Chapter Summaries

Kakashi and Mei Terumi investigated a hidden cave that turned out to be a trapped base belonging to Orochimaru. Kakashi sent Naruto back to Konoha with the news using Flying Thunder God, then waited for him to rejoin the group.

• Hinata detected a concealed cave but found no human chakra signatures inside, so Kakashi and Mei Terumi entered to investigate.
• Sasuke and Hinata sensed danger as Kakashi and Mei fled the cave, and Mei's Water Dragon Bullet and Kakashi's Earth-Style Wall shielded the group from an explosion.
• Kakashi identified the trap as a Reverse Summoning Technique involving snakes carrying technique formulas and concluded that the cave had been deliberately destroyed as an escape passage.
• Kakashi asked Naruto to use a Flying Thunder God Mark to return to Konoha and tell the Hokage that Orochimaru's base had been found and was a trap.
• Kakashi told Mei and the others that Naruto had gone to relieve himself, then Naruto returned to the group later.

Shikaku Nara learned that Danzo would be imprisoned for his crimes, then tried to put the case out of his mind by drinking with Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka. He returned home drunk, where Shikamaru Nara and Yoshino Nara recognized that something serious was troubling him.

• The Third Hokage ordered Danzo stripped of his authority and sent to Prison after the charges against him were confirmed.
• Shikaku Nara told Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka that Danzo would likely remain imprisoned for life, while they questioned whether his punishment was lenient.
• Shikaku Nara and his friends changed the subject to their children and Konoha's future, and Shikaku drank more sake.
• Yoshino Nara scolded Shikaku when he came home drunk, then prepared sobering soup while Shikamaru Nara helped his father to bed.
• Shikamaru Nara found Shikaku asleep before he could drink the soup, and Yoshino Nara decided to make him porridge in the morning because he must have faced something troubling.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi arrived in Yugakure, where Kakashi searched for a white-haired man while Naruto and Sasuke relaxed in the Hot Springs. Sasuke asked Naruto to help him find his surviving clansmen, and Naruto reassured him that the mission gave them room to investigate.

• Naruto eagerly dragged Sasuke to the Hot Springs while Kakashi asked the innkeeper about a white-haired man in a photograph.
• The innkeeper identified the man as a regular from Konoha who often caused complaints near the women's Hot Springs, but said she had not seen him that year.
• Kakashi questioned the innkeeper about other places the man visited and went to investigate them.
• Sasuke asked Naruto whether they would find his clansmen, and Naruto said they could travel to the Land of Wind and investigate during their flexible mission.
• Naruto explained that the missing Flying Thunder God marks on Izumi's clothes and shuriken did not necessarily mean something had happened to her.
• Sasuke wondered how he would face his clansmen if they found them, and Naruto had no answer.

Minato explained the Flying Thunder God Technique’s limitations, and he and Kurama discussed the Uchiha survivors and warned Naruto not to let Sasuke seek them out alone. Naruto’s evening at the Hot Spring ended with Hinata calling to him, while Kakashi encountered Mei Terumi, who asked him to talk elsewhere.

• Minato explained three ways a Flying Thunder God Mark could become unusable, then discussed with Kurama how the Uchiha might have exploited the Ryūmyaku Chakra.
• Kurama warned Naruto not to let Sasuke search for his clan alone because it could be dangerous.
• Naruto remembered Minato and Kurama’s discussion while soaking with Sasuke, who left after Naruto teased him about drinking milk.
• Naruto spoke with Kurama about sharing his senses at the Hot Spring, then heard Hinata call to him from the women’s bath.
• Kakashi returned to the inn and found Mei Terumi waiting; she told him the baths were off-limits and asked him to talk elsewhere.

Naruto mistook Hinata’s nervousness at the Hot Spring for signs that an enemy was threatening her. After teleporting into her pool and realizing what he had done, he froze as other guests arrived.

• Hinata told Naruto she would find a way to resolve the issue involving her and Hanabi, but her uneasy voice made him suspect she was in danger.
• Naruto asked Kurama to investigate, and Minato realized Naruto himself was probably the cause of the problem.
• When Hinata hesitated to answer his questions, Naruto used Flying Thunder God to appear in her Hot Spring pool, ready to fight an enemy.
• Naruto found no enemy, and Hinata fainted from embarrassment when he reached out to help her.
• Naruto realized the awkward situation as two middle-aged women entered the Hot Spring.

Naruto realized Hinata had mistaken his silence for rejection and clearly confessed that he loved her. Hinata accepted his feelings, and they shared a gentle kiss, leaving their relationship closer than before.

• Hyuga Hiashi regretted putting pressure on Naruto and Hinata and worried that he had driven a wedge between them.
• Naruto and Hinata found themselves embarrassed and exposed after Naruto used Flying Thunder God to bring them home.
• Naruto accidentally saw Hinata while fetching clothes, got a nosebleed, and told her not to come closer.
• Hinata asked whether Naruto had rejected her because of her feelings or her father's pressure, and Naruto realized he had never answered her confession.
• Naruto loudly told Hinata that he liked her and wanted them to become a family, and Hinata accepted his feelings.
• Naruto asked to kiss Hinata again, and they shared a gentle kiss.

Naruto and Hinata grew closer, while Sasuke regretted sharing a room with Naruto and resolved to break their bond. Kakashi led the team toward the Land of Water to investigate the Akatsuki, encouraging Naruto to learn how to analyze missions and lead.

• Naruto and Hinata returned to the inn holding hands, and Sasuke teased them before Naruto tried to make him listen to their story.
• The next morning, Naruto greeted Hinata affectionately, prompting Sasuke to wish he could escape the team and sever his bond with Naruto.
• Kakashi and the others gathered information in Yugakure but found no useful Akatsuki leads, only reports of a missing serial killer in the Land of Hot Water.
• Kakashi led the team toward the Land of Water, where Mei Terumi said her connections and the Mizukage's recent disappearance could help their investigation.
• On the ship, Kakashi explained the mission's strategy to Naruto and urged him to develop his ability to analyze missions and lead a team.

Mei Terumi learned from Ao that Genji had been killed on the Fourth Mizukage’s orders and was warned never to return to Kirigakure. As Kakashi’s team continued its mission in the Land of Water, Konoha’s advisors tried to arrange Danzo’s escape before Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted them.

• Kirigakure’s guards stopped Mei Terumi and Kakashi’s group at the border, and Ao asked Mei to speak with him privately.
• Ao told Mei that Genji had been killed after the Fourth Mizukage ordered the suspected elders assassinated, and that Zabuza had carried out the killing before escaping.
• Ao delivered Genji’s warning that Mei should never return to Kirigakure; he kept secret Genji’s additional message urging her to return only if she would claim the Fifth Mizukage’s position.
• Mei rejoined Kakashi’s group and said they should skip Kirigakure, so Kakashi decided they would search together for a Bounty Station in the Land of Water.
• In Konoha’s prison, Danzo claimed Sarutobi had framed him and that Shisui Uchiha’s coffin had been empty; Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura offered to help him leave the village.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared behind the advisors and interrupted their plan.

The Third Hokage arrested Danzo and the two Advisors, intending to confess their crimes and pave the way for Minato to lead Konoha again. Meanwhile, Naruto’s group found a bounty station near the Land of Water, where Kakashi disguised himself as Itachi to draw out Sasuke’s reaction.

• The Third Hokage had Anbu restrain Danzo, Homura, and Koharu, then told Danzo that they would all be sacrificed for the village’s future.
• Danzo accused the Third of preparing the way for a new Hokage, and the Third confronted him over his role in Minato’s death during the Nine-Tails’ attack.
• The Third ordered Anbu to seal the Advisors’ chakra and take them away, then resolved to confess their crimes and accept blame so Minato could return as Hokage.
• Minato and Kurama discussed Naruto and Hinata’s future relationship while Naruto’s team searched for a bounty station near the Land of Water.
• Kakashi stopped the group and transformed into Itachi, prompting Sasuke to recognize his brother and Mei to understand Kakashi’s plan.

Kakashi investigated the Bounty Station while disguised as Uchiha Itachi, then set up a watch near it to track the Akatsuki. He left the group expecting the false information he had planted to draw out anyone still active in the Land of Water.

• Kakashi disguised as Uchiha Itachi and entered the Bounty Station through a concealed entrance in a public toilet.
• Kakashi learned that Mei Terumi had a bounty of 50 million ryo and confirmed that Genji's bounty had been removed.
• Kakashi noticed a new arrival carrying a bound person, then left and returned to his team after ensuring no one followed him.
• Kakashi summoned Pakkun and assigned him to watch the area for anyone wearing the Akatsuki's red-cloud cloak.
• Kakashi explained to Naruto that he had planted false information and flaws in his disguise to lure the Akatsuki into revealing themselves.

Sasuke asked Kakashi to teach him how to fight Uchiha Itachi, and Kakashi gave him the reforged sword White Fang. Mei Terumi tried to recruit Kakashi to help change Kirigakure, but he refused, and the chapter ended with Naruto emerging from the bushes after eavesdropping.

• Sasuke asked Kakashi whether he had defeated Uchiha Itachi and said he wanted to learn anything that could kill him.
• Kakashi gave Sasuke his father’s reforged sword, White Fang, and promised to teach him how to use it.
• Mei Terumi asked Kakashi to leave Konoha and help her stop the Fourth Mizukage from returning Kirigakure to the Bloody Mist Village.
• Kakashi refused, saying that everything he cared about was in Konoha, and Mei Terumi left disappointed.
• Kakashi called out someone hiding nearby, and Naruto emerged from the bushes, admitting he had been eavesdropping.

Kakashi refused to help Mei Terumi pursue her personal conflict with the Mizukage, and she stayed with the group as they traveled toward the Land of Water’s exit. When Kakashi’s team encountered Akatsuki members Kakuzu and Hidan, the two bounty hunters attacked, setting up a fight.

• Naruto asked Kakashi whether they would help Mei Terumi, and Kakashi warned that interference could break Konoha’s alliance with Kirigakure and risk war.
• Mei Terumi remained with the group and watched Kakashi train Sasuke while they continued traveling and gathering information in villages.
• Pakkun told Naruto that their targets had finally appeared near the Bounty Station, and Kakashi’s team confronted Kakuzu and Hidan.
• Kakuzu identified the group by their bounties, while Hidan charged at them with his scythe in the name of Lord Jashin.

Sasuke attacked Hidan and pierced his heart with a lightning blade, but Hinata discovered Hidan was still alive. As Hidan struck back and Kakuzu launched a fire technique, Naruto used Flying Thunder God to whisk Sasuke away.

• Sasuke blocked Hidan’s scythe, baited him into losing his balance, and stabbed him through the heart with his lightning-wreathed sword.
• Sasuke taunted Kakuzu, but Hinata warned him that Hidan had not died.
• Hidan attacked Sasuke with a Black Rod, and Sasuke traded a pierced palm for a slash at Hidan’s head.
• Naruto appeared behind Sasuke and teleported them away as Kakuzu’s masked monster unleashed a fire attack.

Mei Terumi and Kakashi overwhelmed Kakuzu, while Naruto repeatedly battered the immortal Hidan to stop him from completing a Jashin ritual. The battle left Kakuzu apparently dead but with black tendrils moving beneath his corpse, and Mei Terumi stunned by Naruto’s strength.

• Mei Terumi submerged Kakuzu with Water Release, and Kakashi pierced his heart with a Lightning Blade before cutting off his head.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to bring Sasuke back to the group, where Hinata treated his wounds.
• Hidan began drawing a Jashin sacrificial symbol, but Naruto repeatedly kicked and struck him to interrupt the ritual.
• Naruto created a Shadow Clone to taunt Hidan, who lamented that he had believed Naruto’s nonsense.
• Sasuke watched Naruto’s fight in silence, while Mei Terumi realized Naruto was far stronger than she had expected.
• Black tendrils burrowed into the ground beneath Kakuzu’s headless corpse.

Naruto captured Hidan and brought him back to Konoha while Kakashi reported that Kakuzu had escaped, leaving only his head behind. Konoha’s leaders learned of the capture and sent Hidan to Ibiki for interrogation, where Hidan found the torture room oddly nostalgic.

• Kakashi showed the others Kakuzu’s head and explained that Kakuzu had escaped by shedding his body.
• Naruto revealed that Hidan was pinned beneath a boulder and had his Shadow Clones gather Hidan’s scattered body parts for sealing.
• The Third Hokage and Konoha’s Jonin discussed the limited intelligence they had gathered about the Akatsuki.
• Namiashi Raidō burst into the Hokage Office and reported that Naruto had captured an Akatsuki member and brought him to Konoha.
• Ibiki prepared to interrogate Hidan, who recalled the Jashin Cult’s similar surroundings and regretted joining the Akatsuki.

Hidan remained in Konoha's custody while Pain warned the Akatsuki that someone in Konoha was targeting the organization. Pain then shifted the Akatsuki's plans, deciding to exploit Orochimaru's scheme at Konoha's joint Chunin Exams to attack Konoha and capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Ibiki Morino struck Hidan's suspended head, but Hidan enjoyed the pain and complained about being freed from a rock.
• Zetsu told the Akatsuki that Kakuzu had been injured and Hidan captured after their encounter with Kakashi and Mei Terumi in the Land of Water.
• Pain warned the gathered members that Konoha was taking targeted action against the Akatsuki and ordered them to stay alert.
• Itachi noted that Pain had not mentioned Kirigakure and believed Kakuzu's encounter would help remove suspicion from him.
• Pain asked Sasori about Orochimaru's plan, learned it would take place in less than a year during Konoha's Three-Village Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, and decided to use it to attack Konoha and seize the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto searched the Land of Water for Jiraiya and Tsunade while Kakashi told Mei Terumi that their next lead pointed to the Land of Wind. Mei decided to join Konoha as a Jonin and continue the mission with Kakashi, leaving him stunned by the consequences of his advice.

• Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto questioned villagers about Jiraiya and Tsunade but found no one who had seen them.
• Hinata explained that Jiraiya and Tsunade might be considered as candidates for the next Hokage because of their contributions to Konoha.
• Kakashi told Mei Terumi that Hidan had identified himself as the serial killer from the Land of Hot Water and had heard of an Akatsuki team operating in the Land of Wind.
• Mei Terumi misunderstood Kakashi's farewell as confirmation that he had accepted her as a Konoha companion and announced she would join Konoha as a Jonin.
• Mei Terumi ran off to continue the mission with Kakashi, who was left shocked that he seemed to be bringing a dangerous new recruit to Konoha.

Naruto and his companions boarded a suspicious ship after its captain claimed to know Jiraiya and their destination, the Former Land of Whirlpools. The crew planned to drug and ambush them, but Naruto’s group had already seen through the scheme, while a Grass ninja party waited on the island with a red-haired girl who knew the area.

• The captain told Naruto that the island they would visit had once belonged to the Land of Whirlpools, which had been destroyed in a war.
• That night, the captain and his crew revealed they planned to drug Naruto and his companions, then ambush them with hired ninja on the island.
• Naruto revealed that he had replaced the crew’s meals with takeout ramen from Konoha, while Kakashi and the others admitted they had boarded despite recognizing the ship as a pirate vessel.
• The Grass Ninja Leader questioned a red-haired girl about other places the targets could come ashore, and she said the ambush site was where she had escaped the Land of Whirlpools.

Karin recalled how the Grass Ninja exploited her and her mother before joining an ambush on a ship arriving at the Land of Whirlpools. The ship crashed through the Grass Ninja’s traps, and two boys appeared at its bow, arguing about who had steered it.

• Karin remembered how the Grass Ninja had used her mother as a source of healing chakra until she died, and how they continued to exploit Karin’s inherited ability.
• Kusagakure’s leader ordered his ninja to ambush a ship carrying targets from a major village, while Karin sensed their forces waiting along the coast.
• The ship sped toward shore without slowing, triggering the Grass Ninja’s traps and crushing several of them as it plowed through the ambush.
• The Grass Ninja surrounded the stopped ship, and Karin was brought along in case they needed her.
• Two boys appeared at the bow and argued about who had failed to steer the ship as Karin stared at them in disbelief.

Naruto and Sasuke ambushed the Grass Ninja who had been sent after them, while Karin watched from the boat. Sasuke spared Karin, then rescued her from a Grass Ninja who used her healing ability as he prepared to escape.

• The Grass Ninja Leader ordered his men to attack Naruto and Sasuke, but Sasuke and Naruto quickly took down the attackers with fire techniques, lightning-enhanced sword strikes, and a Rasengan.
• Sasuke noticed Karin seemed unlike the other Grass Ninja and spared her while defeating the chunin beside her.
• The wounded chunin seized Karin and bit her to heal himself with her chakra, then held her hostage and demanded Sasuke surrender his sword.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan to make the chunin collapse, severed the hand gripping Karin, and called him a third-rate ninja.