Recaps

Jiraiya and Kakashi faced Nagato’s Six Paths of Pain as Konoha searched for Nagato’s hidden body. While Jiraiya summoned Gamaken and launched an attack, Shihōin Naraku received an intelligence scroll from Iwagakure during a break in the Land of Birds.

• Nagato demanded that Jiraiya hand over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, then assembled the Six Paths of Pain for battle.
• Jiraiya and Kakashi identified the Naraka Path as the puppet that repaired the others and planned to target it while Tsunade searched for Nagato.
• Jiraiya confronted Nagato about his motives, and Nagato declared himself a god who would bring lasting peace.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamaken and charged at the Six Paths of Pain, while the Animal Path began a summoning.
• In the Land of Birds, an Iwa Shinobi leader gave Shihōin Naraku an intelligence scroll from Iwagakure.

Shihōin Naraku led the Allied Shinobi Forces into the Land of Bears to investigate an Akatsuki base, while growing uneasy about the number of enemies inside. He began probing the mountain base and waited for scouts to report back.

• Shihōin Naraku learned that Iwagakure had discovered an Akatsuki base in the Land of Bears and ordered the Allied Shinobi Forces to set out with a local guide.
• The guide explained that Akatsuki had defeated Hoshigakure’s attempt to drive them out, leaving the Land of Bears eager for the Allied Shinobi Forces to destroy the base.
• At the base, Shihōin Naraku noticed an unexplained sense of unease and assigned Asuma Sarutobi, Longshantu, and Jian to block its other entrances and exits.
• Shihōin Naraku used Observation Haki and detected more than fifty Akatsuki members, many of them White Zetsu, concealed inside the mountain.
• Shihōin Naraku ordered the forces to proceed cautiously, and an Aburame jonin and another ninja sent insects and spiders into the base to scout.

Shihōin Naraku discovered that Konan had turned the Akatsuki base into a vast explosive-tag trap and ordered the Allied Shinobi Forces to retreat. As Nagato and Konan detonated the trap, the mountain began collapsing, leaving the retreating forces facing a blast that destroyed its summit.

• Shihōin Naraku sensed chakra throughout the Akatsuki base and realized Konan had disguised explosive tags as its walls and structure.
• Shihōin Naraku concluded that the trap chiefly threatened the Allied Shinobi Forces and could delay his movements, so he ordered everyone to retreat and signaled the other teams with a fireball.
• Nagato told Konan that Shihōin Naraku had seen through their trap and that the Allied Shinobi Forces were withdrawing.
• Nagato and Konan acted together to trigger the explosive tags inside the Akatsuki base.
• Shihōin Naraku urged the forces to retreat faster as explosions shook the mountain, swallowed the White Zetsu, and sent rocks tumbling toward the troops.
• A further series of blasts tore apart the mountaintop and caused it to collapse.

Shihōin Naraku protected the Allied Shinobi Forces from the Akatsuki’s explosive trap and helped them survive the destruction of the mountain. In Konoha, Jiraiya decided to move the battle outside the village and sent Kakashi Hatake to find the hidden enemy while he handled Deva Path Pain.

• The Akatsuki’s explosions shattered the mountain peak, sending flaming rocks and falling debris toward the Allied Shinobi Forces as Explosive Tags ignited around them.
• Shihōin Naraku unleashed a sea of fire to consume the falling rocks, then used magma and flames to shield the Allied Shinobi Forces from the explosions until the tags ran out.
• Jiraiya and Kakashi Hatake agreed that the fighting in Konoha had to move outside the village to limit damage.
• Jiraiya told Kakashi Hatake to find the hidden enemy while he took on Deva Path Pain in the air.

The Ino-Shika-Cho Trio exposed the Animal Path and Human Path, helped seal them after destroying their bodies, and then rushed toward flames in Konoha when Shikaku realized another diversion had failed. The chapter left the Deva Path repelling a Fire Dragon Flame Bullet with Shinra Tensei.

• Kakashi led Konoha ninja against the Animal Path's summoning beasts while Jiraiya charged toward the Deva Path and Asura Path.
• Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, and Choza Akimichi found the Animal Path and Human Path inside a hidden chameleon, then destroyed the chameleon and the Animal Path.
• The trio waited for a Sealing Squad member to seal the Animal Path, then caught the Human Path trying to steal the scroll and smashed it as well.
• Shikaku gave the scrolls to the Sealing Squad member and prepared to help elsewhere, but flames rising in Konoha showed that another diversion had failed.
• The Ino-Shika-Cho Trio rushed toward the flames as the Deva Path used Shinra Tensei to repel a Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.

Jiraiya and the Konoha forces battled the Six Paths of Pain as reinforcements arrived, while Shihōin Naraku told the Land of Bears guide that the Akatsuki base had been destroyed but the land around it was no longer habitable. The chapter left Jiraiya preparing to enter Sage Mode and the two sides poised to continue fighting.

• Jiraiya attacked the Deva Path after it used Shinra Tensei, but Kakashi stopped the Naraka Path’s King of Hell from catching him before the Preta Path returned and kicked him away.
• Kakashi told Jiraiya that Shikaku’s group had dealt with the summoned beasts, while Konan and the Asura Path arrived to support the Deva Path.
• The Deva Path declared that Jiraiya could not understand Nagato’s pain, and Jiraiya asked Kakashi and Shikaku to buy him time to enter Sage Mode.
• Tsunade arrived with members of Konoha’s major ninja clans after the village evacuation was completed, ready to support Jiraiya.
• Shihōin Naraku told the Land of Bears guide that the Akatsuki base had been destroyed, but the surrounding area was too damaged for people to live there.

After the Allied Shinobi Forces rested following their victory in the Land of Bears, they chose to march to the Land of Fire to resupply and attack another Akatsuki base. In Konoha, the battle against Nagato’s forces continued, and Jiraiya entered Sage Mode.

• Naraku led the Allied Shinobi Forces to a suitable place to rest after the battle in the Land of Bears, where the damaged land and injured were assessed.
• The allied forces discussed Hoshigakure’s missing Kage and learned that the Kage had died in the conflict with the Akatsuki.
• Naraku offered the group a choice between heading to the Land of Fire or the Land of Rivers, and the leaders chose the Land of Fire to replenish supplies and attack an Akatsuki base.
• Naraku ordered the Allied Shinobi Forces to rest for the night and set out for the Land of Fire the next morning.
• In Konoha, Kakashi and the other ninja struggled against Deva Path, Konan, and Preta Path, while Jiraiya activated Sage Mode.

Jiraiya entered the battle in Sage Mode and coordinated with Tsunade to target the Six Paths of Pain. After they destroyed Preta Path, Jiraiya turned his attention to Deva Path, believing Nagato had desecrated Yahiko’s remains.

• Jiraiya asked Sage Fukasaku about Naruto’s training and learned that Naruto was close to mastering Sage Mode.
• Tsunade continued fighting Deva Path at close range, using her regenerative ability to withstand his attacks.
• Jiraiya signaled Tsunade to move, then used Sage Art: Goemon with Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima to send a sea of fire at Deva Path.
• Sage Fukasaku used Fighting Tongue Slash to cut Preta Path while it absorbed the fire, leaving Deva Path exposed to the flames.
• Jiraiya accused Nagato of abusing Yahiko’s remains and vowed to stop him.

Jiraiya and Tsunade fought Nagato’s forces as Jiraiya gained the upper hand over Deva Path and Tsunade destroyed Konan’s Shadow Clone. Hidden nearby, Nagato decided to unleash his full power, and Deva Path escaped Jiraiya’s finishing attack before striking Sage Fukasaku and using Shinra Tensei.

• Jiraiya used his knowledge of Deva Path’s abilities to gain the upper hand, and his resistance to Shinra Tensei sent Deva Path flying.
• Tsunade blocked Konan’s attempt to reach Deva Path and destroyed her with Monster Strength Fist, revealing that she had been a Shadow Clone.
• Hidden in a disguised tree, Nagato rejected Konan’s suggestion to retreat and decided to fight Jiraiya at full power despite the strain on his body.
• Jiraiya attacked the fallen Deva Path with Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan, but Deva Path vanished and the attack smashed into the ground.
• Deva Path pierced Sage Fukasaku’s tongue with a Black Rod, disrupting his body and chakra, then evaded Sage Shima and aimed Shinra Tensei at Jiraiya.

Nagato unleashed a devastating Shinra Tensei on Konoha after confronting Jiraiya and Tsunade about the suffering inflicted on Amegakure. Jiraiya and Tsunade survived beneath the rubble, but Konoha lay in ruins and countless lives had been lost.

• The Deva Path struck Jiraiya with a greatly strengthened Shinra Tensei, and Sage Fukasaku warned Jiraiya and Tsunade that the Black Rod could disrupt their chakra.
• Jiraiya and the Deva Path faced off as Nagato defended his plan to make the shinobi world understand pain, while Tsunade argued that Konoha had suffered too.
• Tsunade's words enraged Nagato, who raised the Deva Path high above Konoha and declared that the village would experience Amegakure's suffering.
• Nagato unleashed Shinra Tensei, leveling Konoha as Jiraiya shielded Tsunade from the destruction.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade crawled out from beneath the rubble and saw that Konoha had been devastated and many people had died.

Tsunade and Jiraiya mourned Konoha’s destruction and fought Deva Path, while Nagato pushed his failing body onward to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. As Tsunade attacked the fallen Deva Path, he prepared to use Shinra Tensei again.

• Tsunade and Jiraiya blamed Nagato for the destruction of Konoha and the civilians killed in the blast.
• Nagato refused Konan’s offer to take over, insisting that becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki would restore his strength and make his sacrifices worthwhile.
• Nagato and Konan reasoned that Jiraiya and Tsunade could reveal the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki’s whereabouts, so Deva Path descended to confront them.
• Jiraiya attacked Deva Path in Sage Mode and broke his arm and leg, then declared that he would come for Nagato.
• Tsunade lunged at the motionless Deva Path, and Jiraiya warned her as Deva Path began Shinra Tensei.

Jiraiya and the Konoha ninja fought Nagato’s Deva Path while Tsunade’s massive Katsuyu summon left her unconscious. Naruto arrived in Sage Mode and kicked the Deva Path away, but the fight took a new turn when the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appeared in Konohagakure.

• The Deva Path used Shinra Tensei to hurl Tsunade and Jiraiya, and Jiraiya realized Tsunade had fainted after summoning many Katsuyu to heal survivors.
• The Deva Path tried to pull Sage Shima and Tsunade back with Banshō Ten'in, but Jiraiya attacked and helped Sage Shima escape with Tsunade.
• Sakura Haruno and other Konoha ninja arrived, and Sakura carried Tsunade away while Jiraiya prepared to keep fighting.
• The Deva Path charged Jiraiya, but Naruto appeared in Sage Mode and kicked it into the rubble.
• Naruto summoned Gamabunta and Gamaken, then realized they had landed in the devastated Konoha.
• Lightning struck near the Deva Path, and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appeared in Konohagakure.

The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appeared in Konoha, and Jiraiya and Naruto realized it held immense chakra and could contain the tailed beasts. After it attacked them with lightning, they launched Sage Arts at it, leaving the battle underway.

• The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appeared in Konoha, and Jiraiya and Sage Fukasaku sensed its enormous, dangerous chakra.
• Jiraiya joined Naruto and reassured him that survivors were being rescued as Naruto worried about his friends and the village.
• Jiraiya told Naruto the statue might contain the captured tailed beasts, and Naruto touched the seal on his abdomen.
• The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path charged and unleashed a storm of lightning that struck Gamabunta and Gamahiro.
• Jiraiya used Sage Art: Goemon while Naruto hurled Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken at the statue.

Shihōin Naraku learned that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had appeared in Konoha and debated whether to return from the Allied Shinobi Forces camp. The Katsuyu Sage then reported that the Akatsuki had devastated Konoha, prompting Naraku to order everyone to assemble.

• Shihōin Naraku received his Shadow Clone’s memories of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path fighting Jiraiya and Naruto in Konoha.
• Shihōin Naraku considered returning to Konoha because he feared the battle could spiral out of control.
• Might Guy finished handstand training and invited Neji Hyuga to run laps with him, but Neji refused.
• The Katsuyu Sage appeared before Shihōin Naraku and reported that the Akatsuki had destroyed Konoha, Tsunade had fallen unconscious, and Jiraiya and Naruto were fighting an enormous enemy summon.
• The Katsuyu Sage said Kakashi was badly injured but out of danger and could not confirm the condition of Tenten and Rock Lee.
• Shihōin Naraku told Guy to calm down and ordered everyone to assemble.

After learning that the Akatsuki had attacked and apparently destroyed Konoha, Shihōin Naraku used the Flying Thunder God Technique to race back ahead of the Allied Shinobi Forces. He arrived outside the devastated village and saw the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path standing at its center.

• Shihōin Naraku ordered the Allied Shinobi Forces to prepare to return to Konoha and assigned Asuma Sarutobi to lead them.
• Naraku declined the Katsuyu Sage’s offer to reverse-summon him, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave ahead of the others.
• Asuma Sarutobi and Might Guy worried over reports that Konoha had been destroyed, while Asuma questioned how the Akatsuki could have inflicted such devastation.
• Naraku traveled between marked locations with the Flying Thunder God Technique, reaching the Land of Fire and then the forest outside Konoha.
• Naraku saw the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path towering over the ruined village.

Naraku returned to Konoha and attacked the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, destroying the Deva Path before turning his attention to the Nine-Tails and Naruto. As Naruto and the Nine-Tails struggled against the statue’s chains, Minato appeared inside Naruto’s sealed space; Naraku rushed to rescue the gravely wounded Jiraiya.

• Konoha’s surviving ninjas recognized Naraku as he arrived amid the ruins and called on him to avenge the village.
• Naraku slashed the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, then swiftly destroyed the Deva Path and burned its remains.
• Naraku saw the statue’s chains pulling the Nine-Tails from Naruto and realized Naruto and the Nine-Tails were resisting together.
• Naraku spotted Jiraiya in critical condition and charged toward him, shaking the statue and giving Naruto and the Nine-Tails a chance to struggle free.
• Minato appeared inside Naruto’s sealed space and watched Naruto cooperate with the Nine-Tails as they fought the statue’s pull.

Shihōin Naraku arrived in time to save Jiraiya and cut the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path’s chains restraining the Nine-Tails. Nagato refused to retreat and drained his life force to keep attacking, leaving the Nine-Tails in danger of being dragged closer.

• Shihōin Naraku found Jiraiya gravely injured but alive and used Medical Ninjutsu to heal him while preserving the stumps of his arms for reattachment.
• Shihōin Naraku sent a Shadow Clone to carry Jiraiya toward the Konoha ninja, then used Kurikara to sever the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path’s chakra chains.
• The Nine-Tails struggled to escape as the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path pulled against him again.
• Nagato ignored Konan’s pleas and forced the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to attack Shihōin Naraku and restrain the Nine-Tails, sacrificing his life force as his body rapidly aged.

Shihōin Naraku freed the Nine-Tails from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to move the battle outside Konoha. As Nagato lost control and drove the statue to attack Naraku, Naruto went to search for Nagato’s real body, while Naraku fought the statue and Kirin struck it with lightning.

• Shihōin Naraku severed the chakra chains holding the Nine-Tails and told Naruto Uzumaki to return to normal and find the enemy’s real body.
• Shihōin Naraku kicked the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take it several kilometers outside Konoha.
• Inside the mental space, Naruto Uzumaki told Minato Namikaze he would help Naraku find the enemy, while the Nine-Tails withdrew its power and remained sealed.
• Nagato lost his reason and ordered the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to kill Shihōin Naraku, while Konan could not calm him.
• Shihōin Naraku dodged the statue’s attacks and cut its palm and wrist, but the statue regenerated its wounds.
• Sasuke’s Lightning Release: Kirin struck the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and enveloped it in lightning.

Shihōin Naraku battled the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path but held back to keep Nagato alive until Naruto Uzumaki could reach him. Naruto found Nagato and Konan, and the chapter ended with Naruto entering their hiding place and facing the frail Nagato.

• Shihōin Naraku shattered the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path’s Tailed Beast Bomb, but the statue regenerated its injuries.
• Shihōin Naraku refrained from attacking further because he needed Nagato alive and able to perform the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
• Naruto Uzumaki followed the chakra traces on scattered Black Rods and rushed alone to Nagato’s hiding place.
• Konan attacked Naruto with Paper Shuriken, but Nagato stopped her and allowed him to enter.
• Naruto tore through the disguise and found Nagato sitting in a machine, emaciated and close to death.

Shihōin Naraku found Naruto after defeating Nagato and discussed the next stages of his plans with Black Zetsu. Black Zetsu agreed to hasten Sasuke Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi’s confrontation so Naraku could move the plan forward.

• The Nine-Tails warned Naruto to be careful and recognized Nagato’s Rinnegan as resembling the Sage of Six Paths’ eyes.
• Shihōin Naraku dispersed his flames, watched the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path disappear, and descended to the ground.
• Black Zetsu emerged and insisted that he had not known Nagato would destroy Konoha, offering to dispose of Nagato afterward.
• Shihōin Naraku asked about Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha, and Black Zetsu said Sasuke was on his way to meet Itachi.
• Shihōin Naraku ordered Black Zetsu to arrange the brothers’ fight quickly and advance the plan, and Black Zetsu resentfully agreed.

Nagato revived the dead in Konoha with the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, but died after casting it. Black Zetsu worried that Shihōin Naraku would seek the Rinnegan and headed after Konan, who flew away with it.

• The King of Hell released points of light across Konoha, reviving the dead as surviving Konoha Ninja resumed searching the ruins for anyone still trapped.
• Black Zetsu recognized the technique as the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique and feared Shihōin Naraku would covet the Rinnegan.
• Naraku questioned Black Zetsu, learned Nagato had used the technique, and revealed that Nagato was already dead.
• Naraku warned Black Zetsu not to be clever and left, while Black Zetsu rushed to find Konan and secure the Rinnegan.
• Black Zetsu found Konan flying away and decided the Rinnegan was safe for now, planning to have Obito Uchiha take it from her later.

Shihōin Naraku and Naruto Uzumaki returned to Konoha after the battle, and Naraku learned that Jiraiya’s arms had been crushed beyond recovery. As the villagers celebrated Naruto as a hero, Naraku anticipated taking on Konoha’s postwar leadership.

• Shihōin Naraku praised Naruto Uzumaki, then asked where Jiraiya’s severed arms were.
• Naruto explained that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had crushed Jiraiya’s arms, leaving Naraku to consider replacement options.
• Shihōin Naraku decided Tsunade would handle Jiraiya’s recovery while he took responsibility for Konoha’s postwar affairs.
• Shihōin Naraku told Naruto he was ready to become Konoha’s hero as they approached the village.
• The villagers cheered for Shihōin Naraku and Naruto Uzumaki, and Naruto was moved to see them welcome him with admiration.

After Nagato revived Konoha’s victims, Naruto was celebrated as the village’s hero while Shihōin Naraku prepared to manage the ruined village. Obito learned that Naraku had witnessed Nagato’s use of the Rinnegan and decided to retrieve it from Amegakure, despite the imminent battle between Sasuke and Itachi.

• Shihōin Naraku pushed Naruto into the celebrating crowd, where villagers cheered and tossed him into the air.
• Kakashi Hatake and Shikaku Nara asked Shihōin Naraku about the Allied Shinobi Forces and Konoha’s future, and Naraku agreed to take charge of the aftermath.
• Obito Uchiha waited near the Uchiha Clan Ruins for the coming battle between Sasuke and Itachi when Black Zetsu told him Nagato had died and Naraku had returned to Konoha.
• Black Zetsu explained that Nagato had used the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive the people killed in Konoha, and Obito feared Naraku might seek the Rinnegan.
• Black Zetsu urged Obito to recover the Rinnegan from Amegakure while Naraku was occupied, and Obito agreed despite hesitating to leave before Sasuke and Itachi fought.

Obito left to retrieve the Rinnegan while Akame blocked the Allied Shinobi Forces on their way to Konoha. Might Guy and the others could not break through her Wood Release, and the chapter ended with the reinforcements stuck and searching for a way forward.

• Black Zetsu reminded Obito Uchiha that securing the Rinnegan took priority, and Obito left to deal with Konan.
• After Shihōin Naraku returned to Konoha, the Allied Shinobi Forces continued toward the village under Asuma Sarutobi’s command.
• Akame and White Zetsu blocked the Allied Shinobi Forces, and Akame used Wood Release to surround them with a spreading forest.
• Might Guy opened the Sixth Gate and used Morning Peacock to destroy swathes of Akame’s forest, but she grew more trees to block their path again.
• Asuma urged Might Guy to conserve his strength, while the Allied Shinobi Forces struggled against Akame’s endless Wood Release and could not advance.

Asuma led the Allied Shinobi Forces back toward Konoha after Akame withdrew, realizing the battle there had ended. At Konoha’s outskirts, the patrol reported that Naruto Uzumaki had killed the Akatsuki’s leader, but Asuma sensed something was wrong and asked whether the casualties had been especially severe.

• Asuma agreed to let Might Guy open the Seventh Gate and use Daytime Tiger to clear the enemy’s forest, but stopped him when a White Zetsu appeared to deliver a message.
• White Zetsu told Akame to withdraw because the battle in Konoha was over, and Akame left after using her chakra to spread the forest toward the Allied Shinobi Forces.
• Asuma recognized that Akame’s withdrawal meant the battle in Konoha had ended and ordered the Allied Shinobi Forces to hurry there.
• The Allied Shinobi Forces reached Konoha’s outskirts without further enemy resistance and were challenged by Konoha patrols.
• After checking Asuma’s credentials, the Konoha ninja told him that Naruto Uzumaki had killed the Akatsuki’s leader, and Asuma asked whether the battle had caused especially severe casualties.