Chapter Summaries

Aokiji and his companions reached the shrine of the Land of Demons to protect its pregnant priestess, Suiren, whose unstable prophetic power showed her Aokiji’s death. Aokiji rejected her fatalistic outlook and vowed to change fate, leaving the others stunned.

• Jialan explained that Suiren could only foresee people’s deaths, and the group discussed the limits of her prophecies.
• Jialan led Aokiji, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru up the mountain to Suiren’s shrine, where Aokiji joked about the priestesses’ clothes and asked Tsunade to wear their attire.
• Suiren’s prophetic power activated as she looked at Aokiji, showing her a vision of him engulfed in blue light after a furious shout.
• Suiren rebuked Jialan for acting beyond his station, and he admitted that he had intervened because he feared for her safety.
• Aokiji told Suiren to accept Jialan’s help and declared that he would arrange fate himself and keep her safe.

Aokiji agreed to help Suiren protect herself from Moryo and negotiated for the shrine’s wealth, while learning more about how priestesses are born. Days later, as Suiren went into labor, Aokiji and Tsunade guarded her and he began teasing Katsuyu about finding a match.

• Suiren accepted Aokiji’s help after recalling that Senju Hashirama had once helped a priestess seal Moryo, and she offered him the shrine’s accumulated wealth as compensation.
• Suiren explained that only one priestess was born in each lifetime, and Orochimaru showed interest in how priestesses came into being.
• Several days later, Aokiji and Tsunade guarded Suiren while she gave birth, as Orochimaru and Jiraiya protected the shrine holding Moryo’s soul.
• Aokiji flirted with Tsunade under the moonlight, while Katsuyu observed that the pair enjoyed flirting.
• Aokiji asked Katsuyu whether anyone of its kind had ever confessed to it, then mischievously offered to introduce it to someone.

Aokiji proposed pairing Katsuyu with the Six-Tails and explained his plan to reclaim the Tailed Beasts and treat them as Summoned Beasts. When Suiren neared childbirth, he erected an ice barrier around the shrine to protect her from a possible attack.

• Aokiji suggested the Six-Tails as a partner for Katsuyu, who recognized it as a former neighbor from the region between the Land of Water and the Land of Whirlpools.
• Aokiji said he planned to reclaim Konoha's Tailed Beasts and keep them as Summoned Beasts, prompting the Five-Tails to doubt that they would agree.
• Aokiji learned from Katsuyu that the Priestess, Suiren, was about to give birth.
• Aokiji used Ice Release: Ice Crystal Maze Technique to surround the shrine with a massive octagonal barrier of thorn-covered ice pillars.

While protecting the shrine, Aokiji suggested that Tsunade develop her unfinished ninjutsu in a new direction, and she transformed into an elf-like state with a Chakra gemstone on her forehead. The chapter ended with Aokiji and Tsunade examining her transformation and trying to understand its effects.

• Aokiji reassured the Land of Demons soldiers after his barrier enclosed the shrine, then spoke with Tsunade about the ninjutsu she had struggled to develop.
• Aokiji suggested that Tsunade approach the technique like her Yin Seal, and Tsunade decided to test the idea beneath the barrier's protection.
• Tsunade concentrated her Chakra in her forehead and redistributed it throughout her body, transforming the mark into a blue gemstone and her ears into long, pointed ones.
• Aokiji touched Tsunade's newly sensitive ears, prompting her to blush and strike him with a black eye before Katsuyu interrupted them.
• Aokiji created an ice mirror, and he and Tsunade examined her changed appearance and suspected that the gemstone on her forehead was made of Chakra.

Tsunade discovered that her altered form had fused with the Yin Seal, boosting her height, eyesight, and combat abilities, while Aokiji warned her not to remove the crystallized Chakra. When the Sky Ninja attacked from above, Tsunade shot them down with Water Release: Severing Wave, and Aokiji wondered whether Orochimaru and Jiraiya were also under attack.

• Aokiji explained that Tsunade's Yin Seal Chakra had crystallized into a gemstone and warned her that removing it could endanger her life.
• Tsunade realized she could not undo her altered form without releasing the Yin Seal and using up its stored Chakra, and she and Aokiji noticed she had grown taller.
• Explosions revealed that Sky Ninja were attacking Aokiji's barrier, and Tsunade's enhanced vision let her spot them overhead.
• Aokiji maintained the barrier while Tsunade leaped onto the roof and used Water Release: Severing Wave to shoot down the Sky Ninja.
• Aokiji praised Tsunade's improved performance and worried that Orochimaru and Jiraiya might also be facing attacks.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru discussed Moryo’s soul and the limits of killing it while guarding the shrine, but their conversation was interrupted by a poisoned Jiraiya and an attack by the Sky Ninjas. Orochimaru’s clones pursued the intruder into the shrine and discovered the sealed Moryo.

• Jiraiya joked about being poisoned, then later suffered a real attack after an impostor soldier poisoned him with a rice ball.
• Orochimaru took emergency measures for Jiraiya and asked Katsuyu to summon Aokiji for support.
• The impostor and the Sky Ninjas launched an assault, killing Land of Demons soldiers with explosions.
• The intruder broke free of Orochimaru’s summoned snake and entered the shrine, prompting Orochimaru to send Shadow Clones after him.
• Orochimaru’s clones reached a chamber with a glowing circular pattern, six pillars, and a sacred-rope-bound stone that Orochimaru identified as Moryo.

Shinno freed Moryo by sacrificing the Zero-Tails and gained dark power to seek revenge on Konoha. As Shinno prepared to send his stone soldiers after the Priestess, Orochimaru chose to stand and fight rather than abandon Jiraiya.

• Shinno revealed that he was a survivor of the Land of Sky and admitted he planned to use Moryo's power to take revenge on Konoha.
• Shinno broke the seals on Moryo's prison, then offered the Zero-Tails in exchange for Moryo's power.
• Moryo entered Shinno, transforming him into a powerful creature that created stone soldiers and ordered them to kill the Priestess.
• Shinno confronted Orochimaru, who was protecting the injured Jiraiya from the stone soldiers.
• Orochimaru pretended to accept Jiraiya's suggestion to flee, but stepped in front of him and chose to fight Shinno.

Shinno used Moryo’s dark Chakra to turn Orochimaru into a puppet and nearly forced him to kill Jiraiya. Aokiji and Tsunade arrived in time to stop the attack, and Aokiji prepared to fight Shinno with the Five-Tails’ Chakra.

• Shinno fought Orochimaru, whose attacks revealed Shinno’s immense strength, defense, and rapid healing, while Orochimaru found his combat skills weak.
• Shinno distracted Orochimaru by attacking the helpless Jiraiya, then bound Orochimaru and flooded him with dark Chakra until he became a puppet.
• Shinno ordered Orochimaru to kill Jiraiya, but Aokiji arrived with Tsunade and blocked Orochimaru’s sword with an Ice Sword.
• Tsunade began treating Jiraiya while Aokiji built ice barriers around them and knocked Orochimaru away.
• Aokiji persuaded the Five-Tails to lend him Chakra and covered himself in a Tailed Beast Cloak.

Aokiji fought Shinno and the Sky Ninja while Suiren confronted the controlled Orochimaru. After trapping Shinno with sealing Ice Chains, Aokiji unleashed Ice Release: Aurora Goddess's Forgiveness, leaving the attack's result unresolved.

• Aokiji entered his Tailed Beast Cloak and attacked Shinno, who revealed that he had controlled Orochimaru and summoned terracotta warriors with Moryo's power.
• Aokiji advanced his cloak to Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, badly wounded Shinno with Horn Fold, froze the terracotta warriors, and shot down many Sky Ninja with Tailed Beast Bullets.
• Suiren arrived to seal Moryo's soul, while Aokiji agreed to destroy Shinno's body and Orochimaru attacked Suiren but could not break her barrier.
• After Moryo empowered Shinno, Aokiji overpowered him, bound him with sealing Ice Chains, and began Ice Release: Aurora Goddess's Forgiveness.

Aokiji killed Shinno with Ice Release: Aurora Goddess's Forgiveness, allowing Priestess Suiren to seal Moryo and free Orochimaru from its control. After the battle, Suiren concealed a prophecy that Aokiji would die by self-destruction, and Aokiji suggested naming her newborn daughter Shion.

• Aokiji froze Shinno's Chakra with Ice Release: Aurora Goddess's Forgiveness, then shattered him with a punch before he could fully transform into Zero-Tails.
• Moryo emerged from Shinno's corpse, and Priestess Suiren sealed it into a sphere of light while Aokiji restrained the possessed Orochimaru.
• Tsunade examined Orochimaru and confirmed that he would wake soon, while Jiraiya admitted he had been poisoned after casually eating something someone gave him.
• Suiren returned Moryo to the underworld through the Wall of Sighs, and she hid her prophecy that Aokiji would die by self-destruction.
• Aokiji asked Suiren about her newborn daughter's name and suggested Shion.

After returning from the Land of Demons, Aokiji avoided reporting to Sarutobi Hiruzen and got caught up with admirers while Tsunade and Orochimaru went to the Hokage Building. They found Danzo in the Hokage’s Office, where he told them Sarutobi Hiruzen was injured and he was serving as Acting Hokage.

• Aokiji, Tsunade, and Orochimaru rested in the Land of Demons, then returned to Konoha after Aokiji confirmed the seal was taken care of.
• Aokiji tried to skip the mission report, then let several village women crowd around him until Tsunade left with Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
• Aokiji told Yamanaka Aika he was already taken, while Jiraiya tried unsuccessfully to make himself her alternative.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru entered the Hokage’s Office and found Danzo there instead of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Danzo told Tsunade and Orochimaru that Sarutobi Hiruzen was injured and that he was serving as Acting Hokage.

Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed with Konoha's elders to arrange Aokiji's assassination, and Danzo negotiated with the Third Mizukage and Ōnoki to have their villages carry it out. The talks took a shocking turn when the Third Mizukage demanded that Konoha lend them Tsunade.

• Tsunade hurried to the hospital after Danzo told her Sarutobi Hiruzen was unconscious, while Orochimaru reported the mission and asked Danzo how their teacher had been injured.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen awoke and asked Danzo to continue handling Hokage duties while he recovered, then recounted the events behind his injury and discussed killing Aokiji with him.
• Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed to consult Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, and the four approved a plan to assassinate Aokiji.
• A week later, Danzo met the Third Mizukage and Ōnoki, who revealed that Uchiha Aokiji had planned the kidnapping and beating of the Fire Country Daimyo's Son.
• Danzo agreed to create conditions for Kirigakure and Iwagakure to kill Aokiji and demanded his pair of Sharingan afterward.
• The Third Mizukage accepted Danzo's terms, then asked Konoha to lend them Tsunade, stunning Danzo.

Third Mizukage and Danzo discussed using Tsunade as bait to kill Aokiji, while Tsunade’s fears for Aokiji’s safety brought them closer. Aokiji’s spar with the Five-Tails destroyed the house and revealed that he had achieved perfect control of its power.

• Third Mizukage proposed weakening Aokiji in an ambush and then using Tsunade as bait, while Danzo worried about her safety and the possibility of Aokiji awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Tsunade told Aokiji that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s near-death had made her fear losing him, and she asked him to visit Ryuu Shrine to pray for his safety.
• Aokiji made Steam for Tsunade’s bath, then challenged the Five-Tails to spar so it would have to lend him Chakra obediently if he won.
• The Five-Tails emerged during their fight and destroyed the house, startling Tsunade and drawing nearby Uchiha Clan members to the scene.
• Aokiji explained that he had just achieved perfect control over the Tailed Beast’s power and apologized for the destruction, leaving the Uchiha Clan members stunned.

After the Five-Tails acknowledged him, Aokiji explained his new Complete Tailed Beast Transformation to Tsunade and tested its powers at home. The next morning, he took Tsunade to the Forest of Death and began transforming again so he could adjust to his new strength.

• Aokiji told the Uchiha clan members he could transform completely into a Tailed Beast, then sent them away and complained to the Five-Tails that their power had destroyed his house.
• Tsunade asked Aokiji how the Five-Tails had acknowledged him, and he claimed their bond had naturally reached the right moment while the Five-Tails silently agreed it had acted to preserve its dignity.
• Aokiji showed Tsunade his new white tail and Tailed Beast-level Chakra, shared Chakra with her, and let her play with all five tails before retracting them and carrying her to bed.
• Aokiji and Tsunade slept, ate breakfast, and went to the Forest of Death to train.
• Aokiji asked Tsunade to stand back, gathered Chakra, and began transforming into the Five-Tails.

Aokiji trained to control the Five-Tails, became a feared weapon on the battlefield, and met Kakuzu again on his way back from a mission. Kakuzu asked him to help kill someone.

• Aokiji transformed into the Five-Tails and took Tsunade for a run, alarming Konoha’s ninjas until he reassured them that the beast had not gone berserk.
• Aokiji learned that Complete Tailed Beast Transformation restricted him to the Five-Tails’ abilities, so he focused on improving his Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.
• Half a month later, Aokiji’s battlefield strength earned him the name Avatar of God, and Sand Village troops fled when they heard he was approaching.
• On the way back from a mission, Aokiji spotted Kakuzu in a crowd and slipped away to meet him privately.
• Kakuzu asked Aokiji to help him kill someone.

Aokiji learned that Kakuzu wanted his help killing a powerful investigator who had uncovered the kidnapping of the Daimyo and the Hokage. Later, Danzo summoned Aokiji and assigned him to assassinate the Second Kazekage, leaving Aokiji hesitant after considering the mission.

• Kakuzu explained that his accountant’s embezzlement had exposed the kidnapping case, and asked Aokiji to help kill the investigator who had thwarted his assassination.
• Aokiji returned to Tsunade and concealed his conversation with Kakuzu while worrying that the investigation could expose his own crimes.
• A few days later, Aokiji accompanied Tsunade to visit her recovering teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, before they headed to train together.
• A messenger summoned Aokiji to Danzo, who told him the Second Kazekage had ambushed Hiruzen and assigned him to assassinate the Kazekage.
• Aokiji suggested Sakumo for the mission, but Danzo argued that Aokiji’s Ice Release could counter the Second Kazekage’s Chakra Threads, and Aokiji hesitated instead of refusing.

Aokiji accepted Danzo’s assassination mission against the Second Kazekage but privately planned to pursue Kakuzu instead. Tsunade worried about the danger and reluctantly let him go alone after he reassured her.

• Danzo asked Aokiji to assassinate the Second Kazekage, and Aokiji asked for time to consider the mission.
• Aokiji and Tsunade trained together, and Aokiji groped her during their sparring before Tsunade kicked him.
• At home, Aokiji told Tsunade about Danzo’s mission and explained that he intended to go alone.
• Aokiji revealed that he planned to find Kakuzu and had no intention of pursuing the Second Kazekage.
• Tsunade considered confronting Danzo but relented after Aokiji assured her he would be cautious, and she urged him to return safely.

Tsunade accepted a dangerous mission from Danzo after he suggested it could bring peace and help her future with Aokiji, while Danzo secretly planned to eliminate Aokiji through it. Meanwhile, Aokiji and Kakuzu tracked down Moroboshi Dan, but the Five-Tails startled Aokiji by claiming Kakuzu had a Tailed Beast inside him.

• Tsunade struggled to learn the Sage Art of Shikkotsu Forest and rested after Katsuyu encouraged her not to rush.
• Mito summoned Tsunade back to Konoha, where Danzo offered her a mission that Tsunade agreed to undertake.
• Danzo watched Tsunade leave and revealed that he intended the mission to eliminate Uchiha Aokiji.
• Aokiji and Kakuzu reached a town and waited at a shop for their target, Moroboshi Dan.
• The Five-Tails told Aokiji that Kakuzu had a Tailed Beast inside him, leaving Aokiji stunned.

Aokiji discovered that Kakuzu had the Seven-Tails inside him, then joined him in pursuing Moroboshi Dan. After Aokiji’s ice technique wiped out Dan’s forces, Kakuzu seemingly stabbed Aokiji, but the victim was an Ice Clone, and the real Aokiji confronted him.

• The Five-Tails told Aokiji that Kakuzu carried the Seven-Tails, and Aokiji decided to act as if he knew nothing.
• Aokiji and Kakuzu followed Moroboshi Dan into the woods, where Dan revealed he had lured them into a trap with a group of ninja.
• Aokiji enclosed the battlefield in an Ice Crystal Maze and used Hippolyte Capsule to freeze Dan’s allies, leaving Dan, Kakuzu, and Aokiji alive.
• Aokiji attacked Moroboshi Dan while Kakuzu searched for stragglers, but Kakuzu stabbed the Aokiji in front of him through the heart.
• The stabbed Aokiji turned out to be an Ice Clone, and the real Aokiji emerged from behind a tree and confronted Kakuzu.

Aokiji battled Kakuzu, destroying two of his Earth Grudge Fear hearts before Kakuzu drew on the Seven-Tails’ power and took to the air. The fight continued as Kakuzu attacked from above and Aokiji countered with an ice pillar.

• Aokiji trapped one of Kakuzu’s Earth Grudge Fear creatures in an ice capsule, then pulled Kakuzu off balance and punched him away.
• Aokiji smashed the ice capsule and destroyed a second creature by breaking its mask, but the remaining creatures retreated into Kakuzu.
• The Ice Crystal Maze Technique collapsed, and Aokiji warned the Five-Tails that he might have to kill Kakuzu and the Seven-Tails together.
• Kakuzu revealed his Seven-Tails power, grew wings, and flew into the sky.
• Kakuzu launched a barrage of fireballs that Aokiji blocked with an ice dome, then Aokiji sent an ice pillar toward him.