Chapter Summaries

Deva Path Pain and Konan fought Orochimaru and Jiraiya, with Konan sealing the Sound Ninja Four and then clashing with her former teacher. Jiraiya struggled to counter Konan’s airborne paper attacks as their battle continued.

• Deva Path Pain repelled Kaguya Kimimaro, struck him with a Black Rod, and sent Orochimaru and the Sound Ninja Four flying with the force of his attack.
• Konan attacked Jiraiya and Orochimaru with paper shuriken, then sealed the Sound Ninja Four inside paper covered in Sealing Jutsu Formulas.
• Jiraiya confronted Konan over her chosen path and attacked her with his growing silver hair while she countered with paper shuriken and Explosive Tags.
• Jiraiya trapped Konan’s ankle and used Fire Release, but Konan’s paper smothered the flames.
• Konan used the Substitution Technique to escape Jiraiya’s hair and resumed her paper-shuriken assault as he searched for a way to restrain her.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru joined forces against Deva Path Pain, summoning Gamabunta and Manda to support them. Their coordinated fire attack was repelled by Shinra Tensei, and Gamabunta cut through the redirected flames to save himself and Jiraiya.

• Jiraiya used toad oil to slow Konan, but his Wild Lion's Mane Technique caught only her Paper Clone.
• Deva Path Pain sent Orochimaru crashing to the ground, and Orochimaru and Jiraiya reunited to face him.
• Deva Path Pain blasted Jiraiya and Orochimaru away with Shinra Tensei, and they summoned Gamabunta and Manda together.
• Orochimaru promised Manda three hundred people for his next offering, persuading the snake to fight alongside them.
• Jiraiya and Gamabunta unleashed Toad Oil Flame Bullet at Deva Path Pain, but Pain's Shinra Tensei turned the flames back toward them.
• Gamabunta used Water Release: Iron Cannonball and then his sword to break apart the returning fire.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru exploited the cooldown on Deva Path Pain’s Shinra Tensei and appeared to defeat him, but Nagato took control again and sent Yatagarasu to attack Jiraiya. Jiraiya defended himself from the explosive eggs as Gamabunta leaped to fight the bird.

• Jiraiya and Orochimaru coordinated Gamabunta and Manda’s attacks, discovered Deva Path Pain’s shared vision and suspected Shinra Tensei had a cooldown.
• Jiraiya drew Deva Path Pain’s attention while Gamabunta and Manda struck him in succession, leaving him motionless on the ground.
• Deidara and Sasori left to deal with the regenerating Third Kazekage, while Jiraiya approached Deva Path Pain and the Akatsuki members did not intervene.
• In a hidden cave, Nagato said Jiraiya had reminded him of his past and vowed to eliminate his remaining weakness; Konan chose to stay with him.
• Yatagarasu bombarded Jiraiya with explosive eggs, forcing him to protect himself with Needle Jizo, and Gamabunta leaped up to attack the bird.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru fought Pain’s summoned beasts while Jiraiya tried to enter Sage Mode. The battle left their summons battered and several enemies destroyed, but Yatagarasu’s bombardment continued as Orochimaru and Manda were blasted to the ground.

• Gamabunta and Manda failed to bring down Yatagarasu, while Jiraiya escaped its explosions and prepared to enter Sage Mode.
• Manda carried Jiraiya to safety, but Pain’s Hell Hound attacked and split into two, forcing Jiraiya to summon Gamaken and Gamahiro.
• Pain summoned a charging Bull, so Jiraiya ordered the toads and Manda to hold the enemies off while he prepared to summon his Sage Mode helpers.
• Jiraiya noticed Deva Path Pain standing unharmed and recognized that several Pain bodies and summoned beasts possessed the Rinnegan.
• Manda and Orochimaru helped defeat a Hell Hound and the Bull, while Gamabunta and Gamahiro dealt with other summoned beasts.
• Yatagarasu launched another barrage, blasting Orochimaru and Manda into the ground as Manda demanded that Orochimaru prepare his sacrifice.

Deva Path Pain and the other Paths pressed Jiraiya and Orochimaru with powerful attacks while Naruto’s allies kept him from rushing to Jiraiya’s aid. Jiraiya defeated Animal Path and two summons, but Asura Path’s assault badly injured Gamaken and Gamahiro, and Jiraiya failed to enter Sage Mode as the battle continued.

• Manda left the battle, and Deva Path Pain ambushed Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the toads with Shinra Tensei, forcing Gamabunta to return to Mount Myōboku.
• Jiraiya fled the Yatagarasu’s bombardment while Orochimaru escaped using a shed snakeskin, and Konoha ninja restrained Naruto as he tried to rescue Jiraiya.
• Shihōin Naraku watched Nagato’s Paths attack and prepared to intervene when Jiraiya’s situation worsened.
• Jiraiya used fire, his hair, and the toads’ attacks to defeat the Hell Crab, wound the Yatagarasu, and bring down Animal Path.
• Asura Path’s rockets and laser struck Jiraiya and the toads; Gamaken and Gamahiro were badly injured and withdrew, while Jiraiya lowered his clasped hands, having failed to enter Sage Mode.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru fought Pain’s five Paths but were badly wounded, and Jiraiya realized that Nagato controlled them as puppets. Naruto charged in with four tails unleashed and was pinned down, while the Deva Path pulled Jiraiya toward him; a sudden rumble of thunder interrupted the fight.

• Jiraiya recognized the Paths as puppets controlled by Nagato and confronted the Deva Path over Yahiko’s death and Nagato’s beliefs.
• Orochimaru emerged to help Jiraiya defeat the Animal Path again, but both were severely injured as the five Paths remained mostly intact.
• Naruto rushed into the fight in a four-tailed transformation after Konoha’s ninja failed to stop him.
• Naruto attacked the Animal Path and Preta Path, but black rods pinned his tails to the ground and disrupted his chakra.
• The Deva Path used Banshō Ten'in to pull Jiraiya toward him as Orochimaru lay helpless, and thunder suddenly rumbled across the horizon.

Shihōin Naraku descended from the sky and defeated Deva Path Pain after rescuing Jiraiya and Naruto from the battlefield. He then caught Orochimaru trying to escape and attacked him with Kurikara.

• Shihōin Naraku transformed into a blazing meteor and plunged toward the battlefield.
• Jiraiya freed Naruto from the Black Rod, and they fled underground with Konoha's Tracking Squad as the meteor struck.
• Deva Path Pain used Shinra Tensei against the meteor, but Naraku broke through the Repulsive Force and sent Deva Path crashing into the ground.
• Naraku landed amid the burning battlefield, shocking the Akatsuki members with his arrival.
• Naraku cut Orochimaru in two as Orochimaru tried to escape, then confronted him and attacked again with Kurikara.

Shihōin Naraku destroyed Orochimaru’s current body and soul, then turned on Pain after learning the Paths had attacked Konoha’s people. He left Deva Path alive but dismantled the other Paths, while Jiraiya, Naruto, and the Konoha Ninja watched.

• Shihōin Naraku decapitated Orochimaru, pierced his head with Kurikara, and burned the body and remaining soul.
• Shihōin Naraku confronted Deva Path Pain, who said they did not want to be his enemies, but Naraku attacked over the assault on Konoha’s people.
• Shihōin Naraku switched places with Naraka Path to redirect Deva Path’s Shinra Tensei, then cut off Deva Path’s left arm.
• Human Path, Asura Path, Animal Path, and Preta Path helped Deva Path escape, but Shihōin Naraku cut down the other Paths and destroyed Asura Path after it exploded.
• Jiraiya, Naruto, and the Konoha Ninja called out to Shihōin Naraku as they watched him defeat Pain’s Paths.

Shihōin Naraku overwhelmed the Six Paths of Pain while the Konoha shinobi watched and Obito Uchiha considered how to get Nagato to retreat. Naraku continued fighting Deva Path Pain, who failed to injure him and tried to draw him away from Nagato’s hiding place.

• The Konoha shinobi praised Naraku’s strength, while Jiraiya told Naruto Uzumaki that he had laid the foundation for Naraku’s training.
• Obito Uchiha and Zetsu worried that Nagato’s defeat might expose his location, and Obito went to find a way to persuade him to leave.
• Deva Path Pain’s Shinra Tensei clashed with Naraku’s Getsuga Tenshō, and Naraku severed the Path’s remaining arm and black rod.
• Deva Path Pain tried to lure Naraku away from Nagato, but missiles exploded around Naraku without harming him.

Shihōin Naraku overwhelmed the Six Paths of Pain, destroying several puppets while Gore Magala fought Animal Path’s summons. When Deva Path used Planetary Devastation, Naraku resisted its pull and nearly cut apart the forming sphere before summoning Kurikara-Immovable Wisdom King.

• Naraku summoned Gore Magala, which easily overpowered Animal Path’s giant wolf as Animal Path called more beasts to join the fight.
• Nagato sent the other Pain puppets to attack Naraku while Naraka Path stayed back to repair damaged puppets.
• Naraku destroyed Human Path and burned its remains to prevent Naraka Path from restoring it.
• Deva Path used Shinra Tensei against Naraku, but Naraku broke through the repulsive force, defeated Human Path, and left Deva Path facing him alone.
• Deva Path cast Planetary Devastation, but Naraku resisted its gravitational pull and nearly shattered the rising sphere with Getsuga Tenshō.
• Naraku raised Kurikara and summoned Kurikara-Immovable Wisdom King amid flames, lightning, and storm winds.

Shihōin Naraku summoned the towering Immovable Wisdom King and countered Nagato’s Planetary Devastation by lifting its enormous black sphere. Nagato prepared to answer with his strongest Shinra Tensei as the battle approached a decisive clash.

• The Akatsuki members and Konoha ninjas marveled at the Immovable Wisdom King’s overwhelming size and power.
• Shihōin Naraku sent the Immovable Wisdom King charging toward the Deva Path and leaping at the growing sphere created by Planetary Devastation.
• The Immovable Wisdom King seized the black sphere, landed, and hoisted it onto its shoulder, astonishing Nagato and the Deva Path.
• Shihōin Naraku had the Immovable Wisdom King raise the sphere overhead and charge toward Nagato.
• Nagato gathered his remaining strength while Konan watched anxiously, then sent the Deva Path into the air to unleash its strongest Shinra Tensei.

Shihōin Naraku defeated Deva Path Pain in a devastating clash with Nagato’s Shinra Tensei, destroying all Six Paths of Pain. Nagato and Konan escaped, while Naraku let them go, and he reunited with Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki, and the surviving Konoha ninja.

• Nagato unleashed his strongest Shinra Tensei as Naraku swung the Immovable Wisdom King’s planet-like sphere into the repulsion.
• Jiraiya led Naruto Uzumaki and the Konoha ninja away from the imminent collision, while the Akatsuki members also retreated.
• The clash caused a massive explosion and shock wave that devastated the battlefield and left Deva Path Pain buried in rubble with his arms severed.
• Naraku found Nagato and Konan fleeing their hiding place, but decided not to pursue them; Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu withdrew and planned to recruit more ninja.
• Jiraiya, Naruto, and the Konoha ninja emerged from underground unharmed, and Naraku appeared beside them.

After defeating the enemy puppets, Shihōin Naraku and Jiraiya found that the final puppet was Yahiko, Jiraiya’s former student. Jiraiya buried Yahiko and began telling Naruto Uzumaki about his past with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.

• Shihōin Naraku told Jiraiya that the enemies had been puppets and pointed out where the final puppet was buried.
• Jiraiya uncovered Deva Path Pain, found its scattered limbs, and recognized the body as Yahiko.
• Jiraiya discovered a Black Rod receiver on Yahiko’s body, confirming that someone had controlled it as a puppet.
• Jiraiya buried Yahiko’s remains and carved his name on a wooden grave marker.
• At their campfire, Jiraiya began recounting his memories of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, leaving Naruto deeply moved.

Shihōin Naraku and Jiraiya discussed the truth behind Akatsuki’s apparent deaths and Orochimaru’s revival while Naruto rested nearby. Jiraiya postponed investigating the Land of Rain, choosing to focus on Naruto and keep watch for Orochimaru.

• Jiraiya realized that Konoha’s ANBU report had falsely claimed Nagato and Konan died with Yahiko, and Naraku suspected Shimura Danzō had manipulated the information.
• Jiraiya asked what had transformed Nagato and Konan and changed Akatsuki’s goals, but Naraku warned him against entering the Land of Rain because Nagato was too powerful and Naruto needed him.
• Jiraiya set aside his investigation and agreed that teaching Naruto came first, while Naraku explained that he had sent the Sensor Squad back after the matter with Orochimaru was settled for now.
• Jiraiya asked whether Orochimaru could revive again, and Naraku explained that Orochimaru had hidden soul fragments as backups but lost part of his soul each time he was killed.
• Jiraiya agreed to watch for Orochimaru while training Naruto, and Naraku offered to help if anything unexpected happened.

Shihōin Naraku told Jiraiya what he knew about the Akatsuki and urged him to teach Naruto Uzumaki basic ninja fundamentals alongside controlling the Nine-Tails. The next morning, Jiraiya weakened Naruto’s seal to begin training, but the Nine-Tails’ chakra surged out faster than expected.

• Naraku and Jiraiya discussed Naruto’s efforts to control the Nine-Tails, and Naraku reminded Jiraiya to build up Naruto’s basic knowledge.
• Naraku shared detailed intelligence about the Akatsuki, leading Jiraiya to realize that Uchiha Itachi had provided the information.
• After breakfast, Naraku, Jiraiya, and Naruto went to the ruined battlefield to train Naruto in controlling the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
• Jiraiya used the Fourth Hokage’s key to weaken Naruto’s seal, and Naruto erupted in a tailed-beast cloak as a third tail began to form.

Naruto Uzumaki’s four-tailed transformation threatened to overwhelm his reason, so Shihōin Naraku subdued him with Conqueror’s Haki and confronted the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. The Nine-Tails’ chakra retreated, but he was left wondering about Naraku’s power while Naruto still struggled to resist its influence.

• Naruto Uzumaki’s Nine-Tails Chakra intensified, and as a fourth tail emerged, he began losing control despite Jiraiya’s warnings.
• Shihōin Naraku approached the rampaging Naruto and pinned him down with Conqueror’s Haki.
• Naraku appeared inside Naruto’s sealed mind and ordered the Nine-Tails to stop tempting him, forcing the chakra to retreat.
• The Nine-Tails wondered about Naraku’s strength and suspected he carried the presence of other tailed beasts and a trace of the Sage of Six Paths.
• Naruto remained enveloped in Nine-Tails Chakra but managed to hold on to his will without the Nine-Tails tempting him.

Naruto trained to control the Nine-Tails' chakra under Shihōin Naraku's Conqueror's Haki, then Naraku suggested that ninja might befriend the Tailed Beasts instead of suppressing or controlling them. Jiraiya began seriously considering the idea, and Naruto woke up searching for Naraku.

• Naruto maintained control of his Tailed Beast Cloak while resisting Shihōin Naraku's Conqueror's Haki and slowly approached him.
• Naraku ended the pressure, and Naruto rushed forward to punch him, only to strike an afterimage before Naraku knocked him unconscious with an elbow.
• Jiraiya checked Naruto and praised the training, while Naraku warned that Naruto still had a long way to go.
• Naraku suggested that ninja could become friends and family with the Tailed Beasts, prompting Jiraiya to reconsider how peace and understanding might be achieved.
• Naruto woke up and looked around for Naraku.

Naruto continued training with Jiraiya and began trying to befriend the Nine-Tails, while Naraku returned to Konoha and arranged a joint Chunin Ninja Exams with Sunagakure and Kirigakure. As the participating teams prepared to travel, Tsunade told Naraku that Gaara had survived an assassination attempt and that Sunagakure’s leadership troubles could threaten the exams.

• Naruto kept training with Jiraiya and learned that the Nine-Tails had a name, strengthening his resolve to become its friend.
• Naraku returned to Konoha, where Tsunade had entrusted him with many village affairs, and announced the joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Tsunade and Naraku coordinated the exams with Sunagakure and Kirigakure as the other great villages declined to participate.
• Mei Terumi sent fifteen Kirigakure Genin to the exams and warned Ao that their bloodlust could cause trouble.
• Sakura Haruno joined Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi’s team, while Tsunade praised Sakura’s progress as her student.
• Tsunade told Naraku that Gaara’s position as Kazekage was insecure after an assassination attempt, and Naraku agreed that Gaara was the best choice for Sunagakure’s leader.

Naraku traveled with Konoha’s Jonin to Sunagakure to protect Gaara during the Chunin Exams, which were proceeding without incident. Gaara welcomed them, while Sunagakure’s elders ordered the hidden guards around him to withdraw after Naraku noticed their precautions.

• Tsunade assigned Naraku to keep Gaara alive and in power while Konoha’s Jonin handled the Chunin Exams.
• Naraku watched the visiting Genin begin the second exam, a race to reach an observation post in Sunagakure’s Demon Desert within three days.
• Naraku joined the Jonin traveling to Sunagakure, where Gaara personally welcomed them at the village gate.
• Naraku noticed the sentries, mechanisms, and traps Sunagakure had set around Gaara and the Kazekage Building.
• Chiyo and Ebizo ordered the hidden Sand shinobi to withdraw, then discussed Naraku’s perceptiveness and Sunagakure’s lingering losses from the failed Konoha Crush Plan.

Chiyo and Ebizo decided to support Gaara as Kazekage and exposed a plot against him. As assassins attacked the Kazekage Building during a sandstorm, Temari stopped one, while an explosion erupted on a nearby roof.

• Chiyo and Ebizo concluded that Gaara was doing well as Kazekage and resolved to hand over a list of people plotting against him.
• Kankuro told Gaara that the village elders supported him and warned that his opponents planned to assassinate him before the Chunin Ninja Exams ended.
• Gaara refused to change his plans or avoid public appearances, saying protecting the village was his responsibility.
• An Iwa Shinobi infiltrated the Kazekage Building, but Kankuro spotted him and chased him outside as a diversion.
• Temari intercepted a second assassin and blasted him out of the building with Wind Release: Sickle Weasel, destroying his Explosive Tags in the storm.
• A burst of fire erupted on the roof of a nearby building.