Ch. 421Vigilance and Death

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.

Ch. 422Hero

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.

Ch. 423Trouble and countermeasures

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.

Ch. 424Blocking and withdrawing

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.

Ch. 425Rushing back to the village

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.

Ch. 426What the Hell Was This Place?

Asuma Sarutobi and the Allied Shinobi Forces reached Konoha, where the villagers claimed Akatsuki had caused no deaths thanks to Shihōin Naraku, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. After Kakashi Hatake explained the battle and kept the resurrection secret, Asuma and the others entered the village and were stunned by its destruction.

  • A Konoha ninja told Asuma Sarutobi that few people had been injured and no one had died, crediting Shihōin Naraku, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Naruto Uzumaki with stopping Akatsuki's attack.
  • Neji Hyuga used his Byakugan and saw that Konoha had been razed to the ground.
  • Kakashi Hatake told Asuma to keep the Allied Shinobi Forces outside the village and conceal that Konoha's dead had returned to life.
  • Asuma asked Kakashi what had happened, and Kakashi explained the truth before taking charge of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
  • Asuma, Might Guy, and the others entered Konoha and gaped at the ruined village.

Ch. 427Discussion and decisions

Asuma Sarutobi and the Allied Shinobi Forces returned to find Konoha reduced to ruins, then met Shihōin Naraku, who explained the next steps. Naraku ordered the forces to report Konoha’s destruction to the other villages before temporarily disbanding the alliance, and the shinobi were allowed to see the ruins.

  • Asuma Sarutobi, Neji Hyuga, and Might Guy surveyed Konoha’s destroyed terrain and headed for the villagers’ tents to find their friends and families.
  • Shihōin Naraku met Asuma’s group and asked whether the Akatsuki had delayed the Allied Shinobi Forces on their return.
  • Asuma explained that an Akatsuki woman using Wood Release had blocked their advance until the enemy withdrew.
  • Naraku told Asuma to keep the Allied Shinobi Forces outside Konoha, report the village’s condition to the other villages, and then temporarily disband the alliance.
  • After resting, the Allied Shinobi Forces approached Konoha and saw the ruins for themselves.

Ch. 428The villages' reactions

The Allied Shinobi Forces found Konoha in ruins and reported the attack to the other villages, which saw an opportunity in its losses. Iwagakure and Kumogakure chose to proceed cautiously while their leaders considered how to manage the news and the shifting balance of power.

  • The Allied Shinobi Forces inspected Konoha's ruins, doubted Konoha's claim that nobody had died, and sent reports to the villages.
  • Ōnoki learned of Konoha's destruction and concluded that Iwagakure should avoid provoking Shihōin Naraku while requesting more information from Konoha.
  • Dodai ordered Kumogakure to publicize the attack to lift the village's morale.
  • Sunagakure and Kirigakure also learned of the attack, and their leaders welcomed Konoha's losses while recognizing that Shihōin Naraku's presence made a new Ninja War unlikely.

Ch. 429Handling the Aftermath

Shihōin Naraku reviewed other villages’ responses to the Akatsuki attack and discussed Konoha’s reconstruction with Shikaku Nara, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu. He rejected rebuilding in the crater and insisted it be filled, leaving the elders supportive of him as the likely Sixth Hokage despite the enormous challenge.

  • Shihōin Naraku read letters from other villages and noted that Sunagakure sincerely offered ninja and supplies to help Konoha.
  • Shikaku Nara reported that destroyed buildings and overcrowded temporary shelters made housing Konoha’s villagers an urgent problem.
  • Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu proposed rebuilding homes according to Konoha’s original layout.
  • Shihōin Naraku rejected their proposal, arguing that the crater’s terrain posed serious problems for safety, drainage, health, and underground pipes.
  • Mitokado Homura urged Naraku to provide shelter first and address broader reconstruction later, while he and Utatane Koharu accepted Naraku as the best candidate to lead Konoha.

Ch. 430Preparing for reconstruction

Shihōin Naraku organized Konoha’s reconstruction, temporary housing, security, and requests for aid after Nagato’s death. With Jiraiya and Tsunade unconscious, the leaders also began preparations to choose a new Hokage, leaving Utatane Koharu to contact the daimyo.

  • Shihōin Naraku persuaded the leaders that he would personally fill in Konoha’s crater, using his chakra, while they helped.
  • Naraku said the Allied Shinobi Forces would be disbanded once the other villages replied, and assigned temporary housing plans for Konoha’s displaced residents.
  • Naraku assigned Shikaku Nara to organize a temporary residence, Kakashi to oversee security after the forces dispersed, and Mitokado Homura to coordinate supplies and merchants.
  • Naraku tasked Utatane Koharu with handling communications with the daimyo and requesting funding and supplies from the Land of Fire.
  • Mitokado Homura argued that Konoha needed a powerful Hokage while Jiraiya and Tsunade remained unconscious, and Naraku agreed to begin the selection process.
  • Shikaku Nara said the jonin should still nominate candidates, and Utatane Koharu agreed to arrange the nomination and inform the daimyo once they reached a consensus.

Ch. 431A visit

Shihōin Naraku visited the makeshift hospital after agreeing to begin the process of making him Sixth Hokage. He found Naruto watching over the unconscious Jiraiya and Tsunade, and reassured him that both were recovering and Jiraiya could get new arms.

  • Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu urged Shikaku Nara to begin the Jonin nomination process so Shihōin Naraku could become Sixth Hokage and lead Konoha’s reconstruction.
  • Naraku left the planning tent and went to the makeshift Konoha Hospital to visit Jiraiya and Tsunade.
  • Naraku found Naruto keeping watch over Jiraiya and Tsunade while Sakura was away fetching supplies.
  • Naraku examined both patients and told Naruto they were recovering well and would likely wake within a few days.
  • Naruto asked if Jiraiya could still be a Ninja without his arms, and Naraku reassured him that they could attach new ones.

Ch. 432Chitchat and news

Naruto learned that Tsunade, not Naraku, would treat Jiraiya’s severed arm, while Naraku prepared to become Konoha’s Sixth Hokage. After Sakura and Shizune explained the appointment, Naruto wondered if Naraku could promote him directly to jonin.

  • Naraku told Naruto that Tsunade would treat Jiraiya’s severed arm once she woke up.
  • Naraku instructed Sakura and Shizune to watch Tsunade and Jiraiya and notify him when they woke.
  • Naraku left the tent after telling Naruto to rest, and Sakura and Shizune urged the exhausted Naruto to do the same.
  • Sakura told Naruto that Naraku was about to become the Sixth Hokage, and Naruto realized Konoha needed a new leader while Tsunade was unconscious.
  • Naruto envied Naraku’s appointment and asked Sakura whether Naraku could promote him straight to jonin.

Ch. 433Konan's death

Naruto asked Shihōin Naraku to promote him to jonin, but Naraku told him to study with Iruka-sensei before they discussed it further. Outside Amegakure, Obito defeated Konan, learned where Nagato's body was, and left to claim the Rinnegan.

  • Naruto proposed his promotion to jonin, and Shizune and Sakura discussed whether he met the requirements.
  • Naruto asked Shihōin Naraku for a promotion, and Naraku told him to get remedial lessons from Iruka-sensei before they revisited the matter.
  • Naraku told the Konoha ninja to prepare to move outside the village while Konoha was rebuilt.
  • Obito recalled how Konan's trap of more than four hundred billion explosive tags had nearly killed him, but he escaped with Izanagi and defeated her.
  • Obito used genjutsu to learn where Konan had hidden Nagato's body, then vanished with Kamui to retrieve the Rinnegan.

Ch. 434The battle between the Uchiha brothers

Obito recovered Nagato's Rinnegan and decided to use Amegakure as a diversion while he pursued his plans. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Itachi continued their battle, and after Sasuke's Kirin failed to harm Itachi, Itachi advanced inside Susanoo as Obito watched.

  • Obito took Nagato's Rinnegan, stored them in a container, and decided to find suitable vessels rather than implanting them in himself.
  • Obito left Nagato's remains undisturbed and chose to leave Amegakure alone so it could draw the Shinobi World's attention.
  • White Zetsu and Black Zetsu watched Sasuke and Itachi fight, with Black Zetsu explaining that Itachi was controlling the battle and holding back.
  • Obito returned to the battlefield and saw that Sasuke was panting while Itachi appeared close to death.
  • Sasuke summoned Kirin, but Itachi survived inside Susanoo and walked toward him as Obito watched.

Ch. 435An ending and plans

Uchiha Itachi exposed Orochimaru and sealed him with the Totsuka Blade before approaching Sasuke, while Obito and Black Zetsu discussed their plans. They left the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path in its hidden base, but still had no answer for capturing the Nine-Tails.

  • Uchiha Itachi’s Susanoo forced Orochimaru to emerge from Sasuke as the Eight-Headed Serpent attacked.
  • Uchiha Itachi pierced Orochimaru with the Totsuka Blade, then burned Orochimaru’s escaping white snake with Amaterasu.
  • Obito and Black Zetsu recognized Itachi’s Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade, while Obito decided to take Sasuke and eventually give him Itachi’s eyes.
  • Black Zetsu planned to inspect the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but Obito said to leave it at the hidden Akatsuki base.
  • Obito and Black Zetsu acknowledged that capturing the Nine-Tails remained unresolved and decided to handle their other tasks first.

Ch. 436Elected unanimously

Black Zetsu and Obito Uchiha struggled to find a way to obtain the Nine-Tails' chakra without Shihōin Naraku interfering, while Obito prepared to appear after Uchiha Itachi died. In Konoha, the jonin unanimously elected Shihōin Naraku as the Sixth Hokage, pending the Land of Fire's Daimyo's approval.

  • Black Zetsu and Obito Uchiha discussed the difficulty of sealing the Nine-Tails while Shihōin Naraku stood in their way, and Black Zetsu kept his idea about using only a fraction of the Nine-Tails' chakra to himself.
  • Obito watched Uchiha Itachi die after touching Sasuke's forehead and decided it was time to make his appearance.
  • Shikaku Nara told the jonin that Tsunade and Jiraiya remained unconscious and that Konoha needed to act quickly for the village's stability.
  • The jonin voted for Shihōin Naraku as the sole candidate, and Shikaku Nara announced that he had been elected unanimously as Sixth Hokage, pending the Daimyo's approval.

Ch. 437The Final Preparations

After the Daimyo approved Shihōin Naraku’s nomination as the Sixth Hokage, Konoha hurried to prepare his inauguration amid the village’s ruins. Naraku agreed to give a speech to reassure the people as he took office.

  • Utatane Koharu told the Daimyo that Akatsuki had destroyed Konoha, and he approved Naraku’s nomination and promised reconstruction funds and supplies.
  • The Daimyo arranged for merchants to transport materials to Konoha, leaving the village’s ninja responsible for protecting them.
  • Konoha began preparing Naraku’s inauguration ceremony, and Naraku supplied a Hokage Ceremonial Haori when his new clothes could not be completed in time.
  • Mitokado Homura and the others built a temporary platform in the ruins, and Naraku agreed to make a speech at the ceremony.

Ch. 438Taking office as the Sixth Hokage

Shihōin Naraku formally addressed Konoha’s villagers and ninja as he took office as the Sixth Hokage, promising to protect them and lead the village’s recovery. Meanwhile, Tsunade awoke, learned how the battle ended and that Jiraiya had lost both arms, and asked Shizune for the full account.

  • Shihōin Naraku stood before Konoha’s gathered villagers and ninja and began his inauguration speech.
  • Tsunade awoke in a tent, and Shizune told her the Akatsuki battle was over and Shihōin Naraku had defeated the enemy.
  • Shizune explained that Naruto had gone to find the enemy’s true body after recovering from his berserk state, and that the Akatsuki’s leader had died.
  • Tsunade learned that everyone in the village had come back to life, then saw that Jiraiya’s arms had been severed at the shoulders.
  • Shizune told Tsunade that the senior leadership and the Land of Fire’s Daimyo had approved Shihōin Naraku as the Sixth Hokage.
  • Shihōin Naraku acknowledged the village’s losses and promised to protect Konoha and give everything for its future.

Ch. 439Acceptance

Shihōin Naraku became the Sixth Hokage as Konoha’s villagers welcomed his promise to protect and rebuild the village. Outside Konoha, Tsunade reflected on her own record and resolved to find a way to restore Jiraiya’s arms.

  • Shihōin Naraku’s speech won the villagers’ support, while Konoha’s ninja ranks were already prepared to carry out his orders.
  • Shihōin Naraku accepted the Hokage hat from Mitokado Homura, completing the ceremony and becoming Konoha’s Sixth Hokage.
  • Tsunade heard the villagers cheering from outside the village and felt ashamed about the destruction that had occurred during her tenure.
  • Shizune reminded Tsunade of her past achievements, and Tsunade regained her confidence by taking pride in training Naraku.
  • Tsunade looked at the unconscious Jiraiya and decided to seek a way to replace his severed arms, though she did not know where they had gone.

Ch. 440Taking matters into his own hands

Shihōin Naraku accepted the responsibilities of Hokage while Tsunade recovered and planned to research Hashirama cells to restore Jiraiya’s arms. The next day, Naraku used a powerful sword strike to cut off a distant mountain summit as the first step toward rebuilding Konoha’s cratered terrain.

  • Tsunade told Naraku that her chakra was severely depleted, then warned him that the Hokage position was not something he could casually give up.
  • Tsunade passed Konoha’s Hokage secrets and responsibilities to Naraku.
  • Naraku and Tsunade decided that Tsunade would research Hashirama cells to create new arms for Jiraiya.
  • The next day, Naraku drew his blade outside Konoha and sliced through the top of a distant mountain.
  • Naraku said the strike had mostly succeeded and planned to move the severed summit to Konoha to help fill the crater left by Shinra Tensei.
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