Chapter Summaries

After Danzo returned to Konoha with Hidan captured, the village questioned how he had defeated Akatsuki while Zou Hyuga reported the news to Nagato and considered the growing disruption to his business. The chapter leaves Zou preparing to train Hanabi, Hinata, and Neji as he senses Karma nearing its next stage.

• Kakuzu escaped the river after losing three hearts, killed a nobleman's convoy to replace one of them, and headed for Akatsuki's base to report to Pain.
• Danzo's capture of Hidan made him a celebrated hero in Konoha, while the Third Hokage planned to investigate Danzo's natural-energy research and Tsunade dismissed the achievement.
• Jiraiya sensed dense natural energy within Danzo and told the Third Hokage that Danzo had likely learned to cultivate it.
• Zou Hyuga reported Danzo's hunt to Nagato and learned that the incident had killed a noble who was a business partner of the Merchant Company.
• Zou Hyuga watched Hinata and Hanabi spar with Neji nearby, sensed Karma nearing its next stage, and invited Hinata and Neji to join Hanabi's training.

Pain and Konan discussed Danzo’s attack on Kakuzu and Hidan, the risks facing the Akatsuki, and the need to keep Danzo and Madara Uchiha in check. Meanwhile, Zou Hyuga brought Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi to a valley to begin teaching them senjutsu, where he assessed their discipline before formal training.

• Konan told Pain that Danzo had attacked Kakuzu and Hidan with Wood Release and captured Hidan.
• Pain rejected Konan’s suggestion to target Iwagakure’s jinchūriki because of the village’s ties to the Land of Earth and Ōnoki’s Dust Release.
• Pain explained that he wanted Danzo to remain in Konoha as an intelligence source and a counterweight to Madara Uchiha.
• Zou Hyuga brought Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi to a valley with suitable natural energy for their senjutsu training.
• Hanabi identified the valley’s natural energy, and Zou Hyuga reprimanded her and the others before their formal instruction began.

Zou Hyuga discovered that Hanabi’s pure Byakugan, combined with natural energy, could briefly immobilize others with her gaze. He tested how chakra affected her eyes, while Otsutsuki Toneri awoke on the moon after sensing a pair of Pure Byakugan on Earth.

• Hanabi fought Neji and Hinata in Sage Mode and overpowered them with her enhanced strength and speed.
• Zou Hyuga saw Hanabi’s Byakugan glow and learned that she had frozen Neji and Hinata with her gaze.
• Zou Hyuga tested the ability on Hinata and Neji, then concluded that it likely required a highly pure Byakugan and vast chakra.
• Zou Hyuga sent chakra from the underground network into Hanabi and recorded how her body and eyes changed as her chakra grew.
• Otsutsuki Toneri awoke in the Moon Palace and sent his attention toward Earth after sensing a pair of Pure Byakugan.

Toneri tried to obtain Hanabi’s pure Byakugan, but Zou Hyuga sensed his surveillance and stopped the meteorite Toneri sent at the valley. Toneri remained on the moon, while Zou and the children were left to reckon with the ruined valley and Zou’s power.

• Alone on the moon, Toneri sensed Hanabi’s exceptionally pure Byakugan and searched for her through the Great Tenseigan.
• Toneri recognized Zou Hyuga watching him and, suspecting a trap, sent a meteorite toward the valley rather than confronting him directly.
• Zou entered Sage Mode and used Eight Trigrams Palm, Rotation to stop the meteorite, protecting Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi as the valley became a wasteland.
• Zou realized Toneri had been watching from the moon and dismissed the attack as childish, while considering the power of the Tenseigan and the Byakugan.
• Neji asked whether Zou had stopped the meteorite with Rotation, Hanabi praised Zou, and Hinata wondered whether Teacher Oto could do the same.

Toneri’s meteorite attack failed to trouble Zou Hyuga, while its aftermath prompted Konoha’s leaders to prepare for possible future strikes. As the Third and his advisors discussed defenses, Danzo focused on exploiting Hidan’s immortality.

• Toneri watched Zou Hyuga withstand the meteorite attack, considered sending puppets to monitor the Shinobi World, then returned to sleep.
• Zou Hyuga grilled game with Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji before leaving the valley when nearby ninja arrived to investigate.
• Konoha ninja found the devastated valley and reported their suspicion that the Akatsuki Leader had attacked.
• The Third, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Oto Uchiha discussed the threat and began planning defenses against meteorites.
• Danzo thought about combining Hidan’s immortal body with Hashirama cells and studying the Evil God behind him.

Danzo investigated Hidan’s immortality and questioned him about the Akatsuki, then exchanged intelligence with Orochimaru while considering Root’s plans for modifying summoning beasts. The chapter left Danzo weighing potential cooperation with Shinnō and the Sky Ninja’s plans for the Zero-Tails.

• Danzo visited the Root Base, where researchers explained that Hidan’s immortal body could be weakened or killed by depriving it of nutrients.
• Danzo used Wood Release to drain Hidan’s nutrients and questioned him about the Akatsuki’s members and plans.
• Aburame Ryoma recorded Hidan’s information, including profiles of powerful Akatsuki members, and Danzo ordered him to give a copy to Hiruzen Sarutobi in a week.
• Danzo received a scroll from Orochimaru detailing the Akatsuki’s recent movements and sent a reply through the viper.
• Danzo considered Root’s interest in using the Chimera Technique on summoning beasts and wondered whether Shinnō’s Zero-Tails research could align with Root’s plans.

Danzo used Orochimaru’s intelligence to predict the Akatsuki’s next targets, then emerged from his training near the Valley of the End with newfound power. Meanwhile, Zou Hyuga refused Hiashi’s invitation to join the Main Family and warned him to guard the children against the Ōtsutsuki before Danzo led Root toward Takigakure.

• Danzo compared Orochimaru’s intelligence with Hidan’s report and concluded that Takigakure’s Seven-Tails was a likely Akatsuki target.
• At the Valley of the End, Danzo felt his body grow younger and improved his control over natural energy, though he believed he had not yet mastered it.
• After hearing about Toneri’s attack, Zou Hyuga resolved to train Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji in natural energy, while Hiashi and Hizashi considered his power and influence within the clan.
• Zou refused Hiashi’s request to join the Main Family and told him to guard the children against the Ōtsutsuki; he also predicted that Hanabi would soon surpass Neji through senjutsu.
• Hizashi asked Zou to take Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi to safety if the clan was attacked, and Zou said the Hyuga had not reached the point of needing someone to die in another’s place.
• Danzo emerged from his cave able to sense natural energy and mobilize great chakra, then ordered Root to move out for Takigakure.

The Third learned that Danzo had secretly taken Root out of Konoha and summoned the Fire Squad after realizing Danzo was likely pursuing the Seven-Tails’ jinchūriki. At the Uchiha training ground, Sasuke’s confidence took a hit when Itachi revealed he had mastered the Great Fireball Technique in one try, while Oto learned that Root’s surveillance had thinned and sensed an ANBU approaching.

• ANBU surveillance revealed that Root operatives watching the major clans had sharply decreased, confirming Danzo had left the village.
• Aburame Ryoma gave the Third a list of Akatsuki members, and the Third deduced that Danzo had gone to Takigakure to pursue the Seven-Tails’ jinchūriki.
• The Third chose to accept Danzo’s unauthorized mission for the sake of their agreement and summoned the Fire Squad.
• Sasuke performed the Great Fireball Technique for the first time, but Itachi said he had mastered it in one try, discouraging Sasuke.
• Oto asked Itachi about his natural energy training and the Root operatives watching the Uchiha, and Itachi reported that their numbers had fallen.
• Oto and Shisui sensed an ANBU ninja approaching the training ground.

Oto Uchiha and the Fire Squad were sent to Takigakure to protect the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki while Danzo pursued his own mission against Akatsuki. Before the squad left Konoha in disguise, Zou Hyuga secured the Fourth Hokage couple’s bodies and put Vortex Shizuko into dormancy as part of his preparations for breaking the God of Death’s seal.

• An ANBU summoned Oto Uchiha and Shisui to meet the Third, and Oto asked Zou Hyuga what Danzo was planning.
• The Third assigned the Fire Squad to retrieve and protect Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, noting that Danzo had already departed.
• Oto shared Akatsuki’s membership list with the squad, prompting Yamato, Kakashi, and Shisui to consider the organization’s members and missing intelligence.
• Zou Hyuga checked on the Fourth Hokage couple’s bodies, infused them with natural energy, sealed them in a scroll, and put Vortex Shizuko into dormancy.
• The Fire Squad rendezvoused, disguised themselves as ordinary ninja, and secretly left Konoha to guard against an Akatsuki attack.

The Fire Squad crossed into Takigakure while Danzo used the village and its Seven-Tails jinchūriki as bait to lure Akatsuki. Shibuki worried about Takigakure’s dependence on Konoha, and a guard began to sympathize with Suien’s reasons for defecting.

• Zou Hyuga used his Byakugan to scout Takigakure, and the Fire Squad crossed the river toward the village.
• Shibuki accepted Danzo’s protection of Fū after Danzo demonstrated Wood Release, then learned that Kakuzu was missing and Suien’s whereabouts remained unknown.
• Danzo examined Takigakure’s Hero Water and concluded that it was spring water infused with natural energy and chakra, identical to water from the Valley of the End.
• Yamanaka Fū told Danzo that Akatsuki had discovered the false intelligence, but Danzo remained confident they would take the bait.
• A Takigakure guard watched Danzo disregard the village’s rules and began to find Suien’s criticism of Takigakure persuasive.

Obito sent Zetsu to persuade Nagato to pursue the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki in Takigakure, while Nagato decided to go there himself and dispatch Madara Uchiha to assist Orochimaru against Iwagakure. In Takigakure, Suien and his missing-nin infiltrated the village to steal the Hero Water, but they found it guarded by Root and kept encountering apparent new recruits.

• Obito judged Konoha's plan to use the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki as bait and sent Zetsu to inform Nagato rather than abandon the capture.
• Nagato and Konan discussed Konoha's plan, and Nagato decided to visit Takigakure while sending Madara Uchiha to help Orochimaru target Iwagakure's jinchūriki.
• Suien led Takigakure missing-nin through the village at night to reach the Hero Water, mistaking Konoha's Root guards for evidence that Shibuki had brought in outsiders to stop him.
• A Takigakure ninja guarding the Hero Water joined Suien's group, and Suien then noticed another unfamiliar figure had appeared among the missing-nin.

Suien guided Kakuzu, Shinnō, Hiruko, and the other Akatsuki members toward the Takigakure Tower, where they clashed with Danzo’s Root forces. As the battle erupted into a sea of trees, Suien led the Missing-nin onward, only to find another group blocking their path near the tower.

• Suien asked Kakuzu what to do, and Kakuzu ordered him to lead the group to Takigakure’s current leader.
• The Akatsuki members and Missing-nin advanced toward the Takigakure Tower, dealing with Takigakure Ninja they encountered along the way.
• Root Ninja confronted the group, and Hiruko, Kakuzu, and Shinnō fought them, with Shinnō using the Eight Gates Released Formation.
• Danzo arrived and unleashed Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees, filling the streets with vines and trees as both sides fought to kill.
• Suien rallied the Missing-nin to continue toward the Takigakure Tower and change Takigakure’s order, but another group stopped them near the tower.

Suien’s coup attempt was interrupted when Zou Hyuga and his group subdued the missing-nin, while Danzo gained the upper hand against the Akatsuki in Takigakure. The Akatsuki held out as they waited for Pain and continued searching for the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Shisui used his Mangekyō Sharingan to incapacitate Suien and the other missing-nin, and Zou Hyuga drank some of the Hero Water.
• Shisui learned that the missing-nin were from Takigakure and planned to seize the Hero Water and overthrow its leader.
• Zou Hyuga told Shibuki that his group were Konoha ninja and left with his companions, leaving Shibuki to find Suien among the fallen.
• Danzo used Wood Release and Wind Release to pressure Kakuzu, Shinnō, and Hiruko, then offered to spare them if they accepted Cursed Seals.
• The Akatsuki members dodged Danzo’s attacks and remained confident because Pain was on his way while their other members searched for the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki.

Danzo used his enhanced Wood Release to trap the Akatsuki and faced Konan in a destructive battle over the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. As Konan began to lose ground, Zou Hyuga and the others watched from a distance rather than joining the fight.

• Danzo blocked the Akatsuki's escape, brought Fū before them, and challenged Hiruko, Shinnō, and Kakuzu to act.
• Konan arrived on an Explosive Cloud and bombarded the forest, prompting Danzo to reveal his Sharingan and summon a wooden dragon.
• Zou Hyuga and the others watched Danzo and Konan fight while Shibuki and Suien marveled at the scale of their power.
• Danzo's Wood Release steadily overwhelmed Konan's Explosive Tags, and she began to lose ground.

Konan and the Akatsuki members attacked Danzo while trying to locate the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, but Danzo survived their explosive assault. The Deva Path intervened, and Danzo recognized his Rinnegan and set his sights on taking them.

• Konan drew Danzo away while Hiruko, Shinnō, and Kakuzu fought Root and tried to reach Fū.
• Danzo used Genjutsu and Wind Release against Konan, prompting her to unleash the Explosive Cloud in a furious attack.
• The Deva Path used Shinra Tensei to protect Konan and the others, then asked whether they had found the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Shinnō reported that the captured Root ninja had yielded no information, and the man transformed into a towering tree after his Wood Release went out of control.
• Danzo emerged alive from the explosions, and he identified the Deva Path as Akatsuki's leader and coveted his Rinnegan.
• The Deva Path used Banshō Ten'in against Danzo.

As the Six Paths of Pain overwhelmed Danzo while searching for the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha watched and waited for the right moment to intervene. With the nearby earth veins exhausted and his body’s natural energy suppression failing, Danzo used a Wood Release clone to reach Konan and unleash a Sharingan genjutsu.

• A Takigakure ninja warned Shibuki that the Hero Spring was nearly dry, prompting Suien and the village’s ninja to leave.
• Zou Hyuga told Oto Uchiha to wait until Danzo had learned more about Pain’s abilities before intervening.
• The Six Paths of Pain overwhelmed Danzo, who realized they were puppets controlled by one person.
• Danzo claimed he had killed the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, but Deva Path Pain sensed that the Jinchuriki was not dead.
• Danzo found the nearby earth veins exhausted and feared he would transform as his body lost control of its natural energy.
• Danzo used a Wood Release clone to get close to Konan and spent his remaining chakra on a Sharingan genjutsu.

Danzo’s attack on Konan’s Paper Clone failed, and Oto Uchiha and Shisui arrived to battle Pain and the Akatsuki. As the fight continued, Shinnō abandoned the battlefield with Kakuzu to investigate a surge of natural energy and pursue his research.

• Danzo trapped a Paper Clone of Konan in genjutsu, but exploding Explosive Tags engulfed him instead.
• Pain sent the Preta Path against the approaching reinforcements, but Oto Uchiha’s Susanoo destroyed it and attacked the other Paths.
• Oto Uchiha fought Pain’s Paths and summoning beasts, using her dojutsu to disrupt the creatures and dismiss them.
• Shisui ambushed Hiruko, Kakuzu, and Shinnō, while Shinnō used the Eight Gates Released Formation to free Kakuzu from genjutsu.
• Shinnō sensed dense natural energy, then left the battlefield with the weakened Kakuzu to investigate it and further his research.

After surviving Pain’s attack with Izanagi, Danzo went to retrieve Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, and tried to recruit her into Root by claiming Takigakure might have been destroyed. Zou Hyuga secretly followed Danzo, while Fū was left to decide whether to trust him.

• Danzo survived the explosive tags with Izanagi and watched Oto and another Susanoo fight Pain’s Six Paths from afar.
• Danzo decided to withdraw, then summoned a beast and headed for the secret place where he had hidden Fū.
• Zou Hyuga followed Danzo without being detected, avoiding the battle because he wanted to conceal his identity and feared the power of Karma.
• Root brought Fū to Danzo, and he told her that Akatsuki had attacked Takigakure and that her village might have been destroyed.
• Danzo offered to train Fū in Root so she could avenge Takigakure, intending to control the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki for his own purposes.

Zou Hyuga watched Danzo try to recruit Fū before Obito attacked and Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato intervened. As the battle escalated, Zou sent a Sand Clone to help them while he continued after Danzo to prevent him from taking the Seven-Tails.

• Danzo tried to recruit Fū, but Obito appeared behind her and attacked.
• Kakashi and Guy ambushed Obito, allowing Danzo to retreat with Fū and his subordinates.
• Yamato arrived and used Wood Release to obscure Danzo and Fū from Obito.
• Obito summoned his Susanoo and fought Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato, injuring Guy and breaking through Yamato’s wooden defenses.
• Zou Hyuga sent a Sand Clone to aid the three ninja while his real body followed Danzo to keep him from obtaining the Seven-Tails.

Zou Hyuga joined Kakashi, Yamato, and Guy against Obito, helping them shatter his Susanoo before Obito focused his taunts on Kakashi. As the battle continued, Zou and Yamato discussed Danzo’s Wood Release, while Guy mistook Obito’s interest in Kakashi for love and left Yamato alarmed.

• Zou Hyuga punched the ground beneath Obito’s Susanoo, letting Guy, Yamato, and Kakashi combine their attacks and shatter it.
• Obito used Intangibility to evade the rubble, then taunted Kakashi about failing to protect the people he cared about.
• Yamato asked Zou how the battle against Oto was going and wondered how Danzo had learned to use Wood Release.
• Zou told Yamato that Danzo had likely implanted Hashirama cells, and Yamato worried that Wood Release experiments might resume and cost more lives.
• Guy asked whether Obito targeted Kakashi because Kakashi’s youth outshone his, and Zou joked that the Masked Man fought Kakashi because of love.
• Guy concluded that love had made Zou and Oto stronger, while Yamato stared between Guy and Kakashi in horror and Guy flashed him a grin.