Recaps

Kazan trained to absorb Natural Energy at Mount Myōboku, then endured Sage Shima’s insect-filled meal. Later, he and Minato Namikaze discussed Minato’s rescue of Kushina Uzumaki from Kumogakure and Konoha’s failure to confront the Cloud Shinobi.

• Kazan used Observation Haki to listen to petrified statues and imitate nature’s stillness as he practiced sensing Natural Energy.
• Sage Shima called Kazan and Minato Namikaze to dinner, where Kazan forced himself to eat every insect she served.
• Kazan admired Mount Myōboku by moonlight and spoke with Hakimi about how much the tiger had grown.
• Minato joined Kazan and told him he missed Kushina Uzumaki and recounted rescuing her after Kumogakure sent three Jonin to abduct her.
• Kazan questioned how Kushina had been taken from Konoha and criticized the village for failing to confront Kumogakure.

Kazan rapidly mastered Sage Mode and discovered he could absorb natural energy to replenish his senjutsu chakra without help. He began fighting Gamabunta while attempting to maintain Sage Mode continuously, pushing his Observation Haki to avoid toadification.

• Kazan gathered natural energy and unleashed a powerful punch combining senjutsu chakra and haki.
• Kazan replenished his senjutsu chakra by absorbing natural energy, astonishing Sage Fukasaku.
• Kazan told Sage Fukasaku he wanted to skip the final training stage and maintain Sage Mode by gathering energy during combat.
• Kazan sparred with Gamabunta while absorbing natural energy, but began undergoing Toad Transformation and Sage Fukasaku struck the excess energy from him.
• Kazan continued the fight, using Observation Haki to foresee danger and control how much natural energy he absorbed.

Kazan trained at Mount Myōboku to sustain Sage Mode in combat while Konoha fought Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure on multiple fronts. Konoha's commanders worried about Kumogakure's uncommitted Jinchūriki, and Kakashi's squad braced for their possible arrival.

• Kazan battled Gamabunta, Gamaken, and Gamahiro together to push his Observation Haki toward Future Sight and prolong his Sage Mode.
• Kumogakure and Iwagakure forces gathered in the Land of Sound and the Land of Rivers, while Konoha fought on several fronts and casualties mounted.
• Minato Namikaze returned from Mount Myōboku and helped stabilize Konoha's difficult fighting against Kumogakure.
• Jiraiya, Shikaku Nara, and Hyuga Hiashi discussed the need for reinforcements and Kumogakure's uncommitted Jinchūriki, while Jiraiya decided to let Kazan continue training.
• Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, Jing Uchiha, and Rin Nohara discussed the threat of Kumogakure's Jinchūriki, and Obito admitted he was afraid.

Konoha's forces faced an all-out Cloud Shinobi assault led by the Eight-Tails, and Minato Namikaze diverted its Tailed Beast Bomb away from the battlefield. As the fighting began, Kazan learned of the attack on Mount Myōboku and prepared to return to the front.

• Kakashi, Obito, Rin Nohara, Jing Uchiha, Asuka Hyuga, and the others gathered anxiously while Kazan remained away training in senjutsu.
• Jiraiya led Konoha's forces to meet the Cloud Shinobi army, where the Eight-Tails formed and launched a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Minato Namikaze used Flying Thunder God to transport the Tailed Beast Bomb to a distant wasteland, preventing it from destroying Konoha's troops.
• A led the Cloud Shinobi charge while Minato summoned Gamabunta and two other toads to face the Eight-Tails.
• Sage Shima told Kazan that the Cloud Shinobi had launched an all-out assault, and Kazan prepared to return to the battlefield.

Konoha and the Cloud Shinobi began an all-out battle in the Land of Sound, where Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, and the Konoha forces struggled against the Cloud's fighters and Tailed Beasts. As a Tailed Beast Bomb broke through Konoha's defenses, the Contact Toad summoned an unknown figure onto the battlefield.

• The Cloud's A-B Combo led its forces into battle as Minato Namikaze fought A and the Eight-Tails battled Gamabunta and the other great toads.
• A second Tailed Beast, Matatabi, began charging a Tailed Beast Bomb while the Third Raikage engaged Jiraiya.
• Yugito Nii launched Matatabi's Tailed Beast Bomb toward the Konoha forces, and Shikaku Nara ordered an Earth Release squad to raise a defensive wall.
• The Tailed Beast Bomb shattered the earthen wall, leaving the Konoha troops in its path.
• The Contact Toad received a message from Mount Myōboku and used Reverse Summoning to bring a cloaked figure onto the battlefield.

Kazan returned to the battlefield just as the Two-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb threatened thousands of Konoha Ninja, then stopped it with a powerful punch. He faced Yugito Nii and Matatabi as his Haki and Hakimi drove back the Cloud Shinobi, leaving no one able to approach him.

• Kazan arrived by Reverse Summoning as the Tailed Beast Bomb bore down on the exposed Konoha forces.
• Kazan struck the Tailed Beast Bomb with his Fist Bone: Meteorite Impact, triggering a massive collision and shockwave that Shikaku Nara ordered the main force to flee.
• Shinku Yuhi shielded Kurenai from the blast, while Asuma and the other young Ninja watched Kazan's strength in disbelief.
• Kazan landed before the Cloud Shinobi and taunted the transformed Yugito Nii and Matatabi about their attack and size.
• The Cloud Shinobi charged Kazan, but his Conqueror's Haki stopped or knocked them unconscious, while Hakimi burned more than a dozen with Senjutsu-infused flames.

Kazan returned from Mount Myōboku and overwhelmed Matatabi and Yugito Nii with his immense physical strength, while the other Konoha fighters engaged the Cloud Shinobi. He continued battering the Two-Tails, leaving the battle still underway as Jiraiya prepared to enter Sage Mode against the Third Raikage.

• Kazan shattered a Tailed Beast Bomb, knocked out an approaching Cloud Shinobi squad, and charged at Matatabi.
• Kazan struck Matatabi with a Conqueror’s Haki-coated punch, blasting half her head apart and sending her into a mountain.
• Hakimi attacked the Cloud Shinobi ranks as Kakashi, Jing Uchiha, Asuka Hyuga, Asuma, Kurenai, and Obito joined the fight.
• Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima so he could enter Sage Mode while holding off the Third Raikage.
• Kazan caught up with Matatabi and smashed her with Galaxy Impact, then punched her repeatedly as she attacked with Fire Rat Balls and a massive paw.

Kazan overwhelmed Yugito Nii and Matatabi on the battlefield, using Haki and relentless attacks to overpower the Two-Tails. He left Matatabi unable to regenerate as his barrage shattered her head.

• Kazan chased and battered Matatabi, forcing her and Yugito Nii to struggle to keep pace with his speed and power.
• Dodai and the Cloud Shinobi regretted failing to kill Kazan earlier as he sent Matatabi flying and slammed her into the ground.
• Kazan seized Matatabi by the neck and used Undersea Drop to hurl her down, sending shockwaves across both armies.
• Yugito Nii and Matatabi launched Fire Rat Balls, but Kazan's Haki stopped them before they could reach him.
• Kazan used Fist Bone to clear the incoming attacks, then unleashed a rapid barrage that shattered Matatabi's head faster than her Chakra could regenerate it.

Kazan defeated Matatabi and nearly killed Yugito Nii, but the Third Raikage intervened and saved her. After Yugito was taken away, Kazan and the Third Raikage faced off, beginning a clash that could decide the battlefield.

• Kazan relentlessly punched Matatabi until her body was destroyed and Yugito Nii was left exposed.
• The Third Raikage blocked Kazan from killing Yugito Nii, knocked him into a mountain, and entrusted the unconscious Yugito to Dodai.
• Kazan emerged from the rubble and challenged the Third Raikage, while the other fighters shifted their battles to create an opening for him.
• Kazan and the Third Raikage powered up, vanished from sight, and collided fist-to-fist in midair.

Kazan and the Third Raikage fought a brutal Taijutsu battle, testing each other’s defenses and healing abilities. The Third Raikage unleashed Black Lightning, and Kazan activated Sage Mode as their clash continued.

• Kazan and the Third Raikage traded powerful blows, with the Raikage knocking Kazan back using Lightning Release: Lariat.
• Kazan recovered through Yin Injury Healing and Destruction, then struck the Third Raikage with Conqueror’s Coating and Cherry Blossom Impact.
• The Third Raikage realized Kazan’s Haki was damaging him internally and attacked with Lightning Style: Hell Stab, breaking through Kazan’s defense.
• Kazan taunted the Third Raikage about the scar on his chest, provoking him into using Black Lightning.
• Kazan blocked the Third Raikage’s Black Lightning and activated Sage Mode, surprising his opponent.

Kazan entered Sage Mode and overwhelmed the Third Raikage in a brutal fight that shattered and pierced a mountain. Their battle continued at such speed that even Kakashi and Obito struggled to follow it, with no clear victor yet.

• The Third Raikage recognized Kazan’s Sage Mode and charged him, but Kazan’s Haki deflected his Black Lightning before a counterpunch sent him flying.
• Dodai explained that Sage Mode had been used by the First and later by Jiraiya, though Kazan’s form resembled the First’s more closely.
• Kazan and the Third Raikage exchanged powerful blows, and Kazan drove the Raikage through a mountain.
• The Third Raikage kept fighting as lightning enveloped him, while Kazan’s Haki formed armor that matched or surpassed his Lightning Release Armor.
• Kazan and the Third Raikage resumed their high-speed clash, leaving Kakashi near exhaustion and Obito unable to track them clearly.

Kazan and the Third Raikage traded devastating blows as Kazan’s Sage Mode and Haki gave him the upper hand, while the battlefield watched their clash decide the war. The Third Raikage unleashed his deadliest technique, piercing Kazan’s shoulder and leaving him badly wounded.

• Kazan’s attacks wounded the Third Raikage, shocking the Cloud Shinobi and making Dodai question why Kazan’s Sage Mode had not ended.
• Killer B asked the Eight-Tails about Kazan’s Sage Mode, and the Eight-Tails suspected Kazan had Perfect Sage Mode that let him absorb Natural Energy as he fought.
• Kazan struck the Third Raikage with Monster Strength Fist, Armament Haki, and Conqueror’s Haki, causing him to spit blood.
• A lost focus after seeing his father hurt, and Minato Namikaze used a Rasengan to blast him away.
• The Third Raikage used Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite, breaking through Kazan’s Conqueror’s Haki and punching a hole through his shoulder.

Kazan overwhelmed the Third Raikage with his Haki and drove the Cloud Shinobi to retreat from the Land of Sound. The Third Raikage stayed behind to cover his army’s escape, and Kazan confronted him as he fought to hold back Konoha’s pursuit.

• Kazan recovered instantly from a shoulder wound, then countered the Third Raikage’s attacks and battered him with Shadow Clones.
• The Third Raikage unleashed Black Lightning to destroy Kazan’s Shadow Clones, but Kazan struck him with Meteorite Impact and nearly broke through his armor.
• Dodai ordered the Cloud Shinobi to withdraw from the Land of Sound, and signal flares announced their retreat across the battlefield.
• The Third Raikage charged at Konoha’s pursuing forces and killed ten ninja, then stayed behind to cover his army’s escape.
• Kazan ordered Konoha’s forces to keep pursuing and repeatedly knocked the Third Raikage back as he tried to stop them.
• The wounded Third Raikage declared that the Cloud Shinobi would never bow to Konoha, and Kazan answered that he could kill him.

Kazan killed the Third Raikage, allowing the Cloud Shinobi to withdraw from the Land of Sound after suffering heavy losses. At camp, Konoha’s commanders discussed their next move, and Kazan treated an injured Uchiha ninja, insisting that all Konoha shinobi deserved care.

• Kazan overwhelmed the Third Raikage with Haki and fists until the Raikage died standing, holding back Konoha’s pursuit while Dodai led the Cloud Shinobi retreat.
• Konoha’s forces stopped pursuing, and Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze, and Shikaku Nara assessed the heavy casualties and discussed the Cloud Shinobi’s likely response.
• Kazan and the commanders agreed to wait for Kumogakure to make contact, rest the troops, and withdraw from the Land of Sound in three days.
• Kazan healed an injured Uchiha ninja with the Mystical Palm Technique and told him that all Konoha shinobi deserved equal care.

Kazan treated wounded Uchiha and Konoha ninja, bringing them together despite their longstanding distrust. Uchiha Fugaku resolved to support Kazan as a future Hokage, while Minato Namikaze vowed to help mend the divide and prepare the way for him.

• Kazan ordered the Uchiha to line up for treatment, and Kurenai Yuhi, Kakashi, Asuma, Jing Uchiha, and Obito arrived and joined in helping.
• Uchiha Fugaku regretted that Kazan had not come into their lives sooner and decided the Uchiha would support him as Hokage, even if they had to wait for the next generation.
• Kazan called over the other injured ninja and ordered the Uchiha and Konoha ninja to form one line, prompting them to exchange thanks and begin talking.
• Jiraiya told Minato Namikaze that he hoped Kazan would become the Fifth Hokage after Minato became the Fourth, and Minato pledged to lay the groundwork for Kazan to reconcile the village and the Uchiha.

Kazan helped wounded Uchiha and Konoha ninja interact, while Obito and Jing Uchiha discussed whether the clan could build better relations with the village. After Konoha withdrew from the Land of Sound, Kumogakure faced attacks from the Rock and Sand Shinobi and began considering negotiations with Konoha to recover the Third Raikage’s body; Rasa’s advance into the Land of Lightning stalled under fierce resistance.

• Kazan treated the wounded slowly, giving the Uchiha and other Konoha ninja time to talk, and Obito offered to help by grilling fish.
• Jing Uchiha told Obito that the Uchiha should not bow to others, but privately considered working with Kazan to change the clan’s standing.
• Three days later, Konoha withdrew from the Land of Sound, and news spread that the Third Raikage had died.
• A took charge of Kumogakure and fought the Rock and Sand Shinobi alongside the village’s two Jinchūriki, while Dodai warned that Konoha might attack next.
• A ordered Dodai to negotiate with Konoha for the return of the Third Raikage’s body, and Kumogakure’s Elders Council began considering a ceasefire agreement.
• Rasa led the Sand Shinobi into the Land of Lightning, where fierce Cloud resistance and Tailed Beast attacks halted his expected swift victory.

Rasa and Ōnoki planned to exploit Kumogakure’s weakened position after Kazan killed the Third Raikage, while Madara learned about Kazan’s Haki and growing strength. At the frontline camp, Kazan continued training and prepared to challenge the Seventh Gate of the Eight Gates Released Formation.

• Rasa ordered the Sand Shinobi to press their offensive into the Land of Lightning before Kumogakure could negotiate with Konoha, while asking Ebizo to watch Ōnoki.
• Ōnoki ordered scouts to monitor the fighting and attempt to kill Kumogakure’s negotiators, and told his ninja to flee if they encountered the Ghost of Konoha.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu told Madara Uchiha that Kazan’s Haki could strengthen his attacks and defense and let him draw Natural Energy to maintain Sage Mode.
• Madara ordered the Zetsu to watch Kazan without being noticed and considered finding someone to carry on his Eye of the Moon Plan.
• Kazan stayed at the frontline camp, continued training with his fists, and prepared to challenge the Seventh Gate.

Kazan left for the Land of Iron with Shikaku Nara and others to negotiate a ceasefire with the Cloud Shinobi, while planning to demand their Lightning Release Chakra Mode. The talks had not yet begun when a group of Ninja ambushed Kazan and his companions.

• Jiraiya told Kazan that the Cloud Shinobi wanted talks in the Land of Iron, and Kazan agreed to go with Shikaku Nara.
• Kazan said goodbye to Kurenai and departed with Shikaku, Hizashi Hyuga, and several others.
• Obito envied Kazan's position, while Kakashi pointed out that he was already a Jonin and Obito was still a Genin.
• During the journey, Kazan proposed demanding the Cloud Shinobi's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Shikaku suggested the Uchiha might have copied it with their Sharingan.
• Several Ninja launched a surprise attack aimed at Kazan and his group.

Kazan defeated eight Black Market bounty hunters, then continued with Shikaku Nara and the Konoha delegation to the Land of Iron for ceasefire negotiations with the Cloud Shinobi. The talks ended with Dodai rejecting Konoha’s five-year terms as Kazan threatened to invade the Land of Lightning.

• Eight Rogue Ninja bounty hunters attacked Kazan, but his Haki stopped their Ninjutsu and he killed them as Kakuzu watched from hiding and fled.
• Kazan asked Shikaku Nara to write to Camp, requesting that the Uchiha try to replicate the Third Raikage’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode in exchange for a favor.
• Kazan and his companions reached the Land of Iron, where Mifune escorted them to meet Dodai and the Cloud Shinobi delegation.
• Kazan presented Konoha’s ceasefire conditions, including payments and resource transfers that would remain in effect for five years.
• Dodai refused the terms, and Kazan threatened to invade the Land of Lightning and asked whether he should replace the Fourth Raikage too.

Kazan negotiated with Dodai for compensation from the Cloud Shinobi, while the Uchiha began developing the Cloud’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode for him. The chapter left the clan pooling its efforts to finish the technique and support Kazan’s bid for the Hokage position.

• Kazan intimidated Dodai during negotiations, and Shikaku Nara pressed the Cloud Shinobi to compensate Konoha for the losses they had caused.
• Jiraiya gave Uchiha Fugaku Shikaku’s letter and asked whether the Sharingan could copy Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Fugaku gathered the Uchiha, who agreed to use their recorded observations to develop the technique for Kazan.
• The Uchiha began experimenting with the technique’s chakra pathways and debated how to enhance Kazan’s reflexes.
• Obito told Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and Asuma that Kazan had asked the Uchiha to develop the technique.

Kazan and Shikaku Nara negotiated with the Cloud Shinobi over reparations, and Kazan forced them to accept Konoha’s final terms. The villages agreed to an immediate ceasefire, though the chapter noted that the peace would eventually give way to another war.

• Kakashi and Uchiha Fugaku supported Kazan’s path to becoming Hokage, believing he could help the Uchiha and Konoha.
• Kazan and Shikaku Nara revised Konoha’s reparations plan so the Cloud Shinobi would pay for three years after the war and spread the remaining payments over five years.
• Dodai tried to extend all reparations across ten years, but Kazan walked out and threatened to invade the Land of Lightning if the Cloud Shinobi refused Konoha’s terms.
• Kazan gave Dodai one day to decide, and Dodai chose to accept the agreement.
• Dodai signed the agreement that evening, ending hostilities between Konoha and the Cloud Shinobi.

After securing a generous agreement with Kumogakure, Kazan’s party was attacked on the return journey, and Kazan killed the assailants. Back at camp, he received the Lightning Release Chakra Mode scroll from Uchiha Fugaku, who also explained the Uchiha’s growing rift with Konoha.

• Kazan’s party was attacked shortly after leaving the Land of Iron, and Hizashi Hyuga used Rotation to deflect the incoming weapons.
• Kazan killed the attackers, while Shikaku Nara suspected the Sand Shinobi or Rock Shinobi had staged the assault to undermine the agreement.
• Kazan returned to camp with Shikaku Nara and Hizashi Hyuga, gave Jiraiya the signed agreement, and reported the attack.
• Kazan visited Uchiha Fugaku and received the completed Lightning Release Chakra Mode scroll.
• Kazan shared a meal with the Uchiha, and Uchiha Fugaku described how the Military Police Force’s work had worsened the clan’s relationship with the village.

Kazan learned that the Uchiha wanted to improve their relationship with Konoha and might support him becoming Hokage, then began training in Lightning Release Chakra Mode. After mastering it, he discovered his boosted speed was so extreme that even his enhanced reflexes struggled to keep up.

• Uchiha Fugaku explained that the Military Police Force had protected Uchiha lives but also widened the divide between the clan and Konoha's other shinobi.
• Kazan told Uchiha Fugaku that the Uchiha only needed to be themselves, leaving Fugaku and the others moved by his words.
• Kazan used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to practice Lightning Release Chakra Mode with more than a dozen clones.
• Kazan activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode after a day of training and crashed through a boulder into the mountainside because he could not control his speed.
• Kazan concluded that Observation Haki alone might not be enough to manage his speed and considered using Sage Mode to improve his senses.

Kazan trained in Lightning Release Chakra Mode and challenged Minato Namikaze to a fight so he could master it. As Kazan grew faster and stronger during their battle, he pushed Minato to his limits and ended with his fist closing in again.

• Kazan mastered the basics of Lightning Release Chakra Mode and called Minato to fight him.
• Minato used Flying Thunder God to take Kazan beyond the Main Camp, leaving Obito, Kakashi, and the others behind.
• Kazan and Minato clashed at extreme speed, with Kazan using Observation Haki and Conqueror’s Haki to track Minato and stop his Rasengan.
• Jiraiya, Uchiha Fugaku, and Shikaku Nara watched from afar as Kazan’s speed continued to increase.
• Kazan gathered Natural Energy and activated Sage Art: Lightning Release Chakra Mode, then caught up to Minato after he warped away.
• Kazan shouted “Fist Bone!” and “Impact!” as his fist came toward Minato’s face.

Kazan mastered the basics of Lightning Release Chakra Mode and received orders to lead a thousand troops to the Land of Rain, where he would join Orochimaru and Tsunade. As he prepared to depart, he exchanged farewells with Kurenai, Obito, and Kakashi.

• Minato survived Kazan's overwhelming pressure and resolved to improve his Rasengan by adding a change in Chakra nature.
• Kazan demonstrated his progress with Lightning Release Chakra Mode, including weaving in Senjutsu Chakra, and Jiraiya praised his mastery.
• Jiraiya told Kazan that he would go to the Land of Rain while Jiraiya led troops to Danzo's front, and warned him to heed Tsunade and beware Hanzo of the Salamander.
• Kazan agreed to travel with a thousand troops under Shikaku Nara's assistance, entering the Land of Rain through the Land of Grass to join Orochimaru and Tsunade.
• Kurenai gave Kazan an Omamori before leaving with Jiraiya, and Obito told Kazan he would catch up to him.