Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya demonstrated a powerful chakra-ball ninjutsu to Naruto and began teaching him its first stage of training. Lin Guang returned to train and questioned the Nine-Tails, learning that an Uchiha calling himself Madara had controlled it before it was sealed inside Naruto.

• Jiraiya used a chakra ball to knock down two men who demanded compensation from Naruto, then paid for the damaged stall with the boss's money.
• Jiraiya bought the stall's water balloons and taught Naruto to spin water inside a balloon with chakra until it burst.
• Lin Guang returned to his house to train after touring the ANBU Base and reflected that future missions would provide opportunities for combat.
• Lin Guang used his Mangekyō Sharingan to speak with the Nine-Tails sealed inside Naruto.
• The Nine-Tails said that an Uchiha calling himself Madara had controlled it and caused its rampage before the Fourth Hokage sealed it inside Naruto.
• Lin Guang ruled out Uchiha Itachi and Shisui Uchiha as the culprit and suspected that gathering intelligence might be easier than Jiraiya made it seem.

Lin Guang used Gourd Toad to send Jiraiya intelligence about his infiltration of the Akatsuki. After Pain assigned him to rescue Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki from Orochimaru, Gourd Toad delivered Lin Guang’s report to Jiraiya.

• Lin Guang summoned Gourd Toad and told him he had infiltrated the Akatsuki to gather intelligence for Konoha.
• Lin Guang handed Gourd Toad a scroll containing his findings, and Gourd Toad warned him that Konan was approaching.
• Konan delivered Pain’s mission scroll, ordering Lin Guang to rescue Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki after Orochimaru attacked them.
• Gourd Toad used the Reverse Summoning Technique to reach Jiraiya and told him that Lin Guang had already infiltrated the Akatsuki.
• Jiraiya expressed disbelief at Lin Guang’s rapid success and began reading the scroll.

Jiraiya read Lin Guang’s intelligence about Pain, the Akatsuki, and Konan, then continued training Naruto in the first stage of the Fourth Hokage’s A-rank ninjutsu. He left Naruto to practice and went into town to gather intelligence, but was distracted by two women offering discounts.

• Jiraiya read Lin Guang’s suspicions about why the Akatsuki had recruited him and learned that Pain led both the Akatsuki and Amegakure.
• Jiraiya realized Amegakure’s Angel was Konan and wondered what had happened to Nagato and Yahiko.
• The Gourd Toad returned to Mount Myōboku, and Jiraiya caught Naruto trying to eavesdrop.
• Jiraiya explained how Naruto should spin the water in the balloon and told him the training had three stages.
• Naruto stayed behind to practice while Jiraiya went into town, where two women lured him away with discount offers.

Naruto figured out how to complete the first stage of his training after watching a kitten spin a water balloon, while Lin Guang traveled to Otogakure and confronted Kabuto Yakushi and Orochimaru. The chapter ended with Lin Guang revealing his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and overwhelming Orochimaru with his power.

• Naruto watched a kitten spin a water balloon until it burst, then used the same technique to complete the first stage of training.
• Naruto credited the kitten for helping him figure out the trick, despite Jiraiya claiming the credit for himself.
• Lin Guang followed a genjutsu-hidden path to Otogakure and used his Sharingan to trap Kabuto Yakushi in a genjutsu.
• Orochimaru freed Kabuto Yakushi and confronted Lin Guang, revealing that he had left the Akatsuki after failing to seize Pain's Rinnegan and Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan.
• Lin Guang revealed his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and unleashed an oppressive aura that made Kabuto Yakushi retreat in fear.

Lin Guang froze Kabuto Yakushi and destroyed Orochimaru’s Snake Clone with Susanoo while demanding that Orochimaru reveal where Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki were. After meeting Itachi and Kisame, Lin Guang revealed his lingering hatred for Itachi, while Orochimaru regretted losing his clone.

• Lin Guang used Extreme Ice Light to freeze Kabuto Yakushi, and Orochimaru’s Snake Clone swallowed Kabuto Yakushi to summon him to Orochimaru’s real body.
• Lin Guang demanded that Orochimaru hand over Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, then used Susanoo to smash Orochimaru’s Snake Clone.
• Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi saw Lin Guang’s Susanoo after their own Orochimaru Snake Clone fled, and Itachi recognized Lin Guang by his dōjutsu power.
• Lin Guang greeted Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, then told Itachi that they could never speak pleasantly to each other.
• Orochimaru lamented that Lin Guang had destroyed his Snake Clone and wondered why there were so many Sharingan users.

After Orochimaru’s snake clone was defeated, he learned of Lin Guang’s strength and decided to seek Tsunade’s help restoring his hands. Lin Guang rescued Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi, and the three prepared to return to their base after he gave his name as Uchiha Hikari.

• Orochimaru learned from the surviving snakes that Lin Guang had a special Sharingan and was powerful enough to threaten him.
• Orochimaru sent the Sound Four to train and ordered Kabuto Yakushi to find Tsunade Senju so she could restore his hands.
• Lin Guang asked Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi how long they had fought Orochimaru and learned that Itachi had avoided using more dōjutsu after exhausting his power against Jiraiya.
• Lin Guang expressed anger toward Itachi over the Uchiha clan massacre, while Itachi privately concluded that Lin Guang was not an Uchiha Clan member.
• Lin Guang urged Kisame and Itachi to return to their base before the leader could blame them for failing to capture the Nine-Tails, then introduced himself as Uchiha Hikari.

Pain and Konan discussed Lin Guang’s identity and accepted him as an Akatsuki member for now, while Lin Guang and Uchiha Itachi talked about Sasuke and Naruto. The chapter ended with Naruto finishing the first stage of his new ninjutsu training before pain from chakra overuse stopped him.

• Pain asked Konan about Uchiha Hikari, and she said she had found no records confirming Hikari’s identity or ties to Konoha.
• Konan told Pain that Uchiha Itachi believed Lin Guang had awakened his powerful Sharingan himself, and Pain decided to treat Lin Guang as one of their own.
• Uchiha Itachi praised Lin Guang’s infiltration, and the two discussed Sasuke’s Cursed Seal, Naruto’s progress, and Itachi’s regrets over the Uchiha Clan’s fate.
• Lin Guang told Uchiha Itachi that Naruto was training with Jiraiya and would likely spur Sasuke’s competitiveness.
• Naruto explained how he had completed the first stage of his new ninjutsu training, but a sharp pain from chakra overuse interrupted his demonstration.

Jiraiya began teaching Naruto the second stage of chakra training, but left him to figure out how to burst a rubber ball on his own. Meanwhile, Lin Guang shared a meal with the Akatsuki and witnessed Kisame Hoshigaki and Hidan bickering before Pain and Konan intervened.

• Jiraiya took Naruto to a secluded forest and introduced the second training stage: bursting a rubber ball with chakra power.
• Naruto struggled to burst the ball, and Jiraiya refused to stay and help unless Naruto paid him for more pointers.
• Naruto trained until his hand and wrist hurt, then thought of Lin Guang and resolved to keep training after he recovered.
• Lin Guang sneezed during a meal with the Akatsuki and apologized to the others.
• Hidan taunted Kisame Hoshigaki over his shark-fin eating, and Pain and Konan stepped in to quiet the argument.

Lin Guang trained in genjutsu with Uchiha Itachi while Naruto struggled through the second stage of his ninjutsu training under Jiraiya. Naruto finally made a hole in the rubber ball, and Jiraiya rewarded his progress with half an ice pop.

• Lin Guang asked Uchiha Itachi to teach him genjutsu, and Itachi agreed to train him over the next few days.
• Naruto practiced with a rubber ball in the Small Grove while Jiraiya left him to figure out the technique on his own.
• Jiraiya sent Naruto to buy food, and Naruto saw a father sharing an ice pop with his child, which reminded him of the family he had never known.
• Naruto continued training through pain and frustration, eventually realizing he needed to build up his chakra and release it all at once.
• Naruto made a small hole in the rubber ball, and Jiraiya praised his effort and gave him half an ice pop.

Orochimaru sought Tsunade to heal his cursed hands while Jiraiya taught Naruto how to focus his chakra during training. At the Akatsuki, Konan assigned Uchiha Itachi and Lin Guang to recruit two people, sending them off with a scroll of information.

• Orochimaru killed an attendant during a fit of pain, then learned from Kabuto Yakushi that Tsunade was in Tanzaku Town.
• Jiraiya showed Naruto how to focus on a tomoe to concentrate chakra, and Naruto resumed practicing with rubber balls.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru searched for Tsunade, each hoping to enlist her for a different purpose.
• Konan told Uchiha Itachi and Lin Guang that Pain had chosen them to recruit two people.
• Konan gave Uchiha Itachi a scroll listing the targets and describing their personalities.

Lin Guang and Itachi left Amegakure to seek Deidara while Jiraiya searched for Tsunade, hoping to bring her back to Konoha before Orochimaru could reach her. Jiraiya learned that Tsunade was in Tanzaku Town, where Orochimaru and Kabuto were already heading to ask her to heal Orochimaru’s hands.

• Lin Guang and Itachi discussed the Akatsuki, Deidara, Sasori, and Orochimaru as they traveled toward the area around Iwagakure.
• Jiraiya searched for Tsunade while Naruto continued practicing the second stage of his chakra training, and Jiraiya encouraged him to rely on himself.
• Jiraiya questioned gamblers about Tsunade and learned that she had gone to another gambling house after losing her money.
• A gambler told Jiraiya that Tsunade was staying in Tanzaku Town.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto reached a hill overlooking Tanzaku Town, and Orochimaru said he hoped Tsunade would heal his hands.

Tsunade’s repeated jackpot wins gave her a bad feeling, so she hurried to leave Tanzaku Town with Shizune. Meanwhile, Naruto struggled to master his new ninjutsu, and Orochimaru arrived in town with Kabuto Yakushi to seek a cure for his worsening condition.

• Tsunade repeatedly hit the jackpot at a slot machine, and her unusual luck made her fear that something bad was about to happen.
• Kabuto Yakushi explained Tsunade’s contributions to medical teams, while Orochimaru reflected on how the wars had made the Sannin famous.
• Naruto exhausted himself training to focus chakra on one point, then laughed after remembering Jiraiya’s silly remark about a rubber ball.
• Tsunade told Shizune that Tanzaku Town gave her a bad feeling and insisted they leave after seeing the sights.
• Orochimaru, weakened and in pain, urged Kabuto Yakushi to finish their business quickly and thought about Sasuke Uchiha and Lin Guang.
• Naruto’s pain forced him to stop training, but a leaf landing on his head reminded him of Iruka’s Mental Focus Method.

Naruto completed the second stage of his chakra training, and Jiraiya began teaching him the third stage while they traveled to find Tsunade. Meanwhile, Lin Guang and Uchiha Itachi found Deidara at his clay-bomb workshop.

• Naruto burst the rubber ball with concentrated chakra, and Jiraiya caught him before he hit the ground.
• Jiraiya gave Naruto a balloon and explained how the third stage required maintaining powerful, rotating chakra without bursting it.
• Jiraiya demonstrated the training's destructive potential by blasting a hole through a tree, while Naruto struggled to keep the chakra contained in the balloon.
• Jiraiya urged Naruto to practice as they traveled, warning that Tsunade might leave town if they delayed.
• Lin Guang and Uchiha Itachi found Deidara at the place where he made clay bombs.
• Deidara was surprised by their arrival and reflected on how he had left his village after its residents and Ōnoki rejected him.

Lin Guang and Uchiha Itachi confronted Deidara and recruited him into Akatsuki by defeating him with their abilities and Sharingan Genjutsu. Deidara put on the organization’s robe but insisted he would continue pursuing art.

• Lin Guang and Uchiha Itachi revealed their Sharingan and told Deidara to join Akatsuki.
• Deidara rejected them and explained that he set off explosions because he believed art reached its height in the instant of detonation.
• Lin Guang fought Deidara, using ice to counter his Clay Bombs while Uchiha Itachi used crows and Genjutsu to disorient him.
• Lin Guang and Uchiha Itachi brought Deidara back to the moment they had met, and Deidara agreed to join Akatsuki.
• Uchiha Itachi gave Deidara an Akatsuki robe, and Deidara declared that he would not stop pursuing art.

Lin Guang joined the Akatsuki’s mission against Orochimaru, while Orochimaru confronted Tsunade in Tanzaku Town and asked her to heal his hands. Tsunade refused, and Shizune attacked Orochimaru and Kabuto.

• Pain introduced Sasori as Deidara’s new partner, and Lin Guang froze Deidara’s clay bombs when Deidara threatened the Akatsuki.
• Pain ordered Sasori and Deidara to cause Orochimaru trouble, and Lin Guang volunteered to join them, citing Orochimaru’s role in harming his clansmen.
• Tsunade and Shizune arrived in Tanzaku Town, where a nearby tower exploded and Orochimaru and Kabuto appeared on a giant snake.
• Tsunade recognized Orochimaru and refused his request to heal his hands after he admitted he had been injured while killing Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Orochimaru taunted Tsunade about the deaths of her loved ones, and Shizune fired poisoned crossbow bolts before charging at him and Kabuto.

Shizune and Tsunade confronted Orochimaru and Kabuto in Tanzaku Town, where Orochimaru offered to resurrect Tsunade’s dead brother and lover in exchange for healing his hands. Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Naruto followed a lead to Tsunade and encountered signs of Orochimaru, as Lin Guang, Sasori, and Deidara arrived in town to hunt him.

• Shizune overwhelmed Kabuto, but Tsunade stopped her and refused Orochimaru’s request to heal his hands.
• Orochimaru offered to resurrect Nawaki and Dan Katō, then admitted he intended to destroy Konoha; Tsunade considered his offer despite Shizune’s pleas.
• Jiraiya and Naruto learned Tsunade was in Tanzaku Town, and Naruto accidentally changed a dice result that helped Jiraiya get the information for free.
• Naruto and Jiraiya saw townspeople fleeing an enormous snake, and Jiraiya suspected it was Orochimaru’s summon.
• Lin Guang, Sasori, and Deidara arrived in Tanzaku Town to track down Orochimaru.

Lin Guang, Sasori, and Deidara searched for Orochimaru while flying over Tanzaku Town, where Lin Guang spotted Orochimaru confronting two women. The group watched from above as Orochimaru prepared to fight, with Lin Guang keeping Deidara from attacking indiscriminately.

• Lin Guang warned Deidara not to attack civilians, and Sasori agreed that doing so would harm the town's residents.
• Deidara created a giant clay bird and carried Lin Guang and Sasori toward Tanzaku Town.
• Lin Guang used his Sharingan to spot a giant snake and identify Orochimaru in town.
• Lin Guang stopped Deidara from bombing Orochimaru and said Orochimaru was facing two women with a follower nearby.
• A gust of wind jolted the clay bird, and Lin Guang then saw Orochimaru preparing to fight the woman facing him.

Lin Guang, Sasori, and Deidara ambushed Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi after following them away from Tanzaku Town. The blast blocked their escape, leaving Orochimaru facing Sasori and the masked Uchiha.

• Lin Guang identified Tsunade and kept Akatsuki from learning about her fear of blood, then directed Deidara to follow Orochimaru and Kabuto out of town.
• Orochimaru noticed Deidara's giant clay bird following them, but Lin Guang told the others to wait until they were farther from Tanzaku Town before attacking.
• Lin Guang and Sasori jumped from the bird over a narrow valley, and Lin Guang hit Orochimaru and Kabuto with a Great Fireball that Orochimaru countered using Kabuto's help.
• Deidara detonated the giant clay bird, causing the valley cliffs to collapse and blocking Orochimaru and Kabuto's route.
• Sasori and Lin Guang approached the trapped Orochimaru, who recognized Sasori and noticed the masked Uchiha beside him.

Lin Guang, Sasori, and Deidara confronted Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi after Pain ordered them hunted down. Deidara’s bombardment destroyed the summoned snakes, but Orochimaru escaped by shedding his skin, and the Akatsuki members headed back to report their failure.

• Sasori told Orochimaru that the Akatsuki had come to hunt him on Pain’s orders, and Lin Guang challenged him while concealing his true voice.
• Lin Guang attacked Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi with Uchiha throwing techniques, and Kabuto used Orochimaru’s blood to summon two giant snakes.
• Lin Guang let Deidara out of Sasori’s puppet, and Deidara unleashed Explosive Clay: Art Bombardment against the snakes and their masters.
• Deidara’s attack blasted the valley apart and destroyed both snakes, but Lin Guang found Orochimaru’s shed skin and concluded that Orochimaru had escaped with Kabuto Yakushi.
• Sasori collected Orochimaru’s shed skin, and the three Akatsuki members set off to report the failed mission to Pain.

Orochimaru and Kabuto escaped the Akatsuki, while Pain explained the organization’s plan to capture the tailed beasts and create a world without war. Pain assigned Lin Guang to train alone until he reached Kage-level strength, leaving the Akatsuki preparing to locate the remaining beasts.

• Orochimaru returned to his Secret Base with Kabuto and admitted that Lin Guang’s talent and the Akatsuki’s strength had shaken him.
• Sasori, Deidara, and Lin Guang reported their failed attempt to capture Orochimaru to Pain, with Sasori presenting Orochimaru’s shed skin as proof they had wounded him.
• Konan shared Konoha Chunin Exam records, and Pain revealed that Naruto Uzumaki and Gaara were targets because they possessed tailed beasts.
• Pain explained that the Akatsuki planned to collect the tailed beasts and use their power to create a world without war, then ordered the members to investigate their locations.
• Deidara revealed that the Four-Tails and Five-Tails were sealed in Iwagakure, and Pain praised him for the information.
• Pain kept the existing teams intact and ordered Uchiha Hikari to train alone until he reached the strength of a village Kage.