Recaps

While Jiraiya impersonated Shihōin Naraku, Konoha negotiated the next joint Chunin Exams and learned that Isshiki was checking whether Naraku had returned. The arc ended with Sasuke still unable to open a usable portal and warning that Isshiki and Momoshiki could recover while Naraku remained trapped.

• Shikaku reported that the first joint exams had brought Konoha revenue, visitors, and intelligence, while Tsunade assigned him to oversee departing guests and Kakashi to handle security and investigate Naraku.
• As the visiting factions left Konoha, Jiraiya impersonated Naraku at a summit where the Four Kage agreed to hold the next joint exams in three years and choose the host by vote.
• Mei Terumi, Burūi, and Kurotsuchi campaigned for their villages to host, but Gaara and Konoha supported Burūi after he offered Sunagakure aid and Konoha trade and resources, securing Kumogakure the hosting rights.
• Tsunade ordered Jiraiya to continue posing as Naraku while the real Naraku remained sealed in the Alternate Space, where Isshiki recovered and sent Fujiwara and Mizuki to investigate Konoha.
• Fujiwara and Mizuki searched Konoha without finding Naraku, then fled when Kakashi’s ANBU followed them, and Fujiwara overpowered Kakashi and injured the pursuing ANBU, though none were killed.
• Mizuki told Isshiki that Konoha’s Naraku was an impostor, and Isshiki concluded that the real Naraku remained sealed, and Urashiki then went to the Land of Wind to search for Kama.
• Kakashi reported the attack to Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shikaku, who raised Konoha’s security and ordered Jiraiya to maintain the impersonation while Kakashi gathered intelligence.
• Kakashi learned that Sasuke could open only a brief spatial rift, and Sasuke warned that Isshiki and Momoshiki might recover and threaten another war before Naraku escaped.

Sasuke trained with Naruto to open a portal, then led Tsunade’s rescue team into the alternate space to find Naraku. They found him alive but trapped by an undetectable seal, and Tsunade left him in place while the team searched for a way to free him.

• Sasuke trained with Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra until he could open a portal stable enough to carry the rescue team, while Tsunade prepared a backup plan and chose to lead the mission.
• Tsunade, Kakashi, Sasuke, and five Sealing Squad ninja entered the alternate space, while Naruto stayed behind to defend Konoha and Jiraiya maintained his Naraku disguise.
• Tsunade’s team searched the barren alternate space, then changed direction after Naraku used the Drums of Liberation to send tremors that revealed his location.
• Sasuke and a Sealing Squad ninja found Naraku in a valley, and Tsunade’s team confirmed he was alive but unresponsive, with his heart stopped and chakra nearly motionless.
• The Sealing Squad tried to identify Naraku’s seal, but its detection methods and Formula: Bright Eye revealed nothing.
• Tsunade decided not to move Naraku because the unknown seal might be triggered, authorized further investigation and access to the Uzumaki Clan’s old archives, and sent Sasuke to report back while Kakashi stayed to protect the group.