Chapter Summaries

Hidan deduced that Saibote was vulnerable when he solidified his serpentine sword, but Saibote abandoned close combat and overwhelmed him with sand techniques. Hidan was trapped and badly wounded, yet refused to admit defeat.

• Hidan struck Saibote's solid serpentine sword and reasoned that it was the key to exploiting Saibote's weakness.
• Saibote questioned why Hidan had revealed his deduction, and Hidan bluffed that he had already won.
• Angered by Hidan's claim that Cursed Spirits could never surpass humans, Saibote introduced himself and attacked with Sandstorm Dance.
• Saibote trapped Hidan with Despair Walker and Quicksand, then battered him with another Sandstorm Dance.
• Saibote asked if Hidan was convinced, but Hidan laughed and refused to admit defeat.

Hidan struggled against Saibote, who used Shinji’s apparent death to test the strength of their bonds. Shinji returned unharmed and joined Hidan in knocking the Arashijin Golden Serpent’s Snake Sword away, leaving Saibote badly wounded as he tried to reclaim it.

• Saibote trapped Hidan in quicksand and repeatedly attacked him with Sandstorm Dance, but Hidan endured the pain without yielding.
• Saibote explained that he had kept Shinji alive after Shinji lost an arm and leg protecting a companion, then had a Sand Soldier pierce Shinji’s heart to provoke Hidan.
• Saibote revealed that the Arashijin Golden Serpent amplified and desiccated, but those abilities stopped while it was transformed into sand.
• Shinji reappeared unharmed behind Saibote and used Kubikiribōchō to knock the Snake Sword from his grasp.
• Hidan struck the airborne Snake Sword with his Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe, sending it out of Saibote’s reach again.
• Saibote canceled his sand transformation to reclaim the Snake Sword, and Shinji slashed his back deeply.

Shinji discovered that Saibote could no longer safely turn into sand after losing the Snake Sword, and pressed the attack. The chapter ended with Shinji testing his theory and declaring that he had found Saibote’s fatal weakness.

• Saibote abandoned the Snake Sword and retreated into sand while Shinji used the Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe to pull Hidan out of the quicksand.
• Shinji struck Saibote with Convergence: Piercing Blood and Supernova, and noticed that Saibote was wounded even when he turned into sand.
• Hidan retrieved the Snake Sword and fell back as Shinji challenged Saibote, who admitted that losing the weapon threatened his strength and exposed a fatal weakness.
• Shinji charged Saibote with the Kubikiribōchō and blood blades, forcing him to solidify and defend himself with sand.
• Shinji grinned and announced that he had found Saibote’s fatal weakness.

Shinji and Hidan wounded Saibote and seemingly killed him, but Saibote revealed his Domain Expansion and healed himself. Trapped inside the hourglass-shaped domain, Shinji and Hidan faced Saibote as two unexpected figures introduced themselves as Sasuke and Naruto.

• Shinji used Blood Manipulation to exploit Saibote's weakness to blood and tore open his chest.
• Saibote trapped Shinji in quicksand, but Hidan completed his ritual and killed Saibote by severing his own head.
• Saibote activated Domain Expansion: Heavenly Wheel Hourglass, pulling Shinji and Hidan into an hourglass-shaped domain and restoring his body.
• Shinji held on to the Snake Sword and prepared to fight Saibote inside the domain.
• Two figures introduced themselves as Sasuke and Naruto and told Saibote to find them in Konoha if he had a problem.

Shinji escaped Saibote’s incomplete domain with Hidan and decided to sell Sunagakure firsthand intelligence about their enemy. Two days later, Kazekage Rasa received the report and judged it likely genuine.

• Shinji tricked Saibote into retreating by claiming that he and Hidan were named Naruto and Sasuke, then realized Saibote’s domain was incomplete.
• Shinji checked for nearby cursed spirits and stitched Hidan’s severed head back on.
• Shinji and Hidan headed for a Land of Wind Underground Bounty Station to sell their combat intelligence about Saibote.
• Sunagakure bought the detailed report and presented it to Kazekage Rasa.
• Rasa accepted the intelligence as probably genuine after hearing it matched Baki and the others’ mission reports.

Maki and Baki waited for Mālé to wake while Sunagakure remained unaware that Shinji and Hidan were hiding in the country. Shinji tried to convert the Snake Sword, and Saibote sensed that it had severed itself from him.

• A doctor told Baki and Maki that Mālé's vital signs were normal, though he remained unconscious, and Baki encouraged Maki by mentioning Kazekage's intelligence about Saibote.
• Shinji and Hidan hid in a desert sand bath, where Shinji explained that leaving the country would mean walking into Sunagakure's patrols.
• Shinji examined the sealed Snake Sword, concluded its power would not manifest until Saibote was killed, and chose to use a Cursed Tool Conversion Card on it.
• Saibote sensed that something had shattered and severed itself from him, then raged and vowed to make Naruto, Sasuke, and Konoha pay.

Shinji successfully converted the Snake Sword into the Snakeskin Sword and gained powerful defensive and petrification abilities. Meanwhile, Akatsuki discussed the unidentified creatures appearing across the shinobi world, and Itachi reported that Hanami had escaped his and Kisame’s combined attack.

• Shinji examined the Snakeskin Sword’s four abilities and was especially pleased by its irreversible petrification curse and ability to suppress regeneration.
• Shinji put away the sword, noted that Saibote could no longer use it to recover his power, and decided to save his remaining cursed soul points.
• Nagato gathered Akatsuki members with the Magic Lantern Body Technique to discuss the unidentified creatures and the commissions they had brought the organization.
• Kakuzu called the creatures weak, while Sasori described their potential for growth as unusual, and Deidara’s interruptions irritated the others.
• Itachi told Akatsuki that he and Kisame had fought Hanami in the Land of Harvest, but the plant-controlling target had resisted their combined assault and escaped.

Akatsuki discussed reports of powerful Cursed Spirits after Kisame explained how a blind opponent had escaped him and Itachi. Sasori argued they should not try to use the spirits, leaving Akatsuki wary of their growing power.

• Kisame told Akatsuki that a blind opponent had escaped him and Itachi because Itachi's genjutsu had failed and the opponent had endured their attacks.
• Zetsu reported that Saibote, a Cursed Spirit called the Sand Wraith, had killed Sunagakure ninja and rescued captured Cursed Spirits before evading a pursuit.
• Konan and Sasori warned that Cursed Spirits could grow rapidly by feeding on human negative emotions and might someday threaten Akatsuki.
• Pain's Deva Path suggested that Akatsuki could make use of Cursed Spirits, prompting the members to consider the idea.
• Sasori opposed using the Cursed Spirits, arguing that they were enemies, offered no necessary advantage, and that he did not like them.

Akatsuki agreed to target powerful Cursed Spirits while continuing its usual missions, and Nagato decided to investigate the two people linked to the Jashin Cult massacre. Meanwhile, Shinji and Hidan safely left the Land of Wind by blending into a tour group, unaware that Akatsuki had begun looking for them.

• Akatsuki agreed to continue raising money and ordered its members to kill powerful Cursed Spirits when they could do so safely.
• Konan told Nagato that the Jashin Cult had been slaughtered and matched the Kubikiribōchō and scythe users to the people Akatsuki was seeking.
• Nagato decided to go to the Land of Wind himself, with Konan accompanying him, and said the Deva Path alone would be enough.
• Three days later, Shinji and Hidan joined a Land of Fire tour group and passed through the border without attracting official attention.
• Shinji and Hidan left the group after reaching safety, while the Konoha Ninja and tour guide felt relieved.

Shinji and Hidan encountered Pain, who tried to recruit them into the Akatsuki, but Shinji dodged the offer by demanding details about pay and benefits. Pain stopped them from leaving and pressed to continue the discussion, while Shinji claimed Lord Jashin was waiting for their takeout delivery.

• Pain identified Hidan and Shinji and invited them to join the Akatsuki.
• Hidan dismissed the Akatsuki and tried to recruit Pain into the Jashin Cult.
• Shinji asked about Akatsuki benefits and compensation, then pretended to reject the organization and left with Hidan.
• Hidan wanted to recruit Pain, but Shinji pulled him away and hurried off.
• Pain intercepted Shinji and Hidan, and Shinji claimed Lord Jashin was waiting for their takeout delivery.

Shinji and Hidan fought Pain Deva Path, while Shinji identified the cooldown on Shinra Tensei and tried to exploit it. Pain adapted to their teamwork, and the chapter ended with Shinji rushing in to strike after Pain repelled Hidan.

• Nagato used Pain Deva Path’s Shinra Tensei to blast Shinji and Hidan away, and Hidan charged back in for another attack.
• Shinji realized his Seven Kill Lamps were extinguished and he could not use Cloak-Breaking Strike, so he attacked Pain with blood techniques instead.
• Shinji’s Piercing Blood grazed Pain during Shinra Tensei’s cooldown, and Hidan drew out another repulsion while Shinji followed with aerial blood blades.
• Nagato recognized their strategy, used black rods to defend against Shinji’s attacks, and stopped taking Hidan’s bait.
• Hidan’s returning scythe nearly struck Pain, but Nagato used Shinra Tensei to repel him, giving Shinji an opening to charge with the Kubikiribōchō.

Shinji and Hidan fought Pain, with Shinji protecting Hidan while he prepared his blood ritual. Pain unleashed Super Shinra Tensei and blasted them away, but Nagato lost his connection to Deva Path afterward.

• Shinji used Blood Manipulation to overpower Pain Deva Path and cut his shoulder, then took another wound while being blasted back by Shinra Tensei.
• Hidan swallowed Pain's blood and began his ritual as Shinji guarded him and tried to keep Pain at bay.
• Pain used Banshō Ten'in to pull Shinji toward him, but Shinji blocked the black rods while Hidan continued the ritual.
• Pain declared the warm-up over and unleashed Super Shinra Tensei, razing nearly half the forest and blasting Shinji and Hidan away.
• Nagato coughed from the strain and discovered that he had lost his connection to Deva Path; he and Konan suspected the chakra receivers had been destroyed.

Shinji survived Pain Deva Path’s Super Shinra Tensei and discovered that Hidan’s jujutsu had made Pain destroy himself with the attack. After rescuing Hidan and inspecting Pain’s ruined body, Shinji realized he needed to find a faster way to grow stronger.

• Shinji revived after using the Mummy’s Bandages to repair his injuries, then recovered the broken Kubikiribōchō.
• Shinji found Hidan buried beneath fallen trees, cut him free, and left him to recover.
• Shinji found Pain Deva Path lying motionless and saw that nearly all the black rods in his body had been destroyed.
• Shinji concluded that Hidan’s jujutsu had turned Pain’s Super Shinra Tensei against himself.
• Shinji considered his stalled progress, noted he lacked enough Cursed Soul Points for a new jujutsu, and decided to hunt more cursed spirits.

After Shinji and Hidan left the battlefield, Nagato learned that Shinji had survived Super Shinra Tensei unharmed and mocked the Akatsuki’s recruitment practices. Nagato planned to track them down and reconsidered his approach, while Zetsu focused on how cursed spirits might affect his long-term plan.

• Nagato questioned Zetsu about how Shinji had destroyed the Deva Path, and Zetsu recounted what he had witnessed after fleeing Super Shinra Tensei.
• Zetsu told Nagato and Konan that Shinji had survived the attack unharmed and had left a recruitment ad mocking the Akatsuki’s lack of benefits.
• Nagato destroyed the message, ordered Zetsu to keep tracking Shinji and Hidan, and said he would return with the Six Paths of Pain to discuss benefits.
• Nagato and Konan left with Yahiko’s body, while Zetsu sank underground and considered how cursed spirits could advance his plan.

Shinji dragged the injured Hidan toward the Land of Fire while explaining the differences in their immortality. Hidan then revealed that he wanted to rebuild the Jashin Cult, leaving Shinji to consider whether he should help revive it.

• Shinji left Hidan paralyzed on the ground until Hidan stopped boasting and Shinji took him along toward the Land of Fire.
• Hidan asked why Shinji healed faster, and Shinji gave him a partly truthful explanation of their different forms of immortality.
• Hidan's curses earned Shinji fifteen Bond Points, raising his total to 865.
• Hidan said he wanted to rebuild the Jashin Cult and noted that only he and Shinji remained after they had killed the others, including the Cult Leader.
• Shinji seriously considered the idea, reflecting that he had viewed the cult as a temporary refuge and disliked its evil practices.

Shinji planned a disciplined revival of the Jashin Cult with Hidan, replacing indiscriminate murder with hunting Cursed Spirits and recruiting selectively. Hidan agreed to lead the cult and leave its organization to Shinji.

• Shinji decided the Jashin Cult would hunt Cursed Spirits and offer them or captured enemies to Lord Jashin instead of sacrificing ordinary people.
• Hidan proposed recruiting people he encountered by beating or killing anyone who refused, and Shinji dismissed the plan as a recipe for infamy.
• Shinji suggested poaching discontented or overlooked members from the Akatsuki, the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and smaller villages.
• Shinji proposed making the cult known through dramatic appearances and admitting only strong recruits.
• Shinji warned Hidan that the cult needed careful management to avoid creating false believers, and Hidan declared that he would be the cult leader while Shinji handled everything else.

Shinji received a quest to rebuild the Jashin Cult and make Hidan its leader, then took the badly injured Hidan to a hospital in the Land of Fire. The hospital director sent a doctor to find the Legendary Big Fat Sheep, who he claimed could save Hidan.

• Hidan suggested becoming the Jashin Cult's leader, triggering a quest for Shinji to recruit ten participants and rebuild the cult.
• Shinji decided to seek eight additional Elite Ninja so he could earn the quest's maximum rewards.
• Shinji brought Hidan to a peaceful town in the Land of Fire, where he learned Konoha had already quelled the cursed spirit unrest.
• Shinji left Hidan at a hospital with a wad of cash and threatened the doctor to ensure Hidan received treatment.
• The doctor sought help from the hospital director, who told him to find a woman nicknamed the Legendary Big Fat Sheep and said she could save Hidan.

Doctor Natsume went to a casino to find the legendary Big Fat Sheep and discovered that she was a striking woman with extraordinary bad luck at gambling. She kept losing to the scar-faced casino boss, borrowing money to continue, while Natsume followed her inside.

• Doctor Natsume went to the casino after hearing rumors about the legendary Big Fat Sheep.
• The casino boss and his lackeys recognized Big Fat Sheep as she arrived with a piglet and eagerly welcomed her.
• Doctor Natsume followed Big Fat Sheep into the casino after a lackey drove him away from the entrance.
• The scar-faced boss dealt a dice game as Big Fat Sheep bet on odd or even and lost round after round.
• Big Fat Sheep kept gambling and borrowing at high interest, while the boss accumulated her IOUs and expected to collect them.

Tsunade rejected Doctor Natsume’s plea to treat a critically injured patient until she learned the patient’s companion had left a large sum of money, prompting her to send Shizune instead. Shizune began operating on Hidan without anesthesia, and his screams filled the hospital.

• Tsunade refused to help Doctor Natsume, but reconsidered when she heard the patient’s companion had left a hundred thousand ryo.
• Tsunade left Shizune with Doctor Natsume and hurried off to find the wealthy companion.
• The next day, Shizune and Doctor Natsume found Hidan alive and complaining in the hospital room despite his severe injuries.
• Doctor Natsume gave Shizune the money and left her to treat Hidan.
• Shizune ordered an operation and began treating Hidan without anesthesia after he insisted he did not need it.
• Hidan screamed and threatened the hospital staff when the operation caused him pain.

Shinji met Tsunade after Shizune brought him to her, and offered her money in exchange for joining his religious order. Tsunade was bewildered by the unexpected proposal.

• Shinji visited Hidan in the hospital, brought him pork cutlet rice bowls, and thanked Shizune with two hundred thousand ryo for treating him.
• Shizune led Shinji to meet her teacher, Tsunade, while warning him that she might ask to borrow money.
• Shinji and Shizune found Tsunade hiding from creditors in an inn, disguised as a little girl with the Transformation Technique.
• Tsunade accepted the money Shinji had given Shizune for the medical bill, then prepared to hear his offer.
• Shinji offered Tsunade a deal: she would join his religious order in exchange for money, leaving her stunned.