Chapter Summaries

After Naruto and Sasuke defeated the Grass Ninja who had captured Karin, Naruto learned that she belonged to the Uzumaki Clan like his mother. As the group prepared to leave, Minato urged Naruto through Kurama to mark the ruins and visit the clan’s ancestral shrine alone.

• Naruto and Sasuke defeated the Grass Ninja leader and his men, freeing Karin.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Karin was from the Uzumaki Clan, and Kurama explained her connection to Naruto’s mother, Kushina.
• Naruto asked Karin her name, age, and birthday, then realized she was older than him.
• Kakashi reported that the Grass Ninja had lured them to the Land of Whirlpools with false information and suggested Naruto visit the ruins.
• Kurama relayed Minato’s request that Naruto leave a Flying Thunder God Mark at the ruins and later visit the Uzumaki Clan’s ancestral shrine alone.

After returning to Konoha, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata watched a movie that featured Naruto in compromising scenes, which he explained had been staged with a double. Later, Naruto and Minato searched the ruins of Uzushiogakure and found the Uzumaki Clan's Shrine, where they discovered Shinigami Masks and suspected the Reaper Death Seal scroll was hidden.

• Kakashi took Mei Terumi and Karin to meet the Hokage while Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata stayed behind.
• Naruto persuaded Sasuke and Hinata to watch his movie, then tried to explain the scenes of him embracing and kissing Kazahana Koyuki.
• Hinata reassured Naruto that she knew the scenes were not real, while Sasuke teased him and slipped away.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to reach the Land of Whirlpools, where Minato controlled one of his shadow clones to search alongside him.
• Naruto and Minato reached Uzushiogakure's ruined Uzumaki Clan Shrine and found a wall covered in Shinigami Masks.

Minato found the Uzumaki scroll explaining that releasing the Reaper Death Seal required the caster to sacrifice their life, forcing him to reconsider who could perform it. Meanwhile, Mei Terumi openly asked Konoha to help her seize power in Kirigakure, shocking Hiruzen and Kakashi.

• Naruto found the ancient scroll about the Reaper Death Seal, and Minato discovered that releasing it required the caster to cut open their own belly and die.
• Minato ruled out having Naruto release the seal, then returned the shadow clone's control to Naruto and told him to take a mask and leave.
• Minato told the Nine-Tails about the release method, and the Nine-Tails suggested asking Orochimaru to do it.
• Kakashi waited outside the Interrogation Department after Hiruzen rejected Mei Terumi's request to join Konoha.
• Mei told Hiruzen and Kakashi that she wanted Konoha's help to seize power in Kirigakure, leaving Hiruzen stunned.

Mei Terumi passed Konoha's screening and was granted a temporary advisor position, while the Third Hokage handled Karin's recovery and other matters. Naruto took command of a year-long mission to the Land of Wind with Sasuke, Hinata, and Mei Terumi as Kakashi stayed behind and headed to meet a crow belonging to Uchiha Itachi.

• The Third Hokage sent Mei Terumi to the Interrogation Department, where Ibiki cleared her after a day of questioning, and the Third decided to let her stay in Konoha under observation.
• The Third Hokage arranged for Karin to recover in the hospital and continued handling Konoha's affairs as Kakashi noticed how much he had aged.
• Kakashi invited Mei Terumi to his home for a meal, where she told him Ibiki had suggested she marry into Konoha as the fastest way to join.
• Kakashi announced that the special operation would last a year and that Naruto would lead Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, and Jutsu advisor Mei Terumi to the Land of Wind to search for the Akatsuki.
• Kakashi warned Naruto to keep an eye on Mei Terumi, briefed Hinata on the route, and watched the team leave for the Land of Wind.
• Kakashi set off for an unmarked patch of woods, where a crow belonging to Uchiha Itachi waited on a branch.

Uchiha Izumi captured a Sand Shinobi patrol searching for travelers who had vanished in the Land of Wind, then ordered her young Uchiha followers to remove the prisoners’ memories and relocate them. Meanwhile, Maki welcomed Naruto, Mei Terumi, and their companions to the Land of Wind and offered Sunagakure’s help in investigating the Akatsuki.

• Uchiha Izumi trapped a Sand Shinobi captain in her Sharingan genjutsu and defeated him after his patrol disappeared around him.
• Taro Uchiha and the other children brought the captured Sand Shinobi to Izumi, who ordered them to erase the prisoners’ memories and send them elsewhere as before.
• Izumi praised Taro, then worried privately about how much longer she could hold out as she watched the children leave.
• Maki greeted Naruto and his companions at the Land of Wind border and mistakenly assumed Mei Terumi was their team leader.
• Maki explained that Sunagakure would investigate the area around its village itself and that the Kazekage had authorized cooperation and access to most of the Land of Wind for the Akatsuki investigation.

Mei Terumi questioned the Fourth Kazekage’s unusual concern about the Akatsuki, then offered to teach Sasuke Ninjutsu after noticing his unease about Naruto’s strength. Naruto helped Hinata practice absorbing natural energy, and the chapter ended with the two affirming their feelings for each other.

• Mei Terumi wondered whether the Fourth Kazekage was genuinely tracking the Akatsuki or merely trying to appease Konoha.
• Maki arranged lodging for the group in a nearby town after escorting them there.
• Mei Terumi approached Sasuke during his training, offered to teach him Ninjutsu, and prompted him to accept so he could narrow the gap with Naruto.
• Naruto helped Hinata practice absorbing natural energy, but she struggled to master Fox Sage Mode through her own strength.
• Naruto reassured Hinata, and the two blushed as they said they were happy to be together as lovers.

Kakashi traveled to a secret rendezvous after the Third Hokage revealed that Konoha had an undercover agent in the Akatsuki, whom Kakashi suspected was Uchiha Itachi. Itachi had sent the message “[Send Kakashi Hatake]” because Shisui’s absence gave him a chance to pass intelligence to Konoha.

• The Third Hokage told Kakashi that an Akatsuki member had contacted him and ordered Kakashi to go to the rendezvous point.
• Kakashi recalled fighting Uchiha Itachi and considered how Sasuke might react if he learned the truth about Itachi.
• Itachi had tried to use Tsukuyomi to share intelligence with Kakashi, but Kakashi’s swordsmanship forced him to abandon the plan and escape under the cover of a hostage.
• Itachi learned that Shisui was absent from the Akatsuki meeting and recognized an opportunity to contact Konoha.
• Itachi sent the Third Hokage a single instruction: “[Send Kakashi Hatake].”

Kakashi received Itachi’s intelligence about the Akatsuki, but learning that Obito was among its members left him badly shaken. After asking about Sasuke, Itachi departed and left Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami crow with Kakashi.

• Itachi formed a Bird Clone before Kakashi and reported that the Akatsuki planned to capture the tailed beasts, naming its leader as Pain, who possessed the Rinnegan.
• Itachi identified the Fourth Mizukage, Orochimaru, Shisui, and Obito among the Akatsuki’s members, and Kakashi was stunned by the revelations about the Mizukage and Obito.
• Itachi said the Akatsuki had ordered its members to hide and warned Kakashi that its apparent base was a trapped decoy.
• Kakashi repeatedly dispelled his Shadow Clones while struggling to accept that Obito was alive and involved with the Akatsuki.
• Itachi asked whether Sasuke was doing well, and Kakashi described Sasuke’s daily life, training, and qualities as a comrade and Konoha ninja.
• Itachi thanked Kakashi, scattered into Crows, and left Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami crow on Kakashi’s hand.

Naruto and the others finished searching the Land of Wind for signs of the Akatsuki without finding any, then took Maki’s suggestion to explore a village market. Naruto and Hinata wandered among the caravan stalls, where a red-haired songstress began singing a song about Rōran.

• Maki led Naruto and the others to the last village on their Land of Wind itinerary.
• Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, and the others compared their findings and concluded the Akatsuki had likely left the Land of Wind.
• Maki suggested they spend a couple of days exploring the village, and Naruto agreed after Sasuke reminded him not to forget their search.
• Maki brought Naruto and Hinata to a busy market where caravans had gathered during the sandstorms.
• Naruto and Hinata browsed the stalls together, and a red-haired songstress sang nearby about Rōran.

Naruto and Hinata met Sara, the former queen of Rōran, after she recognized Naruto as someone resembling an old acquaintance. Sara invited Naruto and his companions to dinner, leaving Naruto wondering whether she had known his father.

• Naruto haggled with a merchant over a shuriken-shaped hairpin for Hinata, drawing Sara and her daughter Rōran's attention when they heard his name.
• Sara recognized Naruto as Uzumaki Naruto, introduced herself and Rōran, and invited him and his companions to a meal.
• Naruto's group fetched Maki, Sasuke, and Mei Terumi, then joined Sara in the village's only restaurant with a private dining room.
• Maki asked about the legendary Ancient Kingdom of Roran, and Sara revealed that she had been its last queen before forming a caravan with her people.
• Mei asked how Sara knew Naruto, and Sara explained that he resembled an old acquaintance; Naruto wondered if she had known his father and asked Kurama to let him speak.

Naruto realized Sara was the Queen of Roran he had met in the past and asked her how she had regained her memories. Sara explained that after Rōran fell into hardship, she led her people away, while Naruto learned that the Uchiha Clan might be involved in her memories and Sasuke’s crest had caught Rōran’s attention.

• The Nine-Tails recognized Sara as an Uzumaki, and Hinata noticed that she carried an old Konoha Chakra Blade.
• Minato and the Nine-Tails realized Sara was the Queen of Roran from their past and wondered why she remembered Naruto after Minato had sealed everyone’s memories.
• Naruto asked Sara to speak alone, while Rōran silently pointed out the Uchiha Clan crest on Sasuke’s clothing.
• Naruto set up a barrier and asked Sara who had undone the seal on her memories, guessing that someone from the Uchiha Clan was responsible.
• Sara recounted that the seal made her people forget their past, but Rōran suffered hardship after the Ryūmyaku was sealed, forcing her to lead them away from their homeland.

Sara told Naruto how she and her daughter encountered the Leader of the Uchiha, who restored her memories and helped her group, and Naruto learned that Sara could contact them. Naruto gave Sara a Flying Thunder God Kunai to pass along if they agreed to meet, and Sara parted with him after sharing her gratitude.

• Sara explained that she had returned to Rōran after sensing the Ryūmyaku Seal weaken and met the Leader of the Uchiha at the ruins.
• Sara said the Leader of the Uchiha had removed the seal on her memories, and she chose to help the group after recognizing their Konoha Forehead Protectors.
• Naruto asked Sara to contact the group and request a meeting for him and Sasuke Uchiha, and Sara agreed to pass along the message while keeping their location secret.
• Naruto gave Sara a Flying Thunder God Kunai to offer the group, and Sara returned his broken Chakra Blade as a keepsake.
• Sara thanked Naruto, hugged him, and remembered his smile as they parted.

Kakashi was summoned to meet Jiraiya after the Third Hokage received a message from him. In Yugakure, Kakashi found Jiraiya being beaten by a crowd for peeping and stepped in to protect him.

• The Third Hokage and Konoha's veteran jonin were stunned by Itachi's intelligence that the Fourth Mizukage had once joined the Akatsuki, while Kakashi investigated Obito without success.
• Gamako delivered Jiraiya's message, and the Third Hokage sent Kakashi back out to the Land of Hot Water to meet him.
• Kakashi traveled to Yugakure and learned that a white-haired peeper had been caught at the neighboring bathhouse.
• Kakashi recognized the man being beaten as Jiraiya and caught a burly man's fist, asking him to go easy.

Kakashi met Jiraiya and discussed the Hokage succession, Orochimaru, and the Akatsuki. He left Jiraiya with his suspicion that Minato might still be alive.

• Kakashi tried to rescue a white-haired man mistaken for Jiraiya, then discovered the real Jiraiya had arrived and knocked the impostor unconscious.
• Kakashi told Jiraiya that the Third Hokage might hope he or Tsunade would become the Fifth Hokage, but Jiraiya rejected the idea and advised against involving Tsunade.
• Kakashi informed Jiraiya that Orochimaru had appeared near Konoha, maintained bases there, and had once been connected to the Akatsuki.
• Jiraiya suggested that Kakashi was being groomed as the next Hokage, and Kakashi said that his recent thoughts had led him to suspect Minato was still alive.

Kakashi told Jiraiya that Minato might still be alive and explained Naruto’s unusual abilities, prompting Jiraiya to recognize Minato’s sealing work on Kakashi. Jiraiya concealed his suspicions while examining Kakashi and discovered a second, unidentified seal on his forehead, which he prepared to remove.

• Jiraiya reacted with disbelief when Kakashi said Minato might still be alive and described Naruto’s mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique and Rasengan.
• Kakashi told Jiraiya that the Nine-Tails had placed a seal on him, and Jiraiya examined the seal on his neck.
• Jiraiya recognized Minato’s methods in the inactive seal and privately wondered why Minato had chosen to remain hidden.
• Jiraiya told Kakashi he would need to meet Naruto, while hiding his growing belief that Minato was influencing him.
• Jiraiya detected another dormant seal on Kakashi’s forehead, identified it as resembling a Puppet Technique formula, and offered to remove it.

After returning from the Land of Wind, Team 7 reported its year-long investigation mission to the Third Hokage. Sakura Haruno then arrived injured and warned that Kurenai Yuhi and the others were in danger in the Land of Waves, leaving the Third to respond to an urgent rescue plea.

• Jiraiya removed Kakashi's seal and said he would search for Tsunade, while Kakashi headed back to Konoha.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata returned to Konoha with Mei Terumi, and Mei reminded Naruto to report their mission as team leader.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata reunited with Kakashi outside the Hokage Building and then reported their findings to the Third Hokage.
• As the Third praised Team 7's completed investigation, Izumo Kamizuki brought in an injured Sakura Haruno.
• Sakura told the Third that Kurenai Yuhi, Shino, and Kiba were facing many ninja in the Land of Waves, including Demon Zabuza, and begged him to save them.

After Sakura returned to Konoha seeking help, Kakashi led Team 7 and Mei Terumi toward the Land of Waves to rescue Kurenai Yuhi, Shino, and Kiba from Zabuza. The group split up to search, while Kakashi began a high-speed relay plan using his Lightning Flash technique and Naruto’s Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Kakashi and the Third learned that Sakura’s team had encountered Zabuza, so the Third ordered Team 7 to reinforce Kurenai Yuhi in the Land of Waves.
• Hinata helped the injured Sakura guide Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Mei Terumi out of Konoha as Sakura recounted how Zabuza had forced Kurenai and Shino to stay behind while Kiba escorted her toward help.
• Kakashi realized the return journey had taken Sakura several days and decided the group needed a faster route.
• Kakashi split the group’s search, assigning Hinata to find Kiba with Mei protecting her while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura searched another area.
• Kakashi summoned Pakkun and began using Lightning Flash to sprint ahead, with Naruto and Sasuke preparing to relay him using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kakashi raced toward the rescue while Hinata and Naruto reached the badly wounded Kiba and rescued Akamaru. Kiba passed out after asking them to save Kurenai-sensei and Shino, and Naruto prepared to take Kiba and Hinata back to the village before returning for the others.

• Kakashi transformed into lightning and sped through the forest toward his destination.
• Kiba urged the wounded Akamaru to flee, but Akamaru swallowed their last Soldier Pill and charged out to distract the pursuers.
• A Ninja Dog with a middle-aged man's face found Kiba, and Hinata arrived to treat him.
• Naruto brought Akamaru back alive, and Hinata treated the dog while Kiba asked Naruto to rescue Kurenai-sensei and Shino.
• Kiba passed out, and Naruto told Hinata he would take her and Kiba to the village for treatment before returning.

Sasuke and Mei Terumi protected Sakura from Kirigakure deserters while Naruto and Hinata helped Kiba. After Sakura rested and learned that Kiba was receiving treatment, Pakkun reported that Kakashi was still pushing himself and Sasuke’s turn would come later.

• Sasuke defeated the pursuers with taijutsu, and Mei Terumi arrived with two more bodies after helping protect Sakura.
• Mei Terumi told Sakura to rest and recognized that Sakura was using self-suggestion like mental genjutsu to keep fear from overwhelming her.
• Sasuke said he would carry Sakura when they moved so she would not pass out from the strain.
• Naruto returned with Pakkun and told Sakura that Kiba was at the hospital with Hinata.
• Pakkun told Sasuke that Kakashi was still being checked and that it would be a while before Sasuke’s turn.

Kakashi exhausted his chakra near the Land of Waves while Team 7 used their relay-race tactic to continue the rescue mission. Mei Terumi stayed behind to care for him, intent on removing his mask.

• Kakashi summoned Pakkun, who found him collapsed and confirmed that the others had rescued everyone.
• Sasuke used Lightning Release: Lightning Flash to carry Sakura onward, while Naruto planned to catch up every ten minutes and check their route.
• Mei Terumi offered Kakashi Kirigakure's secret medicine, and he chose to rest with her rather than spend more chakra.
• Naruto set off to rejoin Sasuke as the relay-race tactic carried Team 7 toward the Land of Waves in a few hours.
• Mei Terumi insisted Kakashi take his medicine before discussing his news about the Fourth Mizukage, while privately planning to remove his mask.