Recaps

Gorō Satoru confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi about an old promise concerning fire and wood, but Hiruzen could not remember it yet. As Orochimaru began the battle and the reanimated Hokage attacked Hiruzen, they ignored Gorō Satoru, who decided he could not let the slight stand.

• Gorō Satoru told Hiruzen Sarutobi he had not come to save him and reminded him of his promise that fire and wood should coexist.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi admitted he had not remembered but promised to give Gorō Satoru an answer.
• Orochimaru ended their conversation and activated his ninjutsu, prompting Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to attack Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi formed hand seals and urged Gorō Satoru to get behind him, but Gorō Satoru refused to obey.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju rushed past Gorō Satoru and engaged Hiruzen Sarutobi, leaving Gorō Satoru feeling insulted at being ignored.

Wu Chiwu intervened in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s battle with the reanimated Hokage, accidentally blasting Hiruzen with explosive tags before Orochimaru attacked him. After revealing how to stop Impure World Reincarnation, Wu Chiwu faced Tobirama Senju and tested his defenses, recognizing that he could not yet defeat him.

• Hashirama Senju restrained Hiruzen Sarutobi as Tobirama Senju attacked from underwater, but Wu Chiwu’s explosive-tagged shuriken forced the brothers to dodge and blasted Hiruzen.
• Orochimaru attacked Wu Chiwu with the Kusanagi Sword, and Wu Chiwu told him and Hiruzen that reanimated ninjas had to be sealed or released by the caster.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Monkey King: Enma and joined the fight against Orochimaru, while Wu Chiwu intercepted Tobirama Senju.
• Wu Chiwu dodged Tobirama Senju’s attacks and used Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu with shuriken hidden in the flames, but Tobirama countered them with Water Release.

Wu Chiwu fought Tobirama Senju at close quarters, revealing enough skill to astonish the ANBU and Sound Four. Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized him as Uchiha Satoru and realized he knew the truth about the massacre, while Orochimaru revealed a woman's face beneath his own.

• Wu Chiwu removed his eye bandage and fought Tobirama Senju at speed, using his physical skill to keep pace with the resurrected Hokage.
• The ANBU and the Sound Four watched in disbelief as Wu Chiwu held his own, and several of them recognized that he was still holding back.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Wu Chiwu's fighting style as Uchiha Satoru's and realized he had come seeking answers about the Uchiha massacre and Konoha's tacit approval of Uchiha Itachi's actions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi blamed himself for allowing Danzo's proposal to pass, while the Monkey King mistook his regret for remorse over sparing Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru praised Wu Chiwu and tore away the skin on his face, revealing an unfamiliar woman's face and shocking Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Orochimaru revealed that his Reincarnation Jutsu let him take over new bodies and admitted he wanted both Sasuke Uchiha and Wu Chiwu. As Hashirama Senju trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi in a Wood Release cage, Wu Chiwu continued fighting Tobirama Senju and watched the battle unfold.

• Wu Chiwu sensed intense hatred directed at him, dodged Tobirama Senju’s attack, and returned his full attention to their fight.
• Orochimaru explained his body-stealing Reincarnation Jutsu to Hiruzen Sarutobi and declared that he sought immortality and a stronger body.
• Orochimaru revealed that he wanted Sasuke Uchiha and Wu Chiwu, leaving Wu Chiwu to silently compare Orochimaru’s obsession to Voldemort’s.
• Hashirama Senju trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi in a Wood Release cage while Orochimaru taunted his former teacher.
• The Anbu Ninja called out to encourage Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Wu Chiwu privately found their words undignified.

Wu Chiwu used the Flying Thunder God Technique to outmaneuver Orochimaru and escape Hashirama Senju’s Wood Release cage, freeing Hiruzen Sarutobi. He reunited with Hiruzen, who greeted him warmly despite Wu Chiwu’s doubts about their relationship.

• Wu Chiwu decided to attempt a breakout while Tobirama Senju kept him occupied and Orochimaru and Hashirama Senju blocked his way to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Wu Chiwu threw shuriken at Orochimaru, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear behind him and attack with the Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu.
• Orochimaru escaped the flames with an Earth Clone and sent Hashirama Senju to attack Wu Chiwu.
• Wu Chiwu’s Shadow Clone vanished under Hashirama Senju’s attack, while the real Wu Chiwu broke through the Wood Release cage and reached Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Wu Chiwu and Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted each other, though Wu Chiwu questioned Hiruzen’s warm manner.

Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to subdue Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju before turning it on Orochimaru. Wu Chiwu stopped Orochimaru from striking Hiruzen and listened as Orochimaru tried to persuade him to stand aside.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Wu Chiwu to search his old spot for what he wanted and moved to face Orochimaru and the two reincarnated Hokage alone.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi activated the Reaper Death Seal while Tobirama Senju cast the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, and Wu Chiwu blocked Tobirama's attack.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sealed Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, then fought Orochimaru and caught him with the Reaper Death Seal.
• Orochimaru summoned the Kusanagi Sword to stab Hiruzen Sarutobi, but Wu Chiwu caught its hilt and stopped the attack.
• Orochimaru offered Wu Chiwu Ninjutsu and the truth in exchange for standing aside, but Wu Chiwu dismissed his familiar promises.

Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to sever Orochimaru’s soul arms, ending his ability to form hand seals and pursue Ninjutsu. As Hiruzen entrusted the village to Wu Chiwu, White Zetsu recognized Wu Chiwu and fled underground to inform Black Zetsu.

• Orochimaru explained that he sought immortality so he could master every Ninjutsu, while Hiruzen Sarutobi reconsidered whether he could spare his former student.
• Wu Chiwu searched the crowd for the sinister presence he had sensed and singled out an unusually composed Anbu Ninja.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to seal Orochimaru’s arms rather than kill him, and the Shinigami cut both arms from Orochimaru’s soul.
• Orochimaru raged over his loss, while Hiruzen Sarutobi told Wu Chiwu that everything after this was in his hands.
• White Zetsu, disguised as an Anbu Ninja, recognized Wu Chiwu as the person Black Zetsu had sought and used the Mayfly Technique to disappear underground.

After Zetsu appeared, Gorō Satoru worried that he had attracted the spy’s attention and considered distancing himself from the Uchiha. Trapped with Orochimaru and Konoha’s forces, he heard Orochimaru offer Otogakure as a refuge, and he began to consider accepting.

• Gorō Satoru suspected Zetsu’s appearance might have something to do with him and resolved to keep his Uchiha identity hidden and avoid Sasuke.
• Orochimaru recovered from his frenzy and questioned Gorō Satoru about his disguise and purpose in Konoha.
• Orochimaru warned that Konoha had surrounded the area and offered to help Gorō Satoru escape by taking shelter in Otogakure.
• Gorō Satoru dismissed Orochimaru’s assumptions about his exhaustion and explained he had no reason to pursue him after the Third Hokage let him go.
• Gorō Satoru considered using Otogakure as cover and gaining access to Orochimaru’s laboratory, while Orochimaru secretly hoped to make him a vessel.

After leaving Konoha with Orochimaru, Wu Chiwu secretly sought Orochimaru’s experimental research and First Hokage cells to address the deterioration of his Mangekyō Sharingan. Meanwhile, Konoha chose Jiraiya to seek out Tsunade as a candidate for Fifth Hokage, and a month later Wu Chiwu left Orochimaru’s laboratory with what he wanted.

• Orochimaru ordered the Sound Ninja to lower the barrier, and Kidomaru trapped Konoha’s pursuers in a giant web as Orochimaru and Wu Chiwu escaped.
• Black Zetsu learned about Wu Chiwu’s unusual eyes and decided to draw him into the Akatsuki.
• Wu Chiwu followed Orochimaru to Otogakure, planning to obtain First Hokage cells and the related research materials to help protect his Mangekyō Sharingan’s eyesight.
• Konoha’s elders rejected Danzo as a candidate for Fifth Hokage and asked Jiraiya to find Tsunade; Jiraiya set out with Naruto Uzumaki and was told to investigate Wu Chiwu.
• After a month, Wu Chiwu left Orochimaru’s laboratory with the materials he wanted, while Orochimaru was away with Kabuto Yakushi seeking Tsunade.

Wu Chiwu followed Sasuke to a guesthouse and discovered Akatsuki confronting Naruto, with Sasuke facing Uchiha Itachi. When Wu Chiwu was spotted, Kisame Hoshigaki recognized him as a potential Akatsuki recruit, leaving his loyalties uncertain.

• Wu Chiwu spotted Sasuke on the shopping street and followed him while carrying a stack of sweets.
• Wu Chiwu remembered that Akatsuki was supposed to capture Naruto and followed Sasuke into a guesthouse hallway.
• Kisame Hoshigaki prepared to attack Naruto, but Uchiha Itachi recognized Sasuke and the two brothers faced each other.
• Wu Chiwu considered staying out of the confrontation but sighed, drawing Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi's attention.
• Naruto and Sasuke recognized Wu Chiwu, and Kisame Hoshigaki identified him as the ninja Akatsuki had considered recruiting.

Wu Chiwu fought Kisame Hoshigaki after Kisame invited him to join the Akatsuki, while Uchiha Itachi watched and assessed his abilities. Kisame then turned to capture Naruto, but Jiraiya arrived in time to block the attack, suspecting Wu Chiwu might be connected to the Akatsuki.

• Kisame Hoshigaki invited Wu Chiwu to join the Akatsuki, and Wu Chiwu agreed to test the organization's strength by fighting him.
• Wu Chiwu dodged Kisame Hoshigaki's attacks while carefully setting down his pastry boxes, impressing Kisame Hoshigaki and drawing Uchiha Itachi's attention.
• Wu Chiwu threw dozens of Explosive Tags at Kisame Hoshigaki, creating a loud commotion that made Kisame Hoshigaki worry Jiraiya would arrive.
• Kisame Hoshigaki charged at Naruto and called on Uchiha Itachi to help him capture Naruto.
• Jiraiya summoned a giant toad to block Kisame Hoshigaki's attack, then watched Wu Chiwu warily and wondered whether he was an Akatsuki member.

Uchiha Itachi revealed that Akatsuki’s highest directive was to take Naruto, while Wu Chiwu’s deliberate snacking interrupted the standoff and drew Jiraiya’s suspicion. Sasuke and Naruto defended Wu Chiwu, but Itachi grew wary of Sasuke’s lie and resolved to investigate him.

• Uchiha Itachi told Jiraiya that Akatsuki’s highest directive was to take Naruto, and Jiraiya refused to hand him over.
• Wu Chiwu calmly ate snacks during the confrontation, distracting Sasuke, Jiraiya, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Uchiha Itachi.
• Kisame Hoshigaki drew Samehada and offered to teach Wu Chiwu a lesson, but Uchiha Itachi ordered him to focus on capturing Naruto.
• Jiraiya declared that no one would leave and challenged Wu Chiwu to explain why he had appeared at the scene again.
• Naruto defended Wu Chiwu, and Sasuke claimed Wu Chiwu had come with him after buying snacks.
• Uchiha Itachi noticed Sasuke was lying to protect Wu Chiwu and decided to find a chance to investigate him.

Wu Chiwu let his Shadow Clone get caught in Jiraiya’s Toad Mouth Binding Technique while the real him watched, then vanished before Jiraiya could question him about the Akatsuki. After Jiraiya accidentally ate Wu Chiwu’s specialty snacks, Wu Chiwu reappeared before Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi, leaving them wary of how he had found them.

• Jiraiya trapped Wu Chiwu, Uchiha Itachi, and Kisame Hoshigaki inside the Rock Lodging Toad’s stomach, but Itachi and Kisame escaped by blasting a hole in its wall.
• Jiraiya questioned Wu Chiwu about his connection to the Akatsuki, and Wu Chiwu answered that they had nearly teamed up before their talks fell through.
• Wu Chiwu revealed that he had been using a Shadow Clone and disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving Naruto and Sasuke to gather his snacks.
• Jiraiya ate one of Wu Chiwu’s durian-and-tomato snacks and collapsed from its flavor, while Sasuke read the label on the box.
• Itachi and Kisame discussed why they had retreated, and Wu Chiwu suddenly appeared in front of them and asked why they had not waited for him.

Wu Chiwu reached an Akatsuki hideout, filled out an application with an elaborate plan for a peaceful world, and amused Obito Uchiha with a crossed-out line about Kakashi. Meanwhile, Jiraiya briefed Tsunade on the Akatsuki and Wu Chiwu, whose whereabouts remained unknown as the organization sought to recruit him.

• Wu Chiwu traveled with Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi to an Akatsuki hideout, where Kisame said he would begin as a reserve member.
• At the hideout, Wu Chiwu completed an Akatsuki application form and wrote a detailed plan for building a peaceful world, while Konan read it with surprise.
• Obito Uchiha examined Wu Chiwu's form and noticed a crossed-out line about creating a world with only Kakashi, then dismissed it as a mistake.
• Jiraiya and Naruto found Tsunade and returned with her to Konoha after their encounter with Orochimaru.
• Jiraiya told the newly appointed Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, that Wu Chiwu had left Orochimaru's Otogakure and that the Akatsuki intended to recruit him.

Wu Chiwu and Deidara bonded over their arguments about art and began competing to make the most unexpected traps. Their traps caught several Akatsuki members, and the chapter ended with Wu Chiwu exposing that Tobi had lied about his height.

• Wu Chiwu startled Deidara, caught his explosive clay, and mocked his art by naming its trick the “Explosive Crow Feather Summoning Jutsu.”
• Wu Chiwu convinced Deidara that explosions needed an element of surprise, and they agreed to compete by setting unexpected traps.
• Hidan and Sasori triggered the traps and were covered in dust and singed, while the other Akatsuki members laughed and suspected Wu Chiwu was formidable.
• Obito Uchiha, going by Tobi, walked into another trap at the Akatsuki entrance and collapsed as Kakuzu mocked him.
• Wu Chiwu found Tobi’s Akatsuki application and pointed out that his stated height of 185 cm had been crossed out and changed to 175 cm, leaving Obito mortified.

Wu Chiwu learned that Sasuke had left Konoha for Orochimaru and intervened when Naruto’s group caught up with him. After Sasuke refused to go with him, Wu Chiwu abducted him in a sack and fled, leaving both sides stunned.

• Black Zetsu gave up on closely watching Wu Chiwu after failing to learn anything from his idle routine.
• Wu Chiwu heard that Sasuke had left Konoha with the Sound Ninja and wondered why Orochimaru had persuaded him despite the information he had shared.
• Naruto and his companions caught up with Sasuke, who rejected Naruto’s pleas to return and said he wanted power.
• Wu Chiwu appeared and asked Sasuke to come with him, but Sasuke refused and Kimimaro insisted Sasuke belonged to Orochimaru.
• Wu Chiwu used his speed to stuff Sasuke into a burlap sack, then fled as Naruto, the Konoha ninja, and the Sound Ninja shouted after him.

Wu Chiwu easily escaped with Sasuke, then revealed that the Uchiha Clan Massacre had been a setup, prompting Sasuke to resolve to grow stronger. Months later, Konoha still had no trace of Sasuke as Tsunade investigated the Akatsuki’s growing activity.

• Wu Chiwu vanished with Sasuke before Naruto’s group could stop him, and Kiba failed to track them.
• Kimimaro ordered the Sound Four to retreat and report the failed mission to Lord Orochimaru.
• Wu Chiwu told Sasuke that the Uchiha Clan Massacre had been staged, and Sasuke accepted the truth and decided to become stronger.
• Sasuke planned to visit the Uchiha Clan Compound while Wu Chiwu returned to the Akatsuki.
• Months later, Tsunade reviewed intelligence about the Akatsuki and learned that Konoha still had no leads on Sasuke Uchiha.

Gorō Satoru’s leaked intelligence disrupted Akatsuki’s tailed-beast operations, prompting Pain to order the teams to act separately and move faster. In Konoha, Tsunade accepted that Akatsuki was targeting the tailed beasts but remained uncertain about its true objective, while other villages did not all heed the warning.

• Gorō Satoru reflected that he had leaked Akatsuki’s plans to disrupt its operations and provoke Black Zetsu into revealing himself.
• Kakuzu and Hidan returned from a failed mission against Sunagakure, and Pain learned that Akatsuki’s other operations had also suffered setbacks.
• Obito Uchiha suspected Uchiha Itachi might be leaking information, while Itachi wondered who had exposed Akatsuki’s plans.
• Pain ordered Akatsuki’s teams to pursue tailed beasts separately and accelerate the plan, and the members accepted his decision.
• Tsunade discussed the intelligence with Shizune, concluded it was accurate, and questioned Akatsuki’s true purpose in seeking the tailed beasts.

Deidara brought Gorō Satoru to a bounty exchange, where Konoha’s waiting squad ambushed him. Gorō Satoru escaped the trap by using an explosive decoy, leaving Izumo and Kotetsu incapacitated by its orange-yellow contents.

• Deidara dragged the sleepy Gorō Satoru to a bounty exchange hidden behind a toilet, while Konoha’s ninja waited nearby for Akatsuki members.
• Asuma’s squad attacked Gorō Satoru outside the exchange, and Shikamaru caught him with Shadow Possession Jutsu.
• Izumo and Kotetsu stabbed Gorō Satoru, but Shikamaru noticed orange-yellow liquid leaking from his wounds and warned the others to retreat.
• Gorō Satoru’s body swelled and exploded, covering Izumo and Kotetsu in the liquid as Asuma narrowly escaped.
• Izumo and Kotetsu survived but complained that the liquid was disgusting, leaving Asuma and Shikamaru confused.

Asuma and Shikamaru realized Wu Chiwu’s supposed ultimate technique had been an overpowering stink, leaving their teammates briefly unable to move. Deidara and Wu Chiwu agreed to use the Konoha squad as contestants in their unfinished rivalry, but Wu Chiwu then turned the fight against both sides and drew everyone’s attacks onto himself.

• Asuma and Shikamaru discovered that the puddle from Wu Chiwu’s attack was orange juice and that its stench had immobilized their teammates.
• Deidara emerged from the bounty exchange, urged Wu Chiwu to finish off the Konoha squad, and challenged him to another contest.
• Wu Chiwu and Deidara agreed to use Asuma’s group as contestants in their explosive contest.
• Deidara attacked the Konoha ninjas and Wu Chiwu with explosive clay, and Asuma charged toward Wu Chiwu as his squad’s spearhead.
• Wu Chiwu began attacking both sides, throwing explosive-tagged shuriken and dodging the Konoha squad’s Shadow Possession Jutsu as everyone pursued him.

Wu Chiwu evaded the Konoha team’s coordinated ambush and appeared atop a rooftop, surprising both them and Deidara. He prepared to reveal his own art by invoking the Planetary Devastation: Eaves Come Crashing Down Technique.

• Deidara urged Wu Chiwu to show his art and began attacking the Konoha ninja who had interrupted their competition.
• Asuma, Shikamaru, Izumo Kamizuki, and Kotetsu Hagane carried out their plan to trap Wu Chiwu with explosions and the Whirlwind Fire Technique.
• Wu Chiwu vanished from the attack without a trace, leaving the Konoha team baffled as they searched for him.
• Wu Chiwu appeared on a rooftop, startling the Konoha ninja and Deidara, who recognized him as a worthy partner.
• Wu Chiwu announced the Planetary Devastation: Eaves Come Crashing Down Technique and began to demonstrate it.

Gojo Satoru’s explosions wrecked the bounty exchange, and Asuma recognized him as Uchiha Satoru before Gojo knocked him out with a shovel. After Konoha’s reinforcements arrived, Deidara awoke and attacked Gojo, who fled; the Akatsuki later resumed hunting the tailed beasts as Gojo watched the distance.

• Gojo Satoru’s explosions collapsed the bounty exchange, and he guessed that methane had caused the blast.
• Asuma recognized Gorō Satoru as Uchiha Satoru, so Gojo struck him with a shovel and knocked him out.
• Konoha’s reinforcements arrived and found Gojo standing over the injured Asuma and others.
• Wu Guanwu used a Water Release jutsu to wake Deidara, who lunged at Gojo and threatened to kill him.
• Gojo fled as Deidara pursued him, leaving the Konoha Ninja bewildered by the Akatsuki’s infighting.
• The Akatsuki resumed collecting the tailed beasts, while Gojo turned a thoughtful gaze toward the distance.

Wu Chiwu interrupted Akatsuki’s tailed-beast sealing and struck Black Zetsu with an unfamiliar mass of black energy. Black Zetsu was pinned to the cave wall with more than half his body shattered, revealing that Wu Chiwu’s attack could harm him.

• Akatsuki members discussed why Wu Chiwu had not been invited to help seal the captured tailed beasts.
• Wu Chiwu appeared in the cave and confronted Pain and the others for keeping the sealing from him.
• Wu Chiwu created a mass of black energy that shocked the Akatsuki members, while Uchiha Itachi recognized its resemblance to a move used by Hatake Satoru-ko.
• Wu Chiwu directed the black energy at Black Zetsu and blasted him into a stone wall, shattering more than half his body.

Wu Chiwu focused on capturing the wounded Black Zetsu, ignoring the Akatsuki members who blocked his way. He used his space-time ninjutsu to snatch Black Zetsu and escape, leaving Pain and the others to add him to their list of concerns.

• Pain and Konan blocked Wu Chiwu from attacking Black Zetsu, while the other Akatsuki members watched his defiant attitude.
• Wu Chiwu vanished using space-time ninjutsu before Pain and Konan could stop him.
• Wu Chiwu grabbed Black Zetsu and pulled him out of the wall as Pain used Universal Pull and Konan launched Paper Shuriken.
• Wu Chiwu and Black Zetsu disappeared, evading the Akatsuki members' attacks.
• Kisame Hoshigaki, Uchiha Itachi, Sasori, Konan, and Pain reacted to Wu Chiwu's escape, and Pain ordered the Akatsuki to keep him from disrupting their plans.

Gorō Satoru captured Black Zetsu, who mistakenly guessed they were brothers before Gorō killed him with Purple. After learning that the Akatsuki was hunting him, Gorō considered the bounties while Tsunade suspected Naruto might be their next target.

• Gorō Satoru resisted Black Zetsu’s attempts to escape and brought him to a remote place.
• Black Zetsu guessed that Gorō was another child of Princess Kaguya and called him his big brother.
• Gorō rejected Black Zetsu’s theory and killed him with Purple.
• Gorō learned that Konoha, Otogakure, and the Akatsuki had issued wanted notices for him and considered collecting their bounties.
• Tsunade heard that the Akatsuki was hunting Wu Chiwu and concluded that Naruto might be their next target, so she decided he should stay in the village.