Chapter Summaries

Naruto rejected Itachi’s attempt to dissuade him from overturning the Shinobi World, then broke free of Tsukuyomi and faced Itachi’s Susanoo. The chapter ended with Naruto binding Susanoo using Wood Release, shocking Itachi.

• Naruto condemned Konoha’s leaders for allowing his childhood abuse and declared Konoha’s future destruction a consequence they deserved.
• Itachi trapped Naruto in Tsukuyomi and tortured him, but Naruto recognized the genjutsu’s psychological tricks and released himself.
• Naruto broke Tsukuyomi, causing Itachi to suffer backlash and reveal that his illness had grown severe.
• Itachi activated the second stage of Susanoo and demanded Naruto abandon his plan if he lost.
• Naruto evaded Susanoo’s attack with Wood Release: Dragon Snake Binding, which coiled around Susanoo and restrained its arm.

Naruto and Itachi clashed, with Naruto revealing a thirty-meter Wood Release giant that smashed Itachi’s second-stage Susanoo. Itachi survived and transformed Susanoo into a fleshed-out form, preparing to continue the fight.

• Itachi learned Naruto possessed Wood Release and warned him to stop, but Naruto refused, prompting Itachi to declare his final ultimatum.
• Naruto evaded Itachi’s Amaterasu and summoned a thirty-meter wooden humanoid with a Wood Dragon around its neck.
• Naruto’s wooden giant struck Susanoo, smashing its arms and hurling Itachi through the forest.
• Sakon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo watched from a nearby mountain and marveled at Naruto’s strength.
• Itachi rose bloodied, acknowledged Naruto’s strength, and reshaped Susanoo from a skeleton into a strange, flesh-covered giant.

Naruto overwhelmed Itachi’s Crow Tengu Susanoo with his Wooden Man and three Wood Dragons, defeating him without killing him. Itachi collapsed after the Wood Dragons absorbed Susanoo, left unable to continue resisting.

• Itachi formed his Crow Tengu Susanoo with the Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade, then apologized to Naruto before attacking.
• Naruto charged with his Wooden Man and struck the Yata Mirror with a wooden greatsword, staggering Susanoo but breaking his weapon.
• Itachi countered with the Totsuka Blade and fought off the Wooden Man, while Naruto warned that Itachi could not sustain the battle.
• Naruto summoned three Wood Dragons, which surrounded and bound Susanoo despite Itachi’s attempt to cut one with the Totsuka Blade.
• Naruto ordered the Wood Dragons to absorb Susanoo, and Itachi lost the chakra and will to maintain it.
• Itachi’s Susanoo dissipated, and he collapsed, wondering whether he had failed.

Naruto defeated Itachi and challenged his assumptions about Sasuke and the plans he had made for him. He revealed that he was pursuing both a peaceful transformation of the shinobi world and a violent fallback, all to give Sasuke a perfect world.

• Naruto reclaimed his Wood Release creations and approached the exhausted Itachi, who asked him to find Sasuke and remove Orochimaru's Cursed Seal.
• Naruto rejected Itachi's request and told him Sasuke had left Konoha out of hatred for his brother, not because Orochimaru had lured him away.
• Naruto reminded Itachi that Sasuke valued his bonds and had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan after Naruto faked his death, while Itachi's plans for him had failed.
• Naruto made Itachi recall Shisui and question whether his own choices had brought anything but tragedy and regret.
• Naruto explained that he planned to dismantle the shinobi system through economic change, but would destroy the Five Great Nations with Itachi if that failed.
• Naruto told Itachi that his plans, including helping Sasuke grow stronger, were meant to give Sasuke a perfect world.

Naruto refused to let Itachi die and treated him with a potion made from Hashirama cells and the Immortality Potion. Itachi accepted that Naruto intended for Sasuke to decide his fate and thanked him.

• Naruto explained that he had helped Sasuke grow in secret and had built his plans around giving Sasuke a perfect world.
• Itachi, reassured about Sasuke’s future with Naruto, asked Naruto to take care of his younger brother as he began to die.
• Naruto used the Mystical Palm Technique to treat Itachi and refused to let him die before Sasuke could kill him.
• Naruto injected Itachi with Snake Aunt’s potion to revive him, then resumed treating his lungs and spleen.
• Itachi accepted Naruto’s decision that he could only die at Sasuke’s hands and thanked him.

Naruto healed Itachi with Orochimaru’s Perfect Healing Potion, and Itachi chose to leave the Akatsuki and visit the Uchiha Old Residence with Kisame. Naruto then fused Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami Mangekyo into his right eye and set off to await news from Snake Aunt.

• Naruto healed Itachi, who told him to watch out for a masked man and learned from Naruto that Sasuke had found a better place for himself.
• Itachi told Kisame he would not return to the Akatsuki and wanted to visit the Uchiha Old Residence before he died, and Kisame agreed to accompany him.
• Naruto noticed Sakon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo were intimidated by his strength, reassured them, and slapped Tayuya when she asked to be his girlfriend.
• Naruto activated his Ten-Tomoe Mangekyo and fused Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami Mangekyo into it.
• Naruto left Low Mountain to await news from Snake Aunt and thought about how much he wanted to see Sasuke.

Naruto returned to the Land of Waves and asked Sasori to develop defenses while he was away. Sasori revealed thirty Jonin-level Armored Robots with chakra-sensing systems, and Naruto supplied chip materials to help build a security network covering the country.

• Naruto hurried back to the Land of Waves, worried that Danzo might retaliate after Root's Jonin were killed.
• Naruto found Sasori working in the underground research institute and explained that he might be away for one to three months.
• Sasori showed Naruto thirty Armored Robots equipped with a system that detected unidentified chakra-bearing intruders.
• Naruto learned that the robots could detect chakra within five hundred meters and asked Sasori to expand the system across the Land of Waves.
• Naruto produced nearly impurity-free silicone sheets, and Sasori eagerly agreed to use them for his chip-development work.

Naruto prepared the Land of Waves for his departure by arranging security measures and checking in with Haku. Haku learned that he was leaving to find Sasuke and said she was happy he would see the person he loved.

• Naruto and Sasori began developing a Defense and Security System for the Land of Waves, with Naruto assigning a clone to the research.
• Naruto gave Sakon and the other Ninja Academy principals a Sensory Ninjutsu scroll and Dark Gold Chakra Expansion Cards, then asked them to guard against intruders, especially Konoha's Root ninja.
• Naruto visited Haku at the Daimyo's Residence and told her his original body would leave while a clone remained behind.
• Haku updated Naruto on preparations for the World's Greatest Cooking Competition, including its venue and plans to spread news through merchant ships.
• Haku asked whether Naruto was leaving to find Sasuke, and Naruto confirmed it.
• Haku told Naruto she was happy he would finally see the person he loved.

Haku confessed her love to Naruto before he left the Land of Waves, and Naruto kissed her and told her to wait for his return. As he traveled toward the Land of Fields, Naruto questioned his feelings for Haku, and the system explained how his actions had shaped her attachment to him.

• Haku embraced Naruto from behind and confessed that she loved him, even though she knew he loved Sasuke.
• Naruto turned, kissed Haku, and held her as they shared their feelings; he asked her to wait for him to come back.
• Haku put on her mask, and Naruto left the Land of Waves after saying goodbye to her.
• Naruto messaged Snake Aunt that he had set out and expected to reach her in about five days.
• Naruto asked the system whether he had romantic feelings for Haku, and it explained how his intervention and care had filled the emotional void in her life.
• The system charged Naruto 1,000,000 Shock Points, 1,000,000 Negative Points, and 1,000,000 Silver Taels for its advice.

Naruto ambushed and killed twelve Root Jonin traveling toward the Land of Waves, then left Danzo a warning. At Orochimaru’s base, Sasuke learned he could choose teammates from the research facilities as he prepared to leave seclusion and seek revenge on Itachi.

• Naruto sensed twelve chakra signatures near the Land of Fire border and concluded they were heading toward the Land of Waves.
• Naruto trapped and killed the twelve Root Jonin using Flying Thunder God and Kamui, then left a threatening message for Danzo.
• Orochimaru received Naruto’s message that he was on his way and arranged for Kimimaro to buy supplies for an important guest’s visit.
• Orochimaru visited Sasuke, who had spent two years training in seclusion and planned to kill Itachi.
• Orochimaru told Sasuke he could choose teammates from the six research facilities and sent him to gather them.

Sasuke left Orochimaru’s base to recruit Karin and gather his teammates, but a masked swordsman ambushed him on the way. After the fight shattered Naruto’s amethyst bracelet, Sasuke found a wax-sealed pellet hidden beside its largest bead and discovered paper inside.

• Orochimaru let Sasuke leave, promising him a fight and information about Itachi after Sasuke completed one more injection.
• Sasuke set out for Base Four to recruit Karin, but a masked man blocked his path and challenged him.
• Sasuke struck the masked man with Chidori, but the man’s thrown sword broke Sasuke’s amethyst bracelet.
• Sasuke dismembered the masked man in a fury, then gathered the bracelet beads and mourned Naruto’s gift.
• Sasuke accidentally shattered the largest bead and found a wax pellet containing what appeared to be paper beside it.

Sasuke discovered and read Naruto’s hidden letter, learning Naruto’s identity and the depth of his love, as well as that Naruto had knowingly risked his life to help Sasuke awaken his power. Grief-stricken, Sasuke set out to kill Itachi, while Snake Aunt watched and hoped he would eventually reunite with Naruto.

• Sasuke crushed the wax-sealed pellet inside his Amethyst Bracelet and used his Mangekyō Sharingan to read Naruto’s letter.
• Sasuke learned that Naruto was Minato Namikaze’s son, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox’s host, and had loved him while hiding his identity to protect him.
• Sasuke realized Naruto had withdrawn his attack at the Valley of the End so the Chidori would pierce his heart and help Sasuke awaken the Uchiha’s power.
• Sasuke mourned Naruto, vowed to find him in the afterlife, and headed toward the Research Lab with the goal of killing Itachi.
• Snake Aunt revealed she had disguised herself as the masked swordsman and shattered Sasuke’s bracelet to make him find the letter.

Naruto traveled to Otogakure and reunited with Snake Aunt, whom he also called White Scale, after more than two years apart. They settled in for a private meal and toasted their reunion.

• Naruto passed the border outposts and headed to Otogakure in the Land of Fields.
• Naruto used the Telescope Technique to find Snake Aunt in an underground research facility, then teleported to the base with Flying Thunder God.
• Snake Aunt recognized Naruto and welcomed him, pleased that he had come to see him.
• Otogakure shinobi served Naruto and Snake Aunt food, tea, and thirty-year-old wine before withdrawing at Snake Aunt's order.
• Naruto and Snake Aunt raised their cups and toasted their reunion beneath the moon.

Naruto reunited with Snake Aunt, discussed Kabuto Yakushi’s departure and the possibility of restoring the dead to life, then revealed his Mangekyo’s power. After three days at the Research Institute, he learned Sasuke had returned and prepared to meet him.

• Naruto and Snake Aunt drank together and discussed Kabuto Yakushi’s tragic past, including how Danzo manipulated him and the orphanage director into killing each other.
• Snake Aunt took Naruto through her Research Institute, where he saw five men grown from gradual cells and Uzumaki cells.
• Naruto asked Snake Aunt about a technique that could restore both body and soul, then told her it was a Rinnegan ability that required a medium and cost the caster’s life.
• Naruto revealed his Mangekyo and transported himself and Snake Aunt into his world.
• After Naruto spent three days at the Research Institute, Kimimaro told him Sasuke had returned, and Naruto asked him to keep his presence secret before preparing to see Sasuke.

Sasuke returned to the Land of Fields with Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo to demand information about Itachi from Orochimaru. Orochimaru required Sasuke to defeat a masked opponent first, and Naruto—hidden behind a mask and disguised voice—prepared to fight him.

• Sasuke recruited Suigetsu from the No. 04 Experimental Basement and ordered him not to kill the bodyguards.
• Karin and Suigetsu bickered as Sasuke led them and Jūgo toward the No. 01 Experimental Base.
• Karin asked why Sasuke had returned, but he refused to explain his reasons.
• Orochimaru appeared and told Sasuke he would have to pass a final combat test to receive information about Itachi.
• Orochimaru presented a masked young man, Naruto, as Sasuke's opponent, and they exchanged challenges.

Naruto, disguised as a masked young man, tested Sasuke’s strength in a sword fight, matching Sasuke’s speed and skill with Wind Release. Sasuke escalated to Chidori techniques, but Naruto evaded his final coordinated attack, leaving their duel unresolved.

• Naruto hid his identity and agreed to fight Sasuke while Karin and Suigetsu watched.
• Sasuke attacked with his Kusanagi Sword and lightning-enhanced speed, while Naruto countered with Wind Release.
• Sasuke and Naruto exchanged over a hundred weapon strikes before pulling apart, with Suigetsu judging Sasuke the more skilled swordsman.
• Sasuke extended his lightning blade, struck Naruto with Chidori Stream, and followed with a Chidori thrust and a sword strike.
• Naruto easily evaded Sasuke’s coordinated attack, leaving Sasuke momentarily frozen at the apparent opening.

Naruto fought Sasuke and revealed his identity after surviving a Susanoo arrow by appearing inside Susanoo. Sasuke believed he was dreaming again as Naruto began using Ninja Art: Window to the Mind.

• Naruto used his speed to kick Sasuke, who then summoned Susanoo and prepared a powerful arrow.
• Susanoo's arrow struck Naruto's position, but Naruto vanished from the battlefield and appeared inside Susanoo holding Sasuke.
• Naruto's mask broke, revealing his face, and he told Sasuke that he was alive and had come to find him.
• Sasuke began crying, convinced he was dreaming, while Naruto set him down and formed hand seals for Ninja Art: Window to the Mind.

Naruto and Sasuke reunited after two years apart, and Naruto revealed how he had faked his death to help Sasuke grow stronger. They left the research facility together and vowed that nothing would separate them again.

• Naruto used Window to the Mind to show Sasuke a memory of Naruto writing a letter and hiding it inside an Amethyst Bracelet.
• Sasuke recognized Naruto, and the two embraced and sobbed as their suppressed feelings resurfaced; Karin realized she had fallen for both of them.
• Snake Aunt led Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo away, leaving Naruto and Sasuke alone.
• Naruto carried Sasuke to a mountain in Otogakure, where Sasuke asked about Naruto’s apparent death at the Valley of the End.
• Naruto explained that he had deliberately suppressed his healing to make his death seem real, and Sasuke reproached him for making him believe he was dead.
• Naruto and Sasuke kissed and decided that nothing would ever separate them again.

Naruto reunited with Sasuke and explained how he had spent the years since Sasuke left Konoha, revealing his plans to prepare for coming chaos. Sasuke went to meet Orochimaru for information about Itachi while Naruto waited with Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo.

• Naruto and Sasuke shared a tender reunion and Naruto told Sasuke that Kakashi had become his informant in Konoha.
• Naruto explained that the Land of Waves was his base and warned Sasuke that an age of chaos was approaching.
• Naruto revealed his connection with Orochimaru, and Sasuke admitted he had considered teaming up with Naruto to kill him.
• Naruto and Sasuke returned to Laboratory 01, where Jūgo said Orochimaru wanted to see Sasuke about information on Itachi.
• Sasuke went into the research facility while Naruto introduced himself to Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo.

Naruto introduced himself to Sasuke’s teammates, won Karin and Suigetsu over by promising to rebuild the Land of Whirlpools and giving Suigetsu the Kubikiribōchō, and proved he could restrain Jūgo. Sasuke emerged with information about Itachi, and he and Naruto prepared to go to the Uchiha Ancestral Residence.

• Naruto revealed his Uzumaki heritage and promised Karin he would rebuild the Land of Whirlpools.
• Naruto gave Suigetsu the Kubikiribōchō, earning his gratitude.
• Naruto restrained Jūgo with a Binding Technique, and Jūgo acknowledged Naruto’s strength.
• Naruto told Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo that he and Sasuke had lived together since they were seven.
• Sasuke emerged from the underground laboratory and told Naruto that Itachi was at the Uchiha Ancestral Residence.
• Sasuke said he would leave for the Uchiha Ancestral Residence immediately.