Recaps

Naruto’s appointment as Kazekage fueled misunderstandings among the villages and inspired Nagato to imagine taking control of every village for peace. During a movie outing, Naruto’s group encountered the film’s actress and a real danger when Karin became trapped in a water sphere.

• Black Zetsu spread false intelligence about Naruto, strengthening the Sand Ninja’s trust in her and confusing leaders across the ninja world.
• Naruto told Nagato that becoming Kazekage was the first step toward peace through Akatsuki’s control of Sunagakure, and Nagato proposed making Akatsuki members the Kage of every village to Konan.
• Naruto watched Princess of Wind and Clouds' Adventure with Yoru, Gaara, and Nine-Tails, while Yoru and Nine-Tails became excited by the film.
• Naruto’s group spotted Fuji Kaze Setsu E, and Karin was trapped inside a huge sphere of water during the ensuing commotion.
• Naruto pushed Fuji Kaze Setsu E aside, spread her Chakra through the sphere, and made it explode to free Karin.

Naruto rescued Kiba and stopped Gaara from killing the soldiers pursuing the actress, then questioned the film crew about why Fuji Kaze Setsu E refused to go to the Land of Snow. He found her in disguise and offered her a protected outfit in exchange for becoming Sound Ninja Apparel’s spokesperson, but she still refused to travel with the crew.

• Naruto revived Kiba by pressing water from its stomach and learned that Kou and the others had gone to fight soldiers pursuing the actress.
• Naruto stopped Gaara from killing the bound soldiers and questioned Asama Santayuu about why Fuji Kaze Setsu E had fled.
• Naruto examined photographs of the Land of Snow and learned about the Rainbow Ice Wall from the assistant director.
• Naruto found Fuji Kaze Setsu E disguised in plain clothes and asked why she refused to go to the Land of Snow.
• Naruto offered Fuji Kaze Setsu E a spokesperson deal and new defensive clothing, but she refused and said the crew could recast her.
• Naruto asked Fuji Kaze Setsu E whether she had heard of genjutsu ninja.

Naruto pressured Fuji Kaze Setsu E into agreeing to film in the Land of Snow, then returned to Sunagakure and announced plans to improve the village’s economy, environment, and ninja training. She left the academy reconstruction underway and planned to arrange Giant Scorpion Meat sales and visit Konohagakure.

• Naruto intimidated Fuji Kaze Setsu E into going to the Land of Snow to film, promised to protect her, and collected signed autograph boards for her companions.
• Naruto returned to Sunagakure, reassured its people, and announced cooperation with Otogakure, plans to transform the desert, and expanded taijutsu training at the Ninja Academy.
• Naruto ordered Baki to post a mission collecting Giant Scorpion Meat and asked him to set its purchase price, while she took responsibility for finding buyers.
• Naruto praised Shura’s taijutsu talent and assigned him an important role in strengthening Sunagakure.
• Naruto approved a major Ninja Academy reconstruction and sent a Shadow Clone to discuss bulk Giant Scorpion Meat sales with Kakuzu.
• Naruto planned to visit Konohagakure soon and borrow Yamato.

Naruto accompanied Fuji Kaze Setsu E’s film crew to the Land of Snow, where an ambush interrupted filming on an iceberg. She fought the Snow Ninjas attacking Fuji Kaze Setsu E and discovered their armor could absorb chakra and create barriers, while one attacker escaped into the sky.

• Naruto watched Koushi Fuyuki act during filming and scolded the One-Tail and Karin for disrupting the crew.
• An iceberg blocked the ship, and the director decided to film there despite Naruto sensing enemies in hiding.
• The One-Tail hit Naruto with a snowball, provoking her, and the Snow Ninjas emerged to seize Fuji Kaze Setsu E.
• Naruto rescued Fuji Kaze Setsu E and learned that the Snow Ninjas’ armor absorbed chakra and formed defensive barriers.
• Naruto’s Rasengan shattered Fuyuguma Hyohyo’s armor and knocked him into the freezing sea, while Tsurugi Fubuki escaped by flying away.

Naruto protected Fuji Fuka from Snow Ninja attackers and promised to retrieve their Chakra-amplifying armor for Yoru to study. He then planned a market for Sunagakure's Giant Scorpion Meat and continued training Shura.

• Naruto blocked an avalanche with an Earth Rock Wall, allowing Nadare Rōga and Tsurugi Fubuki to escape while he protected Fuji Fuka.
• Yoru asked Naruto to collect Snow Ninja armor for research, and he agreed to get her a set during their next encounter.
• Naruto, Kakuzu, and Qin decided to sell Giant Scorpion Meat at prices based on cuts and promote it through restaurants and clothing-store giveaways.
• Naruto visited Yakushi Nonō, then took Kakuzu's agreement to Sunagakure to formalize their business plans.
• Naruto trained Shura in the Sunagakure fighting arena and told him to improve his straightforward attacks.

Naruto appointed Shura a Special Jonin in Sunagakure and began teaching him taijutsu, while Sasori and Kakuzu discussed Naruto's rise to Kazekage. Jiraiya became Konohagakure's Fifth Hokage, and Naruto pressed Asama Santayuu about the Snow Ninja's pursuit of Koushi Fuyuki after revealing her suspicion that she was Kazahana Koyuki.

• Naruto asked Shura to share his Seven Heavenly Breathing Method with Sunagakure, and Shura agreed because he was glad the village recognized taijutsu ninja.
• Naruto appointed Shura a Special Jonin, and Baki delivered his forehead protector and ninja vest.
• Naruto began teaching Shura taijutsu at the training ground, passing on lessons she had learned from Orochimaru.
• Sasori questioned Kakuzu about Naruto becoming Kazekage, and Kakuzu offered Sasori an Otogakure forehead protector, which Sasori accepted while declining to join.
• Jiraiya became Konohagakure's Fifth Hokage and assigned Nara Shikaku to help handle official affairs.
• Naruto confronted Asama Santayuu about why the Snow Ninja wanted Koushi Fuyuki and suggested that her real name was Kazahana Koyuki.

Naruto learned that Kazahana Koyuki was the exiled princess of the Land of Snow and arrived there with the film crew, where Koyuki rejected the idea of leading a rebellion against her uncle. As filming was about to begin, Kou sensed Chakra beneath the ground and a railway track appeared, leaving Naruto and the others puzzled.

• Naruto pressured Asama Santayuu to reveal Koyuki's identity and learned that Kazahana Dōtō had killed her father and seized power.
• Naruto discovered that the director and assistant director had overheard the truth, and the director insisted that filming continue.
• At the harbor, Koyuki gave Naruto her Triangle Crystal necklace, which he suspected might be a key.
• Naruto asked Koyuki to lead the resistance against Kazahana Dōtō, but she refused and told him not to interfere.
• At the snowy filming location, Kou sensed Chakra beneath the ground, and a railway track appeared before the crew.

Naruto helped Kazahana Koyuki protect the warriors from Kazahana Dōtō by taking her place as his target. After Dōtō captured Naruto’s transformed clone, the real Koyuki emerged from hiding while Naruto’s plan to get close to the Chakra Armor remained underway.

• Karin sensed twenty ninjas approaching on Dōtō’s train, including two Naruto had encountered before and one with unusually strong Chakra.
• Naruto urged Kazahana Koyuki to stop Asama Santayuu and the warriors from attacking, and Koyuki ordered them to retreat when they charged the train.
• Naruto learned that Dōtō wanted Koyuki’s Triangle Crystal, transformed into her, and made a Shadow Clone to act as a decoy.
• Nadare Rōga captured Naruto’s disguised clone and carried it onto the train, while the real Koyuki, Kou, and Yoru emerged from a hole in the snow.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clones disappeared, leaving Koyuki safe as Naruto pursued her plan to investigate the Chakra Armor.

Kazahana Koyuki, disguised as the real princess, learned that Kazahana Dōtō wanted the Triangle Crystal to open the Kazahana family’s secret treasure. She defeated Dōtō aboard the train and took his Chakra Armor, then confronted another Snow Ninja.

• Yoru reminded Naruto to bring her a set of armor before she entered the cave, and Naruto sealed the entrance after Kazahana Koyuki went inside.
• Shukaku joked that the group should leave the Land of Rice, so Gaara made him apologize.
• On the train, Kazahana Koyuki questioned Kazahana Dōtō, who revealed that the Triangle Crystal was the key to the Kazahana family’s hidden treasure.
• Kazahana Koyuki attacked Dōtō and the Snow Ninja, using ninjutsu to destroy the train and overpower Dōtō’s defenses.
• Kazahana Koyuki killed Dōtō, sealed his damaged Chakra Armor into a scroll, and threatened a pink-haired female ninja who arrived afterward.

Naruto, disguised as Kazahana Koyuki, took control of Kazahana Dōtō’s stronghold and seized the Chakra Armor research. The real Kazahana Koyuki also entered the city, and the two reunited in front of the gathered group after Naruto revealed his identity.

• Tsurugi Fubuki submitted to the disguised Kazahana Koyuki and carried her to Kazahana Dōtō’s castle, while the film crew followed.
• Naruto’s disguise summoned the city’s ninja, announced Kazahana Dōtō’s death, and killed several who attacked before the others surrendered.
• Naruto ordered the ninja to take him to the laboratory and collected the Chakra Armor research materials.
• The real Kazahana Koyuki left the laboratory and met the group outside the city, where she embraced the disguised Naruto.
• Naruto released the Transformation Jutsu, surprising the group, while Tsurugi Fubuki accepted that he had impersonated Kazahana Koyuki.

Naruto and Kazahana Koyuki activated the Land of Snow’s secret treasure, which brought spring and revealed a loving memory of Koyuki’s father. Meanwhile, Naruto returned to Konohagakure as Kazekage and found the villagers treating her with respect instead of hatred, leaving her unsettled as Hinata reached the crowd to see her.

• Naruto brought Kazahana Koyuki to the Rainbow Ice Wall and activated the Triangle Crystal, melting the snow and bringing spring to the Land of Snow.
• A vision showed Kazahana Sōsetsu encouraging young Koyuki to pursue her dreams, and the memory made Koyuki cry.
• Naruto offered Koyuki a handkerchief and reflected bitterly on her own childhood and Minato Namikaze’s failure to protect her.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clone entered Konohagakure with Temari and Kankuro, but the villagers welcomed her respectfully, confusing and angering her.
• Hinata Hyuga pushed through the crowd and saw Naruto dressed as Kazekage.

Naruto visited Konohagakure to borrow Yamato and Kisame Hoshigaki to help plant trees and change Sunagakure’s environment. After leaving Hinata with an unanswered confession, Naruto set off for Sunagakure with Yamato, Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kisame.

• Naruto caught Hinata when she fainted in the crowd, took her to the hospital, and then met Jiraiya to request Yamato’s help planting trees in Sunagakure.
• Jiraiya agreed to decide by the next day and assigned Yamato to travel with Kakashi and Might Guy, warning Yamato to be careful.
• Hinata visited Naruto that night and tried to confess, but Naruto explained she was a Shadow Clone and told Hinata to speak to the original when she returned.
• Naruto met Yamato, Kakashi, and Might Guy the next day and said they would understand her reason for borrowing Yamato once they reached Sunagakure.
• On the road, the group encountered Kisame Hoshigaki, and Naruto explained that the Akatsuki Organization had sent him to help Sunagakure plant trees with his Water Release.

Naruto put Kisame Hoshigaki and Yamato to work creating a forest around Sunagakure, while Might Guy went to meet Shura for a taijutsu exchange. The villagers welcomed the new trees, but Yamato was left exhausted as Naruto urged him to keep planting.

• Naruto rebuked Kankuro for doubting whether a Rogue Ninja like Kisame Hoshigaki could do good deeds.
• Naruto gave Yamato sacks of Soldier Pills and ordered him to plant a forest around Sunagakure.
• Naruto told Might Guy about Shura's Seven Heavenly Breathing Method, and Kankuro took Guy to meet him.
• Kisame Hoshigaki soaked the sand with Water Release, and Yamato used Wood Release to grow a vast forest.
• Sunagakure's residents celebrated the trees, while Yamato grew exhausted and Naruto offered him more Soldier Pills.

Naruto attended Kazahana Koyuki’s coronation in the Land of Snow and agreed to help finish her movie after she asked him to reshoot scenes. He discovered that the expanded script cast him as the female lead and left off furious about its dialogue.

• Naruto arranged a custom defensive outfit for Kazahana Koyuki to wear at her coronation banquet.
• Naruto congratulated Kazahana Koyuki on becoming queen and offered to help her when needed, while she teased him about wanting the Land of Snow’s technology.
• Kazahana Koyuki persuaded Naruto to help reshoot the movie, and he reluctantly agreed.
• Naruto found that the reshoots included many new scenes and that he had been promoted from hired muscle to the female lead.
• Naruto read a scene in which he promised to protect Kazahana Koyuki’s character and angrily demanded to know who wrote the script.

After the film shoot, Naruto and her companions left the Land of Snow while Yoru researched the Chakra Armor’s core. A damaged core nearly detonated aboard their ship, and Tsurugi Fubuki revealed she had followed Naruto and intended to stay by her side.

• Naruto completed the reshoots, rejected the director’s offer to become an actress, and said goodbye to Kazahana Koyuki at the harbor.
• Karin kissed Naruto repeatedly after seeing Kazahana Koyuki kiss her, leaving Naruto confused about Karin’s feelings.
• Yoru explained that the Chakra Armor’s core was fragile, and Naruto recalled how the armor had withstood her Wind Release attacks.
• Yoru accidentally activated the damaged core, so Naruto threw it overboard and used Wind Release: Gale Palm to send it away before it exploded.
• Tsurugi Fubuki revealed herself aboard the ship and told Naruto she had followed her as her master and would remain by her side.

Naruto’s ventures strengthened Sunagakure and its ties with other villages, while Shisui Uchiha sent Mikoto Uchiha to ask Naruto how she became Kazekage. The chapter ended with Sasuke Uchiha’s aristocratic employer hinting that he should stay inside with her that night.

• Kakuzu profited from the success of the Giant Scorpion Meat giveaway and treated Hidan to barbecue, where he shoved Hidan’s face onto the grill.
• Yamato exhausted himself planting trees around Sunagakure while Kisame Hoshigaki helped secure the village’s water supply and grew popular there.
• Might Guy and Kakashi collected Naruto’s personal compensation for the Konohagakure team, then carried the exhausted Yamato away from Sunagakure.
• Kisame told Naruto that staying in Sunagakure would suit him, and Naruto welcomed the prospect of keeping its water supply running cheaply.
• Shisui Uchiha asked Mikoto Uchiha to visit Naruto and learn how she had become Kazekage, and Mikoto set out for Otogakure.
• Sasuke Uchiha sneezed while guarding an aristocratic woman, who suggested he stay inside with her that night.

Sasuke Uchiha protected Lady Shaka from an abduction attempt while Naruto and her companions traveled toward Otogakure. Zabuza fended off Hozuki Suigetsu and returned home to find Haku waiting for him.

• Sasuke Uchiha used genjutsu to evade Lady Shaka’s advances, killed the attackers who tried to abduct her, and refused her invitation to spend the night.
• Naruto arrived at a harbor with Yoru, Karin, Kakuyoku Fubuki, Gaara, and Nine-Tails, then stayed at an inn before traveling to Otogakure.
• Hozuki Suigetsu challenged Zabuza for Kubikiribōchō, but Zabuza trapped him with a Water Clone and Water Prison Technique before continuing to Otogakure.
• Haku waited for Zabuza with dinner, tripped while rushing to answer the door, and greeted him with a sore nose.
• Zabuza realized Haku had waited a long time and promised to try to come home earlier, though he knew Haku would likely keep waiting.

Hozuki Suigetsu tried to find Zabuza, but his encounters with Haku and Jugo left him humiliated and unconscious. Naruto returned to Otogakure with Tsurugi Fubuki, then introduced her to Qin and gave her money to explore the village.

• Hozuki Suigetsu saw Zabuza enter a house with Haku and brooded about getting the Kubikiribōchō the next day.
• Haku clarified to Hozuki Suigetsu that he was a man, and Suigetsu staggered away in shock.
• Hozuki Suigetsu tried to rob Jugo, who beat him unconscious and decided to take him to Orochimaru for study.
• Naruto returned to Otogakure with Yoru, Gaara, Karin, Kiba, and Tsurugi Fubuki, while Yoru and Karin headed off and Naruto went to her office.
• Qin questioned Naruto about Tsurugi Fubuki, and Naruto said she was a subordinate from the Land of Snow and gave her spending money.

Naruto reunited with Mikoto, learned about a strange prisoner, and discovered the captive was Hozuki Suigetsu. After freeing Suigetsu from his tank, Naruto let him go, but Suigetsu feared it was a trap.

• Naruto gave Tsurugi Fubuki money for shopping and explained why he had refused to give money to a fake beggar.
• Mikoto embraced Naruto after his return, told him about the Land of Snow, and shared a kiss with him.
• Naruto learned Jugo had captured a man who could turn his body into water and went to inspect him.
• Naruto recognized the prisoner as Hozuki Suigetsu, who had been arrested for robbery, and threatened to boil him.
• Naruto cut open Suigetsu's glass tank and told him to leave, but Suigetsu suspected Naruto planned to kill him outside.

Naruto accepted Hozuki Suigetsu into Otogakure and confirmed to Mikoto Uchiha that she had become Sunagakure’s Kazekage. Upset that Mikoto’s visit was prompted by Shisui Uchiha’s mission rather than a desire to see her, Naruto left, then lent Suigetsu money for a weapon under threat of death if he fled.

• Naruto agreed to let Hozuki Suigetsu join Otogakure after he provoked her, and she assigned him the rank of Chunin.
• Mikoto Uchiha arrived at Otogakure, and Naruto greeted her warmly before taking her for a walk.
• Naruto told Mikoto that she had become Sunagakure’s Kazekage and learned that Shisui Uchiha had sent Mikoto to verify the news.
• Naruto admitted she was hurt that Mikoto had come because of a mission, then vanished in a whirlwind.
• Hozuki Suigetsu asked Naruto for money to buy a weapon, and Naruto lent him one million ryo while warning him not to run away.

Naruto avoided meeting Mikoto Uchiha after feeling hurt by her visit, then took Tsurugi Fubuki home and tried to cook for her and the Nine-Tails. Mikoto went with Yakushi Nonō and Karin to find Naruto, but they arrived just after Naruto’s cooking filled the house with smoke and left everyone covered in soot.

• Naruto returned home instead of entering the office, and the Nine-Tails comforted her as she worried she was being petty.
• Tsurugi Fubuki collided with Hozuki Suigetsu outside a ninja tool shop and argued with him until Naruto’s Shadow Clone intervened.
• Naruto brought Tsurugi Fubuki home, assigned her a dusty spare room, and cleaned it with a burst of suction.
• Mikoto Uchiha told Yakushi Nonō and Karin that she thought Naruto was angry with her, so Karin dragged her off to apologize.
• Naruto attempted to make fried meatballs for the Nine-Tails and Tsurugi Fubuki, but the kitchen caught fire and filled with smoke.
• Yakushi Nonō, Karin, and Mikoto reached the house as Naruto, the Nine-Tails, and Tsurugi Fubuki fled outside with soot-blackened faces.

Naruto struggled with the awkward reunion between Mikoto Uchiha and Nine-Tails, then shared a quiet conversation with Mikoto about her mission and possible departure. Mikoto decided to stay in Otogakure for a while and asked Naruto whether he wanted her to leave.

• Naruto, Nine-Tails, and Tsurugi Fubuki accidentally filled the kitchen with smoke while cooking, and Mikoto Uchiha mistook Nine-Tails for Kushina when she saw her.
• Nine-Tails explained that she was not Kushina and that her seal had been broken long ago, then dried Naruto's hair before he went to fetch Yoru from the laboratory.
• Naruto stopped Yoru's research and made her sleep on the sofa, while he introduced Tsurugi Fubuki to everyone over dinner.
• After Nine-Tails kissed Naruto and returned to the inner world, Mikoto Uchiha shared Naruto's bed, and they spoke about her mission and his mixed feelings.
• Naruto urged Mikoto Uchiha to take clothes and Giant Scorpion Meat when she returned to Uba Village, but she told him she would stay in Otogakure for a while.

Naruto prepared to meet the Land of Wind's Daimyo after Sunagakure had been transformed into an oasis, then used Mikoto's genjutsu to stop him from interfering in the village. As Naruto struggled to manage Otogakure and Sunagakure, Black Zetsu watched her and plotted to win her trust.

• Naruto confided in Mikoto about the Nine-Tails taking human form and made her promise to keep it secret.
• Naruto learned that Hinata liked her, then set out with Mikoto and Tsurugi Fubuki to meet the Land of Wind's Daimyo.
• Naruto carried the heat-stricken Tsurugi Fubuki through the desert, left her in Sunagakure, and traveled with Temari and Kankuro to the Daimyo's castle.
• Naruto refused the Daimyo's request to spread the oasis transformation and had Mikoto use Sharingan genjutsu on him and his officials.
• Black Zetsu watched Naruto from afar and planned to gain her trust, but a crow's dropping interrupted his thoughts.

Black Zetsu planned to win Naruto’s trust by finding the locations of the tailed-beast Jinchuriki, while Naruto spent several months traveling between villages and showing Kazahana Koyuki around Otogakure. The visit ended with Koyuki spotting Kinzamoku No. 1, the one thing Naruto had hoped she would not see.

• Black Zetsu decided to locate the tailed-beast Jinchuriki and give their locations to Naruto to earn her trust.
• Hozuki Suigetsu stole Gaara’s One-Tail toy and was trapped in a sand tower until Naruto heard his cries and freed him.
• Kazahana Koyuki arrived in Otogakure with Asama Santayuu, reunited with Naruto, and met Mikoto Uchiha and Koto.
• Naruto learned that Kazahana Koyuki was in town to film a movie based on Make-Out Paradise and took her to eat with the Nine-Tails.
• Naruto showed Kazahana Koyuki Otogakure’s clothing workshops and toured her around the village.
• Kazahana Koyuki spotted Kinzamoku No. 1, which Naruto had hoped to keep from her.

Naruto saw Sasori sell Kazahana Koyuki a doll modeled after her and later escorted Koyuki to the harbor, where they kissed before Koyuki departed. After Karin kissed Naruto and fainted, Naruto carried her away, and an Otogakure crow arrived.

• Sasori showed Naruto his doll collection and sold Kazahana Koyuki a miniature puppet modeled after Naruto.
• Kazahana Koyuki spent her week in Otogakure with Naruto, then Naruto escorted her to the harbor to leave for the Land of Snow.
• Kazahana Koyuki kissed Naruto before boarding, and Naruto followed her onto the ship and kissed her back.
• Karin kissed Naruto at the harbor and fainted, so Naruto carried her away while Mikoto Uchiha and Tsurugi Fubuki looked on.
• An Otogakure crow wearing a tiny garment descended near Naruto and the others.