Recaps

After Mei Terumi crushed an assassination plot within Kirigakure, she resumed trade negotiations with Tsunade in Konoha. As the talks moved toward an agreement, Shihōin Naraku left for the Great Naruto Bridge to meet Black Zetsu.

• Mei Terumi learned that Kirigakure had purged the conspirators against her and resumed negotiations with Konoha.
• Mei Terumi exposed Rei as a traitor, and he attacked her before an unseen blade killed him.
• Shihōin Naraku observed the camp and praised Mei Terumi for restoring order in Kirigakure.
• Tsunade and Mei Terumi began negotiating a peaceful trade agreement, with both sides arguing over specific terms.
• Shihōin Naraku flew to the Great Naruto Bridge and waited for Black Zetsu.

Shihōin Naraku confronted Black Zetsu and forced him to provide regular intelligence on Obito and the Akatsuki. Black Zetsu agreed, still uncertain how much Naraku knew about Kaguya and the plans behind Obito.

• Shihōin Naraku waited on a cliff until Black Zetsu approached from underground.
• Naraku seized Black Zetsu, slammed him into the ground, and warned him to mind his tone.
• Naraku demanded detailed, regular intelligence on Obito and the Akatsuki, and Black Zetsu initially refused.
• Black Zetsu asked what Naraku knew about Kaguya, but Naraku gave him no useful explanation.
• Black Zetsu agreed to share intelligence after Naraku threatened to expose what he knew.
• Naraku called Obito too foolish to support Black Zetsu's plans, and Black Zetsu privately agreed.

Shihōin Naraku forced Black Zetsu to provide information about Akatsuki and warned him to report monthly, while both men privately considered how to exploit or eliminate the other. After leaving, Naraku decided to use Black Zetsu to track Akatsuki and Obito amid the rapidly changing events in the Shinobi World.

• Black Zetsu considered turning Akatsuki against Shihōin Naraku but recognized that Obito Uchiha could not defeat him.
• Naraku revealed that he knew Akatsuki planned to collect the tailed beasts and said a powerful enemy could unite the Shinobi World under his authority.
• Naraku told Black Zetsu to warn Obito that Kakashi was searching for him, then ordered Black Zetsu to meet him outside Konoha on the first day of every month.
• After Naraku left, Black Zetsu decided he might use Naraku as a pawn in his effort to rescue Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
• Naraku watched Black Zetsu retreat and resolved to use him to monitor Akatsuki and Obito, while keeping the option of provoking the Shinobi World War.

Shihōin Naraku returned to Konohagakure and was appointed head of the Education Department, earning four draw chances. As he took over another village department, Konoha residents interpreted his appointments as Tsunade’s plan to promote younger ninja and prepare him to become the Sixth Hokage.

• Shihōin Naraku considered having Black Zetsu search for Ōtsutsuki Isshiki but decided there was no need to rush the investigation.
• Shihōin Naraku returned to Konohagakure while Konoha and Kirigakure’s subordinates continued trade negotiations under Tsunade and Mei Terumi.
• Tsunade appointed Shihōin Naraku head of Konoha’s Education Department, and he received four draw chances.
• Konoha residents speculated that Tsunade was using Shihōin Naraku’s changing posts to remove older officials and promote younger ninja.
• The older ninja watched as Shihōin Naraku gained authority and advanced newcomers, while no rival could match his standing as the likely Sixth Hokage.

Shihōin Naraku took charge of the Education Department and appointed Harada Hakusui deputy head, recognizing him as a descendant of the Senju Clan. After handing off routine work, Naraku reviewed the Konoha Academy’s outdated rules and considered reforms to how it assessed students.

• Shihōin Naraku appointed Harada Hakusui deputy head of the Education Department, and Harada accepted the post with gratitude.
• Shihōin Naraku sensed Harada Hakusui’s modest inherited Senju vitality and concluded that Tsunade had selected him with knowledge of his background.
• Shihōin Naraku reflected on how the Senju Clan had integrated into Konoha and how Tsunade’s status as a Land of Fire princess protected her.
• Shihōin Naraku delegated routine Education Department work to Harada Hakusui and reviewed the Konoha Academy’s regulations.
• Shihōin Naraku noted that the academy undervalued talents such as Might Guy’s taijutsu and Kurenai Yuhi’s genjutsu, and decided its rules needed reform.

Naraku and Tsunade agreed to begin gradually updating Konoha Academy’s outdated rules, starting with corrections and a teacher-led review. Naraku convened the teachers to discuss proposed changes, then left them to speak freely and encouraged Harada Hakusui to take on more responsibility.

• Tsunade praised Naraku’s practical proposals, and they agreed to make initial corrections while gathering teachers to develop new teaching materials.
• Iruka and his colleagues headed to a meeting after the Education Department summoned Konoha Academy’s teachers.
• Naraku entered the meeting, outlined the need to review outdated rules, and distributed a preliminary list for discussion.
• Naraku left so the teachers could speak openly, and their discussion grew increasingly heated.
• Naraku told Harada Hakusui to shoulder more work and earn credit, prompting Harada to hope he could eventually lead the Education Department.
• Naraku and Harada returned to the meeting room after hearing the teachers argue fiercely.

Shihōin Naraku saw Konoha’s teachers debate broad reforms to the Ninja Academy before Tsunade assigned him to escort Mei Terumi to the Land of Earth. After Konoha and Kirigakure finalized a trade agreement, Mei Terumi departed with Naraku, and the group traveled toward the Land of Grass.

• Shihōin Naraku and Harada Hakusui entered a conference room where teachers debated changes to school rules and teaching materials.
• Shihōin Naraku left the Education Department’s discussions and accepted Tsunade’s mission to escort Mei Terumi to the Land of Earth’s border.
• Tsunade and Mei Terumi shook hands after reaching a trade agreement between Konoha and Kirigakure.
• Mei Terumi led her delegation out of Konoha, while Tsunade and the village’s senior officials watched them depart.
• Shihōin Naraku and Mei Terumi led the traveling party through the Land of Fire toward the Land of Grass, where Mei Terumi sighed.

Mei Terumi reflected on Kirigakure’s difficult recovery and resolved to strengthen her village after seeing the damage war had caused in the Land of Grass. At the Land of Earth border, she thanked Shihōin Naraku for protecting her delegation, apologized for Kirigakure’s past conflicts with him, and prepared to continue the journey with Mist Ninja escorts.

• Mei Terumi discussed Kirigakure’s commercial progress with Shihōin Naraku and accepted that her village would need a long time to catch up with Konoha.
• Mei Terumi saw the war’s devastation across the Land of Grass and resolved not to let Kirigakure become so helpless.
• Shihōin Naraku escorted Mei Terumi and the delegation to a temporary camp near the Land of Earth, where Mist Ninja told her everything was ready.
• Mei Terumi received the Land of Earth’s invitation and thanked Shihōin Naraku for preventing ambushes on both legs of the journey.
• Mei Terumi apologized to Shihōin Naraku for Kirigakure’s past conflicts, and he accepted her apology.
• Mei Terumi told Shihōin Naraku that Mist Ninja would take over the rest of the journey and asked him to pass her regards to the Hokage.

Shihōin Naraku observed Mei Terumi’s hidden camp and discovered two powerful Mist Ninja, Hōzuki Sakuya and Yuki. Mei considered joining them to attack Naraku, but decided against provoking him while Kirigakure remained in chaos.

• Mei Terumi silenced the Mist Ninja who wanted to fight Shihōin Naraku and said she would accept indignity if it helped Kirigakure recover.
• Shihōin Naraku watched the camp from the sky and sensed two powerful ninja inside it.
• Mei Terumi met with Hōzuki Sakuya and Yuki, who both treated her with respect despite their confidence and clashing temperaments.
• Yuki judged that he and Hōzuki Sakuya could not defeat Shihōin Naraku, even if they attacked together, and said the three of them would die if Mei joined them.
• Hōzuki Sakuya agreed to follow Mei Terumi if she chose to attack Naraku, but Mei decided not to provoke him while Kirigakure was still in turmoil.

Mei Terumi discussed Kirigakure’s improving mood and her concerns about Konoha’s strength and Academy reforms, while preparing to negotiate with Iwagakure. Shihōin Naraku watched from above and wondered about the unfamiliar Yuki Yuki and Hōzuki Sakutsuki, especially given the Yuki Clan’s persecution.

• Hōzuki Sakutsuki reported that he had dealt with Kirigakure’s radicals, while Yuki Yuki said Genji supported their actions and the village favored Mei Terumi’s agreement with Konoha.
• Mei Terumi warned that the radicals might cause more trouble and said Konoha’s Ninja Academy reforms threatened to give the village a lasting advantage.
• Yuki Yuki acknowledged that Mei Terumi, Hōzuki Sakutsuki, and he could not defeat Shihōin Naraku, while Sakutsuki cautioned that their allies might not help them.
• Yuki Yuki reported that Iwagakure was receptive under Fourth Tsuchikage Han, and Mei Terumi agreed to negotiate the terms.
• Shihōin Naraku watched the meeting from above and reflected on the Yuki Clan’s persecution and the unfamiliar Yuki Yuki.

Mei Terumi’s camp came under attack from masked Kirigakure ninja after Shihōin Naraku left. With Yuki Yuki and Hōzuki Sakuya defending her, she survived the ambush and the attackers were wiped out.

• Shihōin Naraku sensed masked figures approaching and suspected a spy remained among Mei Terumi’s subordinates.
• Mei Terumi, Yuki Yuki, and Hōzuki Sakuya left their tent to confront the attackers surrounding the camp.
• Mei Terumi ordered her Mist Ninja to fight the attackers, who used techniques associated with Kirigakure.
• Yuki Yuki and Hōzuki Sakuya joined the battle and turned it in Mei Terumi’s favor, killing the attackers.
• A hidden explosive weapon detonated beside Mei Terumi, but she remained unharmed as Shihōin Naraku watched from above.

Mei Terumi’s party defeated a suicide attack, then split up to pursue negotiations and preparations with other lands. Back in Konoha, Naraku reported the battle to Tsunade, who considered investigating the two newly revealed Kage-level Ninja and faced a dilemma over how the Academy’s history textbooks should portray Madara Uchiha and the Uchiha Clan.

• Hōzuki Sakutsuki identified one attacker as a suicide operative trained by a prominent Kirigakure family, and Mei Terumi ordered the bodies burned to protect the village’s secrets.
• Mei Terumi left for Iwagakure with Hōzuki Sakutsuki, while Yuki Yuki led the remaining Mist Ninja toward the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain to prepare for negotiations.
• Shihōin Naraku returned to Konoha and reported the ambush and the two Kage-level Ninja to Tsunade.
• Tsunade decided to have Hōzuki Sakutsuki and Yuki Yuki investigated, then discussed the pending Education Department reforms with Naraku.
• Naraku asked whether Madara Uchiha and the Uchiha Clan would remain excluded from the Ninja Academy’s new history textbooks, leaving Tsunade troubled by Konoha’s complicated history.

Tsunade and Shihōin Naraku prepared to revise Konoha’s rules and books, including how they recorded Madara Uchiha and the Uchiha Clan. At the advisors’ meeting, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura opposed adding Madara’s deeds, and Naraku challenged their claim that Tobirama Senju had ordered the records removed.

• Tsunade decided to bring the questions of Madara Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan, and the revised books before the advisors’ meeting.
• Shihōin Naraku received Harada Hakusui’s compiled suggestions and brought them to the meeting with Tsunade, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shikaku Nara.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura rejected Tsunade’s proposal to include accounts of Madara Uchiha’s deeds, citing Tobirama Senju’s order not to discuss him.
• Shihōin Naraku argued that Tobirama Senju had forbidden discussion of Madara but had not ordered his contributions removed from books.

Tsunade and Shihōin Naraku secured approval to restore selected information about Madara Uchiha to Konoha’s educational materials, then Tsunade appointed Naraku chief of the Mission Office. Naraku began reviewing confidential ninja records and assessing the influence of Konoha’s major clans.

• Shihōin Naraku supported Tsunade’s proposal to teach students about Madara Uchiha’s merits and faults, and he overcame Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura’s opposition.
• Tsunade appointed Naraku chief of the Konoha Mission Office, entrusting him with matching missions to ninja teams and protecting confidential records.
• Naraku handed the Education Department’s finalized rules and books to Harada Hakusui to implement.
• Tsunade gave Naraku confidential information on Konoha’s ninja teams and explained how to screen and assign missions safely.
• Naraku reviewed the records and noted the strength and influence of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.

Shihōin Naraku reviewed the Shimura Clan’s growing strength and considered making trouble for them, then was summoned to hear that Orochimaru had escaped Kumogakure after sabotaging it. He learned that Killer B had become the Fifth Raikage and worried that the changes Naraku had caused could alter future events.

• Shihōin Naraku read that the Shimura Clan had two Jonin and seventeen Chunin, more than the Shihōin Clan, and considered causing them trouble because Danzo had once targeted him.
• A messenger summoned Shihōin Naraku to Tsunade’s office, where Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shikaku Nara were gathered.
• Tsunade told Shihōin Naraku that Orochimaru had made the Eight-Tails go berserk, escaped with Kumogakure’s resources, and killed several Medical Ninja.
• Tsunade reported that Killer B had awakened and become Kumogakure’s Fifth Raikage, surprising Shihōin Naraku.
• Shihōin Naraku considered how the changing leadership of the villages might affect the future and thought about keeping Black Zetsu under control.

Shihōin Naraku explained that his Zanpakutō, Kurikara, had inflicted the soul injuries that kept Killer B unconscious, and he argued Kumogakure was too weakened to attack Konoha. Tsunade approved border vigilance and an ANBU investigation of Kumogakure, then the meeting turned to forming teams to hunt Orochimaru.

• Tsunade asked Naraku how he had injured Killer B so severely, and Naraku revealed that Kurikara could harm souls and burned anyone but him who touched it.
• Naraku said Kumogakure was unlikely to attack because Killer B remained badly injured and the Eight-Tails' rampage had caused substantial losses.
• Shikaku Nara agreed that Konoha did not need large-scale reinforcements, while Mitokado Homura urged the Border Forces to stay alert.
• Tsunade approved heightened border vigilance and proposed sending one or two ANBU to contact Konoha's spy in Kumogakure.
• Tsunade raised the question of hunting Orochimaru, and Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shikaku Nara supported forming teams to pursue him.

Konoha agreed to hunt down Orochimaru, with Shihōin Naraku proposing a sensory-focused pursuit squad that would locate him while he handled the final attack. Naraku formed the squad and sent it out, while Konoha raised Orochimaru’s bounty and circulated an updated wanted notice.

• Shihōin Naraku persuaded Tsunade and the advisors to use sensory ninja to track Orochimaru and call him in to deal with the target.
• Tsunade assigned Naraku to lead the hunt, and she ordered Mitokado Homura to raise Orochimaru’s bounty and update his wanted notice.
• Naraku recruited sensory ninja from the Yamanaka Clan, the ANBU, the Inuzuka Clan, and the Aburame Clan, then named Shibi Aburame captain.
• Naraku ordered the squad to report Orochimaru’s location rather than fight him, and the squad departed from the Konoha Gate.
• Konoha’s updated wanted notice spread through the underworld, where people discussed the bounty and the danger of hunting Orochimaru.

The villages’ bounties on Orochimaru sent bounty hunters searching for him and prompted the Akatsuki to make capturing him its next mission. As pursuers closed in on his hideouts, Orochimaru and Kabuto faced the loss of yet another base.

• Sunagakure announced that Orochimaru had killed the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and issued its own wanted notice with a reward of gold dust.
• After reading the newspaper, Kakuzu set out with Hidan for Otogakure to hunt Orochimaru for the bounty.
• Deva Path Pain ordered Zetsu to search for Orochimaru and assigned Kakuzu’s team to Otogakure and Sasori and Deidara to the area near Kumogakure.
• Kakuzu claimed Orochimaru’s corpse and bounty for himself, threatening anyone who tried to take them.
• Dozens of ninja entered a suspected Orochimaru hideout, triggering an explosion that collapsed the base and killed them.
• Kabuto told Orochimaru that another group had found one of his bases, and Orochimaru lamented losing more than ten hideouts.

Orochimaru faced an expanding hunt by the Three Great Shinobi Villages, Akatsuki, and bounty seekers, but repeatedly escaped capture. After Akatsuki’s attack left him gravely wounded, he and Kabuto prepared to fake his death before Shihōin Naraku could arrive.

• Orochimaru and Kabuto used Sasori’s request for intelligence to lure Sasori and Deidara toward a false lead, while Orochimaru’s pursuit caused a battle near the Land of Birds that killed many hunters.
• Akatsuki’s search eventually uncovered one of Orochimaru’s bases, where Sasori, Deidara, Yuki Haku, Uchiha Itachi, Hidan, and Kakuzu attacked him.
• Haku froze Orochimaru, but Deidara’s explosion broke the ice and allowed Orochimaru to escape; Uchiha Itachi held back because Sasuke Uchiha was training under Orochimaru.
• Kabuto confirmed that Sasuke and the others had reached safety and that a vessel for Living Corpse Reincarnation was ready, while Orochimaru insisted he had to die convincingly before Shihōin Naraku arrived.
• Orochimaru revealed that his experiments on Killer B had accidentally caused the Eight-Tails’ death and had taught him about souls, knowledge he planned to use to deceive Akatsuki.

As the hunt for Orochimaru plunged the Land of Birds into chaos, Jiraiya decided to take Naruto Uzumaki there while considering how to help him control the Nine-Tails’ chakra. The Akatsuki and Konoha’s pursuit squad both located Orochimaru and prepared to act.

• Orochimaru used expendable Cursed Seal subjects to hold off the Akatsuki, rogue ninja, and pursuit squads as the fighting spread across the Land of Birds.
• Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki trained together, and Jiraiya decided they would head to the Land of Birds.
• Jiraiya considered loosening Naruto Uzumaki’s seal to help him sense the Nine-Tails’ chakra, but postponed the attempt until Orochimaru’s situation was resolved.
• Zetsu reported Orochimaru’s location to Deva Path Pain, who ordered the Akatsuki to converge and finish him off.
• Shibi Aburame’s pursuit squad confirmed Orochimaru’s location and sent the intelligence back to Konoha.

Shibi Aburame’s pursuit squad hid while waiting for Shihōin Naraku, who received intelligence about the chaos in the Land of Birds and set out to find Orochimaru. The chapter ended with Naraku, Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki, Orochimaru, and the Akatsuki converging on the Land of Birds as a major battle loomed.

• Shibi Aburame ordered his injured pursuit squad to conceal themselves and wait for Shihōin Naraku after narrowly avoiding a clash with Kakuzu and Hidan.
• Shihōin Naraku finished his work at the Education Department and received an eagle-delivered report about the Land of Birds.
• Tsunade warned Naraku that the Akatsuki were in the Land of Birds and told him that Jiraiya had gone there with Naruto Uzumaki.
• Tsunade urged Naraku to deal with Orochimaru and expressed her anger at Jiraiya for taking Naruto into the unfolding conflict.
• Shihōin Naraku flew toward the Land of Birds as Orochimaru prepared to ignite the already tense situation.

The Akatsuki, Orochimaru’s cursed-seal forces, and bounty hunters converged near Clear Water Lake in the Land of Birds. Shihōin Naraku headed there with Konoha’s tracking team as the battle erupted, while Orochimaru stayed hidden and let his disposable subordinates fight.

• The Akatsuki assembled and set out to hunt Orochimaru, while Kabuto Yakushi stayed behind to escape once the fighting drew attention away.
• Orochimaru sent his cursed-seal subordinates out as expendable fighters, then left Kabuto Yakushi to prepare for his later revival.
• Wandering and rogue ninja gathered near the Land of Birds’ capital and moved toward Clear Water Lake after receiving Orochimaru’s location.
• Shihōin Naraku arrived at Konoha’s tracking team, learned that the Akatsuki and other pursuers were gathering near Clear Water Lake, and flew ahead with the team following.
• A chaotic battle broke out at Clear Water Lake between the bounty hunters and Orochimaru’s cursed-seal ninja, while Orochimaru hid nearby.

Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki confronted Orochimaru, but Kakuzu and Hidan arrived to capture the organization’s traitor. Kakuzu attacked Orochimaru, who escaped his binding and countered with a Cursed Seal before Kakuzu’s black threads forced him to retreat.

• Jiraiya confronted Orochimaru and vowed to avenge Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Naruto Uzumaki began losing control to the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
• Hidan and Kakuzu arrived, and Kakuzu sealed away a bounty target’s corpse before identifying Orochimaru as the organization’s traitor.
• Kakuzu told Hidan to watch Jiraiya, then attacked Orochimaru with a powerful punch and black threads.
• Orochimaru dodged Kakuzu’s punch, used the Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique, and bit Kakuzu with a Cursed Seal.
• Kakuzu burst black threads from his back, and Orochimaru retreated to avoid them.

Kakuzu’s attacks drove Orochimaru into hiding while Jiraiya pulled Naruto Uzumaki away from the fighting and weighed whether to ally with Orochimaru. Orochimaru summoned the Third Kazekage with Impure World Reincarnation, and Kakuzu recognized his former opponent before attacking Orochimaru in anger.

• Kakuzu unleashed Wind Release and Lightning Release attacks against Orochimaru, while Jiraiya led Naruto Uzumaki away and kept Hidan from pursuing them too closely.
• Orochimaru countered with a swarm of venomous snakes, but Kakuzu’s wind technique destroyed them and forced Orochimaru to reposition in the shadows.
• Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation, but Kakuzu’s lightning struck the summoned coffin as it appeared.
• The Third Kazekage emerged with a damaged chest that rapidly repaired itself with paper, and Orochimaru revealed that he had summoned him for Kakuzu.
• Kakuzu recognized the Third Kazekage as the opponent who had once defeated him, accused Orochimaru of mastering the forbidden jutsu, and attacked him with a powerful wind technique.

Kakuzu fought the Third Kazekage, whom Orochimaru had summoned with his improved Impure World Reincarnation, while Jiraiya protected Naruto from Hidan. When the Third Kazekage could not defeat Kakuzu quickly, Orochimaru summoned the Third Raikage as another weapon.

• Orochimaru angered Kakuzu by mentioning Earth Grudge Fear, and Kakuzu attacked him.
• The Third Kazekage unleashed iron sand attacks, but Kakuzu countered with wind, fire, and lightning ninjutsu.
• Hidan offered to help Kakuzu, who refused, while their battle devastated the surrounding forest.
• Jiraiya pulled Naruto away from an exploding flame and warned him to watch out for the battle's stray attacks.
• Orochimaru summoned the Third Raikage after realizing the Third Kazekage could not quickly defeat Kakuzu.