Chapter Summaries

Asuma traveled to the Land of Hot Water, healed Jiraiya, and led Konoha's counterattack against the Cloud Ninja. After overpowering the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, he captured Killer B and forced the Cloud Ninja to retreat, demanding a peace treaty and ransom.

• Asuma went to Jiraiya's headquarters and healed his chest wound before joining Konoha's counterattack.
• Asuma confronted the Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Dodai, then defeated them with his purple Lightning Chakra armor.
• Asuma bound the Eight-Tails with Adamantine Sealing Chains, drained its Chakra, and captured the incapacitated Killer B.
• Asuma demanded the Cloud Ninja surrender and sign a peace treaty, then attacked their forces when the Fourth Raikage refused.
• The Fourth Raikage ordered a retreat as Asuma's Shadow Clones carried away the fallen Cloud Ninja for ransom.

After Kumogakure submitted a peace proposal, Asuma brought Killer B to Konoha and persuaded him to hold a concert there. Minato then warned Fugaku that the masked man behind the Nine-Tails attack was likely Uchiha Madara and proposed uniting the village and the Uchiha Clan against him.

• Kumogakure's Jōnin leader submitted a peace proposal, and Asuma brought Killer B to Konoha while leaving a Shadow Clone behind.
• Minato welcomed Killer B, recognized him as a perfect Jinchuriki, and said Konoha trusted him rather than intending to imprison him.
• Asuma demonstrated that his Genjutsu could immobilize Killer B and the Eight-Tails, then convinced Killer B to perform a concert in Konoha.
• Minato told Fugaku that the masked Nine-Tails controller likely had ties to Uchiha Madara and warned that he could try to divide the Uchiha Clan from the village.
• Minato proposed assigning Uchiha Shisui to the Anbu and working with Fugaku and Asuma on the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Fugaku pledged the clan's cooperation.
• Minato and Fugaku agreed to present the Nine-Tails controller as rogue ninja Uchiha Madara and to unite the village and clan against him.

Sarutobi Asuma’s promotion of Killer B’s concert made it a quick success, while his investigation in the Land of Grass confirmed that Karin and her mother were Uzumaki with remarkable healing abilities. Asuma arranged to bring them to Konoha and sent a newly named Clone Uka to carry out the mission.

• The Sarutobi Clan promoted Killer B as the Fourth Raikage’s brother, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, and Asuma’s captive, selling out the concert’s first three days and angering Killer B.
• Yūhi Kurenai reported that the Grass Ninja used a red-haired woman’s healing ability by biting her, and that the woman’s four-month-old daughter also had red hair.
• Sarutobi Asuma concluded that the woman and Karin were Uzumaki and decided they should be brought to Konoha, leaving the operation to Iwa Ninja and notifying his main body.
• Sarutobi Asuma decided against creating an outside laboratory and instead ordered a Shadow Clone from the Senju Ancestral Home to go to the Land of Grass.
• The Shadow Clone transferred its Spirit Body into a Clone, donned black robes and a Black Swirl Mask, named itself Uka, and left Konoha.

Clone Uka used the Mangekyo to frame Iwa Ninja and the Akatsuki for abducting Uzumaki Miri and Karin from Kusagakure, while Nagato formed Pain and prepared the Akatsuki for the future. In Konoha, Asuma tried to reassure Miri that she and Karin were safe, but Miri remained wary as Kushina called for him.

• Clone Uka infiltrated the Iwa Ninja perimeter, hypnotized three Jōnin, searched their memories, and manipulated them into helping the Akatsuki seize a target from Kusagakure.
• Clone Uka entered Kusagakure with the Iwa Ninja, then abducted Uzumaki Miri and Karin while the Grass Ninja fought and captured one of the attackers.
• Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, and Shizune interrogated the captive, and Kusagakure sent a team after Miri and Karin toward the Land of Rain.
• Ōnoki grew alarmed at reports of Asuma's strength and ordered tighter security around Iwagakure's Jinchuriki.
• Nagato presented Yahiko and five others as Pain, assigned Konan to handle Amegakure, and allowed several original Akatsuki members to leave.
• Asuma told Miri that she and Karin were safe in Konoha and explained why he had brought them there, but Miri remained uncertain as Karin woke crying and Kushina called for Asuma.

Uzumaki Kushina reunited with Uzumaki Miri, and Asuma helped arrange a future for Miri and Karin in Konoha. Asuma and Namikaze Minato then discussed dividing the Tailed Beasts to weaken the Ten-Tails and preparing for the danger of a Jinchuriki having their Tailed Beast extracted.

• Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Miri reunited after nearly twenty years apart, and Asuma gave them time to reminisce while he trained.
• Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato proposed buying Miri a house, and Asuma suggested she learn ninjutsu and eventually study Medical Ninjutsu.
• Asuma offered to take Karin as his disciple when she grew up, and Miri accepted his offer to protect her daughter’s future.
• Namikaze Minato told Asuma that Cloud Ninja prisoner exchanges had begun, though the price for the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki remained unsettled.
• Asuma and Minato considered dividing the Eight-Tails and other Tailed Beasts to weaken the Ten-Tails, while weighing the risk that Naruto and Rin would be discovered.
• Minato asked whether a Jinchuriki could survive having their Tailed Beast extracted, and Asuma said a future method would be possible.

Asuma tested genetic editing on Clone Uka, achieved Dust Release, and continued developing it. He then went to the Daimyo's Mansion to secretly split off the Eight-Tails from Killer B while arranging more concerts to earn money for Killer B's future ransom.

• Asuma gave Sarutobi Shinya the Light-Weight Rock Technique and Heavy Rock Jutsu scroll as an engagement gift, and gave Kiyochi Kikka a finely forged blade.
• Asuma used Spirit Transformation to edit Clone Uka's genes with Dust Release information, avoiding direct changes to his own genes.
• Asuma tested Dust Release on an isolated island, erased part of a tree, and gained three hundred thousand experience points.
• Asuma learned that Killer B's concerts had earned one hundred million Ryo and told his Shadow Clone to schedule more shows.
• Asuma brought Clone Uka to the Daimyo's Mansion and prepared to secretly split off the Eight-Tails from Killer B.

Asuma captured the Yin Eight-Tails and began planning to gather the other Tailed Beasts through an alternate identity so he could study the Ten-Tails. After pondering how to develop Wood Release toward Kekkei Mōra, he realized the God Tree itself was the key to understanding Deep Forest Emergence.

• Asuma subdued Killer B and the Eight-Tails, split the Eight-Tails into Yin and Yang, and sealed the Yin half in the Black Pot.
• Clone Uka altered Killer B and the Eight-Tails' memories so they would believe Asuma had merely extracted a large amount of Chakra.
• Asuma decided to create an alternate identity and use a Clone as a vessel for the power of the nine Tailed Beasts, while considering infiltrating or impersonating the Akatsuki Organization.
• Asuma weighed which Kekkei Genkai to pursue next and considered how Wood Release might develop into God—Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence.
• After training by the waterfall, Asuma realized that Deep Forest Emergence was based on the God Tree and that its nature as a tree offered the insight he needed.

Asuma collected the Cloud Ninja ransom and pursued his plan to create Wood Release at the Kekkei Mōra level while Konoha entered Namikaze Minato’s era with academy reforms and a public explanation blaming Uchiha Madara for the Nine-Tails attack. The revelation stirred concern across the villages, while Uchiha Obito saw it as a way to reduce Nagato’s suspicions and began planning to target Kirigakure.

• Killer B raged over having his Chakra extracted at the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire’s residence, while the Fourth Raikage accepted Konoha’s five hundred million ryō ransom and ordered Killer B brought home.
• Asuma received the ransom and began pursuing Kekkei Mōra by combining additional Chakra Nature Transformations with Wood Release.
• Namikaze Minato reformed the Ninja Academy, made enrollment mandatory for Konoha’s children, and introduced a Genin Preparatory Class for prodigies.
• Konoha and the Uchiha Clan blamed the Nine-Tails attack on the long-dead Uchiha Madara, easing public suspicion of the present-day clan as Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Yashiro joined the Anbu.
• Ōnoki strengthened protection for Jinchuriki, while Killer B and the Eight-Tails concluded that Uchiha Madara—not Asuma—had secretly extracted half of the Eight-Tails’ power.
• Uchiha Obito agreed that the Madara story would reduce Nagato’s suspicions and ordered efforts to control the Fourth Mizukage and exploit Kirigakure’s Bloody Mist policy.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki learned that Asuma’s eating contest had drawn ninja from the major villages to Konoha, while Minato asked Asuma to join the Anbu. After hearing that the Akatsuki was recruiting powerful ninja including Orochimaru and Kakuzu, Asuma proposed infiltrating the organization by impersonating one of its recruits.

• Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki found crowds gathered around Ichiraku Ramen for Asuma’s eating contest, where Asuma led with one hundred bowls and Tsunade and Killer B followed.
• Hyakuso explained that Asuma had invited the other four great ninja villages to the joint Chūnin Exams and eating contest.
• Minato asked Asuma to join the Anbu because Shinya was leaving, but Asuma refused, citing his Kekkei Mōra research.
• Minato told Asuma that Obito’s intelligence indicated the Akatsuki was recruiting powerful ninja, including Orochimaru and Kakuzu.
• Asuma proposed infiltrating the Akatsuki in place of a recruit and demonstrated a Wood Release transformation that copied Minato’s appearance and Chakra.
• Minato agreed to let Asuma infiltrate the Akatsuki after Asuma explained that Kushina’s Good-Evil Perception could identify transformed enemies.

Asuma trapped Kakuzu in the Land of Birds, defeated him with Scorch Release, and captured him to obtain his memories and Earth Grudge Fear. Clone No. 3 took Kakuzu’s identity and implanted his Earth Grudge Fear heart, leaving Asuma prepared to infiltrate the Akatsuki Organization.

• Asuma took Clone Uka and Clone No. 3 across several countries and located Kakuzu in the Land of Birds.
• Asuma trapped Kakuzu inside the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover and used Scorching Dragon Breath to destroy two of his hearts and seemingly kill him.
• Kakuzu launched a hidden attack with his final heart, but Asuma found it, restored it to Kakuzu, and captured him with Genjutsu.
• Clone Uka read Kakuzu’s memories and transmitted the secrets of Earth Grudge Fear to Asuma and Clone No. 3.
• Clone No. 3 absorbed Kakuzu’s Chakra, took his appearance, and implanted Kakuzu’s Earth Grudge Fear heart, declaring that Kakuzu had arrived.

Asuma and Tsunade completed a transplant of White Zetsu-transformed Hashirama Primordial Cells to strengthen Tsunade’s body and chakra. The operation succeeded, and Tsunade emerged transformed, taller and with youthful, radiant skin.

• Asuma left Clone Kakuzu in place as Kakuzu’s stand-in, then returned to the Laboratory Base with Clone Uka.
• Asuma urged Tsunade to undergo the Primordial Cell transplant, and she agreed to prepare for the operation the next day.
• Asuma, Shizune, and Yūhi Kurenai monitored the transplant as Tsunade released her Yin Seal and Sage Cursed Seal to fuel the cells’ growth.
• Tsunade endured severe pain as her body regenerated, while Asuma’s Shadow Clones supplied Senjutsu Chakra until the transformation stabilized.
• Asuma returned after Tsunade had dressed and saw that she had grown taller and emerged with exceptionally youthful skin and changed proportions.

Asuma confirmed that Tsunade’s Primordial Cell transplant had greatly increased her Chakra, then continued his genetic research and began modifying himself for Dust Release. After Uchiha Itachi awakened his Sharingan, Uchiha Fugaku used the clan gathering at Naka Shrine to urge the Uchiha toward village service and leadership rather than clan pride alone.

• Asuma examined Tsunade’s cells, found she had inherited 75% of Senju Hashirama’s genetic information, and advised her to train to develop her increased potential.
• Asuma learned that Kaguya Clan genes caused pathological changes in Clones, ordered a Shadow Clone to monitor the clan, and reviewed progress on Dust Release and Uchiha genetic research.
• Asuma began editing his own genes to develop Dust Release.
• Uchiha Itachi told Uchiha Fugaku he had awakened his Sharingan and wanted to enter the Genin Preparatory Class, and Uchiha Fugaku agreed to submit his application.
• Uchiha Fugaku gathered the Uchiha Clan’s core members at Naka Shrine and announced Uchiha Itachi’s awakening as proof they could leave behind their old methods.
• Uchiha Fugaku said he would relinquish complete control of the Konoha Military Police Force and challenged the clan to earn influence through service and Hokage-level ability.

Uchiha Fugaku gained Minato’s support for clan reforms and discussed Itachi’s entry into the Genin Preparatory Class. Asuma then exposed how the Naka Shrine tablet had been altered, replaced its misleading guidance with a new path for the Uchiha, and warned Shisui of a hidden enemy targeting the clan.

• Fugaku told Minato that the Uchiha had agreed on reforms, and Minato scheduled a high-level meeting to discuss them.
• Fugaku asked Minato to let Itachi enter the Genin Preparatory Class, and Minato arranged for the Third Hokage to oversee his assessment.
• Asuma took Shisui to Naka Shrine and used a Truth-Seeking Orb to reveal altered tablet text linking the Sharingan’s evolution to the Rinnegan and Madara’s survival.
• Asuma explained that someone had manipulated the tablet to steer Madara toward the Moon Eye Plan and warned that its contents concealed a conspiracy.
• Asuma rewrote the tablet’s guidance with a path for the Uchiha, and Shisui sealed it with his Mangekyo and agreed to tell Fugaku the truth once he awakened his Mangekyo.

Asuma completed incorporating Level 8 Dust Release genes, then traveled to the Land of Water to observe the Kaguya Clan’s failed rebellion and collect its corpses and genetic samples. He left with new research material while Orochimaru departed with Kimimaro, still fascinated by Asuma’s body.

• Asuma finished incorporating Dust Release genes and reflected on how mastering Kekkei Tōta improved his microscopic perception and control of his own body.
• After receiving word of the Kaguya Clan’s rebellion, Asuma met his Shadow Clone near Kirigakure and learned the clan had rebelled because they missed war and slaughter.
• Asuma and Orochimaru watched Kimimaro charge past them toward Kirigakure, and Asuma explained that Shikotsumyaku might cause a bloodline disease.
• Kirigakure crushed the Kaguya Clan’s rebellion overnight, leaving Kimimaro as the only surviving clan member who had fought.
• Asuma collected the Kaguya Clan’s corpses while Orochimaru persuaded Kimimaro to leave with him and took the clan’s treasured texts and valuables.
• Orochimaru told Asuma that Akatsuki had approached him but he had declined to join, then left with Kimimaro while privately coveting Asuma’s body; Asuma returned to his laboratory and began processing the corpses.

Asuma saved Hatake Sakumo from a deadly poison, and Sakumo identified Sasori of the Red Sands as his attacker. Konoha and Sunagakure declared Sasori an S-Class Rogue Ninja and began a joint search for him.

• Asuma earned the Shinobi World Number One Big Eater achievement after the Chunin Exams ended.
• Asuma used a Truth-Seeking Orb to heal Hatake Sakumo, whose organs and brain had been damaged by poison.
• Kakashi and the others suspected Sasori of the Red Sands had attacked Sakumo with a puppet that used the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release.
• Sakumo woke and confirmed Sasori's identity, warning Asuma and the others about Sasori's powerful puppets and deadly poison.
• Kakashi and two companions traveled to Sunagakure, where the Fourth Kazekage declared Sasori an S-Class Rogue Ninja and issued a joint 50-million-ryō bounty with Konoha.
• Konoha and Sunagakure began searching for Sasori from the site of his battle with Sakumo.

Konan confronted Sasori of the Red Sands in the Land of Wind and recruited him into Akatsuki after demonstrating that her paper ninjutsu could disable his Third Kazekage puppet. Zetsu appeared as Konan and Sasori prepared to leave together.

• Sasori of the Red Sands searched a village for puppet materials and believed Hatake Sakumo would die from his poison.
• Konan found Sasori and invited him to join Akatsuki, warning that Konoha and Sunagakure were hunting him and that Hatake Sakumo had survived.
• Sasori summoned his Third Kazekage puppet and attacked Konan, but her body scattered into paper and reassembled.
• Konan's paper techniques suppressed the Third Kazekage puppet, convincing Sasori that he could not defeat her.
• Sasori agreed to join Akatsuki so he could collect materials, and Zetsu emerged from a stone pillar and remarked that the recruitment had gone smoothly.

Asuma learned that Sasori of the Red Sands had joined Akatsuki and that the organization was targeting Orochimaru, while Tsunade continued growing stronger through training. After Tsunade challenged Asuma to a match and wagered that the loser would obey the winner, they prepared to fight.

• Asuma sent Namikaze Minato intelligence that Sasori of the Red Sands had joined Akatsuki and was hiding in the Land of Rain, prompting Konoha to focus its search there.
• Uchiha Obito criticized Kakashi for failing to reach Sasori first and decided to wait and see how much Kakashi had improved.
• Deva Path Pain and Konan introduced Sasori of the Red Sands to Kakuzu, paired them as teammates, and learned that Sasori could help locate Orochimaru through a pawn in Sunagakure.
• Asuma watched Tsunade defeat Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune in training and assessed their progress in Chakra Control and Sage Transformation.
• Tsunade challenged Asuma to a match, wagering that the loser would obey the winner, and Asuma accepted.

Asuma sparred with Tsunade, who unleashed Sage Mode and powerful Wood Release techniques but was ultimately defeated by his superior Wood Release. After Asuma wiped sweat from her face, Tsunade punched him and fled, leaving Asuma to recover and clean up the battlefield.

• Tsunade attacked Asuma with taijutsu, but he easily countered her until she activated the Sage Cursed Seal and released the Yin Seal.
• Tsunade used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, Wood Dragon Technique, and Wood Golem Technique, while Asuma broke free and answered with his own Wood Release.
• Asuma's larger wooden golem destroyed Tsunade's Wood Dragon and wooden golem, and he declared that she had lost.
• Asuma wiped Tsunade's forehead and cupped her cheeks, so she blushed and punched him into a crater before fleeing.
• Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune left for Tsunade's house, while Asuma recovered and began cleaning up the battlefield.

Asuma gave Uchiha Fugaku a Mangekyō Sharingan and three pairs of Three Tomoe Sharingan, while warning him that personal strength mattered more than inherited powers. Through discussions with his father and Uchiha Shisui, Itachi learned Asuma’s beliefs about power, peace, and unifying the ninja world, and ended by wondering whether such unity was truly possible.

• Asuma gave Fugaku one pair of Mangekyō Sharingan and three pairs of Three Tomoe Sharingan, urging the Uchiha to build their own strength and contribute to Konoha.
• Fugaku chose Uchiha Yashiro to receive the Mangekyō and told Itachi that even the Three Tomoe Sharingan were insignificant before Asuma.
• Itachi asked Shisui about war, and Shisui explained Asuma’s view that power depended on its user’s will and that peace required respect and control of power.
• Shisui argued that unifying the ninja world could end the cycle of wars, and Itachi wondered whether they could achieve it.
• Shisui told Itachi that a ninja’s meaning lay in what they lived and died for.

Asuma celebrated the New Year with gifts for Kurenai, Shizune, and Tsunade while continuing his training and visiting friends and family. Meanwhile, Deva Path Pain, Kakuzu, and Sasori confronted Orochimaru, who chose to test the Rinnegan’s power.

• Asuma trained Tsunade in the Electromagnetic Field and planned to improve the Sage Cursed Seal to help his companions develop their abilities.
• Asuma gave Kurenai a necklace and Shizune and Tsunade bracelets made with crystals condensed from Senjutsu Chakra.
• Asuma visited Minato’s family, where Karin took Naruto’s toy and made him cry before returning it at Miri’s command.
• Asuma visited friends during the New Year while his Shadow Clones staged a strike and left him a pile of IOUs.
• In the Land of Rivers, Deva Path Pain, Kakuzu, and Sasori found Orochimaru, who recognized Pain’s body as a puppet and agreed to face them.