Ch. 381Recruitment

Hoshi persuaded Pakura to abandon her return to Sunagakure and join Konoha after saving her from an ambush. Pakura accepted, asking Hoshi to fake her death, and he assigned her to Konoha's Anbu as Passion and to guard Tsunade.

  • Pakura killed the eight Mist ninja who had tried to ambush her, then thanked Hoshi for saving her.
  • Hoshi challenged Pakura's plan to return to Sunagakure, and she broke down as she lamented Rasa's betrayal.
  • Hoshi offered Pakura a place in Konoha, and she accepted while asking him to fake her death.
  • Hoshi named Pakura Passion, appointed her to Konoha's Anbu, and assigned her to guard Tsunade.
  • The Hyuga ninja objected to trusting a former Sunagakure ninja, but Hoshi defended his decision and Pakura resolved to serve him.

Ch. 382Destruction Begins

Hoshi and Pakura infiltrated Kirigakure Headquarters to retaliate against the Mist Village while avoiding harm to civilians. They silently killed the ninja they encountered and launched their attack, leaving the headquarters’ guards alerted to an enemy invasion.

  • Hoshi explained the purpose of the mission to Pakura, who agreed to help him retaliate against Kirigakure.
  • After scouting Kirigakure’s lax patrols for three days, Hoshi and his companions entered the village using the Hyuga ninja’s Byakugan.
  • Hoshi assigned the three Hyuga ninja to guard the perimeter while he and Pakura infiltrated the Hidden Mist Village Headquarters.
  • Hoshi used Transparency Release while Pakura killed the Mist ninja they encountered, and the pair advanced to the headquarters’ second floor.
  • An Anbu Squad Leader investigated the quiet first floor, but Pakura’s Scorch Release killed three ninja, prompting him to call for the guards.

Ch. 383Ultimate Art: Soul Eater Demon Slayer Slash!

Hoshi and Pakura attacked the Hidden Mist Village Headquarters, where Hoshi unleashed a vastly empowered Soul Eater Demon Slayer Slash on the gathered Mist ninja. The chapter ended with Hoshi's blood-red strike tearing through the trapped crowd and the Mizukage Building, leaving Yagura stunned amid the carnage.

  • Pakura and Hoshi killed more than ten Mist Village Anbu as they fought through the cramped headquarters staircase.
  • Hoshi canceled his Transparency Release and opened a powerful gravitational vortex, pulling the gathered Mist ninja into a crushing mass.
  • Fourth Mizukage Yagura arrived and ordered Hoshi to stop, but Hoshi swung Mikazuki Munechika before Yagura could finish speaking.
  • Hoshi's blood-red X-shaped slash cut through the trapped ninja and the wall of the Mizukage Building, leaving Yagura and the survivors drenched in blood.

Ch. 384Hoshi vs. Yagura

Hayate Hoshi fought Fourth Mizukage Yagura inside the ruined Mizukage Building after his attack killed everyone else there. Yagura trapped Hoshi with Water Release techniques, but Hoshi broke out using the Sixth Gate and overwhelming Sword Qi.

  • Three Hyuga ninja outside the Mizukage Building saw Hoshi's enormous X-shaped slash cut through it and heard Yagura vow to kill him.
  • Yagura charged Hoshi with his Coral Staff, and Hoshi met him with Mikazuki Munechika.
  • Hoshi used Dragon Flight Flash to lift Yagura into the air and slam him into the ground, but Yagura escaped a finishing thrust with his Coral Staff.
  • Yagura used Water Dragon Bullet Technique to obscure Hoshi's view, then trapped him in Water Prison Technique and attacked with Five Feeding Sharks.
  • Hoshi opened the Sixth Gate, converted his Chakra nature to water, and broke free of the Water Prison with Sword Qi.

Ch. 385Defeating Yagura

Hoshi defeated Yagura in the wrecked Mizukage Building but spared him after recognizing his determination to avenge his villagers. Hoshi and Pakura left the building and found the three Hyuga Clan ninjas captured and a crowd of mist ninja surrounding them.

  • Yagura used Water Mirror Technique to create a shadow Hoshi, but Hoshi shattered it with Dragon's Nest Flash.
  • Yagura attacked with Exploding Water Colliding Wave, and Hoshi split the waves with Wind Release Sword Qi before striking Yagura from behind.
  • Yagura grabbed Hoshi's blade and used Water Severing Wave, but Hoshi escaped with Dance of the Startled Swan and reappeared beside Pakura.
  • Hoshi pulled his blade from the unconscious Yagura and spared him, then told Pakura they would return to Konoha.
  • Hoshi and Pakura emerged from the battered Mizukage Building, where mist ninja had captured the three Hyuga Clan ninjas and surrounded them.

Ch. 386Six-Tails Saiken

Hoshi and Pakura faced the Mist shinobi after escaping the Mizukage Building, and Hoshi fought Numasuke, who revealed himself as the Six-Tails’ jinchūriki. Genji negotiated with Hoshi to save Mist Village from Saiken, while promising to release the Hyuga prisoners and not target Konoha.

  • The Mist shinobi surrounded Hoshi and Pakura, but Hoshi’s overwhelming aura made them hesitate to attack.
  • Numasuke used Bubble Release against Hoshi, who shattered the bubbles and kicked him into a tree.
  • Numasuke attacked with corrosive acid and then charged Hoshi in partial Tailed Beast Transformation, but Hoshi wounded him with Sword Qi.
  • Numasuke fully transformed into the Six-Tails, and Saiken’s wild attacks struck the Mist shinobi around it.
  • Genji ordered the Mist shinobi to release the three Hyuga ninja and asked Hoshi to help seal Saiken, promising Mist Village would not pursue the attack or move against Konoha.

Ch. 387Battle Six-Tails

Hoshi agreed to help Genji suppress the Six-Tails after Mist Village promised not to provoke him, then attacked the beast with a powerful sword slash. He severed three of its tails, dodged its acid, and appeared on its head as the Six-Tails coated its body in acid.

  • Genji urged Hoshi to leave Mist Village peacefully and warned that forcing the Six-Tails to fight him would worsen the damage.
  • Hoshi agreed to help suppress the Six-Tails in exchange for Genji's promise, and charged toward the beast.
  • Hoshi warned the mist ninja to get down and unleashed Sky-Rending Iai Slash, severing three of the Six-Tails' tails.
  • The wounded Six-Tails sprayed Chiroku's Acid, but Hoshi dodged it with Shunpo and appeared atop its head.
  • The Six-Tails used Hiruma to secrete acid across its skin, and Hoshi realized it was trying to melt him.

Ch. 388Shattering the Tailed Beast Bomb

Hoshi severed the Six-Tails Saiken’s tentacles, provoking it to form a Tailed Beast Bomb that threatened Kirigakure. He shattered the unfinished bomb with Phantom Sword Dance and drove it back into Saiken, leaving the beast collapsed and unable to rise.

  • Hoshi used Swallow Reversal to sever the Six-Tails’ left tentacles, sending Saiken into a violent rage.
  • Saiken began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb, while Genji and the mist ninja feared Kirigakure would be destroyed.
  • Hoshi entered Sage Mode and used Mikazuki Munechika to unleash twenty-three waves of Sword Qi.
  • Hoshi shattered the unfinished Tailed Beast Bomb and forced it into Saiken’s mouth, where it exploded.
  • The Six-Tails Saiken crashed to the ground and could no longer rise.

Ch. 389Departure

Hoshi left Kirigakure after defeating the Six-Tails, securing Genji’s promise of peace and an alliance between Mist Village and Konoha. Three days later, Tsunade questioned Hoshi about Pakura joining Konoha, leaving him scrambling to defend his motives.

  • Genji stopped the mist ninja from fighting Hoshi, and Hoshi told him Konoha would not attack Mist Village without cause if it kept its promise.
  • Hoshi revealed that Yagura was still alive, prompting Genji to offer to lead Mist Village and form an alliance with Konoha, including allowing Konoha to station up to one hundred ninja at the docks.
  • Hoshi accepted Genji’s alliance proposal and believed the agreement would prevent Mist Village from capturing Rin and avert Obito’s fall into darkness.
  • Three days later, Hoshi boasted to Tsunade about securing the alliance, but she challenged him over Pakura joining Konoha and teased him about his interest in her looks.

Ch. 390The Birth of Pain

Hanzō betrayed Akatsuki during the peace talks, massacring its members and forcing Nagato to kill Yahiko to save Konan. After Yahiko died, Nagato awakened his power and attacked Hanzō, but Hanzō trapped him in an Exploding Flame Formation, leaving him engulfed in flames and despairing of any hope.

  • Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan traveled to meet Hanzō for peace talks, and Yahiko dismissed Konan’s concerns about an ambush.
  • Rain Hidden Ninja attacked Akatsuki, killing most of its members before Hanzō appeared, kicked Yahiko away, and captured Konan.
  • Hanzō threatened Konan and ordered Nagato to kill Yahiko, but Yahiko charged onto Nagato’s Kunai and died.
  • Nagato awakened the power in his Wheel of Reincarnation and attacked Hanzō, who retreated and used the Exploding Flame Formation.
  • Nagato pushed Konan out of danger before the flames engulfed his legs, and he concluded that people could never understand one another and that the world had no hope.

Ch. 391Arrival, Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!

Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path after Yahiko’s death, and its spectral dragon killed Hanzō’s forces while leaving Nagato near death. Madara ordered Obito to inject Hashirama Cells into Nagato, while Konan arranged for Nagato and Yahiko to be taken back to the Akatsuki base.

  • Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, which burst from the ground and knocked away the Rain Hidden Ninjas.
  • Madara learned that Hayate Hoshi had defeated the Six-Tails and helped Konoha and Mist Village form an alliance, then ordered a White Zetsu to tell Obito to begin the next stage and inject Hashirama Cells into Nagato.
  • The statue’s black receivers pierced Nagato, and its spectral dragon tore the souls from Hanzō’s men before pursuing Hanzō.
  • Hanzō escaped to Amegakure, while Nagato ran out of strength, slashed his Amegakure Headband, and collapsed beside Yahiko’s body.
  • Konan asked an arriving Akatsuki squad to take Nagato and Yahiko back to the base and warned them to protect Nagato’s back from the black receivers.

Ch. 392Hoodwinking

Obito secretly used Hiruko’s serum to stabilize Nagato after Yahiko’s death, then proposed working with Nagato on a plan called “Let the World Know Pain.” Nagato remained badly weakened by the Black Receivers but began recovering as Obito drew him into the plan.

  • Obito comforted Konan with news that Nagato was being treated and persuaded her to return to her room.
  • Obito revealed himself, brought Hiruko to Nagato’s medical room, and ordered him to inject the serum into Nagato.
  • Hiruko’s serum healed Nagato’s legs, but he warned that the Black Receivers continued draining Nagato’s life force and would leave him with severe mobility problems.
  • Nagato woke, questioned Obito and Hiruko, and learned that the serum was helping counter the Black Receivers’ effects.
  • Obito told Nagato that he wanted to cooperate on a plan called “Let the World Know Pain,” despite Nagato’s angry rejection of cooperation.

Ch. 393Six Paths of Pain

Nagato accepted Obito’s plan to gather the Nine Tailed Beasts and use their power to impose peace, while Madara’s influence pushed him further into darkness. Three days later, Nagato revealed to Konan that he had turned Yahiko’s corpse into a puppet and planned to create the Six Paths of Pain.

  • Nagato embraced the idea of making the world feel pain and agreed to cooperate with Obito in gathering the Nine Tailed Beasts.
  • Obito left Nagato in the infirmary with Yahiko’s corpse and told him to rebuild Akatsuki before they pursued the Tailed Beasts.
  • Three days later, Konan saw Yahiko’s corpse walking and realized that Nagato was controlling it through the Wheel of Reincarnation.
  • Nagato explained to Konan that he had given Yahiko’s corpse some of the Wheel of Reincarnation’s power so it could lead Akatsuki.
  • Nagato told Konan he would create five more puppets, name them the Six Paths of Pain, and make Yahiko the Deva Path.

Ch. 394Akatsuki's Rebirth

Konan accepted Nagato’s plan to pursue Yahiko’s dream, and Nagato created the Six Paths of Pain. The Six Paths attacked Hanzō’s residence, where Deva Path Pain killed Hanzō and declared that a new ruler would govern the village.

  • Konan told Nagato she would help him and Yahiko achieve peace through his plan.
  • Nagato created five new Pains from the bodies of the wanderers, completing the Six Paths of Pain.
  • Nagato and Konan sent the Six Paths to attack Hanzō, while Konan flew above to watch.
  • Hanzō’s subordinate warned him that six powerful attackers were approaching, and the Six Paths broke into his residence.
  • Hanzō recognized Deva Path Pain as Yahiko, but Deva Path Pain repelled his attack and killed him with a Black Receiver.

Ch. 395Aftermath in Amegakure

Pain killed Hanzō, destroyed his estate, and claimed control of Amegakure, while Jiraiya learned that Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato had died. Hoshi suspected Madara and Black Zetsu had caused Nagato’s fall and prepared to return to the Iwagakure battlefield.

  • Deva Path Pain killed Hanzō, crushed his corpse, and destroyed his estate with Shinra Tensei, announcing that Pain would rule the Land of Rain.
  • Konoha ninja discussed Pain’s takeover of Amegakure, and Jiraiya received a scroll reporting Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato’s deaths.
  • Jiraiya told Hiruzen that he wanted to leave the village after the war to understand what had happened, then left the command tent.
  • Hoshi learned of Pain’s actions, suspected Madara and Black Zetsu had caused Nagato’s fall, and told Tsunade he would return to the Iwagakure battlefield.

Ch. 396Rasenshuriken and a Mysterious Mission

Minato developed the Rasenshuriken after drawing inspiration from Hoshi, then learned that Orochimaru had assigned him a surprise raid on Kumogakure to pressure Cloud Village into ending the war. Minato and three teammates departed that night, leaving the mission’s outcome unknown.

  • Minato successfully created and tested the Rasenshuriken, then concealed the evidence and returned to Konoha’s camp.
  • Orochimaru explained that Konoha held the advantage on most fronts and ordered Minato to cause a major disturbance in Kumogakure.
  • Minato accepted the mission and chose Akimichi Todo, Inuzuka Gaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi as his teammates.
  • The four left the Land of Fire Border that night under cover of Orochimaru’s raid and headed toward Kumogakure.

Ch. 397Encounter

Minato and his team infiltrated the outskirts of Kumogakure, defeated a Cloud Village patrol, and encountered A and Killer B. Minato fought A with Flying Thunder God, but Killer B’s Eight-Tails tentacle intervened before Minato could strike A.

  • Minato’s team bypassed Kumogakure’s sentries and killed an eight-man Cloud Village patrol near the village.
  • Minato sent Akimichi Todo, Inuzuka Gaku, and Inoichi toward Cloud Thunder Gorge while he stayed behind to remove evidence.
  • Inuzuka Gaku’s Ninja Dog sensed danger, and A and Killer B arrived with another Cloud Village ninja.
  • Minato returned using his Flying Thunder God markings and challenged A, ordering his teammates not to interfere.
  • Minato used Flying Thunder God to get behind A and aim a Kunai at his heart, but Killer B’s tentacle knocked A away and blocked the strike.

Ch. 398Rasenshuriken's First Display of Might

Minato continued fighting A and Killer B after revealing that his mastered Rasenshuriken gave him a way to threaten them. He used Flying Thunder God to separate the brothers and struck A with the Rasenshuriken, leaving his fate uncertain.

  • Killer B declared that he and the Eight-Tails were one, and Minato praised his attitude while refusing to abandon his mission.
  • Minato used a Flying Thunder God mark on Killer B’s tail to evade his counterattack, while A and B pressured him together.
  • Minato warned A that his next move would decide the fight, then teleported to a distant kunai and formed a Rasenshuriken.
  • Minato returned to the battlefield after separating A from Killer B and hurled the Rasenshuriken at A.
  • A tried to withstand the attack with his Lightning Release Armor, while Killer B rushed to help but could not reach him in time.

Ch. 399Cloud Village Withdraws Its Forces

Minato defeated A with a surprise Rasenshuriken, but Killer B rescued him at great cost, and Minato withdrew rather than provoke the Eight-Tails. After learning that A was gravely wounded, the Third Raikage ordered the Cloud Village forces to prepare to withdraw.

  • Minato lured A away from Killer B and struck him with a Rasenshuriken, leaving A unable to fight.
  • Killer B risked severe injuries to pull A from the Rasenshuriken, then sent a companion to find medical help.
  • Minato praised Killer B, ended the mission, and returned with Inuzuka Gaku and Akimichi Todo to the Land of Fire battlefield.
  • Orochimaru praised Minato and said his new technique could bring the war with the Cloud Village to an end within days.
  • The Third Raikage received Mabui's letter reporting A's critical injuries and ordered all Jonin to assemble for a withdrawal.

Ch. 400Ōnoki, the Despicable Villain

After Kumogakure withdrew from the war, Ōnoki ambushed the departing forces to take revenge on the Third Raikage. Hoshi recognized Ōnoki’s deception and decided he would not interfere, while the Third Raikage’s troops were trapped in a valley and attacked.

  • The Third Raikage withdrew from the war after learning his son was gravely injured, and Kumogakure’s leaders unanimously supported the decision.
  • Ōnoki ordered ten thousand Stone Hidden Ninja to ambush Kumogakure’s withdrawing forces, claiming he sought revenge for their past invasion of Iwagakure.
  • Hoshi learned that Ōnoki had supposedly mobilized against Amegakure and realized the story concealed an ambush planned for the Third Raikage.
  • The Third Raikage led Kumogakure’s forces around Amegakure toward Iwagakure, unaware that Ōnoki was letting the earlier troops pass to lower his guard.
  • Ōnoki’s forces sealed a valley with Earth Release and sent boulders crashing down on Kumogakure’s troops, then Ōnoki appeared to taunt the Third Raikage.
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