Recaps

Kazan arrived in the Land of Grass and learned that Konoha's forces were stalled by the shifting alliances and Hanzo of the Salamander. He decided to infiltrate the Land of Rain alone, kill Hanzo, and seek the Akatsuki's help in taking over Amegakure.

• Kazan and his troops reached the Land of Grass after three days, where Orochimaru welcomed them and brought him to the camp.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade explained that Konoha's campaign was stalled by the other villages and Hanzo's unexplained inactivity.
• Kazan volunteered to confront Hanzo, and Orochimaru agreed that he had a better chance against the Demigod than the Sannin did.
• Kazan announced that he would go alone on a decapitation operation and asked Tsunade to prepare an antidote for Ibuse's poison.
• Kazan explained that he also intended to persuade the Akatsuki to help remove Hanzo and take control of Amegakure, and Tsunade agreed to prepare the antidote before he left after a day's rest.

Kazan secretly left the Konoha camp with Tsunade’s antidotes and infiltrated the Land of Rain to find Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan. He arrived at their base and revealed himself as Kazan, the Ghost of Konoha, leaving the Akatsuki founders stunned.

• Kazan thanked Shizune for the antidotes Tsunade had prepared and secretly left the Konoha camp.
• Kazan traveled through the rain to Amegakure and used Observation Haki to locate Nagato’s chakra-infused rain.
• Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and the Akatsuki gathered at their secret base and discussed the ongoing war and their hopes for peace.
• Nagato sensed an intruder, and Kazan crashed into the base entrance and said he wanted to talk to Jiraiya’s disciples.
• Kazan claimed he and Jiraiya shared a teacher, and Konan and Nagato recognized him as Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Fourth Disciple, the Ghost of Konoha.

Kazan overwhelmed Akatsuki and proposed killing Hanzō so the group could take control of Amegakure and reach an agreement with Konoha. Yahiko rejected his plan, but Konan and Nagato agreed to investigate whether Hanzō regarded Akatsuki as a threat before deciding what to do.

• Kazan used Conqueror's Haki to knock out most of Akatsuki, then beat Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko when they attacked him.
• Kazan told the three that he intended to kill Hanzō and offered Akatsuki control of Amegakure and an agreement with Konoha if his operation succeeded.
• Yahiko refused to seize the village, insisting Akatsuki would pursue peace in its own way, while Kazan warned that Hanzō already saw them as a threat.
• Kazan gave Akatsuki time to investigate and decide whether to work with him, and warned that they could report him to Hanzō instead.
• Outside the hideout, Konan and Nagato said Hanzō's restraint toward the Land of Lightning seemed suspicious, and Nagato offered to investigate whether Hanzō planned to eliminate Akatsuki.

Kazan challenged Yahiko’s ideals and warned him that Akatsuki needed power to protect its members and negotiate with Hanzō. The chapter ended with Yahiko and Konan witnessing an Akatsuki member secretly leave for Kumogakure, confirming Kazan’s warning that Hanzō had an agent among them.

• Nagato infiltrated Amegakure to investigate, while Konan asked Kazan how Jiraiya was doing and reminisced with him and Yahiko about their former teacher.
• Kazan challenged Yahiko’s plan for peace, arguing that Nagato and Konan could die for it and that Akatsuki needed power and influence to bargain with Hanzō.
• Kazan questioned Yahiko about Konoha, described its lecherous leaders, and warned that war could come despite anyone’s wishes.
• Kazan chatted with Konan about Yahiko and Nagato, then claimed that her paper crane could speak and that he could sense her emotions.
• After night fell and Nagato had not returned, Yahiko and Konan saw an Akatsuki member sneak away toward Kumogakure, confirming Kazan’s claim that Hanzō had a man inside the group.

Kazan exposed Hanzō’s spies in Akatsuki and convinced Yahiko to work with Konoha and prepare to take control of Amegakure. He attacked the village alone, incapacitated its Ninja with his Conqueror’s Haki, and carried Hanzō away to fight outside the village.

• Kazan captured an Akatsuki mole, and Konan and Yahiko confirmed that he was Hanzō’s spy.
• Nagato discovered Hanzō had planted spies in Akatsuki and feared it would take over Amegakure; Yahiko agreed to work with Konoha.
• Kazan told Akatsuki to clear out Hanzō’s forces and take control of Amegakure while he killed Hanzō.
• Konan accompanied Kazan, who raced toward Amegakure and entered the village alone.
• Kazan unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, knocking countless Amegakure Ninja unconscious, then seized Hanzō and carried him away to fight.

Kazan launched a frontal assault on Amegakure and battled Hanzo of the Salamander, overpowering him with Haki and overwhelming speed. As Rain Ninja reinforcements arrived, Hanzō summoned Ibuse and disappeared with it.

• Kazan knocked out most of Amegakure with Conqueror's Haki and pursued Hanzō while Yahiko led Akatsuki into the village.
• Yahiko and Nagato led Akatsuki against Amegakure's forces, and Nagato warned Yahiko to focus on the enemies.
• Hanzō attacked Kazan with his Kusarigama and Explosive Tags, but Kazan's defense left him unharmed and Kazan wounded Hanzō with a punch.
• Hanzō tried to reason with Kazan, then attacked with Water Release and an Iai strike, but Kazan's defense and speed overcame both attacks.
• Rain Ninja reinforcements arrived, and Hanzō summoned Salamander Ibuse before disappearing with it.

Kazan defeated and killed Hanzō in Amegakure, overcoming his poison and Salamander Ibuse with his Haki and strength. He left Konan with Hanzō’s head, while Hanzō’s death gave Kazan an idea involving Ōnoki.

• Kazan shattered the Rain Ninja’s Water Formation Wall and withstood Hanzō’s kusarigama slash before striking him down.
• Salamander Ibuse poisoned the battlefield, but Kazan endured the toxin and attacked Hanzō again.
• Kazan used Observation Haki to track Hanzō and unleashed a powerful barrage that killed him and blew apart Ibuse’s head.
• Hanzō praised Kazan and wondered how the other village leaders, including Ōnoki, would react to his death.
• Kazan told Konan he had saved Hanzō’s head for her and departed, and Konan carried the head back to Amegakure.

After Yahiko took control of Amegakure, he sent Konan and Nagato to negotiate an alliance with Konoha while he worked to steady the village. Konoha accepted the alliance and sought to connect Kazan with Team Minato for a mission against the Rock Shinobi’s supply route.

• Konan returned with Hanzō’s head, the Rain Ninja surrendered, and Yahiko became Amegakure’s chief, folding Akatsuki into the village.
• Yahiko told Konan and Nagato to negotiate with Konoha, while he stayed behind to address the villagers’ concerns about cooperating with the village whose ninja had killed Hanzō.
• Konan and Nagato met Orochimaru and Tsunade at Konoha’s frontline camp and presented Amegakure’s proposed alliance and trade agreement.
• Konan confirmed that Kazan had killed Hanzō and said she suspected he had gone to the Land of Earth.
• Tsunade rejected Orochimaru’s efforts to demand more concessions, and Konan and Nagato left after the two villages agreed to cooperate.
• Tsunade asked Orochimaru to get Kazan to work with Team Minato, and Orochimaru said he had already sent his snakes to find him.

After Hanzō’s death, the Sand Shinobi and Rock Shinobi launched a full-scale assault on Konoha and the Cloud Shinobi, while Konoha’s leaders responded and sent intelligence toward Kazan. The chapter ended with Danzo learning that Nagato of Amegakure appeared to possess the Rinnegan.

• Ōnoki ordered the Rock Shinobi to launch a full-scale assault on Konoha and the Cloud Shinobi and informed the Sand Shinobi of his plan.
• Rasa and Ebizo agreed to mobilize the Sand Shinobi for a simultaneous attack, advising their forces to retreat if they encountered Kazan.
• Hiruzen considered Kazan’s growing influence and told an ANBU ninja to have Jiraiya send him a message and ensure Minato completed his mission.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade’s forces responded to the Sand and Rock assault by seeking support from the Grass Ninja and Rain Ninja, while Kazan remained on an important mission.
• Jiraiya sent Hanzō’s death report to Kazan through Kōsuke, the Contact Toad.
• Danzo learned that Nagato of Amegakure appeared to possess the legendary Rinnegan.

Kazan entered the Land of Earth to steal Iwagakure’s Light-Weight Rock and Added-Weight Rock techniques, but Konoha summoned him to join Team Minato’s mission at Kannabi Bridge. He invaded Iwagakure instead, where his shadow clones and Hakimi fought the village’s defenders as Kazan battled Han.

• Kōsuke delivered Konoha’s mission scroll, and Kazan learned that Team Minato was tasked with severing Iwagakure’s supply line at Kannabi Bridge.
• Kazan charged into Iwagakure, where the Barrier Team detected him and Han confronted him.
• Kazan’s Conqueror’s Haki knocked many Rock Shinobi unconscious, and he sent shadow clones to search for the village’s secret techniques.
• Kazan summoned Hakimi to fight the converging Rock Shinobi forces, while crimson lightning spread across the Land of Earth.
• Han attacked Kazan with Steam Charge, and Kazan blocked the assault with Armament Haki before striking back with a punch.

Kazan overpowered Han and slaughtered his way through the Rock Shinobi reinforcements, demanding that Han release the beast inside him. The chapter ended with Kazan unleashing Fist Bone: Impact on the battlefield, while Han’s beast remained uncalled.

• Kazan fought Han, overcame his Boil Release and Earth Release techniques, and repeatedly sent him crashing into the mountainside.
• Rock Shinobi reinforcements attacked Kazan with coordinated techniques, but his Haki stopped their rocks and his counterattack devastated their ranks.
• Kazan used Conqueror’s Haki to incapacitate Rock Shinobi attempting Genjutsu, then blocked Han’s full-power kick and demanded that he call out the beast inside him.
• Kazan grabbed Han and swung him into the charging Rock Shinobi, then unleashed Fist Bone: Impact, blasting everyone nearby across the shattered battlefield.

Kazan overwhelmed Iwagakure’s forces, killed Han, and fought the Five-Tails Kokuō after it emerged from Han. Roshi and the Four-Tails Son Gokū joined the battle, and Kazan prepared to face both Tailed Beasts.

• Kazan tore through the Rock Shinobi and fatally punched Han despite Han’s defenses.
• Han transformed into the Five-Tails, and Kazan hurled Kokuō into a mountain before beating the beast down.
• Roshi arrived and called on Son Gokū, who took control and transformed him into the Four-Tails.
• Son Gokū and Kokuō attacked Kazan together with Lava Release and Boil Release techniques, but Kazan dodged them.
• Kazan praised the two Tailed Beasts, then declared he would set them free and prepared to attack.

Kazan fought the Four-Tails and Five-Tails alone, overpowering the two Tailed Beasts despite their combined attacks. After learning through his Shadow Clone that the Rock Shinobi had found the stolen secret technique scrolls, he entered Sage Mode and began an overwhelming assault to free the beasts.

• Kazan dove at the Four-Tails and Five-Tails with Galaxy Impact, forcing them to struggle against his blow.
• Kazan fought the Four-Tails hand-to-hand, outpaced him, and pulverized one of his arms with Fist Bone: Meteorite Impact.
• Kazan stopped the Five-Tails' charge and withstood the beasts' pincer attack, but their combined tails struck him and sent him crashing onto a hill.
• Kazan learned that his Shadow Clone had taken the Rock Shinobi's technique scrolls, then faced the beasts again.
• Kazan gathered Natural Energy, entered Sage Mode, and announced that he would give the beasts their freedom.
• Kazan launched Sage Art: Infinite Fist Bone, unleashing a storm of blows against the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.

Kazan overwhelmed and killed Iwagakure’s Four-Tails and Five-Tails, then left the Rock Shinobi after reassuring Roshi that he would not destroy their village. The survivors discovered that Kazan had also stolen the Ninjutsu scrolls from the Tsuchikage’s office.

• Kazan unleashed a storm of Senjutsu, Cherry Blossom Impact, and Haki-powered punches, preventing Four-Tails and Five-Tails from defending themselves or healing.
• Kazan destroyed Four-Tails Son Gokū’s and Five-Tails’ heads, while their Lava Release and Boil Release failed to stop his attacks.
• Five-Tails collapsed and dissipated, followed by Four-Tails; Roshi told the Rock Shinobi not to seek revenge on Konoha and asked Kazan to spare Iwagakure.
• Kazan promised Roshi he would not wipe out the Rock Shinobi, then killed Han and Roshi with two punches and flew away.
• The Rock Shinobi approached the fallen Jinchūriki and learned that Kazan had stolen the Ninjutsu scrolls from the Tsuchikage’s office.

Minato Namikaze sent Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to destroy Kannabi Bridge while he drew the Rock Shinobi’s attention on the front line. After Rin was captured, Kakashi chose to rescue her first, and he and Obito attacked the enemy hideout.

• Minato Namikaze explained that the squad’s mission was to destroy Kannabi Bridge and cut off the Rock Shinobi’s supplies.
• Kōsuke told Minato Namikaze that Kazan was in the Land of Earth, and Minato asked him to send Kazan to Kannabi Bridge.
• The Rock Shinobi ambushed Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, capturing Rin during the fight.
• Kakashi decided to rescue Rin before continuing the mission, surprising Obito.
• Kakashi and Obito tracked the Rock Shinobi to a cave where Rin was being interrogated.
• Remembering Kazan’s words, Kakashi formed the seals for Chidori and charged the hideout with Obito covering him.

Kakashi and Obito rescued Rin Nohara from a Rock Shinobi stronghold but were cornered and badly wounded while covering her escape. Kazan arrived and devastated the enemy force with Galaxy Impact, then continued attacking the survivors.

• Kakashi and Obito defeated Kakkō, freed Rin Nohara from Genjutsu, and led her out of the stronghold.
• Rock Shinobi surrounded the trio, and Kakashi and Obito stayed behind to fight while Rin fled to find Minato-sensei.
• Kakashi and Obito were overwhelmed and seriously wounded by the outnumbering Rock Shinobi.
• Kazan arrived after hearing Obito's resolve to confess his feelings to Rin and warned Kakashi and Obito to escape his attack.
• Kazan unleashed Galaxy Impact, flattening the battlefield and sending Rock Shinobi flying.
• Kazan charged into the surviving Rock Shinobi and continued striking them down.

Kazan helped Kakashi, Obito, and Rin survive, then joined Minato in destroying Kannabi Bridge and revealed that he had killed Iwagakure’s two Jinchūriki. Back at the front, Orochimaru and Tsunade prepared for Ōnoki’s final offensive, with Konoha allied with Amegakure and Kusagakure.

• Kazan defeated the Rock Shinobi attackers, treated Kakashi and Obito, and told them Rin was returning safely.
• Minato took Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to the Frontline Camp, then joined Kazan in destroying Kannabi Bridge.
• Kazan left the camp to return to the front, warning Minato that the Rock Shinobi were about to launch a major attack.
• Minato told Kakashi and Obito that Kazan had killed Iwagakure’s two Jinchūriki and that the Rock Shinobi would likely attack after losing the bridge.
• Kazan reached the Frontline Position, where Orochimaru and Tsunade reported that Ōnoki was gathering forces and that Amegakure and Kusagakure would fight alongside Konoha.

The Rock Shinobi and Sand Shinobi launched a coordinated attack on Konoha, forcing Orochimaru and Kazan to divide their forces. Kazan took the fight to Ōnoki as the battlefield erupted into a brutal clash.

• Kazan and Orochimaru agreed that Kazan would face the Rock Shinobi while Orochimaru led Tsunade and over half the forces against the Sand Shinobi.
• Orochimaru learned that the Sand Shinobi had begun attacking, while Konan arrived to confirm the Rain Ninja’s support and stayed with Kazan’s force.
• Kazan led Konoha’s troops into a head-on charge against the Rock Shinobi, with Rain and Grass Ninja ready to attack their flanks.
• Ōnoki used Dust Release to erase dozens of Konoha Ninja, prompting Kazan to fly toward him as Konan followed.

Kazan overwhelmed Ōnoki in a fierce aerial battle, countering Dust Release with his haki and wounding the Third Tsuchikage. The chapter left Ōnoki’s strongest earth-enhanced punch shattered against Kazan, with the fight still underway.

• Kazan devastated the Rock Shinobi forces with Galaxy Impact, then dodged Ōnoki’s Dust Release and counterattacked.
• Kazan taunted Ōnoki about his fear of Madara Uchiha, and the two clashed in midair.
• Ōnoki confronted Kazan over killing Han and Roshi, while Kazan mocked him and pursued him with kicks and punches.
• Kazan’s haki stopped Ōnoki’s gravity-laden punch, and a Tempest Kick cut Ōnoki’s arm.
• Kazan and Ōnoki’s Dust Release attacks collided, but neither broke through the other’s defense.
• Ōnoki met Kazan’s charge with an Earth Release Rock Fist enhanced by Ultra-Added-Weight, but Kazan shattered the stone fist.

Kazan overwhelmed Ōnoki in their battle, countering his Dust Release and striking him repeatedly despite the Third Tsuchikage’s defenses. The chapter ended with Kazan dominating Ōnoki as the watching Rock Shinobi feared their leader would be killed.

• Ōnoki’s Rock Fist shattered against Kazan’s Iron Fist, and Ōnoki decided he had to kill Kazan.
• Ōnoki fired Dust Release at Kazan, who stopped it with a Haki-enhanced punch while his Conqueror’s Haki knocked nearby ninja unconscious.
• Kazan dodged Ōnoki’s Dust Release and kicked him from the sky, leaving Ōnoki badly injured.
• Ōnoki summoned a Rock Giant and trapped Kazan among floating rocks, but Kazan shattered the giant and blasted the rocks away.
• Ōnoki reduced Kazan to particles with Dust Release, but the target was a Shadow Clone, and the real Kazan struck him from behind.
• Ōnoki used Earth Release techniques to block and weigh down Kazan, but Kazan kept moving and battered him with a relentless barrage of punches.

Kazan overwhelmed Ōnoki in an aerial battle, breaking through his strongest Dust Release technique and hurling him into a massive crater. As Kazan prepared to finish Ōnoki, Rock Shinobi charged in to save their Kage, but Kazan’s Conqueror’s Haki incapacitated many of them.

• Kazan battered Ōnoki in midair and shattered his Rock Arm technique with haki.
• Ōnoki unleashed his sustained Dust Release technique, but Kazan resisted it and broke free with Sage Art.
• Kazan seized Ōnoki and hurled him into the ground, leaving him motionless in a vast crater.
• Ōnoki spoke of the Will of Stone, and Kazan prepared to kill him with a finger strike.
• Rock Shinobi attacked Kazan with Earth Dragon Bullet Technique, but his haki stopped the dragons and his Conqueror’s Haki incapacitated many of them.

Kazan defeated the Rock Shinobi rescue force, forcing Ōnoki and Iwagakure to surrender. After declaring the war over, he ordered Konoha’s forces to treat the wounded while the Sand Shinobi prepared to withdraw.

• Kazan fought off the Rock Shinobi who tried to rescue Ōnoki, killing many and overwhelming the force.
• Kitsuchi declared that the Rock Shinobi had lost and urged Ōnoki to surrender so Iwagakure could survive.
• Ōnoki accepted defeat and surrendered to Kazan, who agreed that Konoha would accept the surrender and set negotiations for three days later in Amegakure.
• Kazan announced that the war was over and predicted that Rasa would retreat once the Rock Shinobi withdrew.
• Kazan ordered Konoha’s forces to treat the wounded and used his healing abilities to stabilize injured ninja, while Konan offered to help.

After the Rock Shinobi surrendered, the Sand Shinobi withdrew, while Konoha’s leaders planned reparations and the return of their wounded. Kazan agreed to escort the wounded back to Konoha, and Orochimaru went with Shikaku Nara to negotiate with the Rock Shinobi.

• Ebizo ordered the Sand Shinobi to withdraw after learning that the Rock Shinobi had surrendered to Kazan.
• Rasa withdrew his forces and planned to attack the weakened Rock Shinobi later.
• A learned that Ōnoki had surrendered, then ordered scouts to confirm the enemy forces had left the Land of Lightning.
• Kazan declined to negotiate with the Rock Shinobi, so Orochimaru agreed to go while Shikaku Nara advised demanding reparations without weakening the Rock Shinobi too much before its next battles.
• Tsunade suggested that Kazan escort Konoha’s wounded back to the village, and Kazan agreed.
• Orochimaru and Shikaku arrived in Kumogakure three days later, where Konan received them and asked about Kazan.

Kazan led the wounded Konoha shinobi home while studying Rock ninjutsu and helping Kakashi with his Chidori problem. After a half-month journey, they returned to Konoha, where Kazan received a hero’s welcome and met with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Kazan studied the Rock Shinobi scroll and used Shadow Clones to train in the Added-Weight and Light-Weight Rock techniques while he watched for danger.
• Kakashi asked Kazan for help controlling Chidori, and Kazan gave him the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training scroll.
• Kakashi thanked Kazan and said he still wanted to become a ninja like his father as Obito and Rin Nohara watched.
• Kazan led the wounded back to Konoha, where the medical teams took them to the hospital and villagers welcomed Kazan as a hero.
• Kazan shattered the Hokage Building’s windows as he entered Hiruzen Sarutobi’s office, and Hiruzen scolded him before noting how much he had grown.

Kazan rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s push for him to become Hokage, then returned to his rebuilt home in the Back Mountain and reunited with Hakimi. He went hunting with the tiger and summoned an ANBU to light a fire before sending him away with a reminder to claim compensation for his swollen face.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Kazan to become Hokage, but Kazan said the position was too much trouble and left the Hokage Building.
• Kazan returned to the Back Mountain and found that his wooden cabin had been replaced with a Konoha-style building and courtyard.
• Kazan summoned Hakimi, who excitedly explored the Back Mountain before they went hunting in the Forest of Death.
• Hakimi encountered a female tiger, and Kazan teased it about its interest before returning home with the prey alone.
• Kazan brought an ANBU back from the Hokage Building to light his firewood, then told him to seek reimbursement for his swollen face.