Chapter Summaries

Asuma took Naruto and Karin to a deserted island for a sparring match, where their clones, transformations, and surprise attacks kept the outcome uncertain. Naruto won with his final transformation trick, but Asuma warned both children about underestimating opponents and risking their original bodies in battle.

• Asuma transported Naruto, Karin, and the others to a deserted island and began their match.
• Karin fought through Naruto’s Shadow Clones, while Naruto eventually struck what appeared to be Karin with a Rasengan.
• Karin revealed her deception, used Adamantine Sealing Chains, and trapped Naruto underground with the Double Suicide Decapitation Technique.
• Naruto used his Sexy Jutsu to distract Karin, escaped with the help of Shadow Clones, and was declared the winner by Asuma.
• Asuma told Karin she had underestimated Naruto and warned Naruto that using his original body as bait could have gotten him killed.

Asuma taught Naruto about the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken and urged him to improve his Chakra Control. He then confronted the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, revealed Naruto’s connection to Ashura, and gave Kurama one day to cooperate or have his consciousness erased.

• Asuma kept Naruto after training and showed him the S-rank Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, explaining that Naruto’s Chakra Control was too poor to use it safely outside Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
• Asuma asked Naruto about Kurama, and Naruto said the Nine-Tails refused to talk to him.
• Asuma entered the seal, suppressed the Nine-Tails with a torii, and threatened to destroy and recreate him if he would not cooperate.
• Asuma revealed that Naruto carried the reincarnation of Ashura’s Chakra and said the Gate of the Great God came from Naruto, not himself.
• Asuma gave the Nine-Tails one day to cooperate and suggested he train Naruto according to his own ideas; Kurama vowed to make Naruto a villain.
• Asuma continued teaching Naruto the Rasenshuriken until nightfall, and Naruto left promising to talk with Kurama.

Asuma watched Orochimaru, Kimimaro, and Sasori kill the Fourth Kazekage, then learned about the Chunin Exams while preparing for the coming conflict. When Orochimaru visited Asuma beneath the Immortal Tree, Asuma forcibly knocked Orochimaru’s soul out of his body, leaving him terrified.

• Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai watched Orochimaru, Kimimaro, and Sasori ambush and kill the Fourth Kazekage, and Asuma warned Minato that they would infiltrate Konoha and begin the One-Tail Capture Plan.
• Asuma agreed to let Yūhi Kurenai join the effort against Sasori, while Shizune reported that Rock Lee had fought the One-Tail Jinchuriki in the Chunin Exams’ third stage.
• Orochimaru approached Asuma beneath the Immortal Tree and asked what level of power he had reached.
• Asuma appeared before Orochimaru and blasted his soul out of his body, making Orochimaru fear that Asuma could erase him completely.

Asuma received Orochimaru’s research on Sage Transformation and learned that Little Nawaki had been given a Kusanagi Sword. After the Feudal Lord rejected Konoha’s independence and threatened to cut off its support, Asuma proposed placing Konoha personnel around him under the guise of protection.

• Asuma demonstrated the Spirit Transformation Technique to Orochimaru, who gave him a scroll containing Sage Transformation research and a Kusanagi Sword for Little Nawaki.
• Tsunade and Shizune took Orochimaru’s research to the Laboratory Base to study human cells and Sage Transformation.
• The Feudal Lord left Konoha furious after Namikaze Minato rejected his plan to send people to take over the South Sage Continent, and he plotted to isolate Konoha and unite other nations against it.
• Namikaze Minato told Asuma and the others that the Feudal Lord had threatened to cut off Konoha’s funding and missions, while Nara Shikaku warned that Konoha might face a coalition of ninja villages.
• Asuma proposed sending Konoha personnel to protect the Feudal Lord from the Akatsuki Organization and suggested Kakashi as his advisor.

After Sasuke and Sunagakure’s One-Tails Jinchuriki were abducted by Orochimaru, Minato organized pursuit and rescue teams while Asuma warned that Minato might soon need to enter the battle. Naruto and his allies raced after Sasuke, whose reckless concern made his teammates recognize him as someone they could trust.

• Yamato reported that Sasuke had been abducted, and Anbu then confirmed that Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, had also taken Sunagakure’s One-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Minato assigned Sarutobi Hiruzen and Uchiha Fugaku to intercept Orochimaru, Hatake Sakumo to protect the Daimyo, and Kakashi’s, Might Guy’s, Shizune’s, and Sarutobi Shinya’s teams to conduct the rescue.
• Kushina worried that Naruto’s recently promoted Chūnin team faced too much danger, but Minato and Asuma reassured her and Asuma warned Minato to prepare to enter the battlefield.
• Yūhi Kurenai left her daughter with Tsunade and joined Kakashi’s group to capture Sasori of the Red Sands.
• Naruto rushed ahead in pursuit of Sasuke, while Nara Shikamaru explained that the pursuit team could track their targets and Sarutobi Shinya agreed that Naruto was too upset to listen.
• Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino, and the others recognized that Naruto was a reckless but trustworthy companion.

Orochimaru stayed behind to delay the Konoha pursuers while Sasori and Kabuto took the Jinchuriki toward the Land of Rain. At the battlefield, the resurrected First and Second Hokages and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist fought Konoha, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen and Uchiha Fugaku facing Senju Hashirama as Uchiha Yashiro attacked Orochimaru.

• Orochimaru sent Sasori, Kabuto, and the Sound Four toward the Land of Rain with the Jinchuriki, then waited for Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Konoha pursuers.
• Asuma showed Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, and Nara Shikaku Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation, and Minato prepared to go to the battlefield before Asuma told him to wait.
• Orochimaru summoned Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, while Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Uchiha Fugaku and himself to face the First and Second Hokages.
• The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist fought Konoha's five Jōnin, and Uchiha Yashiro used his Mangekyō Sharingan against them.
• Senju Tobirama used the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and Water Style to separate the fighters, trap Sarutobi Hiruzen underwater, and damage Uchiha Fugaku's Susanoo.
• Uchiha Fugaku destroyed Senju Tobirama's Shadow Clone, while Uchiha Yashiro launched himself toward Orochimaru, who declared he would take their eyes and face the power of the Ninja God.

Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to unleash Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama against Konoha, while the allied teams split up to pursue Sasori of the Red Sands and Sasuke. Asuma reclaimed both Hokage’s souls, reincarnated them in prepared Clone bodies, and explained that Orochimaru had been cooperating with him.

• Senju Hashirama used Wood Release to overwhelm the battlefield as Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Yashiro, and Sarutobi Hiruzen fought the reanimated Hokage.
• Yūhi Kurenai relayed Namikaze Minato’s orders, splitting the pursuers between the One-Tails Jinchuriki, the battlefield, and Sasuke, with Nara Shikamaru leading Naruto’s group.
• Orochimaru escaped after Asuma and Uzumaki Kushina arrived; Asuma pulled Senju Hashirama’s soul free, and Kushina sealed Senju Tobirama before Asuma extracted his soul too.
• Asuma brought both souls to his laboratory and used prepared Clone bodies to reincarnate Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
• Senju Tobirama questioned Orochimaru’s use of his technique, and Asuma explained that Orochimaru had a cooperative relationship with the village and had tacitly agreed to let him reclaim the Hokage.

Asuma briefed the resurrected Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama on Uchiha Madara, the Moon Eye Plan, and the threat of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, then showed them battles unfolding in the Land of Rivers. Kakashi destroyed Sasori of the Red Sands’ Hiruko, but Sasori revealed his puppet body and launched a hidden attack, leaving Kakashi’s response unresolved.

• Asuma explained that Uchiha Madara had survived the Battle of the Valley of the End and that a hidden mastermind had altered the Uchiha stone tablet to guide Madara toward the Moon Eye Plan and freeing Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
• Asuma and Namikaze Minato described a plan to draw out the mastermind, and Asuma showed the resurrected Hokage the battles against the Akatsuki forces.
• Uka took the unconscious Gaara while Kakashi faced Sasori of the Red Sands, and Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune pursued Uka as Tobi blocked them.
• Kakashi used Flying Thunder God Technique and Storm Release to destroy Hiruko, but Sasori escaped the puppet and revealed that he had turned himself into a puppet.
• Sasori launched a barrage of Senbon from Hiruko’s severed head, and Senju Tobirama identified Sasori’s Chakra source as a likely weakness.

Kakashi and Shizune defeated Sasori of the Red Sands, while Asuma split and captured the One-Tail. The Akatsuki extracted the One-Tail from Gaara, and Asuma began considering whether he could use Impure World Reincarnation on the Sage of Six Paths.

• Kakashi destroyed the Third Kazekage puppet and used a planted Kunai to strike Sasori of the Red Sands, while Shizune joined the fight and warned him about the Deadly Poison.
• Shizune caught Sasori of the Red Sands's cables and smashed him through his puppets, allowing Kakashi to destroy his puppet body and regeneration core.
• Asuma revealed that the One-Tail had already been split and captured, then acknowledged that he had reached the Six Paths level.
• Senju Tobirama's question about reviving the Sage of Six Paths with Impure World Reincarnation left Asuma wondering whether the Sage's Chakra could serve as the needed information.
• Tobi reported Sasori of the Red Sands's death to Uka, and the Akatsuki extracted the One-Tail from Gaara into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Neji awakened a new Byakugan ability, broke free of the Caged Bird, and defeated Kidomaru. Meanwhile, Shisui used Kotoamatsukami on Kabuto as Naruto and Sakura pursued Kimimaro with Sasuke.

• Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Temari, and Kankuro defeated Tayuya through coordinated attacks.
• Kidomaru exploited Neji's Byakugan weakness and pierced his shoulder with an arrow, but Neji awakened a new ability that erased the Caged Bird mark and immobilized Kidomaru.
• Neji struck Kidomaru with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, defeating him and thanking Asuma in his heart.
• Kimimaro took Sasuke from Kabuto and fled, while Shisui arrived and sent Naruto and Sakura after them.
• Shisui used Kotoamatsukami to alter Kabuto's will, making him a Konoha loyalist, and Kabuto marveled at the Mangekyō technique.

Asuma healed Neji and discussed the foundations of ninja cultivation with Shisui after Shisui reported that Kabuto had been controlled. Shisui chose to pursue deeper Chakra Control and Chakra Nature Transformation, and Asuma planned to train him in Lightning Style when they returned to Konoha.

• Asuma left Minato with the First and Second Hokage and went to check on Neji.
• Asuma healed Neji’s severe wound and restored his strength, allowing Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten to continue their mission.
• Shisui told Asuma that Kabuto had been controlled and that his Mangekyō Sharingan was slowly evolving under the Sage Cursed Seal’s influence.
• Asuma explained how Chakra Control and Chakra Nature Transformation could affect cells and genes, and said he could analyze or awaken ocular techniques through studying Uchiha genes.
• Asuma offered Shisui a choice between pursuing inherited powers such as the Rinnegan or mastering Chakra Control and Chakra Nature Transformation.
• Shisui chose the second path, and Asuma said he would teach him Lightning Style Chakra Mode after they returned to Konoha.

Naruto pursued Kimimaro to rescue Sasuke and fought him alongside Haruno Sakura. After Naruto used Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, the battle ended with Kimimaro apparently dead as Kiba, Hinata, and Shino arrived.

• Naruto caught Kimimaro, rescued Sasuke from the barrel, and tried to hold off the pursuing enemy while Haruno Sakura carried Sasuke away.
• Kimimaro wounded Naruto and overwhelmed his Shadow Clones, forcing Haruno Sakura to intervene as Naruto struggled to protect her and Sasuke.
• The Nine-Tails urged Naruto to use his power, and Naruto entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, healing his wounds and fighting Kimimaro on equal terms.
• Naruto struck Kimimaro with a Rasengan, but Kimimaro survived by shielding himself with bone and transformed into his Cursed Seal's second form.
• Naruto threw Wind Style: Rasenshuriken at Kimimaro, and the resulting storm destroyed his bone defenses before Kimimaro launched a final attack.
• The Nine-Tails Chakra Cloak vanished, Kiba carried Naruto to safety, and Shino observed that Kimimaro appeared to be dead as Hinata and Shino joined them.

Shizune used her new healing Kekkei Genkai to revive Gaara after the Akatsuki extracted the One-Tail, while Naruto’s Nine-Tails Chakra Mode drew Black Zetsu’s attention. Back in Konoha, Asuma told Hiashi that Neji had evolved his Byakugan and offered a possible path toward the Tenseigan, leaving Hiashi willing to help with the research.

• Black Zetsu learned that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage’s son and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki after sensing Naruto activate Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
• Kakashi, Yūhi Kurenai, and Sarutobi Shinya supplied water and Senjutsu Chakra while Shizune used Heavenly Water Life Creation to revive Gaara.
• Gaara awoke without the One-Tail, and Kakashi told Temari and Kankuro that the Akatsuki had taken it and that Sasori had been defeated.
• Kakashi and Might Guy escorted Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara toward Sunagakure while Naruto’s group returned to Konoha with Shizune.
• Asuma told Hiashi Hyuga that Neji had undone his Caged Bird by evolving his Byakugan and explained that genetic research might help the Hyuga pursue the Tenseigan.
• Hiashi agreed to have the Hyuga Clan assist Asuma with research into genetic completion.

Hyuga Hiashi changed the Hyuga Clan’s resource policies without abolishing the Caged Bird, while Asuma removed Sasuke’s Cursed Seal and continued his research. As the Akatsuki threat grew, Asuma and Minato discussed saving the Jinchuriki, and the Chunin Special Training Class gathered beneath the Immortal Tree.

• Hyuga Hiashi told Hizashi that the Caged Bird would remain, but branch and main families would receive equal resources and exceptional members could join the main family.
• Hyuga Hiashi delivered Hyuga blood samples to Asuma, while Konoha warned other villages that the Akatsuki Organization was targeting the Tailed Beasts.
• Asuma removed Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal from Second Pillar, and Orochimaru resolved to seek another way to obtain the Sharingan.
• Asuma explained his research to Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, who agreed that Tobirama would train Little Nawaki.
• Asuma told Namikaze Minato that he would try to save the Jinchuriki, but the other villages rejected Konoha’s offer to unite against the Akatsuki Organization.
• The members of the Chunin Special Training Class gathered beneath the Immortal Tree four days after the Chunin Exams ended.

Asuma introduced the Infinite Illusory Realm, a dream-based training method that let his students gain months of experience in a single day. After the training, Karin asked to learn a powerful offensive technique, and Asuma began teaching her the foundations of Wood Release.

• Asuma used Dream Eye to draw the instructors and students into the Dream Realm, where they trained for half a year while only one day passed outside.
• Naruto and the others completed intensive chakra control, reaction, teamwork, and combat training, then awoke beneath the Immortal Tree.
• Karin asked Asuma to teach her ninjutsu, and he suggested Wood Release as a way for her to surpass Naruto.
• Asuma warned Karin that Wood Release could take ten years or more to master, but she agreed to start with Earth Style and Water Style chakra nature transformation.

Asuma continued developing Kekkei Genkai with Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, then learned that Rōshi had defected and the Akatsuki planned to capture the Two-Tails. He located Rōshi and set out to deal with him first.

• Asuma used the Infinite Illusory Realm to train his students once a month while focusing on Kekkei Genkai research with Senju Tobirama.
• Senju Hashirama returned to Konoha, and he and Senju Tobirama discussed Wood Release research and supported Asuma's ideals.
• Asuma asked the Senju brothers about the Pure Land and explained that his spiritual abilities might let him enter it.
• Namikaze Minato reported that Rōshi, Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchuriki, had defected, while Obito warned that the Akatsuki planned to seize the Two-Tails.
• Asuma searched for Rōshi through the Immortal Trees, found him after two hours, and vanished to pursue him.

Asuma captured the Four-Tails from Rōshi under a Genjutsu and brought it to his laboratory for research. He then gave Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama scrolls on Kekkei Mōra Wood Style and Truth-Seeking Orbs, and both began studying them.

• Asuma stopped Rōshi in the Land of Rain, offered him a wager, and secretly split the Four-Tails to take its Yin half while Rōshi was trapped in a dream.
• Tobi and Deidara were sent to prevent Iwa Ninja from returning Rōshi to Iwagakure, though the Akatsuki Organization postponed capturing him.
• Asuma placed the Four-Tails in his laboratory, where his Shadow Clone and Senju Tobirama began studying its Chakra and the God Tree.
• Asuma learned that Senju Hashirama had mastered Wood Style, then prepared theoretical scrolls for Hashirama and Tobirama.
• Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama studied Asuma's scrolls through the night and began asking him questions about Kekkei Mōra Wood Style and Truth-Seeking Orbs.

Senju Hashirama visited Senhara Village with Asuma and Shizune, then explored the village with Jiraiya and learned about its peaceful development. After joining Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura on a mission, he helped respond when a mine collapsed, and the chapter ended with him preparing to rescue the trapped miners.

• Asuma took pregnant Shizune to the South Sage Continent, and Senju Hashirama went with them while Senju Tobirama stayed behind to research.
• Senju Hashirama explored Senhara Village, learned about its Affairs Hall and Sage Manor, and met Jiraiya.
• Senju Hashirama encouraged Jiraiya to keep following his own path, and Jiraiya decided not to return to Konoha as a mere tool.
• At the Sage Manor, Senju Hashirama met Naruto, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura, then traveled with them and Jiraiya to a mining village.
• When the mine collapsed, Kakashi organized the rescue while Naruto and Sasuke brought injured miners to Haruno Sakura for treatment.
• Senju Hashirama entered the mine and stabilized its tunnels with tree roots, telling Kakashi he would rescue the trapped miners while Kakashi used Flying Thunder God to send them out.

Kakashi, Naruto, and their companions helped the miners after a dangerous shaft collapse, then found a way to make the iron mine safer by combining Naruto’s Wind Style: Rasenshuriken with Kakashi’s Storm Release. As Naruto struggled to control the technique, Kurama offered to help, and Naruto opened the seal because he trusted him.

• Kakashi used Flying Thunder God while Senju Hashirama used Wood Release to rescue miners, and Naruto, Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Jiraiya treated the injured; four miners died and five were permanently disabled.
• Kakashi took Naruto and Sasuke to find water for the miners, while Senju Hashirama and Jiraiya discussed how to reduce the dangers of mining.
• After Kakashi’s team found a water source and made a channel, Senju Hashirama and Jiraiya proposed collapsing the mountain with a combined technique, with the mine owner’s approval.
• Naruto and Kakashi combined Wind Style: Rasenshuriken with Kakashi’s Storm Release chakra in a secluded valley, creating a powerful Storm Release: Rasenshuriken.
• When Naruto reached his limit, Kurama offered to help; Naruto said he trusted him and opened the sealing gate.

Naruto mastered the Storm Release: Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken with Kakashi’s help, then the group joined Tenbara City’s Military Police Force. As Jiraiya explained the Land of Origins’ political order, Hashirama revealed that Asuma was preparing to take control of the Land of Fire, and the group headed into a gambling hall.

• Naruto used Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and, with Kurama’s instruction, learned to form a Tailed Beast Bomb and combine it with Wind Release.
• Over several days, Naruto mastered the Storm Release: Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken with Kakashi, then used it to destroy the mine mountain in a successful test.
• Hashirama taught Sakura Medical Ninjutsu and Genjutsu while Kakashi trained Sasuke in Lightning Style Chakra Mode and Naruto practiced his new technique.
• Naruto and his companions returned to Senhara Village, then traveled to Tenbara City and joined its Military Police Force.
• Jiraiya described how the Land of Origins’ Military Police Force and government operated, and Hashirama said Asuma was preparing to take control of the Land of Fire.
• Hashirama and Jiraiya spotted a gambling hall, and Hashirama eagerly headed inside.