Ch. 161Stepping Down and the Eve of the Storm

Nagato agreed to give up his position as Akatsuki’s leader and move toward Konoha, trusting Naruto’s power and shared goal of bringing peace. Meanwhile, Kumogakure learned that Konoha had been devastated and replaced by the newly independent Akatsuki Village, raising fears that another great war was near.

  • Nagato told Konan that Naruto’s power and ideals made him willing to trust Naruto and relinquish Akatsuki’s leadership.
  • Nagato told Konan they would move toward Konoha despite her concerns.
  • Mabui reported to the Fourth Raikage that Sunagakure and Konoha’s own clans had helped destroy Konoha, while Orochimaru had used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju.
  • Mabui explained that Hyuga Hiashi and the other clans had formed Akatsuki Village, declared independence from the Land of Fire, and threatened force while demanding compensation from Sunagakure.
  • The Fourth Raikage ordered Samui, Omoi, and Karui to investigate Akatsuki Village and decided to speak with the daimyo as Mabui warned that war was approaching.

Ch. 162Ruins Treasure Hunt: Five Hundred Thousand Ryo to Hire a Genin

Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi arrived at Konoha to retrieve her brother and discovered that the ruined village had become a lucrative treasure-hunting attraction. After seeing wealthy visitors pay huge sums to search the ruins, Kurotsuchi joked that they should rent out the Third old man too.

  • Kitsuchi warned Kurotsuchi not to provoke Akatsuki as they traveled through the Land of Fire to bring her brother back to Iwagakure.
  • Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi reached Konoha and found crowds of visitors paying for access to the ruins.
  • A blond young man charged a merchant five hundred thousand ryo for entry to the B-rank treasure-hunting area and a C-rank Earth Release Genin.
  • A merchant explained that Konoha sold access to different zones, where visitors might find valuables, ninja techniques, or training scrolls.
  • Kurotsuchi watched visitors pay large sums to rent treasure-hunting dogs and suggested that they rent out the Third old man.

Ch. 163What Is a Ninja's Pride Worth? Six Days to Fund a Ninja World War

Naruto turned the Konoha ruins into a lucrative ninja-themed adventure attraction for wealthy visitors, bringing Akatsuki Village a flood of income in just six days. The chapter ended with Naruto spotting Kurotsuchi eyeing the rich merchants hungrily.

  • Tenten's father struggled to comprehend the enormous sums wealthy merchants spent on treasure hunts and ninja protection.
  • Naruto opened the Konoha ruins as an immersive adventure attraction with scavenging maps, combat encounters, and higher-level stages.
  • Hyuga Hiashi saw the first day's earnings and urged his clan to move into temporary residences and seek more roles in the attraction.
  • Naruto's business expanded to include raids on prestigious clan estates, while ninjas and Ninja Hounds took paid jobs entertaining and guiding visitors.
  • After six days of booming revenue, Naruto reached the ruins entrance and found Kurotsuchi staring hungrily at the wealthy merchants.

Ch. 164Iwagakure's Young Lady Took a Beating

Naruto welcomed Kurotsuchi and Kitsuchi to Akatsuki Village’s founding ceremony, where Kurotsuchi’s insults and anger led to a confrontation with a daimyo. The village’s rules and combat services were revealed as Tobirama Senju stopped her attack.

  • Naruto greeted Kurotsuchi and Kitsuchi and defended Akatsuki Village after Kurotsuchi questioned its legitimacy.
  • Genma Shiranui warned Kurotsuchi not to insult Naruto, but a Land of Iron noble praised Akatsuki Village and asked to hire Might Guy.
  • Kitsuchi apologized for Kurotsuchi’s behavior, and Naruto had Tenten's father charge the pair for attending the ceremony.
  • A daimyo bought three VIP tickets and mocked Kurotsuchi and Kitsuchi, prompting Kurotsuchi to throw a punch at him.
  • Tobirama Senju appeared and stopped Kurotsuchi, while Tenten's father explained that fighting was forbidden and the village offered challenge trials and ride-hailing combat service.

Ch. 165Security System of Akatsuki Village

Samui and the other Kumogakure ninjas discovered that Akatsuki Village’s merchants were protected by Impure World Tobirama Senju, while Kitsuchi warned Kurotsuchi that Naruto was more dangerous than Tobirama. Naruto discussed Akatsuki Village’s finances and Sunagakure’s denial of responsibility, then hinted that he had a larger plan for the prisoners.

  • Omoi and Karui complained after Kumogakure’s attempt to challenge the nobles ended in a beating, while Samui realized Tobirama Senju protected Akatsuki Village’s wealthy visitors.
  • Tenten’s father led Genma Shiranui and Aoba Yamashiro away after teaching Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi a lesson.
  • Kitsuchi warned Kurotsuchi to flee if she encountered Naruto as an enemy, explaining that Naruto’s pressure surpassed that of Impure World Tobirama.
  • Naruto told Nara Shikaku that the village’s current revenue was temporary and that he planned to attract investment and collect rent and taxes later.
  • Shikaku reported that Sunagakure’s advisory council denied responsibility for the attack and asked what to do with the prisoners.
  • Naruto rejected executing the prisoners, saying he had a grand show planned for them.

Ch. 166Pain's Entrance, the Sand Ninja's Life-or-Death Gamble

At Akatsuki Village’s founding ceremony, Naruto announced that the village would accept missions from anyone and declared war on Sunagakure over its attack and refusal to negotiate prisoner releases. He introduced Pain as an S-rank mercenary who would demonstrate the village’s strength, leaving the Sand ninja’s fate to a coming fight.

  • Merchants and envoys from Hidden Cloud and Iwagakure gathered on the raised city wall to watch Akatsuki Village’s founding ceremony.
  • Naruto announced that Akatsuki Village was neutral and would accept missions from any nation or individual, unsettling the visiting ninja envoys.
  • Naruto condemned Sunagakure for breaking its alliance and launching a surprise attack, then declared war after it refused to discuss the prisoners of war.
  • Naruto introduced Pain and said the Sand ninja could earn a pardon by defeating any one of Akatsuki Village’s S-rank mercenary ninja.
  • Pain rose from the ground and floated upward as the cameras focused on him for the demonstration.

Ch. 167Shinra Tensei Levels Konoha, Daimyo on the VIP Seats Lose Their Minds

Deva Path Pain used Shinra Tensei to devastate Konoha in front of the assembled ninja and VIPs. After the shocked crowd saw the massive crater, Naruto promoted Akatsuki Village’s VIP faction cards and announced that member factions could no longer hire it for wars.

  • Naruto considered how to obtain Sasuke’s Mangekyo Sharingan and eventually evolve it into the Rinnegan, while his own eyes weakened from repeated Kotoamatsukami use.
  • Nagato watched the gathered ninja through Pain and believed Naruto’s speech about suffering and pain spoke directly to him.
  • Pain rose above the venue and declared that those who did not understand pain could not understand peace.
  • Pain unleashed Shinra Tensei, flattening Konoha and leaving a huge hemispherical crater as debris and dust engulfed the audience.
  • The nobles, daimyo, merchants, and ninja stared in terror at the ruined city after the dust settled.
  • Naruto announced Akatsuki Village VIP faction cards, offering a mission-posting discount and refusing war-related missions connected to cardholding factions.

Ch. 168The Seventeenth Bargaining Chip and the Crumbling Genjutsu

Naruto used Konoha’s destruction to frighten nobles and merchants into buying Akatsuki Village membership cards, while Konan and the Akatsuki prepared an arena spectacle featuring Sunagakure prisoners. As Itachi’s buried Will of Fire began to conflict with Naruto’s control, the chapter ended with Deidara dropping a bomb toward the prisoners.

  • Terrified by Pain’s Shinra Tensei, merchants and nobles rushed to buy Akatsuki Village membership cards rather than risk being targeted.
  • Konan reflected that Nagato’s life-consuming technique could not provide lasting peace, while Naruto announced entertainment for the crowd.
  • Konan, Itachi, and the other Akatsuki members headed for the arena, where hundreds of dazed Sunagakure ninjas awaited them.
  • Itachi felt growing unease as his revived Will of Fire clashed with Naruto’s influence, though Naruto’s genjutsu still controlled him.
  • Naruto introduced Akatsuki as a team of Kage Level war terminators, and Deidara dropped a C3 bomb toward the Sunagakure ninjas.

Ch. 169Black Spear Through the Heart, a Lesson in Total Annihilation

Naruto forced the Sunagakure prisoners to fight Akatsuki, and the group annihilated them with overwhelming force. Baki managed to stab Hidan, but Hidan’s immortality and ritual killed Baki instead, leaving the Sunagakure force wiped out.

  • Naruto told the Sunagakure ninja their village had abandoned them and promised they could leave if they killed one Akatsuki member.
  • Baki ordered his ninja to focus their attacks on Hidan, but Akatsuki scattered and launched a coordinated assault.
  • Hidan, Kakuzu, Deidara, Kisame, Konan, Sasori, and Itachi slaughtered the Sunagakure Chunin and Jonin with their abilities.
  • Baki charged Pain, used the repulsion to redirect himself, and stabbed Hidan through the chest.
  • Hidan impaled Baki with a black spear, killing him through his ritual and completing the destruction of the Sunagakure force.

Ch. 170Bait for Revenge

At Akatsuki Village’s founding ceremony, Orochimaru manipulated Sasuke with claims about Naruto’s role in the Uchiha massacre and offered him power and revenge. The ceremony ended with the great nations preparing for war and Kitsuchi and Samui racing to warn their villages.

  • Sasuke watched Itachi and Naruto below with hatred until Orochimaru appeared behind him in a new body.
  • Orochimaru told Sasuke that Naruto had known about the Uchiha massacre, arranged the exchange for Sasuke’s life, and had let the clan die to strengthen his own position.
  • Orochimaru offered to train Sasuke and increase his power, then vanished into the wall while Sasuke remained consumed by resentment.
  • Naruto’s village-founding ceremony concluded after the visiting nobles and merchants bought VIP memberships and issued war missions against Hidden Sand territories.
  • Kitsuchi and Samui realized Akatsuki Village had upended the balance of power and hurried home to warn their Kage that a major war was imminent.

Ch. 171Declaration of War Against Sunagakure, Sasori Volunteers to Handle Coordination

Naruto ordered Akatsuki Village to prepare to erase Sunagakure within three months, while warning that the village first needed to build up its supplies and forces. He left to meet new arrivals, and Sasori volunteered to coordinate the campaign with Nara Shikaku.

  • Naruto announced that Akatsuki Village would target Sunagakure and gave the group three months to erase it from the map.
  • Kakuzu warned Hidan that Akatsuki's members could not defeat Sunagakure's full forces alone, and Naruto said the village would build up before planning the campaign.
  • Naruto told Pain to suspend the Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals and bring the other Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts back to the village for later sealing.
  • Genma Shiranui reported that the people Naruto had been watching had arrived, and Naruto left to see them while Tsunade received them.
  • Sasori offered to coordinate with Nara Shikaku on the Sunagakure campaign.

Ch. 172Obito's Truth and Kakashi Hatake's Collapse

Naruto told Kakashi that Obito had released the Nine-Tails and caused Minato and Kushina’s deaths, while condemning Konoha’s leaders for sacrificing people in the name of peace. Kakashi was left reeling as Naruto departed with Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji.

  • Hiruko, with Sasori inside, offered to take the relay while villagers cleaned up Konoha’s wreckage and praised Naruto as they condemned Hiruzen Sarutobi.
  • Kakashi watched villagers desecrate the memorial stone and mourned the way Konoha had treated his father, Obito, and Rin.
  • Naruto told Kakashi that Minato’s sacrifice had bought the village stability at Naruto’s expense and said he had no interest in saving the world.
  • Naruto revealed that Uchiha Obito had worn the black mask and released the Nine-Tails, leaving Kakashi shocked and refusing to believe him.
  • Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji called Naruto to leave, and Naruto urged Kakashi to take care before departing.

Ch. 173Prey After the Movie Ends

Naruto took Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji to the Land of Hot Water to protect actress Kazahana Koyuki, while secretly planning to acquire the Land of Snow’s Chakra Armor technology for Akatsuki Village. After Kazahana Koyuki noticed their forehead protectors and hurried backstage, Naruto left the group to pursue her.

  • Naruto brought Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji to Kazahana Koyuki’s movie premiere, where Ino enjoyed the film and Shikamaru criticized its effects.
  • Shikamaru learned that Naruto’s group had come to protect Kazahana Koyuki and questioned why a powerful shinobi was handling a bodyguard mission.
  • Naruto considered using the mission to obtain the Land of Snow’s Chakra Armor and chakra-sealing devices for Akatsuki Village.
  • Kazahana Koyuki spotted Naruto’s group, ended her fan meeting, and slipped backstage.
  • Naruto used a Body Flicker to leave the others and follow Kazahana Koyuki, leaving Ino frustrated and Shikamaru dismissive of women.

Ch. 174Wood Release Before Setting Sail

Naruto met Kazahana Koyuki in a bar, revealed that he knew about the mission to overthrow the Land of Snow’s government, and killed a Snow Ninja with Wood Release. He knocked Koyuki unconscious and took her aboard a ship bound for the Land of Snow, where she woke to find filming already underway.

  • Naruto found Kazahana Koyuki drinking in a bar and ordered sake after the bartender refused his requests for cocktails.
  • When a Snow Ninja tried to grab Koyuki’s necklace, Naruto killed him with branches bursting from his arm and introduced himself as her protector.
  • Naruto revealed the war mission to eliminate Kazahana Dōtō, while Sandaifu explained that he had hired Naruto from Akatsuki Village.
  • Koyuki protested the mission, so Naruto knocked her unconscious and carried her onto the ship with Shikamaru and the others.
  • Koyuki woke aboard the ship and learned from Sandaifu that they were at sea, then saw Naruto and the crew preparing to film.

Ch. 175Filming Ambush, Ice Release Showdown on an Iceberg

The filming crew reached the Land of Snow, where Snow Ninja ambushed Kazahana Koyuki to seize the Hexagonal Crystal. Naruto countered their Ice Release and crushed Mizore, while Fubuki was trapped inside an iceberg.

  • Kazahana Koyuki filmed a grieving scene, then had Sandaifu apply eye drops so she could cry on cue.
  • The director stopped the ship at an iceberg, and Naruto told Shikamaru to focus on protecting Kazahana Koyuki.
  • Snow Ninja Fubuki, Mizore, and Nadare ambushed the crew and demanded Kazahana Koyuki's Hexagonal Crystal.
  • Naruto matched Fubuki's Swallow Snowstorm with Ice Release, escaped her Ice Prison Technique, and trapped her in an iceberg.
  • Mizore charged Naruto with his Chakra Armor, but Naruto shattered the armor and Mizore's bones with Monster Strength: Shattering Fist.

Ch. 176The Wood Dragon Tears Apart the Ice Whale's Tusk

Naruto defeated Nadare Rōga and his ice constructs, then reached the Land of Snow with Kazahana Koyuki and the others. He left the group at the port and vanished, with Kazahana Dōtō still to be dealt with.

  • Nadare Rōga attacked Naruto with ice techniques, but Naruto's Wood Dragon destroyed the ice tiger and shattered the giant white whale.
  • Shikamaru and Choji protected Kazahana Koyuki from falling ice while Naruto returned and reminded her that Kazahana Dōtō remained an enemy.
  • Naruto revealed that he had recovered a set of Chakra Armor, and Shikamaru recognized it as the armor worn by a woman Naruto had frozen.
  • Several days later, the ship reached the Land of Snow, where Sandaifu asked Naruto what to do next.
  • Naruto assigned Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji to guard Kazahana Koyuki, then vanished from the port.

Ch. 177Black Zetsu Appears and the Truth of the Pure Land

Naruto explained his plans to Black Zetsu and laid out his suspicions about Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the Pure Land, and the history of Kaguya’s conflict with the Sage of Six Paths. He left the true story behind Kaguya’s sealing unresolved, with the chapter ending as he approached a revelation.

  • Black Zetsu emerged from underground and addressed Naruto as Father, and Naruto gave him Chakra Armor to take to Nagato for mass production.
  • Naruto ordered Black Zetsu to equip one hundred thousand White Zetsu with the armor before the final battle.
  • Naruto reasoned that Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki had created the Pure Land to preserve the dead as potential Impure World Reincarnation warriors against the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
  • Naruto suspected that Kaguya had created White Zetsu to defend the Ninja World, while the sacred lands manipulated Hagoromo and Hamura into turning against her.
  • Naruto questioned the accepted account of Hagoromo’s Rinnegan awakening and Kaguya’s sealing, then paused before stating the truth.

Ch. 178The Land of Snow War Mission

Naruto launched a one-man assault on the Land of Snow, destroying its forces and killing Kazahana Dōtō despite his attempt to resist. The attack left Naruto weakened by his Sharingan, and he resolved to begin the Mangekyo Sharingan production plan after returning.

  • Naruto gave Black Zetsu a scroll about Chakra Armor, and Black Zetsu left to put the plan into action.
  • Nadare attacked Naruto with an armored train, but Naruto destroyed it with Susanoo and defeated Nadare with a Great Flame Rasengan.
  • Shikamaru watched the fighting begin and remarked that Naruto's one-man war mission was ridiculous.
  • Naruto advanced on the castle, destroying the soldiers and traps in his path while his Sharingan began to weaken.
  • Kazahana Dōtō mistook Naruto for a mercenary and offered to pay him double, then attacked with Twin Dragon Blizzard.
  • Naruto used Susanoo's Chakra Blade to crush Kazahana Dōtō.

Ch. 179Spring in the Land of Snow and Sasuke's Defection

Naruto seized control of the Land of Snow, showed Kazahana Koyuki the promise of spring, and returned to an increasingly powerful Akatsuki Village amid a growing war against the Land of Fire. The chapter ended when Nara Shikaku told Naruto that Sasuke had defected.

  • Naruto claimed the Land of Snow for Akatsuki Village and demanded half of its treasury as an annual protection fee.
  • Naruto activated Kazahana Koyuki's father's geothermal generator and showed her a vision of spring, then used Wood Release to fill a valley with flowers.
  • Naruto and his companions returned to Akatsuki Village, where Kazahana Koyuki promised to visit him again and Ino complained about being left behind.
  • Akatsuki Village prospered as other nations invaded the Land of Fire, and the Land of Fire's daimyo paid for Akatsuki Village's protection.
  • Nara Shikaku told Naruto that Sasuke had defected.

Ch. 180Akatsuki Invades Sunagakure

Naruto ordered Akatsuki to retrieve Sasuke and proceed with its plan, while Sasori’s forces prepared to attack Sunagakure. A brainwashed Yura opened the village’s defenses, and Hashirama’s Wood Release engulfed Sunagakure as Pain ordered the attackers to kill everyone.

  • Naruto realized Sasuke had defected because his hatred remained focused on Itachi and Akatsuki Village, then sent Black Zetsu to tell Pain to bring Sasuke back and begin the plan.
  • Yura’s sealed memories returned, revealing that Sasori had planted him as an undercover agent in Sunagakure.
  • Sasori, Pain, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Akatsuki members, and Uchiha and Hyuga ninja gathered outside Sunagakure and waited for Yura’s signal.
  • Yura incapacitated the guards and welcomed Sasori’s forces through the main gate, but Sasori told him they had never intended to sneak into the village.
  • Deidara summoned a clay bird as Hashirama used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence to cover Sunagakure in roots.
  • Pain led the attackers forward and ordered them to leave no one alive.
Show
Page 9 of 21