Recaps

Naruto outlasted Obito’s Kamui: Mad Dance and challenged him about the motives behind Infinite Tsukuyomi. Obito erupted into Perfect Susanoo, and Naruto answered by combining his Wood Golem with Susanoo before launching Crimson Lotus Dragon’s Roar.

• Naruto used World of Trees: Eternal Life to withstand Obito’s Kamui shuriken barrage, then used Wood Clones to stop Obito’s surprise attack as the assault ended.
• Naruto argued that Obito’s enormous shuriken stockpile had cost the Dark Akatsuki years of resources, then pointed out that Obito had abandoned both his mask and the name Madara.
• Naruto revealed that Kushina Uzumaki was watching Obito through his remaining nine-tails chakra, prompting Obito to erupt with dark chakra and form Perfect Susanoo.
• Naruto raised a Wood Golem and awakened Susanoo with Shisui’s eyes, combining the gray Crow Tengu form with the golem.
• Obito unleashed Kamui: Tailed Beast Bomb Shuriken, and Naruto countered with Susanoo: Crimson Lotus Dragon’s Roar.

Naruto defeated Obito in their third battle by surviving his new time-reversal dōjutsu and exploiting the timing of Obito’s phasing. Obito and Tobi escaped, while Naruto resolved to improve his senjutsu.

• Naruto bound Obito’s Susanoo with Adamantine Sealing Chains and attacked it with the Sword of Great Sun Shakugi.
• Obito used his new Omodaru dōjutsu to reverse Naruto’s escape with Flying Thunder God, but Naruto had sent a split body into Kamui’s spacetime while his original body attacked Obito.
• Naruto wounded Obito, repelled Tobi’s ambush, and collected Obito’s blood before Obito released Naruto’s split body from spacetime.
• Naruto threatened to use Hidan against Obito, and Obito and Tobi fled through Kamui after Obito conceded defeat.
• Naruto confirmed the battlefield was safe and decided to strengthen his senjutsu.

After returning to Amegakure, Naruto reassured Yamato about the risks of his healing ability and planned a deception to protect Hidan from Obito. He then asked Orochimaru how to obtain Hashirama’s Unbound Sage Technique, learning how it combined the strengths of the three great sage techniques.

• Yamato warned Naruto that repeated Hand-Seal-Less Healing could shorten his lifespan, and Naruto promised he would be careful.
• Naruto teased Yamato about his new house and salary, then said he wanted more ninja to enjoy peaceful lives.
• Naruto told Konan he expected Obito to kill Hidan before their next battle, and proposed using a cloned Hidan as a decoy while hiding the real one.
• Naruto asked Orochimaru for Hashirama’s senjutsu, and Orochimaru explained that the Unbound Sage Technique combined the strengths of Mount Myōboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryūchi Cave.

Naruto chose to pursue Shikkotsu Forest’s Senjutsu first, while Sasuke decided to seek Ryūchi Cave’s Senjutsu. Orochimaru revived Mito Uzumaki to vouch for Naruto, leaving her to consider his request after learning he was Kushina’s son.

• Naruto chose Shikkotsu Forest over Ryūchi Cave because he wanted to avoid crossing paths with Sasuke.
• Kabuto persuaded Sasuke that he wanted to mold him into someone who could surpass Naruto, and Sasuke asked to be taken to Ryūchi Cave.
• Orochimaru proposed reviving Mito Uzumaki so she could vouch for Naruto with the Slug Sage, and Naruto contacted Itachi and Kisame for help.
• Itachi emptied the Totsuka Blade Gourd, restoring Orochimaru’s sealed chakra and releasing Deidara, whom Naruto made his ally with Kotoamatsukami.
• Naruto brought a White Zetsu sacrifice, and Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to revive Mito in her youthful form.
• Orochimaru introduced Naruto and explained his request, then told Mito that Naruto was Kushina Uzumaki’s son.

Mito learned Naruto’s family history and the truth about the bleak future through his Sharingan, then reunited with Kushina in Naruto’s inner world. After accepting Naruto as family, Mito summoned Katsuyu and secured his invitation to Shikkotsu Forest to learn senjutsu.

• Mito recognized Naruto as Kushina’s son and let him use the Sharingan to show her his memories.
• Mito used her Nine-Tails Chakra Mode to verify Naruto’s account, then met Kushina in Naruto’s inner world.
• Mito comforted Kushina and promised to leave what came next to her, then welcomed Naruto as her grandson.
• Mito summoned two-tenths of Katsuyu outside Amegakure and spoke with her privately.
• Katsuyu agreed to take Naruto to Shikkotsu Forest.

Sasuke Uchiha went to Ryūchi Cave with Kabuto Yakushi to seek sage power, but his arrogance led him to attack the White Snake Sage. After she overwhelmed him, Sasuke apologized, leaving his request for sage power unresolved.

• Sasuke Uchiha passed Ryūchi Cave's trials and entered the White Snake Sage's temple with Kabuto Yakushi, who warned him to show respect.
• Kabuto Yakushi presented the White Snake Sage with two hundred human hearts and explained that Sasuke wanted to learn senjutsu.
• Sasuke refused to bow, demanded sage power, and attacked the White Snake Sage with Amaterasu when she insisted he show humility.
• The White Snake Sage shed her scales to remove the flames, then immobilized Sasuke with her killing intent and blocked his Susanoo arrow with a smoke barrier.
• Recognizing Sasuke as Indra's reincarnation, the White Snake Sage offered him one more chance, and Sasuke bowed and apologized.

Sasuke endured the White Snake Sage’s trial and gained an initial grasp of Sage Transformation, then used Susanoo to absorb the excess sage power. The White Snake Sage revealed that Sasuke was Indra’s reincarnation and recalled that Hashirama Senju had been Asura’s; Kabuto left believing Sasuke could defeat Naruto.

• The White Snake Sage injected Sasuke with sage power, forcing him through a painful transformation that nearly turned him into a snake.
• Sasuke expelled the excess sage power from his body and completed Sage Transformation, then used Susanoo to contain more of it and create a Sage Mode form.
• The White Snake Sage sent Sasuke to train on the Back Mountain and told him to develop the ability to enter Sage Transformation at will.
• Kabuto asked about Indra, and the White Snake Sage explained that Indra had sought sage power and defeated Ryūchi Cave’s Nine-Headed Snake Sage.
• The White Snake Sage revealed that Sasuke was Indra’s reincarnation and recalled that Hashirama Senju had been Asura’s; Kabuto concluded that Sasuke could grow strong enough to defeat Naruto.

Naruto mastered Shikkotsu Forest’s Stillness Sage Technique, gained new sensory abilities, and set out with Orochimaru for Ryūchi Cave while Mito stayed in Amegakure to develop forbidden techniques. After returning from Ryūchi Cave, Sasuke resolved to destroy Konoha, claiming he had mastered the power to kill Naruto.

• Naruto mastered Shikkotsu Forest’s Stillness Sage Technique, awakened Full-Body Susanoo, and learned the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura from Mito.
• Mito chose to remain in Amegakure and train in forbidden techniques, while Naruto and Orochimaru departed for Ryūchi Cave.
• Sasuke and Kabuto Yakushi returned to the Shinobi World after completing Sasuke’s training in Ryūchi Cave.
• Kabuto told Sasuke that Naruto had also headed to Ryūchi Cave, and Sasuke decided to attack Konoha while Naruto was away.
• Sasuke revealed his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and declared that he had mastered the power to kill Naruto.

Naruto Uzumaki negotiated with the White Snake Sage for sage power and absorbed it without difficulty. When she asked how much he knew about the world's secrets, Naruto claimed to know everything, including that the sages came from Takamagahara.

• Orochimaru arrived at Ryūchi Cave with Naruto, and the White Snake Sage teased him for coming without a gift before assigning him a decade of work.
• Naruto identified himself as Asura's reincarnation and persuaded the White Snake Sage to waive her demand that he kneel by offering a future exchange of favors.
• The White Snake Sage bit Naruto and poured sage power into him until he developed slit pupils and six horns, expending one percent of her accumulated power.
• The White Snake Sage questioned Naruto about his knowledge of the world's secrets, and Naruto said he knew everything, including that she and the others came from Takamagahara.

The White Snake Sage revealed that human lifespans were capped by the life wheel and warned Naruto and Orochimaru that only an Ōtsutsuki could consume a Chakra Fruit. As Naruto set out to master unbound senjutsu, Kabuto and Sasuke began their assault on Konoha with reincarnated dead.

• The White Snake Sage explained the life wheel, Orochimaru’s reincarnation limit, and the danger of outsiders eating a Chakra Fruit.
• Naruto and Orochimaru went to the mountain behind Ryūchi Cave to practice unbound senjutsu, and Naruto said they might need a way to obtain a Chakra Fruit.
• Orochimaru decided to pursue Naruto and become part of the path he was forging.
• At Konoha’s entrance, Kabuto asked Sasuke how he wanted to attack, and Sasuke ordered the destruction of everything in sight.
• Kabuto used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the dead, led by the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki, and Sasuke charged toward Konoha.

Sasuke attacked Konoha with his perfected Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode, but the village's coordinated defenders countered his techniques and struck him with a series of traps. Sasuke survived by using Orochimaru Style Substitution and stood ready to continue the fight.

• Sasuke broke through Konoha's gates and revealed his completed Sage Mode as Tsunade and the village's ninja confronted him.
• Sasuke and his four sage snakes launched Sage Art: Five Dragon Flame Bullets, but Kakashi stopped the remaining flames with an Earth-Style Wall and Water Release: Fang Bullet.
• Sasuke attacked Kakashi with Sage Art: White Night Chidori, only to hit Kakashi's Lightning Release: Shadow Clone and become paralyzed.
• Shikaku restrained Sasuke with the Shadow Imitation Technique, Inoichi took control of him, and Rock Lee struck him with a Sixth Gate punch.
• Sasuke escaped the shattered-skull blow with Orochimaru Style Substitution, then declared that no one could defeat him.

Konoha’s fighters battled Sasuke while Shikaku freed several reanimated shinobi from Kabuto’s control and readied the Sealing Squad. As Sasuke targeted Tsunade, Hinata revealed her Tenseigan Chakra Mode and charged to protect the army.

• Rock Lee’s Morning Peacock failed against Sasuke’s Blaze Release Chakra Cloak, while Neji and Choji saved him from Sasuke’s counterattack.
• Tsunade summoned Katsuyu to block Sasuke’s Kagutsuchi Arrow and melt the Earth-Style Wall with acid.
• Shikaku told the reanimated shinobi how to escape Impure World Reincarnation, freeing Dan Katō, Granny Chiyo, Hizashi Hyuga, Rasa, and Asuma Sarutobi before the Sealing Squad deployed.
• Kabuto urged Sasuke to target Tsunade and Shikaku, so Sasuke summoned Aoda and sent him to occupy Katsuyu while he pursued Tsunade.
• Tsunade released the Strength of a Hundred Seal and stood her ground against Sasuke, but Hinata activated Tenseigan Chakra Mode and attacked with Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion.

Hinata used her Tenseigan powers to overpower Sasuke’s Susanoo, but Sasuke survived by summoning a replacement Susanoo. Hinata then summoned the Tenseigan: Hamura Statue as the battle continued.

• Hinata’s Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion destroyed Sasuke’s Susanoo and sent him flying, but he refused to retreat and formed the Eight Branches Perfect Susanoo.
• Sasuke fired a Sage-enhanced Eight Branches Giant Bomb, and Hinata’s two Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosions met it in a blast that forced everyone else to withdraw.
• Hinata’s Gold Wheel Reincarnation Explosion split Sasuke’s Perfect Susanoo and cut a vast cleft through the land while deliberately sparing Sasuke.
• Sasuke used the Eight-Headed Serpent-style Substitution Technique to emerge in a new Perfect Susanoo after claiming Hinata had used up her Truth-Seeking Orbs.
• Hinata summoned the Tenseigan: Hamura Statue, which rose from the earth as the fight continued.

Hinata and Sasuke fought as Sasuke’s new techniques failed to defeat her, and Konoha’s shinobi turned the battle against him. Kabuto rescued the incapacitated Sasuke and fled Konoha, leaving Sasuke’s revenge plan in failure once again.

• Sasuke’s Susanoo struggled against the Hamura Statue while Hinata repelled Amaterasu and drained Sasuke’s chakra with her Tenseigan.
• Sasuke struck Hinata with Moga Bera, but her Tenseigan Chakra Mode kept her alive in the crater.
• Hyuga Hiashi knocked Sasuke back, and Tsunade healed Hinata while the battle continued.
• Hinata used Truth-Seeking Orb Senbon to strike Sasuke’s chakra points, causing Susanoo to collapse as Konoha’s elite jōnin attacked.
• Kabuto Yakushi used Sage Art: White Rage Technique to cover his approach, swallowed the incapacitated Sasuke, and fled while his Impure World Reincarnation forces held off Konoha’s ninja.

Konoha sealed Kabuto Yakushi’s reanimated Ninja, while Hinata revealed the truth about her Tenseigan to Hiashi and Tsunade removed Konoha’s advisors from their posts. At Ryūchi Cave, Naruto mastered its sage art and prepared to begin transforming into freedom.

• Konoha's Ninja sealed Kabuto Yakushi’s reanimated Ninja, and Tsunade praised Hinata for saving the village.
• Neji escorted Hinata away from the crowd, and she told Hiashi that Naruto had helped her awaken the Tenseigan.
• Hiashi believed Hinata’s account, promised secret Hyuga Clan support for Naruto, and asked her to avoid public appearances for now.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura urged Tsunade to seal Hinata’s eyes and chakra, so Tsunade dismissed them as advisors and threw them out a window.
• Tsunade put Naruto in charge of the reanimated Ninja, while Shikaku said Naruto had not yet returned from Amegakure.
• Naruto mastered Ryūchi Cave’s sage art with ten Sage Snakes and announced he would begin transforming into freedom.

Naruto mastered the Freeform Sage Art after realizing he needed to set aside the three great sage arts and explore a new path. Meanwhile, Kabuto treated Sasuke's wounds with Hashirama cells and considered the conditions for awakening the Rinnegan.

• Naruto combined the three sage arts but realized their balance did not create the Freeform Sage Art, and the White Snake Sage recognized he was close to understanding it.
• Kabuto returned to his hideout with Sasuke, who lamented his defeat by Hinata and agreed to think carefully before attacking again.
• Kabuto revealed that he had transplanted a small amount of Hashirama cells into Sasuke, which could grant him an initial grasp of Wood Release but was unlikely to awaken the Rinnegan.
• Kabuto deduced that Sasuke needed Asura's power to awaken the Rinnegan and wondered whether an unknown descendant of Hashirama Senju was the current Asura reincarnation.
• Naruto developed the Freeform Sage markings and mastered the Freeform Sage Art, astonishing Orochimaru.

Naruto returned from Ryūchi Cave greatly strengthened and learned that Kabuto and Sasuke had attacked Konoha while he was away. After investigating two Amegakure Anbu captains, Naruto ruled them out as spies and suspected another woman connected to Kabuto, deciding to wait for a chance to use her against him.

• Naruto thanked the White Snake Sage before leaving Ryūchi Cave, while Orochimaru failed to get permission to take Indra's blood from the cave.
• Naruto and Orochimaru returned to Amegakure, where Konan told Naruto that Tsunade's letter described Kabuto and Sasuke's attack on Konoha and Hinata's role in stopping disaster.
• Naruto and Konan suspected a high-ranking Amegakure insider had informed Kabuto that Naruto was away, and Naruto decided to investigate the few people he had not encountered recently.
• Naruto secretly entered the home of Anbu captains Liuguang and Setsuna, discovered their intimate relationship, and confirmed that they were not spies.
• Naruto suspected a woman connected to Kabuto and proposed waiting for an opportunity to use her against him when they pursued Kagami's left eye.

Naruto arranged to take custody of nearly a hundred freed but resealed reanimated shinobi, while Shikaku warned him that the fugitive Aburame Ryoma might target him. Elsewhere, Kabuto explained Hashirama cells to Sasuke and set off with him, convinced that Asura’s reincarnation was descended from Hashirama’s unknown son.

• Naruto contacted Shikaku and arranged to take the reanimated shinobi from the other villages under his control.
• Shikaku warned Naruto that Aburame Ryoma, a dangerous fugitive loyal to Danzo, might attack him from the shadows.
• Naruto asked Shikaku to give Tsunade his regards, and Shikaku inferred that Naruto had played a role in Hinata’s transformation.
• Sasuke tested his new Wood Release as Kabuto explained the animal and plant aspects of Hashirama cells and the origins of Tobi and Obito’s abilities.
• Kabuto told Sasuke they would leave to pursue his path toward awakening the Rinnegan, while privately resolving to find Hashirama’s unknown descendants as Asura’s reincarnation.

Naruto began unsealing the reanimated shinobi beneath Amegakure Tower and recruited Haku, Zabuza, and Suikazan Fuguki. He prepared to use his second Kotoamatsukami on Gengetsu, but Suigetsu recognized him as his grandfather.

• Naruto unsealed Haku, who chose to remain with Zabuza, and Zabuza agreed to join Amegakure.
• Naruto returned the broken Kubikiribōchō to Zabuza, and Konan suggested Hidan could provide blood to repair it.
• Sakura picked Suikazan Fuguki to unseal, and Naruto used Kotoamatsukami to make him serve Amegakure as its pig butcher.
• Naruto unsealed Gengetsu, who asked to be released from Impure World Reincarnation and return to the Pure Land.
• Naruto prepared his second Kotoamatsukami of the day, but Suigetsu stepped forward and asked whether Gengetsu was his grandfather.

Naruto unsealed several reincarnated shinobi, reuniting Suigetsu with Mangetsu and bringing Granny Chiyo and Kimimaro face to face with their old companions. After Naruto’s busy day, Madara Uchiha confronted Obito Uchiha on a distant island, setting a new conflict in motion.

• Gengetsu recognized Suigetsu as his grandson, then left for the Elysian Pure Land before Suigetsu could persuade him to stay.
• Naruto unsealed Mangetsu, who promised Suigetsu he would remain by his side.
• Granny Chiyo reunited with Sakura Haruno and Red Sand Scorpion, and chose to stay rather than return to the Elysian Pure Land.
• Kimimaro reunited with Jugo and offered to remain his shackles; Naruto then used Kotoamatsukami on Toroi and finished unsealing shinobi for the day.
• Naruto arranged matters for the reincarnated shinobi, worked with Sasori on the Asura Path’s puppet, and later Madara Uchiha confronted Obito Uchiha on a remote island.

Madara confronted Obito and demonstrated how he could exploit the limits of Obito’s intangibility to trap and attack him. Obito emerged from Madara’s Planetary Devastation into a barrage of attacks, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Obito deduced that Madara wanted to join forces against Naruto, but refused, saying he had the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and the Tailed Beasts and could not trust Madara.
• Madara attacked Obito with Majestic Destroyer Flame and Tengai Shinsei, then explained how Obito’s intangibility limited his ability to escape the meteor.
• Madara manipulated and enlarged the meteor into a Planetary Devastation, extending the time Obito needed to reach its edge.
• Madara surrounded the meteor’s perimeter with wood clones wielding Susanoo and a forest that released deadly pollen, preparing to attack as Obito became tangible.
• Obito emerged from the Planetary Devastation and was immediately targeted by Yasaka Magatama from every direction.

Madara and Obito fought across the sea, each trying to outmaneuver the other while Tobi and Black Zetsu became entangled in their plans. After Obito failed to seal Madara with his hidden dōjutsu, he accepted Madara’s offer to join forces against Naruto in exchange for Tobi’s release.

• Madara used his Wood Clones and Susanoo to keep Obito trapped in an unrelenting barrage, while Black Zetsu revealed he had secretly gathered intelligence on Obito.
• Tobi attacked Madara, but Madara used Flying Thunder God to immobilize him with a black receiver.
• Obito formed his Perfect Susanoo and used Omodaru to transport Madara into the forbidden spacetime zone, but Madara survived by hiding his real body beneath the sea.
• Madara emerged in his Perfect Susanoo and proposed that he and Obito resume their negotiations and join forces against Naruto.
• Obito agreed to cooperate with Madara and demanded that he release Tobi.

Naruto unsealed Zhongjue, a Fire Temple monk who proved useful by freeing Fourth Kazekage Rasa from his bandages. After learning Gaara had become Kazekage and that Naruto had helped save him, Rasa agreed to stay in Amegakure and wait for Naruto to explain his connection to the Akatsuki.

• Naruto unwrapped Zhongjue, who revealed that he had taught Chiriku but knew no ninjutsu, and Kakuzu agreed to keep him after hearing the temple could earn money.
• Zhongjue used his prayer beads and an incantation to break the seal on another set of bandages, releasing Fourth Kazekage Rasa.
• Rasa attacked Orochimaru and the others with Gold Dust Imperial Funeral, but Naruto repelled the gold dust with Shinra Tensei.
• Naruto and Granny Chiyo told Rasa that Gaara had become Kazekage, lost Shukaku, and been saved by Chiyo, prompting Rasa to regret how he had treated his son.
• Rasa questioned why Naruto and the others wore Akatsuki clothing, but agreed to stay in Amegakure until Naruto could explain the full story.

Naruto met several ninja revived by Impure World Reincarnation, arranging private talks for Pakura and Shin while dealing with Hanzō’s masked subordinate and two former Mist swordsmen. After learning Obito had killed Hidan’s substitute, Naruto considered making the Land of Lightning the battlefield for the coming conflict.

• Rasa explained to Kakuzu how taxes, lack of refining skills, and dependence on the Land of Wind kept Sunagakure poor, then Pakura appeared and went with Rasa and Chiyo to settle their history privately.
• Naruto recognized Shin as Sai’s older brother and sent Shin and Sai away to talk in private.
• Naruto questioned Hanzō’s supposed right-hand man, then used the Human Path to kill him after discovering he wore a second mask beneath his gas mask.
• Naruto subdued Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi with Kotoamatsukami and returned their swords to them.
• Konan told Naruto that Obito Uchiha had killed Hidan’s substitute, and Naruto proposed using the Land of Lightning as the battlefield.

Obito and Madara discussed Naruto’s growing power and the threat he posed to the Eye of the Moon Plan. Madara decided to strengthen the Demonic Statue with the Eight-Tails and began a plan to prevent Naruto from summoning it away.

• Obito joined forces with Madara against Naruto, while Madara questioned why Naruto had spared him and warned him about Black Zetsu.
• Madara concluded that Naruto’s most likely major improvement was mastering additional sage arts, and admitted that defeating him might remain uncertain even if they teamed up.
• Madara proposed sealing the Eight-Tails into the Demonic Statue, but Obito refused to risk moving it into the open without a safeguard.
• Madara rejected Obito’s plan to have Tobi and him seal the Eight-Tails over six days and summoned Black Zetsu and Tobi to carry out his undisclosed countermeasure.