Chapter Summaries

After Sasuke defected, Shikamaru and Naruto assembled a six-man team and set out to pursue him. The team tracked Sasuke’s trail while Sakon told him that reaching the cursed seal’s second state without dying required him to die once first.

• Sakura reported Sasuke’s defection to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who ordered Shikamaru and Naruto to prepare a pursuit mission and tasked Danzo with hunting Itachi.
• Sakura told Shikamaru that Sasuke had defected, and Shikamaru recalled Sasuke asking him to look after Naruto.
• Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sakura received the mission, then recruited Neji, Kiba, and Rock Lee to form a six-man team.
• The team followed Sasuke’s trail outside Konoha, where Neji and Kiba detected Sasuke’s scent along with four unfamiliar scents.
• Sakon told Sasuke that he had to die once before he could activate the cursed seal’s second state without dying.

Sakon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo used the Four Black Mist Formation and Black-Sealing Ritual to prepare Sasuke’s body for the cursed seal’s second state. As they carried him toward the Land of Fields, Naruto’s pursuit team lost Sasuke’s scent and continued following the trail, unaware Naruto was deliberately letting the pursuit slow down.

• Sakon warned Sasuke that activating the cursed seal’s second state without the Calming Pill would consume his life force, and Sasuke swallowed the pill despite its lethal effect.
• Sakon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo placed Sasuke in a coffin and sealed him inside with the Four Black Mist Formation and Black-Sealing Ritual.
• Kidomaru sensed Naruto’s pursuit team approaching, so he carried the coffin while the four Sound ninja continued toward the Land of Fields.
• Neji detected layers of hidden traps, and Kiba announced that Sasuke’s scent had disappeared, possibly because Sasuke was dead or inside a barrier.
• Shikamaru ordered Kiba to confirm the direction and Neji to track the pursuers’ traces, while Naruto concealed his knowledge that Sasuke was sealed in the coffin and let the team’s pursuit slow down.

Naruto and the others caught up with the Sound Four, but Jirobo trapped them in a chakra-draining barrier while the others escaped with Sasuke. Shikamaru identified the barrier’s weak point, and Sakura struck it as the squad tried to break free.

• Neji spotted the Sound Four carrying Sasuke in a barrel coffin, and Naruto led the squad after them.
• Kidomaru used spider silk to foil the squad’s first attack, then Shikamaru caught the Sound Four with his Shadow Imitation Technique.
• Ukon broke free and attacked Shikamaru, but Naruto blocked him; Jirobo then trapped the squad inside an Earth Release barrier.
• The Sound Four left Jirobo behind as he drained the squad’s chakra, while Shikamaru worked out that the barrier’s slowest-healing area was its weak point.
• Kiba and Akamaru, Rock Lee, and Sakura struck the weak point in succession, with Sakura landing a punch on the cracked barrier.

Naruto left Rock Lee and Sakura to hold off Jirobo while he joined Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba in pursuit of Sasuke. He secretly instructed Jirobo to spare the two teammates, then caught up with the pursuit team as Kakashi and Pakkun tracked his scent from Konoha.

• Sakura, Rock Lee, and Naruto broke Jirobo's barrier, and Naruto sent Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba ahead while he stayed behind with the others.
• Naruto comforted Sakura, told her to cherish Rock Lee, and departed after promising they would meet again as comrades.
• Naruto used the Yamanaka Secret Technique to tell Jirobo to wear down Rock Lee and Sakura without killing them.
• Rock Lee and Sakura fought Jirobo, who used his Earth Release defenses to hold them off as they grew tired.
• Kakashi and Pakkun followed Naruto's scent from Konoha, while Naruto caught up with Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba using their markers.
• Neji found no traps ahead, and Shikamaru and Naruto guessed the Sound Four trusted Jirobo to stop the pursuit team.

Naruto’s team pursued Sasuke’s escorts, and Naruto secretly instructed Kidomaru to push Neji into a dangerous fight so he could improve. After Shikamaru stayed behind to face Tayuya, Naruto identified her opponent as a friend and ordered her to withdraw to the Research Base once she had stopped the pursuit.

• Shikamaru disguised himself as Jirobo, but Tayuya exposed the ruse, and Kidomaru stayed behind to fight him.
• Kidomaru trapped Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji, and Naruto with his Spider Silk, but Neji cut through the webs and freed them.
• Naruto secretly told Kidomaru to fight Neji seriously without killing him, then continued after Sasuke with Kiba and Shikamaru.
• Tayuya used her flute to attack the group, and Shikamaru stayed behind while Naruto and Kiba pursued Sakon, who carried Sasuke’s container.
• Naruto warned Tayuya telepathically that her opponent was his friend and ordered her to return to the Research Base after stopping the pursuit.

Naruto pursued Sasuke to the Valley of the End, where Kimimaro intercepted him and the two began a fierce fight. Kimimaro activated Dance of the Camellia, and Naruto countered with Wood Release: Snake Dragon Dance.

• Tayuya resumed fighting Shikamaru after deciding she no longer needed to hurry.
• Kimimaro took Sasuke’s coffin from Sakon and ordered him to hold off the pursuers while he went to undo Sasuke’s seal.
• Kiba attacked Sakon, and Naruto used a mind-link technique to tell him to disengage and return to Otogakure.
• Naruto tracked Sasuke with the Telescope Technique, then headed toward him as Kakashi and Pakkun followed behind.
• Kimimaro sent Sasuke toward the Valley of the End, then confronted Naruto when he arrived.
• Naruto and Kimimaro fought evenly at close range until Kimimaro activated Dance of the Camellia and Naruto answered with Snake Dragon Dance.

Naruto defeated Kimimaro, revealed his identity, and sent him to wait for Sasuke near the Land of Fields. At the Valley of the End, Naruto confronted Sasuke as he left, and Sasuke declared that their bond was over.

• Naruto bound Kimimaro with Snake Dragon Dance and suppressed the power of his Cursed Seal.
• Naruto revealed himself to Kimimaro, who recognized him from a portrait in Orochimaru's bedchamber and bowed in gratitude.
• Naruto asked Kimimaro to wait for Sasuke and guide him in close-combat training under Orochimaru.
• Naruto reached the Valley of the End and called after Sasuke, who walked away without turning back.
• Sasuke stopped and told Naruto that it was over between them.

Sasuke tried to make Naruto hate him by claiming their five-year relationship meant nothing, then fought him at the river. After overpowering Naruto and turning to leave, Sasuke sensed a surge of hostile chakra behind him.

• Sasuke told Naruto he had always hated him and challenged him to a fight, hoping to sever their bond.
• Naruto and Sasuke exchanged blows and ninjutsu across the river, but neither gained an advantage at first.
• Sasuke activated his Cursed Seal and used his two-tomoe Sharingan to overwhelm Naruto while avoiding vital strikes.
• Sasuke knocked Naruto onto the riverbank and turned to leave, but sensed abhorrent chakra surging toward him from behind.

Naruto and Sasuke fought at the Valley of the End as Kakashi raced to reach them. Naruto deliberately let Sasuke’s Cursed Seal Chidori pierce his heart, leaving Sasuke screaming in grief and Kakashi arriving too late to stop it.

• Naruto awakened a one-tailed Demon Fox Cloak and clashed with Sasuke, who fought using Curse Mark Stage Two.
• Kakashi and Pakkun sensed the Nine-Tails’ chakra and hurried toward the Valley of the End through the rain.
• Sasuke demanded that Naruto withstand his Cursed Seal Chidori or die, and Naruto prepared a Nine-Tails Rasengan.
• Naruto remembered his years with Sasuke, dispersed his Rasengan, and let Sasuke pierce his heart with Chidori.
• Naruto apologized and told Sasuke he loved him before dying, as Kakashi arrived and Sasuke screamed in horror.

Naruto revealed that he had staged his apparent death to awaken Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan and let him leave with Kimimaro. After healing, Naruto confronted Kakashi over Konoha’s treatment of him and revealed that his own eyes had awakened into the Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Naruto confessed his love to Sasuke and appeared to die, prompting Sasuke’s grief to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Kimimaro carried the unconscious Sasuke away while Kakashi pursued them, but Naruto restrained Kakashi with vines.
• Naruto healed his chest wound and told Kakashi that he had arranged for Sasuke to leave and seek power from Orochimaru.
• Naruto challenged Kakashi over his parents’ deaths and Konoha’s cruelty, revealing that he knew Kakashi had once contemplated suicide.
• Naruto opened his bleeding eyes and revealed two unfamiliar Mangekyō patterns, unleashing an oppressive force across the Valley of the End.

Naruto awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and confronted Kakashi about Konoha and his plan to leave the village. He showed Kakashi memories revealing how Kakashi had inadvertently exposed the timing of Naruto’s birth, allowing the masked attacker to target Minato and Kushina.

• Naruto tested Kakashi’s loyalty and declared that he planned to leave Konoha.
• Kakashi urged Naruto to return, but Naruto challenged him over his failures and his indirect responsibility for Naruto’s parents’ deaths.
• Naruto used the Yamanaka Secret Technique and claimed his left eye could show Kakashi memories through a mental vision.
• Kakashi watched the masked attacker use the birth information he had revealed to infiltrate the barrier, seize Naruto, and unleash the Nine-Tails.
• Kakashi broke down in guilt, and Naruto asked whether Kakashi still considered his defection or turn to darkness unreasonable.

Naruto tried to recruit Kakashi as his mole in Konoha, showing him a vision of the village’s destruction and arguing that he could build a new order. Kakashi agreed to fight Naruto, with the winner deciding whether Kakashi returned to Konoha or joined Naruto.

• Naruto asked Kakashi to become his mole, but Kakashi resisted because of his bonds in Konoha.
• Naruto showed Kakashi a vision of Konoha destroyed by Shinra Tensei and blamed Danzo and the village leadership for bringing about that future.
• Naruto argued that he should establish his own foundation before other organizations overthrew the world order.
• Naruto confronted Kakashi about his past, his lost faith in Konoha, and his failure to act decisively during the Konoha Crush Plan.
• Kakashi challenged Naruto to a real fight, agreeing to return with him if he lost, while Naruto demanded that Kakashi belong to him if Naruto won.

Naruto defeated Kakashi in a fight and persuaded him to support his plan to rebuild the world. Kakashi accepted Naruto’s cause, leaving them united as Naruto continued gathering trusted allies.

• Naruto and Kakashi fought in the rocky shelter, matching each other in close combat and lightning techniques.
• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear behind Kakashi and hold a kunai to his neck, winning the fight.
• Kakashi accepted defeat and told Naruto about the fear and renown Minato had earned through the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Naruto asked Kakashi to help forge a new world, and Kakashi agreed to support his will.
• Naruto embraced Kakashi, who apologized for failing to guide or protect him and pledged to assist him.

After reconciling with Kakashi, Naruto explained that he had arranged for Sasuke to train with Orochimaru and reassured Kakashi about his judgment. When Naruto learned Black Zetsu was monitoring them from far away, he brought Kakashi back into the cave and began slipping a hand inside his collar.

• Naruto and Kakashi embraced and discussed Naruto’s emotional breakdowns and his awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Kakashi accepted Naruto’s explanation that Sasuke had left to pursue revenge and that Naruto had arranged for Orochimaru to train him.
• Naruto reassured Kakashi that he trusted Orochimaru and could judge people well.
• Kakashi warned that ANBU and Root would pursue Naruto and Sasuke, but Naruto said he had planned to leave Konoha years earlier.
• Naruto received a notification that Black Zetsu was monitoring him from more than five li away and led Kakashi deeper into the cave.
• Naruto slipped his hand inside Kakashi’s collar, leaving Kakashi flustered and protesting.

Naruto gave Kakashi a special clone to take back to Konoha, keeping the village from learning that Naruto had deserted. After Kakashi left, Naruto escaped the cave and headed toward the Coastal City and the Land of Waves.

• Naruto marked Kakashi with a Flying Thunder God Mark, then told him to return to Konoha carrying a special clone.
• Naruto created a Spore Clone that could bleed and remain intact after death, and Kakashi bandaged its wounds.
• Kakashi understood that the clone could conceal Naruto's desertion and promised to keep watch from Konoha before leaving with it.
• Naruto reasoned that Black Zetsu had likely visited to track the Jinchūriki, then teleported away from the cave.
• Naruto recovered a Flying Thunder God Kunai, looked toward the Land of Fields, and headed for the Coastal City and the Land of Waves.

Naruto reached the Land of Waves and built a secluded villa on a lone peak to investigate his Mangekyo abilities. In Otogakure, Orochimaru grieved Naruto’s supposed death, blamed the Sound Four, and was about to kill them when an Origami Crane appeared through a spatial ripple.

• Naruto traveled to the Land of Waves, built a wooden villa atop a lone peak, and began replenishing his chakra.
• Kimimaro told Orochimaru that Naruto had died in the Valley of the End, and Orochimaru struck Kabuto Yakushi before demanding Kimimaro recount everything he witnessed.
• Orochimaru heard that Naruto had deliberately taken Sasuke’s Chidori head-on, then ordered Kimimaro to bring in Sakon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo.
• Kimimaro brought the battered Sound Four before Orochimaru, who condemned them for surviving while Naruto died and prepared to execute them.
• A spatial ripple appeared in the laboratory, and an Origami Crane materialized just as Orochimaru’s dragon claw was about to strike.

Naruto used an Origami Crane to reveal that he had faked his death to awaken Sasuke’s Mangekyo, easing Snake Aunt’s anger and worry. The chapter ended with Naruto learning that she had changed her name to White Scale.

• A message from Naruto appeared just as Snake Aunt was about to kill Sakon and the others, and she began exchanging messages with him through Origami Cranes.
• Naruto explained that he had faked his death to help Sasuke awaken his Mangekyo and reassured Snake Aunt that he was unharmed.
• Snake Aunt agreed to keep Naruto’s survival secret from Sasuke until the right time, while Naruto advised her to train Sasuke’s mental strength and resistance to genjutsu.
• Snake Aunt ordered Kabuto Yakushi to give the Sound Four doses of the Immortality Potion and warned them about its risks.
• Snake Aunt told Kimimaro to keep Naruto’s survival secret and instructed him to call her Snake Aunt or Aunt White in private.
• Naruto read Snake Aunt’s message and remarked that her new name, White Scale, sounded better than Orochimaru.

Naruto discovered that his right Mangekyō Sharingan could transport him to a strange world and began testing its powers. After fusing it with a Kamui Mangekyō, he felt the world change, but the chapter ended before he saw the result.

• Naruto checked his awakened Mangekyō Sharingan and found unusual curved-tomoe patterns in both eyes, including ten white holes in his right eye.
• Naruto activated his right Mangekyō and transported himself from his villa to a gray, empty world beneath ten white holes in the sky.
• Naruto used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence to create a forest, then sensed signs of life and a response from the white holes.
• Naruto guessed that his right Mangekyō could absorb other Mangekyō, and pressed the Kamui Mangekyō against his right eye.
• Naruto endured intense pain as the eyes fused; the ground grew more realistic, one white hole vanished, and Naruto opened his eye after the pain subsided.

Naruto tested his newly merged Kamui eye, named his pocket world Genesis World, and rebuilt his home after accidentally dropping a tree on it. Meanwhile, Sasuke woke in White Scale Snake Aunt’s laboratory, grieving Naruto and swearing revenge on Itachi.

• Naruto confirmed the Kamui Mangekyo had merged into his right eye, then tested whether a Byakugan could merge with either eye, but it did not respond.
• Naruto used his right eye to absorb a towering tree into Genesis World and then sent it outside, where it crushed his new villa.
• Naruto named the pocket world Genesis World, used Wood Release to create a replacement villa, and assigned two shadow clones the household chores while he recovered upstairs.
• Sasuke woke in White Scale Snake Aunt’s underground laboratory, regretted choosing the Path of Revenge instead of staying with Naruto, and vowed to kill Itachi.

Sasuke began training under Snake Aunt, determined to grow strong enough to defeat Itachi, while Naruto developed his Mangekyo abilities and trained on a remote peak. After learning Sasuke was progressing steadily, Naruto decided to visit the Land of Waves for seafood.

• Sasuke met Snake Aunt, learned she was the Orochimaru he had been waiting for, and demanded to begin training.
• Snake Aunt told Sasuke to defeat Kimimaro in Curse Mark Stage Two using only taijutsu before she would give him new power, and Sasuke vowed to do it within a month.
• Naruto trained for half a month, mastered the first stage of Wind Release: Rasenshuriken's nature transformation, and discovered his left eye's Illusory Realm of Annihilation.
• Naruto received Snake Aunt's report that Sasuke's taijutsu and Three-Tomoe Sharingan had improved, and thanked her for caring for him.
• Naruto put away the Super Beeper and set out for the Land of Waves to find seafood.