Chapter Summaries

Akame, the Deva Path, and Kakuzu escaped the Land of Lightning with Killer B and the Two-Tails, leaving the Cloud Ninja behind. After returning to the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki gathered to seal the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails.

• Nagato told Konan to have Zetsu investigate Akame’s identity and background again after seeing her defeat the Eight-Tails with Wood Release.
• The Deva Path carried the unconscious Killer B away while Akame retrieved the Two-Tails in the Amber Purifying Pot.
• The Deva Path and Akame reached Kakuzu’s battlefield, where the Cloud Ninja abandoned their fight to try to rescue Killer B and recover the pot.
• Akame, the Deva Path, and Kakuzu attacked together, then withdrew with Killer B and the Amber Purifying Pot as the Cloud Ninja reeled.
• Akame made Kakuzu carry the heavy pot, and the three joined Nagato and Konan before crossing the Land of Lightning’s border.
• The Akatsuki returned to the Land of Rain and gathered to seal the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails.

Akame joined the Akatsuki as a provisional member named [Void] and took part in the sealing of Killer B and the Two-Tails. As the Akatsuki began sealing the Eight-Tails, Kumogakure searched for them and neighboring nations raised their defenses.

• Deva Path introduced Akame to the Akatsuki and gave her a provisional ring and the code name [Void], telling her to kill Orochimaru and recover his ring to become a full member.
• Deva Path ordered Zetsu to monitor the Land of Rain and investigate the Land of Lightning, then the Akatsuki began sealing the Eight-Tails from unconscious Killer B.
• Akame noticed the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had two eyes open, confirming that the Akatsuki had already sealed the Four-Tails and Seven-Tails.
• Kumogakure's reinforcements discovered that the Akatsuki had taken the Two-Tails and Killer B, and began searching the Land of Lightning and surrounding small nations.
• The Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Water went on alert and reinforced their defenses as Kumogakure's search spread.

Kumogakure reacted to the Akatsuki capturing Killer B and the Two-Tails, while Iwagakure feared Roshi might also be missing. Mei Terumi learned that Kumogakure had lost all its tailed-beast jinchūriki and considered the resulting opportunity.

• A Kumogakure elder berated Dodai over the Akatsuki capturing Killer B and ordered wanted notices issued to find them.
• Ōnoki learned that Kumogakure had lost the Two-Tails and Killer B, then realized Iwagakure had not heard from Roshi for about two months.
• Han told Ōnoki that Roshi had last planned to train in the mountains, and Ōnoki ordered an investigation and a message to Roshi.
• Mei Terumi heard from Ao that the Akatsuki had captured Kumogakure's Two-Tails and Killer B, leaving the village without a tailed-beast jinchūriki.
• Mei Terumi considered Kumogakure's weakness a good opportunity.

Mei Terumi secured Kirigakure’s defenses and considered Utakata’s situation, while Gaara pursued negotiations with Amegakure over Kankuro. After returning to Konoha with Naruto, Jiraiya proposed investigating the Akatsuki in Amegakure, but Tsunade threatened to declare him a deserter if he left.

• Mei Terumi ordered two more teams to Kirigakure Lake and weighed what to do about the exiled Utakata.
• Gaara learned Amegakure was vague about exchanging Kankuro for captured spies, and kept sending envoys to negotiate.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha with Naruto and went to the Hokage Building to meet Tsunade and the others.
• Jiraiya announced that he intended to investigate the Akatsuki in Amegakure because Nagato had once been his student.
• Tsunade forbade Jiraiya from going and threatened to declare him a deserter, so he abandoned the plan.

Tsunade and the others discussed Kumogakure’s protest over an Akatsuki member’s Wood Release and how Konoha should respond to Akatsuki’s hunt for tailed beasts. Naraku argued against relying on Kumogakure and proposed sharing safe intelligence while preparing Konoha’s jonin for Akatsuki’s abilities.

• Tsunade told Jiraiya that Kumogakure had protested after an Akatsuki member used Wood Release, which Konoha suspected came from Orochimaru’s experiments.
• Shikaku Nara advised against sharing intelligence widely because Uchiha Itachi’s identity as a spy could be exposed, while Naraku said Kumogakure was using the incident as a pretext.
• Tsunade proposed joining Kumogakure to hunt Akatsuki, but Naraku pointed out that Kumogakure would not cooperate with Konoha while it hated him for killing the Fourth Raikage A and nearly killing Killer B.
• Naraku recommended sharing intelligence that would not expose Uchiha Itachi and argued that Akatsuki would face strong resistance from the villages guarding their jinchūriki.
• Naraku said Konoha needed to inform its jonin about Akatsuki’s members and their abilities.

Tsunade assigned Konoha’s Akatsuki response and put Kakashi in charge of the Intelligence Department. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki completed sealing the Eight-Tails and prepared to continue their hunt after resting.

• Tsunade ordered Shikaku and Kakashi to keep Akatsuki information from leaking, then appointed Kakashi director of the Intelligence Department.
• Jiraiya examined the wanted posters and said he did not recognize the girl Orochimaru had abducted.
• Naraku told Tsunade that he still had no leads on Orochimaru, and that the Intelligence Department’s basic framework was ready.
• The Akatsuki sealed Gyuki into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path after four days and three nights, killing Killer B.
• Nagato ordered the Akatsuki to rest for one night before continuing, while warning members outside Amegakure to avoid Kumogakure’s search.
• The Deva Path told Konan that Kakuzu was no match for Akame, then examined the Amber Purifying Pot and noted its resemblance to Uzumaki sealing techniques.

Nagato examined the Amber Purifying Pot’s seal and prepared to release the Two-Tails without damaging the Six Paths Tool. The Akatsuki sealed the Two-Tails in the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, then the Deva Path kept Sasori and Deidara behind.

• Nagato identified how to undo the seal on the Amber Purifying Pot and decided to leave it intact until the sealing ritual.
• Kakuzu confronted Akame about respecting her seniors, but she offered him money and the two agreed to work together.
• The Deva Path released the Two-Tails from the Amber Purifying Pot, and the Akatsuki began the Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals.
• After three days, the Akatsuki completed sealing the Two-Tails inside the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• The Deva Path dismissed the exhausted members and told Sasori and Deidara to stay.

Sasori and Deidara attacked Sunagakure and captured Gaara, then escaped toward the Land of Rivers. As Sunagakure's leaders argued over what to do, Temari stormed into their meeting in anger.

• Deva Path ordered Sasori and Deidara to capture the One-Tail and take him to the Land of Rivers to avoid leaving clues for Kumogakure.
• Yura killed the Sand shinobi guarding Sunagakure's entrance and let Sasori and Deidara enter.
• Deidara attacked Sunagakure from the air, captured the unconscious Gaara, and flew back to Sasori.
• Sasori and Deidara escaped toward the Land of Rivers, while Sasori's traps wiped out Sunagakure's pursuit team.
• Sunagakure's higher-ups argued over rescuing Gaara and choosing a Sixth Kazekage until Temari burst into the meeting room, furious.

After Chiyo and Ebizo restored order in Sunagakure, Temari led a squad to pursue Akatsuki and the village requested help from Konoha and Kumogakure. Tsunade decided to send Team Kakashi to rescue Gaara, with Naraku leading the mission.

• Temari was forced to wait outside Sunagakure’s leadership meeting while Gaara’s fate remained unknown and Kankuro was missing.
• Chiyo and Ebizo arrived, rebuked Sunagakure’s leaders, and directed the village to assemble a pursuit squad under Temari.
• Baki proposed seeking Konoha’s aid, and Sunagakure also contacted Kumogakure to coordinate their pursuit of Akatsuki.
• Tsunade received Sunagakure’s request and summoned Naraku to discuss Konoha’s response.
• Tsunade chose Team Kakashi for the rescue mission, ruled out Kakashi and Jiraiya as leaders, and Naraku agreed to lead the team.

Tsunade assigned Shihōin Naraku to lead a temporary Team 7, with Neji Hyuga joining Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno for a dangerous mission. The team learned that Gaara had been abducted by the Akatsuki and prepared to head to Sunagakure to rescue him.

• Tsunade offered Sai a place on Team 7, but Naraku rejected the suggestion because the team was about to embark on a rescue mission.
• Naraku recommended Neji Hyuga as a temporary member, and Tsunade agreed that his Byakugan and jonin status would help the mission.
• Naruto, Sakura, and Neji gathered in the Hokage's Office, where Tsunade named Naraku their leader because Kakashi remained in the hospital.
• Tsunade told the team that Sunagakure had requested help rescuing the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, who had been abducted by the Akatsuki.
• Naruto urged the team to leave at once for Sunagakure.

After Gaara was abducted, Shihōin Naraku led Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Neji to Sunagakure as part of a joint rescue effort with Kumogakure. The group arrived, where Chiyo and Ebizo welcomed Naraku and his team.

• Tsunade appointed Naraku as the squad's jonin leader and warned the team to avoid provoking conflict with Kumogakure.
• Naruto rushed to the village gates, where Naraku told him, Sakura, and Neji to follow his orders before they set out for Sunagakure.
• Naruto's urgency drove the squad to travel without resting and reach Sunagakure quickly.
• Chiyo was astonished that Konoha had sent Naraku to help, and she and Ebizo welcomed his team alongside Kumogakure's senior officials.

Shihōin Naraku and his Konoha companions arrived in Sunagakure to help rescue Gaara, where Sakura volunteered to treat Temari’s poison. Kumogakure’s reinforcements arrived under Dodai, whose squad was shaken by encountering Naraku as the chapter left the villages preparing to work together.

• Shihōin Naraku’s group entered Sunagakure, where Naruto insisted they pursue the Akatsuki immediately, but Chiyo said they had to wait for Kumogakure’s reinforcements.
• Chiyo explained that Sunagakure’s pursuit teams had suffered devastating losses and that Temari was near death from a rare poison.
• Shihōin Naraku asked Sakura Haruno to treat Temari, and the Sand leaders agreed after learning she was Tsunade’s student.
• Naruto reluctantly agreed to rest until the Cloud Ninja arrived.
• Dodai led Kumogakure’s reinforcements into Sunagakure, where Naraku’s appearance created a tense silence before he left.
• Dodai asked Baki why Konoha had sent Shihōin Naraku, and Baki confirmed that Naraku would be working with them.

Dodai ordered the Cloud Ninja to focus on rescuing the Kazekage and gathering intelligence on Akatsuki, while Sakura Haruno cured Temari’s poison. Temari revealed that Sasori had taken Gaara, and Chiyo decided to join the mission to bring him back.

• Dodai told the Cloud Ninja not to provoke Shihōin Naraku and set their priorities as rescuing the Kazekage and investigating Akatsuki.
• Sakura Haruno’s antidote woke Temari, and Chiyo told Sakura to rest after treating her.
• Chiyo asked to speak with Temari alone, and Temari described how Akatsuki’s flying member took Gaara while Sasori held off the Sand shinobi.
• Temari reported that the dying puppeteer Ye He had identified their enemy as Sasori of the Red Sands.
• Chiyo realized Sasori was her grandson and declared that she would bring Gaara back herself.

Chiyo joined Konoha’s pursuit team to rescue Gaara, while Baki and Dodai led Kumogakure’s team. After reaching the Land of Rivers, Naraku kept watch and used his vision to observe Akatsuki sealing Shukaku as Zetsu reported the approaching rescue forces.

• Temari watched Chiyo leave to help rescue Gaara, despite worrying that the elderly retired ninja was too weak for the mission.
• Baki split the rescue force into two teams, sending Chiyo with Konoha under Shihōin Naraku and leading the Kumogakure team himself alongside Dodai.
• Chiyo learned that Naruto cared so deeply about Gaara because they were friends with similar childhoods, and she suspected Naruto was Konoha’s Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Naraku ordered the exhausted Konoha team to rest after they reached the Land of Rivers, while he took watch and used his vision to see Akatsuki sealing Shukaku.
• Zetsu informed the Akatsuki leader that the rescue teams had reached the Land of Rivers and identified Shihōin Naraku as the leader of the Konoha team.

The Akatsuki prepared to hold off Shihōin Naraku until they finished sealing Shukaku, while Naraku deliberately slowed the rescue teams’ search to give the ritual time. When the teams encountered Konan, Kakuzu, Akame, and Uchiha Itachi, Naraku launched an immediate attack.

• Nagato ordered the Akatsuki to avoid a direct clash and use the Shapeshifting Technique as a last resort while Zetsu monitored the Sunagakure teams.
• Naraku decided to delay finding the Akatsuki’s hideout until the One-Tail sealing was complete.
• Naruto urged the rescue teams onward as they searched the Land of Rivers, and Naraku reassured him that they were moving quickly.
• Naraku led the teams down from the trees after sensing trouble, and Konan, Kakuzu, Akame, and Uchiha Itachi appeared before them.
• Naruto charged at the Akatsuki, but Naraku overtook him and struck first with a powerful attack that shattered the ground and unleashed flames.

Shihōin Naraku ambushed the newly arrived Akatsuki members, forcing Uchiha Itachi to stay behind while he fought Akame, Konan, and Kakuzu. After surviving their combined attacks, Naraku gathered the flames around him into a phoenix that grew into an enormous bird of prey.

• Shihōin Naraku wounded Kakuzu, forced Akame back, and sheared off one of Konan's wings before ordering the others to handle Uchiha Itachi.
• Naruto, Neji, and Chiyo confronted Uchiha Itachi, who trapped Chiyo in genjutsu as the battle began.
• Konan and Kakuzu withdrew from close combat while Akame fought Naraku and they supported her with ranged attacks.
• Konan and Kakuzu bombarded Naraku with explosive tags, fire, and wind, but he emerged from the flames unharmed.
• Shihōin Naraku gathered the surrounding fire into a phoenix, which spread its wings and grew into an enormous bird of prey.

Shihōin Naraku’s team and the Akatsuki exchanged attacks while the sealing ritual continued, and Naraku defeated the disguised opponents after Uchiha Itachi withdrew. The Akatsuki planned further delays as Naraku returned to find Chiyo injured and his team reporting that their apparent enemy was not Uchiha Itachi.

• Naraku monitored Uchiha Itachi’s fight with Naruto, waited until Itachi withdrew, then rushed in and cut Kakuzu apart.
• Phoenix’s fireballs forced Konan to escape as paper scraps, while Naraku killed the disguised Akame and recognized the Shapeshifting Technique.
• In the cave, Itachi and Konan reported their losses, Haku reported defeating another rescue squad, and the Deva Path ordered more Shapeshifting Technique delays.
• Naraku returned to his team and found Sakura Haruno treating Chiyo, who had been injured and mentally drained by genjutsu.
• Naruto and his teammates told Naraku that their opponent had suddenly died after being struck by their ninjutsu and had not seemed to be Uchiha Itachi.

Shihōin Naraku’s group resumed their pursuit of the Akatsuki, but repeated attacks kept them fighting and drained their strength. After the third skirmish, the squad was exhausted, while Naruto and Sakura Haruno remained in relatively good condition.

• Neji Hyuga reported the earlier battle, and Naraku warned the group that their enemy had used a puppet capable of imitating Uchiha Itachi’s abilities.
• After Sakura treated Chiyo, the group set out again, but Deidara and Sasori blocked their path with the Deva Path.
• Naruto charged Deidara and was caught in an explosion, while Naraku told Chiyo that Naruto could withstand it and pointed out Sasori’s presence.
• Naraku fought the Deva Path, resisted Shinra Tensei, and hurled him into the ground before the Six Paths of Pain appeared.
• Naraku realized Nagato might have used White Zetsu to rebuild the Six Paths of Pain and attacked them with Kurikara.
• After three Akatsuki attacks, Neji and Chiyo were heavily fatigued, while Naruto and Sakura Haruno were still in relatively good condition.

Naraku’s group discovered that Akatsuki had attacked Baki and Dodai’s rescue squad to force them to delay their search for Gaara by caring for the wounded. Naraku revealed that Sunagakure reinforcements would soon arrive, leaving the group free to continue their mission.

• Naraku ordered his group to leave any future Akatsuki attacks to him so the exhausted Neji and Chiyo could conserve their strength.
• Naraku’s group spotted Baki’s distress signal and rushed to support his squad.
• Haku, Akame, and Deva Path had severely wounded Baki and Dodai’s squad, then withdrew after the survivors sent the signal.
• Naraku’s group reached the wounded, and Neji recognized that Akatsuki was using them to hold the rescue mission back.
• Naraku told Naruto that Sunagakure reinforcements were on the way and would take care of the wounded.

Shihōin Naraku led Naruto Uzumaki and their companions toward the Akatsuki's lair after handing the wounded over to Sunagakure reinforcements. Neji Hyuga discovered that the Akatsuki was nearly finished extracting the Tailed Beast from Gaara, and Naraku and Naruto rushed to attack.

• Naraku ordered the team to rest while they waited for Sunagakure reinforcements, then warned them to move out as soon as the handover was complete.
• Chiyo verified the reinforcements' codes and entrusted them with escorting Baki, Lord Dodai, and the other wounded back to safety.
• Naraku and his four companions traveled through the night and found the Akatsuki's base beside a stream near dawn.
• Neji used his Byakugan to see the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and found Gaara inside as the Akatsuki extracted the Tailed Beast from him.
• Naraku and Naruto leaped down to the river and prepared to attack the boulder-blocked entrance.