Chapter Summaries

Shihōin Naraku’s forces disrupted Kumogakure’s supply lines while Konoha prepared Thunderclap Gorge as a fiery defensive trap. The Fourth Raikage began devising a way through, but Konoha’s attack reignited the flames the Cloud Ninja had worked to extinguish.

• Shihōin Naraku ordered his subordinates to withdraw after raiding a Cloud Ninja supply convoy, and the Fourth Raikage later increased protection for shipments.
• Hyuga Hiashi led repeated raids that tied down Cloud Ninja forces, while Naraku returned to Thunderclap Gorge after assigning Konoha reinforcements support duties.
• The Fourth Raikage arrived at Thunderclap Gorge and found the mountain ablaze, with a narrow path that he recognized as Shihōin Naraku’s trap.
• The Fourth Raikage and his staff officers discussed their options, and the Cloud Ninja began burying the flames with sand and soil.
• Cloud Ninja guards deflected shuriken thrown from the summit, but the attached Explosive Tags detonated and rekindled the flames.

Shihōin Naraku and the Konoha Ninja used a rekindled sea of fire to drive the Cloud Ninja back, while Shikaku Nara urged them to limit casualties so the war could end without escalating. The Cloud Ninja regrouped and attacked up the mountain, and both sides unleashed wind and fire techniques until a towering fire tornado engulfed the battlefield.

• Shikaku Nara ordered the Konoha Ninja to stop reigniting the flames so the Cloud Ninja would not suffer enough casualties to make peace impossible.
• Shihōin Naraku returned from his surprise attack and told Shikaku that he would force the Fourth Raikage to calm down if necessary.
• The Cloud Ninja regrouped and climbed narrow paths in squads equipped with Water Release and Earth Release users.
• The Konoha Ninja bombarded the attackers with explosive-tagged projectiles, then followed with powerful Fire Release techniques.
• The Konoha Ninja and Cloud Ninja unleashed Wind Release together, creating a massive fire tornado that left both sides unable to retreat.

Shihōin Naraku watched the out-of-control Flame Tornado annihilate the Cloud ninja attacking the mountain, then commanded Konoha’s defenders as further waves tried to seize the summit. By nightfall, the Fourth Raikage had stayed away from the front line, Captain Hiashi’s raids were still evading capture, and the Third Raikage was planning with his advisers to take Thunderclap Gorge.

• The Cloud ninja’s defenses failed against the Flame Tornado, and Shihōin Naraku allowed it to explode, wiping out the Cloud forces on the mountain.
• The Fourth Raikage ordered his troops at the mountain’s foot to retreat from the falling fireballs, then sent units back up after the flames weakened.
• Shihōin Naraku directed Konoha’s ninja as they repelled repeated Cloud attacks, while the Fourth Raikage remained behind the lines.
• Shikaku told Shihōin Naraku that Captain Hiashi’s team continued its raids without being caught and had been ordered to prioritize safety.
• The Third Raikage and his advisers worked on a plan to seize Thunderclap Gorge.

The Fourth Raikage continued attacking Thunderclap Gorge while Shihōin Naraku countered Kumogakure’s strategy across three battlefields. As Cloud casualties mounted and their forces weakened, Naraku ordered his remaining troops to retreat from the gorge, leaving himself alone at the position.

• The Fourth Raikage mourned Kumogakure’s dead and considered using Killer B’s Tailed Beast Bomb, but B remained unconscious and Matatabi had died with Yugito Nii.
• Naraku ordered the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to reinforce Shikaku Nara and prevent the Cloud ninja from breaking through the border outposts.
• Konoha and Cloud forces fought across Thunderclap Gorge, the Land of Lightning’s border, and the supply lines, with the border battles proving the most intense.
• The Cloud ninja suffered far heavier casualties than Konoha and began struggling to maintain their forces and morale.
• At Thunderclap Gorge, Naraku ordered his twenty-seven ninja to pack up and retreat, then remained alone at the ruined position.

Shihōin Naraku used Gore Magala and two phoenixes to launch an air raid on the Kumogakure camp. The attack devastated the camp while the Fourth Raikage struggled to find the attackers in the sky.

• Shihōin Naraku waited at the mountain summit as the Cloud Ninja hesitated on the path below.
• Gore Magala crashed into the summit, and Shihōin Naraku summoned two fiery phoenixes before setting out for the Kumogakure camp.
• The Fourth Raikage and the Cloud Ninja saw three shapes approaching and called out an enemy attack.
• Gore Magala and the phoenixes rained fireballs on the camp, causing widespread destruction and casualties.
• The Fourth Raikage urged his forces to fight back, but the attackers' speed kept them out of reach.

Shihōin Naraku devastated the Cloud Ninja camp at Thunderclap Gorge with an air raid, then returned to Konoha’s command center as the battle against Kumogakure neared its end. He announced that the Cloud Ninja forces at the gorge had been destroyed and began reading a new letter from Tsunade.

• Shihōin Naraku’s aerial bombardment devastated the Cloud Ninja camp, leaving the Fourth Raikage alive and few others unscathed.
• Naraku sent two phoenixes into Thunderclap Gorge, setting the entire mountain ablaze and naming it Flame Mountain.
• Naraku flew to the Konoha camp, learned Shikaku Nara and the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio were fighting at the front, and went to the Command Center.
• Naraku told the staff officers that the Cloud Ninja forces at Thunderclap Gorge had been destroyed and that the war would soon end.
• Naraku received an unopened intelligence scroll containing a letter from Tsunade and began reading it.

Shihōin Naraku learned that Sasuke Uchiha had fought Uchiha Itachi and Naruto, while Tsunade hoped to end the war soon. As Konoha gained ground and the Cloud ninja’s morale faltered, Dodai worried about the fate of the Fourth Raikage, Darui, and Killer B.

• Shihōin Naraku read Tsunade’s report that Uchiha Itachi and Haku had escaped Konoha, Sasuke Uchiha had been beaten by Itachi, and Tsunade had stopped Sasuke and Naruto’s dangerous fight.
• Shihōin Naraku considered whether Sasuke would still defect after Itachi used Tsukuyomi on him, and noted Tsunade’s request to end the war quickly.
• Shihōin Naraku ordered the exhausted ninja arriving from Thunderclap Gorge to rest, while Konoha continued pushing the Cloud ninja back and spreading news of their defeat to weaken their morale.
• Dodai struggled to maintain order as Cloud ninja argued over the defeat at Thunderclap Gorge and the missing Fourth Raikage and Darui.
• Dodai recalled that Killer B had returned carrying Yugito Nii’s body before collapsing from severe injuries, leaving him unable to ask about Darui.
• A commotion broke out at the Cloud position, and someone called out, “Lord Raikage?!!”

After the disaster at Thunderclap Gorge, the Fourth Raikage recalled the Cloud Ninja guarding supply teams and prepared Kumogakure for a final battle. As both sides made their last preparations, the Raikage gave Dodai instructions for what to do if he did not return, then declared himself ready to fight.

• The Fourth Raikage ordered Dodai to recall the supply guards and told him that the Thunderclap Gorge force had suffered a crushing defeat.
• The Fourth Raikage and Dodai turned the defeat into anger against Konoha, restoring the Cloud Ninja’s morale ahead of the final battle.
• Hyuga Hiashi’s squad destroyed several Cloud Ninja supply teams, then received Naraku’s order to return to camp.
• The Fourth Raikage strengthened the Cloud camp’s defenses and finalized the battle deployments with Dodai and the staff officers.
• The Fourth Raikage sent the shaken survivors from Thunderclap Gorge back to the village and gave Dodai contingency instructions for the coming battle.

Shihōin Naraku changed the weather to give Konoha the advantage, then watched the two forces clash as the Cloud Ninja’s morale collapsed. The battle continued as the Fourth Raikage activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and prepared to fight Naraku.

• Shikaku Nara asked Shihōin Naraku whether Konoha should postpone the battle because of the heavy rain, but Naraku advanced toward the battlefield instead.
• Shihōin Naraku unleashed a sea of fire and a towering pillar of flame that dispersed the rain clouds and restored clear, warm weather.
• Naraku ordered the Konoha Ninja to attack, and both forces charged into battle as the Cloud Ninja struggled against Konoha’s advantage and Naraku’s presence.
• Naraku’s fiery phoenix burned Cloud Ninja who approached him while he observed the fighting and assessed Konoha’s progress.
• The Fourth Raikage activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Naraku focused his Observation Haki on him.

Shihōin Naraku intercepted the Fourth Raikage A as he attacked a Konoha Ninja, and the two began a fierce taijutsu battle powered by flames and lightning. A discovered Naraku could see through his attacks and regenerate from lethal wounds, while Naraku gained experience; their clash left the surrounding battlefield in ruins.

• Shihōin Naraku caught the Fourth Raikage A's wrist and stopped him from striking a Konoha Ninja.
• Naraku and A unleashed their powers and exchanged blows at tremendous speed, forcing nearby Konoha Ninja and Cloud Ninja to flee.
• A realized Naraku could anticipate his movements and watched Naraku's heart recover after his punch passed through it.
• Naraku and A moved their battle toward a secluded area, where their attacks devastated everything around them.
• A's Lariat collided with Naraku's Konoha Strong Whirlwind, tearing apart the ground and laying waste to the surrounding area.

Shihōin Naraku and the Fourth Raikage A fought a relentless close-quarters battle, and Naraku used the clash to master and strengthen the abilities he had gained. After battering A into a crater, Naraku faced the injured Raikage’s desperate lightning-charged counterattack.

• Shihōin Naraku and A exchanged powerful blows, recovering from injuries and preparing to fight at full strength.
• Naraku abandoned his other abilities and relied on Armament Haki to engage A in a fierce Taijutsu battle, gradually mastering his accumulated powers.
• Naraku struck A in the abdomen and drove him into the ground, then countered A’s surprise attack and repeatedly battered him through the surrounding trees.
• Naraku observed that A’s speed had dropped as the bloodied Raikage leaped at him with a lightning-charged knife-hand strike, ready to risk his life.

Shihōin Naraku defeated the Fourth Raikage A in a brutal fight, inflicting fatal internal injuries and then shattering his bones. A died on the battlefield, leaving the already losing Cloud Ninja without their commander.

• Naraku threw A into a crater and struck his back, severely damaging his internal organs.
• Despite his injuries, A stood and declared that the Raikage of Kumogakure would never admit defeat.
• A launched a final lightning-charged attack, but Naraku broke his leg and waist before smashing every bone in his body.
• Naraku caught A by the neck and broke it, killing the Fourth Raikage.

Shihōin Naraku killed the Fourth Raikage A, forced the Cloud ninja to accept defeat, and demanded peace talks within three days. As Konoha handled the aftermath and negotiations began, Naraku rejected Kumogakure’s request to meet him.

• Shihōin Naraku emerged from the dust holding the Fourth Raikage A’s corpse and used Conqueror’s Haki to overwhelm the battlefield.
• Naraku returned A’s body to the Cloud ninja, declared the war over, and ordered Kumogakure to attend peace talks within three days.
• The Cloud force withdrew, and Naraku led the Konoha ninja back while leaving sentries behind.
• Naraku assigned Shikaku Nara the postwar work, including arranging medical care, tallying losses, and secretly mapping the Land of Lightning.
• Tsunade told Shikaku that a negotiating team led by Mitokado Homura was on its way, while Kumogakure’s representatives arrived early and asked to meet Naraku.
• Naraku rejected Kumogakure’s request, telling them to get lost.

Jiraiya and Kakashi received word that Konoha had defeated Kumogakure and that a peace treaty was near, while rumors about Naraku’s feats grew increasingly extravagant. The chapter ended with Asuma claiming that Naraku had killed the Fourth Raikage, leaving Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Guy stunned.

• Jiraiya and Kakashi reviewed intelligence confirming Naraku’s victory over Kumogakure and discussed Konoha’s recovery and Naraku’s growing reputation.
• Jiraiya urged Kakashi to improve, and Kakashi considered exploring the Sharingan’s power after his fight with Itachi.
• Might Guy reported hearing that Naraku had set a mountain near Thunderclap Gorge ablaze, earning it the name Flame Mountain.
• Jiraiya and Kakashi learned that Naraku’s understated report had left out the details behind the rumors spreading across the Shinobi World.
• Asuma returned and said he had heard Naraku killed the Fourth Raikage, stunning Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Guy.

Orochimaru brought Kabuto to a hidden base in the Land of Lightning and put him in charge of its medicinal-herb supply. Their conversation revealed Orochimaru’s lingering injury from Naraku and their awe at Flame Mountain, leaving both silent before the scale of Naraku’s power.

• Orochimaru and Kabuto entered a concealed base in the Land of Lightning, where two Cloud Ninja reported that war had disrupted their medicinal-herb gathering quotas.
• Orochimaru warned the spies that this was their last chance to meet the quotas and appointed Kabuto to manage the base.
• Orochimaru explained that the base gathered a rare herb used in Konoha’s highly effective medicine, but Kabuto said he did not know Naraku’s secret formula.
• Orochimaru revealed that Naraku’s attack had left his right arm unusable and caused pain he believed came from damage to his soul.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto recalled failing to extinguish Flame Mountain and sat in silence, shaken by Naraku’s power.

Orochimaru feared that Naraku might be following the path of the Sage of Six Paths, then decided to seize Sasuke Uchiha while Naraku was away. Meanwhile, peace talks began after Konoha’s decisive victory over Kumogakure, with the villages still negotiating compensation.

• Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi discussed the miracles associated with Naraku and the Sage of Six Paths, and Orochimaru wondered whether legends might become reality.
• Orochimaru considered taking Kumogakure’s Six Paths Tools but abandoned the idea because Naraku was in the Land of Lightning.
• Kabuto Yakushi urged Orochimaru to seize Sasuke Uchiha while Konoha’s defenses were weaker, and Orochimaru set off with him for their base in the Land of Fire.
• Konoha and Kumogakure began peace talks after the war, with Konoha reporting far fewer casualties and no fallen top ninja.
• Mitokado Homura handled the treaty negotiations as both sides disputed compensation, while Konoha sought to avoid weakening Kumogakure so much that other villages could exploit it.

After learning that Shihōin Naraku had killed the Two-Tails and become a major threat, Nagato and Konan traveled to the Land of Lightning to assess Flame Mountain. When Deva Path Pain approached its sea of fire, his cloak suddenly ignited and engulfed him.

• Deva Path Pain, Konan, and the Masked Man discussed Kumogakure’s defeat, the Two-Tails’ death, and the threat Shihōin Naraku posed to the Akatsuki’s plans.
• The Masked Man claimed he needed time to recover from his injuries, and Konan and Deva Path Pain agreed to be wary of him.
• Nagato decided to investigate Flame Mountain and kill Shihōin Naraku himself, and Konan accompanied him to the Land of Lightning.
• Nagato and Konan saw Flame Mountain burning beneath a sea of fire, with phoenixes rising and vanishing in its flames.
• Deva Path Pain approached the edge of the fire to test it, but his cloak caught fire and engulfed him.

Nagato tested Flame Mountain with Deva Path Pain, but repeated Shinra Tensei attacks failed to suppress its flames and provoked a devastating eruption. Pain escaped, but Yahiko’s body was left severely burned and disfigured, leaving Nagato remorseful and Konan anguished.

• Deva Path Pain used Shinra Tensei against Flame Mountain, but the Sea of Fire quickly refilled every gap his attacks made.
• Nagato repeatedly attacked while Deva Path Pain retreated from the rising heat, until Konan urged Nagato to stop the test.
• Flame Mountain formed a phoenix and sent surging flames and fireballs after Deva Path Pain.
• Deva Path Pain struck the phoenix with Shinra Tensei, but its destruction triggered an explosion that let the Sea of Fire engulf him.
• Deva Path Pain used Shinra Tensei to force the flames back and escaped into the sky after its cooldown passed.
• Nagato and Konan found Deva Path Pain severely burned, with his face, left arm, and part of his left leg destroyed; Nagato regretted his carelessness, and Konan cried out Yahiko’s name.

Nagato and Konan retreated after Flame Mountain destroyed Deva Path Pain, and they resolved to kill Shihōin Naraku. At the Konoha camp, Naraku trained, learned that Konoha had finished mapping the area, and walked back with Choza Akimichi, who had taught him the Multi-Size Technique.

• Konan sealed the crumbling Deva Path Pain, and she and Nagato left Flame Mountain in silence.
• Nagato doubted his own power after witnessing Flame Mountain, then reaffirmed his belief that he was a god and joined Konan in deciding to kill Shihōin Naraku.
• At the Konoha camp, Naraku sneezed, joked that someone might be plotting against him, and went to train while awaiting Jiraiya's reply.
• Naraku spotted Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi returning with a squad and learned that Konoha had finished drawing military maps without Kumogakure noticing.
• Choza Akimichi shared wild fruit with Naraku as they headed to the command center, and the narration revealed Naraku had learned the Multi-Size Technique from him.

Naraku left the Konoha Command Center to help Jiraiya bring the war in the Land of Grass to an end, flying there on Gore Magala. Meanwhile, Kitsuchi attacked Jiraiya’s forces, believing he could crush them before Konoha’s reinforcements arrived.

• Naraku confirmed that Jiraiya had agreed to the plan and departed immediately, reassuring Shikaku that the Cloud Ninja were unlikely to act while their Raikage position remained unsettled.
• Naraku flew toward the Land of Grass and summoned Gore Magala to travel faster.
• Kitsuchi led the Iwa Shinobi in a fierce battle against Jiraiya’s Konoha forces and used Earth Release to impale several attackers.
• After learning that Konoha and Kumogakure were negotiating, Kitsuchi had considered turning against the weakened Cloud, but Jiraiya’s sudden assault prompted him to target Konoha first.
• Kitsuchi ordered the demolition unit to prepare, hoping to defeat Jiraiya’s forces before Konoha’s reinforcements arrived.