Chapter Summaries

Konan and Nagato suppressed unrest among Amegakure's higher-ups as the Akatsuki's hunt for tailed beasts brought pressure from the Five Great Nations. Nagato revealed that the Six-Tails mission cost Haku his life and left Uchiha Itachi gravely wounded, while the Akatsuki captured the beast.

• Konan reported that she had settled Amegakure's affairs and suppressed news, and Nagato told her to watch the village closely as the Akatsuki plan reached its critical stage.
• Nagato said Kakuzu and Akame had captured the Three-Tails, then revealed that Haku had died and Uchiha Itachi had been wounded during the Six-Tails mission.
• Obito Uchiha and Zetsu watched over the badly injured Uchiha Itachi aboard a boat, and Obito said he would find Sasuke Uchiha quickly.
• Zetsu recalled that Hōzuki Sakuya had killed Haku during the battle, before Uchiha Itachi killed Sakuya and the Akatsuki took the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, Utakata.

After Obito rescued Itachi and Utakata from the battlefield, Sasuke returned from a mission to Orochimaru’s hidden base and demanded a break from assignments. Meanwhile, accusations and threats at the Five Kage Summit erupted into chaos.

• Obito killed the remaining Mist Ninja and left with the injured Itachi and Utakata, abandoning Haku’s body.
• Orochimaru hid in a remote base in the Land of Mountains because his damaged soul made him afraid to face Naraku.
• Sasuke delivered a scroll of experimental materials to Kabuto and refused to take on more missions so he could train.
• Kabuto worried that Orochimaru might die again, though he thought death at Sasuke’s hands would be preferable to death at Naraku’s hands.
• The Five Kage Summit descended into arguments and threats as the leaders blamed one another’s villages for the Akatsuki.

At the Five Kage Summit, Tsunade learned that Naraku had told Naruto about his parents, while Mei Terumi received news of Akatsuki’s devastating attack on Kirigakure. Tsunade and Mei pushed to accelerate negotiations, leaving the summit moving forward under pressure from three allied villages.

• Mifune struggled to moderate the Five Kage’s arguments before the summit paused.
• Tsunade received a report that Naraku had told Naruto his father was Minato Namikaze, and she blamed Naraku for revealing it without her permission.
• Tsunade learned Naruto had reacted impulsively but remained safe, and she decided the summit needed to end quickly so she could return to Konoha.
• Mei Terumi learned Akatsuki had captured the revived Three-Tails and Utakata, killed Hōzuki Sakuya, and inflicted heavy losses on Kirigakure.
• Mei warned Yuki to keep a low profile after learning an Akatsuki attacker belonged to the Yuki Clan, then called for the summit to speed up.
• Tsunade and Mei accelerated negotiations, while Gaara sided with Konoha and Kumogakure and Iwagakure gave ground.

The Five Kage agreed to share intelligence and assemble a joint force against Akatsuki, then debated who should lead it. Dodai nominated Ōnoki to prevent Konoha from gaining more influence, leaving the captaincy undecided.

• The Five Kage agreed that the villages would share Akatsuki intelligence, form a joint force, and reclaim tailed beasts after Akatsuki's defeat, with compensation required and Konoha handling supplies.
• Mifune raised the question of who would captain the joint force, and Mei Terumi proposed Yuki Yuki of Kirigakure.
• Ōnoki dismissed Yuki Yuki's suitability, and Tsunade challenged Ōnoki's authority to interrupt as a former Tsuchikage.
• Han asserted that he was Iwagakure's current Tsuchikage, forcing Ōnoki to stop interrupting.
• Dodai nominated Ōnoki, citing his strength and experience, and the other leaders recognized that Dodai was trying to block Konoha from gaining the captaincy.

The Five Kage agreed to appoint Shihōin Naraku commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces and ordered the forces to assemble in the Land of Iron. Back in Konoha, Naraku teased Naruto about the Rasengan’s name before a system notification announced his new command.

• Han rejected Dodai’s proposal to make Ōnoki commander, citing the Previous Tsuchikage’s need to stabilize Iwagakure, and nominated Jiraiya instead.
• Tsunade rejected Jiraiya as commander and explained that Konoha knew how dangerous the Akatsuki were.
• Gaara nominated Shihōin Naraku, and Tsunade, Mei Terumi, Han, and Dodai all agreed to his appointment.
• Mifune declared the Allied Shinobi Forces established under Shihōin Naraku’s command and said they would assemble in the Land of Iron.
• At a Konoha training ground, Naraku teased Naruto about Minato’s original name for the Rasengan, then received a system notification congratulating him on becoming commander.

Shihōin Naraku learned he had been appointed Allied Shinobi Forces Captain and considered the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ limited response to the Akatsuki. He told Naruto how his parents’ bond inspired the Rasengan, and Naruto mastered Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, though Naraku warned that it damaged his arm.

• Shihōin Naraku received five draw chances after becoming Allied Shinobi Forces Captain and reasoned that the Five Kage had not yet fully committed to fighting the Akatsuki.
• Naraku told Naruto that the Fourth Hokage developed the Rasengan for Kushina Uzumaki, who named the technique.
• Naruto succeeded in his Rasengan training, creating a massive crater while Sakura Haruno watched and Yamato sighed in relief.
• Naruto proudly told Naraku he had mastered Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, and Naraku warned him that it harmed his hand and arm’s chakra pathways.
• Naruto demonstrated the technique, creating another enormous crater, and Naraku judged that its power would grow as Naruto improved.

Naruto injured his right hand while mastering the Spiral Shuriken, and Naraku warned that using it again could permanently ruin his hand. Naraku said senjutsu could solve the problem and revealed that Sasuke Uchiha had killed Orochimaru, leaving Naruto and Sakura wondering whether Sasuke would return.

• Naraku noticed Naruto's right hand trembling and had Sakura examine it, revealing that most of its chakra pathways had been severed.
• At Konoha Hospital, Naraku explained that the Spiral Shuriken had injured Naruto's hand and warned him to stop using it or risk permanent damage.
• Naraku said Naruto could learn senjutsu from Jiraiya to address the injury, while Sakura was eligible to learn Naraku's senjutsu because she had inherited Shikkotsu Forest's teachings.
• Naraku explained that Sasuke and Orochimaru were heirs to Ryūchi Cave's teachings, then announced that Sasuke had killed Orochimaru.
• Naruto and Sakura asked whether the news was true and whether Sasuke would come back.

Naruto and Sakura asked Shihōin Naraku whether Sasuke could return to Konoha, but Naraku explained that Sasuke would not come back before taking revenge on Itachi. Meanwhile, Sasuke defeated Orochimaru, Akatsuki prepared to ambush Ōnoki and Han, and Obito chose to focus on Sasuke and Itachi’s coming battle.

• Shihōin Naraku told Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno that Sasuke Uchiha would not return to Konoha before avenging the Uchiha Clan massacre.
• Naruto vowed to bring Sasuke back, though he admitted he could not use his Spiral Shuriken and wanted Jiraiya to teach him Senjutsu.
• Sasuke Uchiha attacked Orochimaru in the Land of Mountains and defeated him in battle.
• Kabuto Yakushi let Sasuke leave, knowing Orochimaru would revive, and planned to spread news of Orochimaru’s death.
• Nagato and Obito Uchiha planned an ambush on Ōnoki and Han, with Akame assigned to capture Han and Kakuzu sent after Iwagakure’s reinforcements.
• Obito Uchiha chose not to join the operation so he could focus on Sasuke Uchiha and Itachi’s impending battle.

Orochimaru hid after faking his death so he could avoid the turmoil and later exploit the conflict between the Akatsuki and the major villages. On their journeys home from the Five Kage Summit, Tsunade's group discussed his reported death while Ōnoki and Han were ambushed by attackers using Shinra Tensei and Wood Release.

• Kabuto Yakushi spread news that Sasuke Uchiha had killed Orochimaru, as part of a plan Orochimaru had agreed to while he hid from the upheaval in the Shinobi World.
• Tsunade's party learned of Orochimaru's reported death while leaving the Land of Iron, and Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi discussed whether the news was true and what Orochimaru might be plotting.
• Ōnoki and Han traveled through the Land of Long while discussing the Akatsuki threat and taking precautions on their way back to the Land of Earth.
• An attacker used Shinra Tensei to blast Ōnoki and Han's party, sending Ōnoki flying before a Wood Release: Wood Dragon charged at Han.
• Han used Boil Release: Unrivaled Strength to strike the wooden dragon, but its tail hit him and sent him flying as the battle erupted.

Akame defeated Han and Five-Tails Kokuō with Wood Release, then killed a group of approaching Iwa Shinobi. Naraku inferred that Kakuzu had died after failing to stop them, leaving another Akatsuki member dead.

• Han partially transformed into Five-Tails Kokuō after the Wood Dragon drained his chakra, then broke free when Akame killed Akatsuchi.
• Akame struck Five-Tails Kokuō with Kogarasu and used Wood Release techniques to stop his charge and bring him down.
• Akame's Wood Dragon drained Five-Tails Kokuō's chakra until he shrank back into Han, whom Akame stabbed and left under a clone's watch.
• Akame sensed approaching Iwa Shinobi, went to meet them, and killed seventeen of them.
• Naraku suspected Kakuzu had attacked the Iwa Shinobi and concluded that Kakuzu had died at the hands of the Cloud Ninja.

Akame delivered the captured Han to Nagato and Konan, while the Five Great Shinobi Villages sent reinforcements to the Land of Long. Nagato’s Six Paths killed Ōnoki, then withdrew before the arriving shinobi could reach them.

• Iwa Shinobi defeated Kakuzu using their intelligence about his Earth Grudge Fear ability and extra hearts.
• Akame brought the unconscious Han to Nagato and Konan’s hiding place, earning Nagato’s approval for completing the mission.
• Akame sensed Kage and shinobi approaching from multiple directions, and Nagato ordered Konan to prepare to withdraw.
• The Asura Path fired a laser cannon that pierced Ōnoki’s Rock Arm and killed him.
• Nagato regrouped the Six Paths of Pain and withdrew as the reinforcements approached, while Tsunade ordered Konoha’s party to search for Ōnoki and Han.

Tsunade and Jiraiya searched the battlefield after the Akatsuki attacked Ōnoki and Han, finding dead Iwa Shinobi and traces of Wood Release. They rescued and treated Ōnoki, who woke in a confused state, while Han remained missing and Naruto was the only Jinchūriki still beyond the Akatsuki's grasp.

• Tsunade and Jiraiya found dead Iwa Shinobi and concluded that a ruthless enemy had killed them before they could react.
• Tsunade identified the vines around the bodies as traces of Wood Release and suspected the Akatsuki member who had mastered it.
• Might Guy and Kakashi found Ōnoki buried under broken branches, and Tsunade treated him after they brought him back.
• Kakashi and Might Guy reported that they had found no sign of Han, leading Jiraiya to worry that the Akatsuki had captured him.
• Tsunade stabilized Ōnoki and warned Jiraiya that his age and severe injuries could hinder his recovery.
• Ōnoki regained consciousness, but his eyes remained clouded and confused.

After the Akatsuki abducted Han and nearly killed Ōnoki, he told Jiraiya and Tsunade about the attack and the battle. The Kage could not organize a pursuit, so Konoha and Sunagakure prepared to escort Ōnoki back to Iwagakure.

• Ōnoki woke and anxiously asked Jiraiya and Tsunade whether they had seen Han, then realized Han was missing.
• Jiraiya asked Ōnoki about the battle, and Ōnoki explained that Dodai's communication formula had let him call for reinforcements.
• Ōnoki recounted the fight, including the Five-Tails battling a giant wooden golem and Wood Dragon, and Jiraiya recognized the Deva Path as Yahiko.
• The other Kage arrived and discussed Han's abduction, but they could not pursue the Akatsuki because the Allied Shinobi Forces were not ready.
• Konoha and Sunagakure agreed to escort Ōnoki home, and Might Guy carried him on his back.

After returning to Konoha, Shihōin Naraku searched the Land of Mountains and found Kabuto Yakushi. Naraku questioned Kabuto about Orochimaru’s apparent death and asked what Kabuto planned to do next, leaving Kabuto uncertain.

• Tsunade and her group returned to Konoha overnight, and Tsunade told them to rest before a meeting the next morning.
• Jiraiya visited Naruto Uzumaki and watched him sleep before returning home.
• Naraku left his underground laboratory and searched the Land of Mountains for Orochimaru’s base and Kabuto Yakushi.
• Naraku found Kabuto Yakushi and confronted him, learning that Orochimaru had staged his death at Sasuke Uchiha’s hands.
• Naraku confirmed that Orochimaru’s soul had taken up residence in Sasuke’s body, then asked Kabuto what he planned to do next.

Shihōin Naraku recruited the uncertain Kabuto Yakushi and ordered him to master Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode before pursuing further plans. Kabuto accepted, but the lethal risks of the training left him afraid as he prepared to go.

• Shihōin Naraku asked Kabuto Yakushi who he wanted to become, prompting Kabuto to confront his uncertainty after Orochimaru's death.
• Shihōin Naraku told Kabuto to work for him until Orochimaru was resurrected, and Kabuto agreed.
• Shihōin Naraku confirmed Kabuto had mastered Impure World Reincarnation and ordered him to learn Senjutsu at Ryūchi Cave.
• Shihōin Naraku vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique after telling Kabuto to contact him once he made progress.
• Kabuto recalled that the White Snake Sage's natural energy could cause him to become a snake and be eaten if he failed to master Sage Mode in time.

Shihōin Naraku returned to Konoha and joined Tsunade’s meeting about the Five Kage Summit and the Akatsuki’s capture of the other villages’ Tailed Beasts. With the Allied Shinobi Forces facing mistrust and the Akatsuki targeting Naruto, Naraku urged Konoha to prepare for an inevitable Shinobi World War.

• Shihōin Naraku returned to Konoha after assigning Kabuto Yakushi the task of training in Sage Mode.
• Shihōin Naraku helped Tsunade process documents, and Tsunade said she was glad he had told Naruto about his parents.
• Tsunade gathered Jiraiya, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Kakashi Hatake, Shikaku Nara, and Shihōin Naraku to share the Five Kage Summit’s results in secret.
• Tsunade revealed that the Akatsuki had captured Han and that the other villages had lost their Jinchūriki and Tailed Beasts, leaving Konoha with the Nine-Tails.
• Shikaku Nara and the others worried that the other villages might not truly support the Allied Shinobi Forces while Konoha retained its Tailed Beast.
• Shihōin Naraku urged Konoha to prepare for a Shinobi World War, declaring that war was inevitable.

Konoha’s leaders discussed the growing danger of the Akatsuki and the possibility of another Shinobi World War. Tsunade proposed sharing selected intelligence with the allied villages, and Naraku ended by warning that someone else might be directing the Akatsuki.

• Mitokado Homura warned that a Shinobi World War could begin within two years and might surpass the previous wars in intensity.
• Jiraiya revealed that Akatsuki leaders Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan had been his students, prompting Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to reproach him.
• Tsunade told the group that Akatsuki’s main base was in Amegakure and that she suspected the supposedly dead Obito Uchiha was an Akatsuki member.
• Shikaku Nara advised Konoha to share only suitable intelligence with its allies to avoid triggering war before the villages were ready.
• Naraku said Uchiha Itachi was close to death and did not want to live, then raised his suspicion that someone else was behind the Akatsuki.

Shihōin Naraku explained how the Akatsuki had changed after Yahiko’s death and suspected Obito Uchiha helped Nagato rebuild it. He warned that the Akatsuki planned to create the Ten-Tails by combining the tailed beasts, and Jiraiya vowed to stop them.

• Shihōin Naraku recounted how Hanzō and Shimura Danzō nearly destroyed the original Akatsuki and suggested Hanzō had later died at Nagato’s hands.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu agreed that Hanzō was likely dead, while Tsunade urged Naraku to continue.
• Shihōin Naraku suspected Obito Uchiha had helped Nagato rebuild the Akatsuki and might have shared its power.
• Shihōin Naraku questioned how the Akatsuki learned that the nine tailed beasts could merge, citing Neji Hyuga’s discovery of a creature that consumed tailed-beast chakra.
• Shihōin Naraku named the combined creature Ten-Tails and warned it could destroy a village or country with a single strike.
• Jiraiya declared that they could not allow the Akatsuki to gain control of Ten-Tails.

Shihōin Naraku argued that Obito Uchiha could not have survived his injuries without help and suggested Madara Uchiha might have saved and trained him. Tsunade rejected the idea, insisting Hashirama Senju had killed Madara, while Naraku pointed to Madara’s possible knowledge of Izanagi.

• The meeting agreed to share intelligence about the Ten-Tails and commit fully to fighting the Akatsuki while protecting Naruto Uzumaki.
• Naraku questioned how the Akatsuki obtained its intelligence and asked Kakashi to recount Obito Uchiha’s severe injuries.
• Tsunade said she could not have saved Obito, leading Naraku to conclude that someone had rescued and trained him.
• Jiraiya asked who had taught Obito and reproached Tsunade for not telling him about the possibility of Obito’s survival.
• Naraku proposed Madara Uchiha as the person behind Obito, but Tsunade insisted Hashirama Senju had killed Madara.
• Naraku asked whether Madara knew Izanagi, prompting Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to cough in warning about his blunt reference to Danzo’s death.

Naraku warned Konoha’s leaders that Madara Uchiha might still be alive and manipulating events behind the Akatsuki, prompting Tsunade to order preparations for a more dangerous Shinobi World. As Tsunade began assigning duties, Naraku interrupted her before she could give Jiraiya his task.

• Tsunade and the others considered whether Madara Uchiha had survived the Valley of the End using Izanagi, and Tsunade said Hashirama Senju might not have noticed because their strengths were close.
• Jiraiya suggested Madara Uchiha could have saved and trained Obito Uchiha, while Kakashi proposed that injuries might have prevented Madara from acting openly.
• Naraku reminded the meeting that the Akatsuki might not be Konoha’s only enemy, and Tsunade ended the discussion and ordered the village to prepare for unexpected threats.
• Tsunade tasked Kakashi with gathering intelligence, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura with contacting the Land of Fire and other Hidden Villages, and Shikaku with preparing the jonin and scheduling a meeting.
• Tsunade began assigning Jiraiya work, but Naraku interrupted her.