to do so.
• Poison Butterfly grew patterned butterfly wings, and the nearby insects began feeding on the white powder and changing.
• Muzan recognized that Poison Butterfly could modify insects, but her body began showing signs of collapse.

Muzan ordered Kamizuru Poison Butterfly and Zabuza to punish nobles in the Land of Fire who refused to repay their debts, while Root investigated Blood Moon’s ability to strengthen ninjas. Danzo arrived in the Land of Waves, impressed by its development and thinking Muzan could help advance his plan.

• Root members recorded how Blood Moon strengthened ninjas and left to report their findings to Danzo.
• Kakuzu told Muzan that nobles were refusing to repay their debts, and Muzan ordered Poison Butterfly to make them suffer with her insects.
• Poison Butterfly planted Blood Demon Art-infused insects in nobles while Zabuza collected debts, and a strange illness spread among the targets.
• Danzo arrived in the Land of Waves with Root members, and Hizashi informed Muzan of his visit.
• Muzan headed to meet Danzo, who praised the Land of Waves’ development and thought Muzan could help realize his plan faster.

Muzan’s insect-borne plague afflicted nobles across the Shinobi World, leaving Konoha unable to find a cure. After Poison Butterfly demonstrated her growing Blood Demon Art, Muzan went to confront a noble who had refused to repay his debt and offered to treat the man’s sick father.

• Kawagiri Yamato identified the nobles’ illness as the work of a shinobi but could not cure it, so Minato ordered the Anbu to search for Tsunade.
• Muzan left the Land of Waves and met Zabuza and Poison Butterfly at the Land of Fire’s border.
• Poison Butterfly unleashed an insect swarm that devoured and rapidly multiplied, and Muzan found that destroying it early could stop it.
• Muzan and Zabuza traveled to the territory of a minor noble who had refused to repay his debt.
• Muzan entered the manor and offered to cure the sick lord within minutes, while Inada Jiro questioned the three strangers.

Muzan used Poison Butterfly’s growing insect swarm to confirm its strengths and weakness, then set out with Zabuza to confront nobles who had defaulted on their debts. They arrived at the manor of a sick lord, where Muzan offered to treat him, while Inada Jiro remained suspicious.

• Yamato diagnosed a mysterious illness among nobles as the work of a ninja, and Minato ordered the Anbu to search for Tsunade while the nobles were stabilized.
• Poison Butterfly demonstrated her Blood Demon Art, Insect Swarm Descends, and Muzan discovered that the swarm could be stopped before she cultivated it on a large scale.
• Muzan told Poison Butterfly to strengthen herself and warned her that demons could be killed by sealing techniques, sunlight, and poison.
• Muzan, Zabuza, and Poison Butterfly traveled to the territory of a minor noble who had refused to repay his debt.
• At the noble’s manor, Muzan offered to cure the sick lord, but Inada Jiro questioned the visitors and showed no eagerness to let them help.

Muzan exposed the Inada Family’s people trafficking, sparking an uprising in the town and drawing the daimyō’s attention. As the daimyō ordered a crackdown and sought Konoha’s protection, Muzan judged that his test had succeeded.

• Muzan ordered Zabuza to spare Inada Jiro but seize the Inada Family’s valuables, then had Kamizuru Poison Butterfly scatter evidence of their trafficking around town.
• Inada Jiro tried to stop the evidence from spreading, but the butterflies knocked him down and he discovered that his companions had been killed.
• Townspeople learned that the Inada Family had abducted and sold their relatives, and a furious crowd gathered at the estate as chaos spread through town.
• The daimyō ordered the deaths of everyone involved in killing Lord Inada and asked Konoha to send ninjas to protect him.
• Muzan watched the unrest and concluded that his test had achieved its intended effect.

Minato Namikaze sent Kakashi and the Anbu to investigate the Inada Territory while trying to prevent them from harming the townsfolk. Muzan waited for the confrontation to unfold, and the chapter ended with the townsfolk asking Kakashi whether the ninjas had come to investigate trafficking or kill them.

• Minato Namikaze rejected the order to slaughter civilians and instructed the Anbu to protect those harmed by the Inada lord while directing Kakashi to lead the mission.
• Muzan explained to Kamizuru Poison Butterfly that he intended to drive the townsfolk to despair and turn their resistance into an opportunity for the Land of Waves.
• Kakashi led the Anbu toward Inada and learned that they had found recently deceased victims reduced to skeletons along the road.
• Muzan noticed Kakashi's arrival and ordered Kamizuru Poison Butterfly to wait and avoid attacking the ninjas.
• Kakashi found the Inada Estate deserted, with bloodstains and piles of skeletons, then encountered townsfolk who demanded to know whether the ninjas had come to investigate trafficking or kill them.

Muzan confronted Kakashi and the Anbu in the Inada Territory, exposing the nobles’ abuses and the shinobi’s mission to silence the townspeople. With Poison Butterfly’s insect swarm surrounding them, Muzan protected the civilians while Kakashi used Chidori to create an escape opportunity for his teammates.

• Kakashi urged the townspeople to leave, but they demanded fair treatment and answers about their missing families.
• Muzan appeared and told the crowd that the nobles had taken their families and that Konoha’s shinobi had come to kill them.
• The Anbu warned Kakashi to report back to the Fourth Hokage as the civilians began to recognize the danger.
• Muzan summoned a vast insect swarm, and Poison Butterfly emerged as its controller after the bugs trapped the group.
• Muzan promised to protect everyone who followed him, while Kakashi realized the mission had failed.
• Kakashi activated Chidori to give his teammates a chance to escape.

After Muzan helped spark a rebellion in the Inada Territory, Minato Namikaze realized the Land of Fire was heading toward civil war and warned Konoha to prepare. Muzan then entered Rain Village alone, where he sensed something unusual about the rain.

• Muzan addressed the people of Inada and invited them to join his movement against the Land of Fire, and some took up arms.
• Kakashi and the Anbu returned to Konoha and told Minato Namikaze their mission had failed and Muzan had let them escape.
• A messenger reported that people in the Inada Territory had rebelled and attacked nearby minor nobles, and Minato Namikaze ordered Kakashi to alert Konoha’s ninjas.
• Minato Namikaze recognized that the Land of Fire’s turmoil could draw the other great nations into conflict, while Hidden Stone Village sent ninjas to investigate.
• Muzan arrived in Rain Village, noticed something strange about its rain, and waited in a tavern as footsteps approached.

Muzan met Orochimaru in the Rain Village and negotiated a joint assault on Konoha while the Land of Fire descended into chaos. He agreed to send the Twelve Kizuki and gave Orochimaru a letter outlining his plan for the Land of Waves.

• Orochimaru hurried to meet Muzan after learning he had arrived in the Rain Village.
• Muzan and Orochimaru discussed capturing the Nine-Tails and the dangers posed by Konoha's defenders.
• Muzan offered the Twelve Kizuki to support the Akatsuki's operation against Konoha.
• Muzan proposed stirring civilians into rebellion to spread chaos through the Land of Fire and gave Orochimaru a letter detailing his plan for the Land of Waves.
• Orochimaru welcomed the plan and looked forward to destroying Konoha.

Muzan traveled to Grass Village to find Karin Uzumaki while Konoha prepared for the Land of Fire’s civil war and investigated Akatsuki. After brutalizing Grass Village shinobi who tried to rob or stop him, Muzan reached the village and revealed himself as Blood Moon’s leader, Scarlet Eye.

• Minato Namikaze and the Third Hokage discussed Konoha’s response to the civil war, Akatsuki, and Muzan’s disappearance.
• Muzan went to the Land of Grass seeking Karin Uzumaki, whose Uzumaki blood made her valuable.
• Grass Village robbers attacked Muzan, and he sent them flying with terrifying force.
• Muzan broke a patrol shinobi’s arm and forced another to reveal that Karin was in the village.
• The Grass Shadow confronted Muzan, recognized him as Scarlet Eye, and realized he had come for Karin.

Muzan rescued Uzumaki Karin from the Grass Village, then slaughtered its ninja and destroyed the village. The massacre brought pressure on Konoha to capture him, and Sakumo Hatake resolved to handle the matter personally.

• Muzan found Uzumaki Karin alone in a dilapidated house, recognized the bite marks from having her blood drained, and put her to sleep before taking her away.
• Muzan condemned the Grass Village ninjas and attacked them with his Blood Fang Blade, killing the village's ninja while sparing ordinary people who did not obstruct him.
• Muzan left the Land of Grass with the sleeping Uzumaki Karin, and news of the massacre spread fear among smaller ninja villages.
• The major ninja villages pressured Konoha to capture its rogue ninja Muzan, while negotiations over the response stalled.
• Sakumo Hatake read the Hokage's letter, regretted failing to stop Muzan earlier, and decided to handle the matter personally as Kakashi mourned how much Muzan had changed.

Muzan traveled with Uzumaki Karin after destroying Grass Village, and Karin became terrified when she learned what he had done. In a nearby town, Muzan sensed Anbu pursuing them and used ninja techniques to evade their surveillance before preparing to face them.

• Karin woke in the forest, and Muzan told her Grass Village would not rescue her because he had killed its ninjas.
• Muzan took Karin toward a nearby town, stopping when his speed left her struggling to breathe.
• At the inn, Karin heard travelers confirm that Muzan had destroyed Grass Village and grew terrified of him.
• Muzan sensed pursuers, ordered Karin to gather their food, and led her out of town.
• Muzan used Shadow Clone Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu to mislead the Anbu, then drew his Thunder God Sword and shielded Karin.

Muzan confronted Konoha’s Ino-Shika-Cho team while waiting for their hidden backup, using Sage Mode and massive Fire Release attacks to search for them. After the team revealed themselves and Choza blocked his strike, Muzan unleashed Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Brambles, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Muzan sensed danger, told Karin Uzumaki to escape, and detected that Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, and Choza Akimichi had arrived.
• Inoichi’s attempt to use the Mind Body Switch Technique nearly overwhelmed him with the violence in Muzan’s heart, while Shikaku told the team to wait for their hidden backup.
• Muzan used the wind and Shikaku’s shadow to locate the team’s general position, then engulfed the area in Majestic Destroyer Flames.
• Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza moved to draw Muzan’s attention, and Choza blocked Muzan’s Monster Strength Fist with Partial Multi-Size Technique.
• Muzan searched for the hidden attacker, then spread Black Blood Brambles from the shattered ground; Choza realized something was wrong when he touched them.

Muzan overwhelmed Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka until Sakumo Hatake stepped in to fight him. Sakumo's blade wounded Muzan but could not slow his healing, and he urged the others to move as the battle continued.

• Muzan's thorns tore through the Multi-Size Technique and injured Choza Akimichi, while Shikaku Nara trapped Muzan with Shadow Sewing Technique: Black Spider Lily.
• Muzan broke Shikaku Nara's shadow bindings with bone spikes, struck Choza Akimichi, and left the Ino-Shika-Cho team unable to stop him.
• Muzan prepared to kill Shikaku Nara, but Sakumo Hatake appeared and blocked the attack with his ninja blade.
• Sakumo Hatake fought Muzan with the Hatake Sword Technique and cut his chest, but Muzan healed immediately and said anesthetic had no effect on him.
• Sakumo Hatake told the others to move as he continued facing Muzan.

Minato Namikaze’s Sage Art: Rasengan failed to kill Muzan and drove him into a savage, powerful form. As Sakumo Hatake struggled to hold him back, Minato Namikaze enlisted Shikaku Nara to restrain Muzan and create an opening for his next move.

• Minato Namikaze struck Muzan with a Sage Art: Rasengan, but Muzan regenerated and transformed into his Demon King Form.
• Muzan’s rage overwhelmed his reason, and he attacked Minato Namikaze, who escaped with Flying Raijin.
• Sakumo Hatake severed Muzan’s bone whips but was driven backward by his strength, with Shikaku Nara helping to slow the blow.
• As Muzan’s attacks began to wound Sakumo Hatake, Minato Namikaze decided to use Shikaku Nara’s Shadow Imitation Jutsu to create an opening.
• Shikaku Nara used Shadow Sewing Technique: Black Spider Lily to pin Muzan, then called out to Minato Namikaze.

Minato Namikaze and the Konoha Ninja captured Muzan and transported him to Konoha, but Muzan escaped detection by leaving behind a severed hand that led Karin Uzumaki to the Land of Waves. His Twelve Kizuki and Akatsuki began planning a joint attack to rescue him while Konoha held him in Volcano Prison.

• Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara used Adamantine Sealing Chains to suppress Muzan, and Minato sent him to Konoha rather than killing him.
• Muzan snapped off a hand and buried it in the soil before his body was taken away in chains.
• Karin Uzumaki found Muzan's surviving hand, and it ordered her to take it to the Land of Waves.
• Konoha's leaders debated how to execute Muzan while Danzo considered whether to honor his agreement with him.
• Muzan ordered Shanye Song to contact Akatsuki and coordinate an attack on Konoha with the Twelve Kizuki.
• Konoha imprisoned Muzan in Volcano Prison's innermost level under heavy guard.