Chapter Summaries

Naruto and Kisame defeated Mudai, Fūen, and Fū, and Naruto sealed Fū's living hair for Yoru to examine. Meanwhile, Gaara decided to stay in Otogakure, where Scorpion approached him for help obtaining sand for a delayed project.

• Kisame tore into Mudai with Samehada, while Naruto struck the fleeing Fūen and Fū with Rasengan; Kisame killed Fūen and Naruto captured Fū's true body, her living hair.
• Naruto sealed Fū into a scroll, and Yoru later explained that Fū's forbidden technique transferred her soul into hair and left her true body vulnerable.
• Yoru told Naruto that her body was transforming as she grew increasingly sleepy, while Gaara agreed with Shukaku to stay in Otogakure.
• Sunagakure's leaders sent Temari, Kankuro, and Baki to bring Gaara back, while Gaara went to ask Kakuzu when Naruto would return.
• Scorpion learned that his project was delayed because Kakuzu had failed to order sand, then followed Gaara and set aside his pride to seek his help.

Gaara chose to join Otogakure with Shukaku, and Naruto planned to remove the faulty seal binding them. As Temari, Kankuro, and Baki arrived to retrieve Gaara, Temari was already eager to shop.

• Gaara helped Sasori build houses with sand, received a puppet modeled after himself, and decided to stay in Otogakure with Shukaku.
• Naruto and Yoru examined Gaara’s seal and concluded that Naruto could break it with the Nine-Tails’ Chakra; Naruto also considered how to deal with Obito Uchiha, Black Zetsu, and Nagato.
• Naruto learned that Temari, Kankuro, and Baki had arrived in the Land of Rice to take Gaara back.
• Temari, Kankuro, and Baki reached Otogakure, where Temari insisted she could shop while looking for Gaara.

Temari, Kankuro, and Teacher Maki tried to bring Gaara back to Sunagakure, but Gaara refused after learning his father was dead and reliving painful memories of Yashamaru. Naruto calmed Gaara and let the sand ninja know he could leave only if he chose to, then appeared before Kakuzu as he asked what she planned to do with them.

• Temari, Kankuro, and Teacher Maki found Gaara in Otogakure and urged him to return to Sunagakure, but he refused.
• Baki told Gaara that Lord Kazekage had been killed by Orochimaru, and Gaara rejected responsibility for Sunagakure.
• Naruto appeared to defend Gaara and question the sand ninja about their intentions.
• Kankuro's words stirred Gaara's memories of Yashamaru, and Naruto slapped Gaara to stop him from losing control.
• Gaara steadied himself, refused to return to Sunagakure, and vanished; Naruto told the sand ninja they could take him only if he chose to leave.
• Naruto appeared in Kakuzu's office, where he asked what she planned to do with the three sand ninja.

Naruto planned to use Gaara’s return to Sunagakure as a chance to gain influence over the village, while Kankuro, Temari, and Baki prepared to persuade Gaara with a bear-costume scheme. The chapter ended with Nine-Tails leaving Naruto at home to stroll alone, despite Naruto’s dismayed reaction.

• Naruto told Kakuzu that either Gaara’s return or refusal would benefit her plans, and she asked how much money Otogakure could spare to support Sunagakure.
• Kakuzu estimated Otogakure’s liquid capital at over 1.5 billion ryo and Sunagakure’s annual operating costs at about 40 million ryo; he understood Naruto’s intentions and agreed to keep quiet.
• Kankuro, Temari, and Baki discussed how to bring Gaara back, then Kankuro convinced Temari to wear a bear mascot costume as part of his plan.
• Baki returned and found Kankuro and Temari dressed as bears, while Kankuro confidently insisted his plan would work.
• Nine-Tails told Naruto she wanted to walk the streets alone and left the house, leaving Naruto looking heartbroken.

Nine-Tails secretly went shopping to buy Naruto an anniversary gift while Naruto followed her without knowing what the occasion was. Their outing ended with Naruto taking her into a restaurant, where Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were also gathered, and Naruto slipped away to the restroom.

• Nine-Tails went out to shop for a gift marking the anniversary of her first meeting with Naruto, while Naruto secretly followed her through Otogakure.
• Naruto punched Hidan into the sky when Hidan nearly exposed his disguise, and Kakuzu ignored Hidan after he fell beside him.
• Baki brought Temari and Kankuro, dressed as bears, to cheer up Gaara, but they lost him after children surrounded them at the park.
• Temari and Kankuro found Gaara at a restaurant and explained that their bear costumes were meant to cheer him up.
• Naruto saw Nine-Tails hesitating outside the restaurant and pulled her inside, where they joined Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
• Naruto whispered that he was going to the restroom and hurried away from Nine-Tails.

Naruto wore a golden fox mascot suit to please Nine-Tails, then celebrated the anniversary of their first meeting by buying matching earrings with her. In the inner world, Naruto opened the door and saw a familiar figure pounce toward her.

• Naruto used Transformation Jutsu to dress as a golden fox, delighting Nine-Tails and drawing attention at the restaurant.
• Temari, Kankuro, and Baki followed Gaara after he explained that he preferred Otogakure, where people accepted him, to Sunagakure, where they feared him.
• Naruto and Nine-Tails left the restaurant and celebrated the day they first met by visiting a jewelry store.
• Nine-Tails bought matching fiery red earrings and pierced Naruto's ear with chakra after the first attempt bounced off her hardened skin.
• Nine-Tails touched her new earring in the inner world, and Naruto opened the door to find a familiar figure pouncing toward her.

Naruto returned home with the earring Nine-Tails had given her, upsetting Yoru, whose Jugo-derived bloodline awakened and sent her into a rampage. Naruto restrained Yoru and called for Jugo’s help, but he also began losing control, so Naruto’s Shadow Clone knocked him out with an enormous Rasengan.

• Karin questioned Naruto about her new earring, then relaxed when Naruto said Nine-Tails had given it to her.
• Yoru spotted the earring and accused Naruto of going shopping with someone else, then awakened her bloodline and attacked her.
• Naruto dodged Yoru’s powerful attacks and told Karin to leave the dangerous area.
• Jugo arrived and told Naruto to suppress Yoru, but Nature Energy triggered his own curse-mark transformation.
• Naruto sent her Shadow Clone to deal with Jugo, and it struck him with a huge Big Ball Rasengan.

Naruto dealt with Yoru’s rampage and the damage to her house while Yoru secretly summoned Fū and dreamed of her past as Orochimaru. After the Sand ninja left Otogakure without Gaara, Naruto’s Shadow Clone stopped them and insisted on accompanying them to Sunagakure with a proposal for the village.

• Naruto subdued Yoru, who cried herself to sleep, then woke furious and hugged Naruto with her bone spikes.
• Naruto failed to repair the roof with Shadow Clones and assigned Yoru to sleep on the sofa; Yoru summoned Fū to tell her stories before sealing her away again.
• Yoru dreamed of Orochimaru’s life, while Naruto kissed Yakushi Nonō and later noticed Yoru hugging a Naruto body pillow.
• The Sand ninja left Otogakure without Gaara, who chose to stay and watched them depart.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clone confronted the Sand ninja and said they had to escort her to Sunagakure because she could offer their village valuable benefits.

C.C. agreed to travel to Sunagakure under Baki's protection, while Jiraiya learned Hinata Hyuga was investigating Naruto Uzumaki and urged the Hyuga clan to stop her. After her family forbade her from pursuing Naruto, Hinata decided to leave Konohagakure, but Hanabi caught her as she tried to depart.

• Baki agreed to take C.C. to Sunagakure, and C.C. warned that she would not fight enemies along the way.
• Jiraiya learned Hinata Hyuga was investigating Naruto Uzumaki and asked Hyuga Hiashi to guide her away from Naruto.
• The Hyuga elders summoned Hinata and ordered her to stop investigating Naruto.
• Hyuga Hiashi also told Hinata to cut ties with Naruto, and Hinata agreed outwardly while resolving to leave Konohagakure.
• Hinata packed her belongings and tried to leave at night, but Hanabi woke and asked where she was going.

Hinata Hyuga chose to stay in Konohagakure for now so she could grow strong enough to protect Hanabi before leaving to find Naruto. Naruto freed Shukaku from Gaara’s seal and took responsibility for the newly released One-Tail.

• Hinata comforted Hanabi, promised she would not leave, and resolved to depart Konohagakure only after she could protect herself and find Naruto.
• Naruto transformed into Nine-Tails Mode and used golden chakra hands to tear the seal chains from Gaara, freeing Shukaku.
• Shukaku celebrated his freedom and reminded Gaara of their promise, while Naruto watched him warily.
• Naruto struck Shukaku down when he insulted Nine-Tails, then promised to pay for his food, toys, and entertainment in Otogakure.
• Naruto told Shukaku to take human form before entering the village, and Shukaku tried to defend himself after she mocked him as timid.

Naruto and Shukaku argued over who would pay for Gaara’s shopping, while C.C brought Temari, Kankuro, and Baki back to Sunagakure. Naruto revealed her identity and offered Sunagakure funding in exchange for loyalty, leaving its leaders to consider her proposal.

• Shukaku transformed into a child and left with Gaara to go shopping, insisting Naruto pay for their purchases.
• C.C returned to Sunagakure with Temari, Kankuro, and Baki after a difficult journey and entered the village as a merchant from Otogakure.
• C.C met Sunagakure’s leaders, Chiyo and Ebizo, and offered them one hundred million ryo in exchange for making the village loyal to her instead of the Land of Wind’s daimyo.
• Naruto dropped her disguise, identified herself as the owner of Sound Ninja Apparel, and offered to help Sunagakure grow stronger and defeat Orochimaru.
• Baki welcomed Naruto’s hostility toward Orochimaru, while Chiyo remained wary and questioned why Sunagakure should trust her.

Baki, Chiyo, and Ebizo asked Naruto to become Sunagakure’s Kazekage, but she refused and prepared to leave after offering financial support. After meeting Ame, Naruto rushed to help when giant scorpions attacked Sunagakure, only to see a strange man use the Seven Heavenly Breathing Method to rescue her.

• Baki proposed that Naruto become Kazekage, and Chiyo and Ebizo agreed that she could help restore Sunagakure.
• Naruto refused the position, then met Ame by accidentally landing on her and knocking her food to the ground.
• Naruto decided to hand Baki the money she had promised and end her visit to Sunagakure.
• Two giant scorpions attacked the village and trapped Ame in one of their pincers.
• Naruto moved to save Ame, but a man called Shura activated the Seven Heavenly Breathing Method and leapt into action.

Naruto rescued Ame from giant scorpions, then unknowingly walked into Baki’s scheme to make her Kazekage and bind Sunagakure to Otogakure. When Sunagakure’s ninjas confronted her over the false rumor that she wanted the position, Naruto fought her way toward the Kazekage’s office, leaving the village in chaos.

• Naruto rescued Ame from a giant scorpion and defeated both scorpions, while Shura received Ame’s thanks for his earlier effort.
• Ame invited Naruto to dinner with Giant Scorpion Meat, unaware that Baki had arranged the scorpion attack to draw Naruto into a plan to make her Kazekage.
• Baki spread the claim that Naruto wanted to become Kazekage and told Sunagakure’s ninjas they could challenge her if they opposed her appointment.
• Baki told Temari and Kankuro that Naruto’s talent, strength, wealth, and status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could protect and strengthen Sunagakure.
• After dinner, Naruto heard villagers claim she wanted to be Kazekage and attacked the ninjas who confronted her, insisting she had never asked for the position.
• Naruto unleashed Wind Release attacks on the gathered Sunagakure ninjas and fought her way toward the Kazekage’s office as Temari and Kankuro watched in shock.

Naruto’s Shadow Clone was maneuvered into becoming Sunagakure’s Kazekage, leaving Naruto to reconsider how the village could serve her plans for Otogakure. She called a meeting and went to fetch Kakuzu and Hidan.

• Temari and Kankuro watched Naruto’s Shadow Clone overpower Sunagakure ninja before she confronted Baki, who revealed that he wanted her to become Kazekage.
• Baki explained that the ninja had tested Naruto’s strength, while the gathered crowd cheered for her; Ebizo and Chiyo withdrew from village affairs, and Temari brought Naruto robes made to fit her.
• Naruto accepted the position on the condition that she could remain away most of the time, then challenged the assembled crowd before dispelling her Shadow Clone.
• After receiving the clone’s memories in Otogakure, Naruto complained to Qin about becoming Kazekage, then realized Sunagakure could help her recruit the other villages’ Jinchuriki.
• Naruto kissed Qin, told her to prepare a meeting, and went to the Ten Miles Barbecue Restaurant, where Kakuzu and Hidan were eating.

After becoming Kazekage unexpectedly, Naruto assured Otogakure that its interests would come first while planning closer cooperation with Sunagakure. She left the chapter still explaining to Yoru how Sunagakure’s leaders had forced the role on her.

• Naruto told Otogakure’s staff that she would remain its boss, prioritize the village, hire Sunagakure ninja as freight workers, and open a Sound Clothing Store there.
• Naruto discussed her accidental appointment as Kazekage with Kakuzu, then planned to escort Fuji Fuka to the Land of Snow while using a Shadow Clone to manage Sunagakure.
• Naruto checked on Kabuto Yakushi and the children at the Orphanage, then asked Qin to oversee Otogakure when she and Kakuzu were away.
• Naruto reassured Fuka that she would continue spending most of her time in Otogakure.
• Yoru questioned Naruto about becoming Kazekage, and Naruto explained how Sunagakure’s leaders had pressured her into the position.

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.