Recaps

Kurotsuchi learned that Roshi had been captured and killed by Madara’s successor, who had taken the Four-Tails. Ōnoki reconsidered Konoha’s proposed Five Kage Summit, and Tsunade received Iwagakure’s letter with anger and concern.

• Kurotsuchi set out to meet Akatsuchi as he returned from searching for Roshi, whom Ōnoki had sent Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi to find.
• Kitsuchi returned without Roshi and reported signs of a battle involving the Four-Tails’ lava, indicating that Madara’s successor had captured him.
• Akatsuchi told Kurotsuchi that Roshi had been killed.
• Ōnoki concluded that Roshi was likely lost and began writing to Konoha about the crisis.
• Shizune delivered Iwagakure’s letter to Tsunade, who angrily blamed Ōnoki for failing to protect the Four-Tails and worried that the situation would become troublesome.

Jiraiya told Naruto, Minato, and Kushina that they had identified the Masked Man as Minato’s former student, Obito Uchiha. Naruto vowed to avenge his parents, while Minato hoped to speak with Obito if the chance arose.

• Naruto teased Jiraiya about his Winter Festival evening with Tsunade before Jiraiya revealed that the Masked Man’s identity had been uncovered.
• Minato and Kushina appeared beside Naruto, and Kushina demanded that Jiraiya name the culprit.
• Jiraiya explained that the Masked Man’s Mangekyō abilities and Kakashi’s eye pointed to Obito Uchiha.
• Minato confirmed that Kakashi had known the suspicion for several days, and Naruto asked whether that explained Kakashi’s absence.
• Naruto promised to avenge his parents, while Minato said he still wanted to speak with Obito if possible, and Kushina urged Naruto to defeat him.

Minato confirmed that he had once placed a Flying Thunder God Mark on Obito but could no longer sense it, while Jiraiya pointed him toward the Shinigami Mask as a way to retrieve his soul. As Minato and Kushina steadied themselves, Naruto considered how to locate Obito and protect the remaining Tailed Beasts.

• Minato told Jiraiya he had marked Obito during the Nine-Tails' Attack but could no longer sense the mark, and Jiraiya said the Shinigami Mask was believed to be at the Uzumaki Clan Shrine.
• Minato and Kushina returned to the Sealing Space, where Hashirama and Kurama watched them and wondered how to comfort them.
• Kushina told Hashirama she and Minato were fine, and Kurama asked Minato not to stop him from taking revenge on Obito.
• Kushina hugged Kurama and began petting him, while Minato assured Hashirama he would not lose heart over what happened.
• Naruto considered using Minato's Flying Thunder God Mark to find Obito, protecting the Tailed Beasts with an ambush, and possibly sneaking into other villages to seize their Jinchūriki.

Tsunade found records explaining how the Shinigami’s sealed souls could be released, and Jiraiya set out to find the Uzumaki Clan Shrine and retrieve a Shinigami mask. Karin agreed to help him after learning the mission was for Minato, and they prepared to leave for the Land of Whirlpools.

• Tsunade discovered that the Uzumaki Clan Shrine held masks that could summon a Shinigami, which could be used to oppose the Shinigami that sealed Minato’s soul.
• Jiraiya decided to search for the shrine, and Tsunade told him to take Minato’s kunai and have Itachi mark it.
• Tsunade suggested Jiraiya bring Karin, and he asked her to meet him at Konoha’s main gate.
• Karin initially refused, suspecting Jiraiya wanted to rob her clan’s ancestral shrine, but agreed after he explained the mission was for Minato.
• Karin teased Jiraiya about Tsunade and asked whether he would become a henpecked husband.

Karin and Jiraiya traveled through the desolate Land of Whirlpools in search of the Uzumaki ancestral shrine. Karin used the guidance Grandma Mito had given her to find the way, and they raced toward the shrine with Gamaken helping Jiraiya keep up.

• Karin landed in the Land of Whirlpools and checked in with Sasuke through the bracelet Hinata had made.
• Karin teased Jiraiya about marrying Tsunade before he urged them to continue their mission.
• Karin and Jiraiya crossed the abandoned ruins of the Land of Whirlpools, where Karin reflected on her mother's homeland.
• Karin said Grandma Mito had shown her where the ancestral shrine was and launched herself forward with her Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamaken to catch up with Karin, while Mito explained that the large toad came from Mount Myōboku.

Karin led Jiraiya to the hidden Uzumaki Clan Shrine, where the Masks of the Shinigami were kept. They entered the shrine, and Jiraiya nervously asked whether it contained ghosts.

• Mito explained to Karin that the Uzumaki Clan had linked the Shinigami masks to rules through Sealing Jutsu, creating the Reaper Death Seal, and described the technique's cost.
• Karin used her Adamantine Sealing Chains to dig up a hidden wooden door, then released its seal and opened the entrance.
• Jiraiya thanked Gamaken for helping and jumped down into the pit after Gamaken mentioned the two Sages wanted him to visit Mount Myōboku.
• Karin and Jiraiya entered the shrine and lit torches to illuminate its dusty passage and stone interior.
• Jiraiya shivered and asked Karin whether there were ghosts in the shrine, and Karin told him the Shinigami would eat any ghosts inside.

Karin and Jiraiya found the mask containing the other half of the Nine-Tails’ chakra, and Karin collected the Uzumaki Clan’s masks and records before they left. As they sailed back toward the village, Karin went to sleep while Jiraiya steered the boat.

• Karin sensed Nine-Tails chakra in one of the Shinigami masks, and Jiraiya explained that Minato had sealed one half of the Nine-Tails inside the Shinigami’s stomach.
• Karin took the masks and documents from the Uzumaki Clan’s hiding place, insisting that they were her family’s inheritance.
• Mito told Karin that undoing the Reaper Death Seal would normally require a willing volunteer, and Karin said Tobirama might find a solution.
• Jiraiya and Karin returned to their boat and set off toward the village.
• Karin climbed into her sleeping bag, and Jiraiya raised the sail, set their course, and rested inside the cabin.

Tobirama studied the Mask of the Shinigami and found ways to break its seal as Iwagakure called for a Five Kage Summit after its jinchūriki was captured. Konoha prepared to attend with its allies, and Jiraiya told Naruto that Hinata would join the delegation to guard against White Zetsu.

• Tobirama studied the Mask of the Shinigami and devised three ways to break its seal, including using genjutsu to make a prisoner perform the Reaper Death Seal.
• Iwagakure announced that its tailed beast jinchūriki had been captured and requested a Five Kage Summit, prompting Tsunade to accept the invitation.
• Jiraiya and Karin returned, and Tsunade led a Konoha delegation including Jiraiya, Kakashi, Naruto, and Hinata to the summit.
• Jiraiya returned home and told Naruto that Konoha would attend the summit, explaining that Hinata would join to detect White Zetsu infiltrators.
• Naruto told Hinata about the trip through the Bracelet, and Jiraiya teased him about his romance before Naruto asked when Jiraiya would get together with Auntie.

Konoha’s delegation prepared to attend the Five Kage Summit in the neutral Land of Iron, with Naruto and Hinata joining Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and ANBU escorts. After gathering at Konoha’s gate, the group left for the summit.

• Naruto packed his mission scrolls and went to the Hyuga compound, where he and Hinata set off together after receiving farewells from Meiko, Hanabi, and Hiashi.
• Naruto and Hinata met Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi outside the Hokage Building; Kakashi explained that ANBU needed his strength and that his connection to Obito Uchiha made the mission personal.
• Tsunade sent the ANBU ahead secretly, while Naruto and Hinata traveled with her and Jiraiya toward Konoha’s gate.
• At the gate, Kakashi told Izumo Kamizuki that the Hokage was leaving for a meeting, and Naruto and Hinata confirmed they were part of the delegation.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya presented their credentials, and the delegation departed for the Land of Iron.

Naruto’s group arrived in the Land of Iron, where Naruto learned about samurai and the country’s leader, Mifune. As Tsunade led them to meet him, she explained how the Land of Iron had maintained its neutrality and peace.

• Naruto’s group reached the Land of Iron after traveling comfortably in villas built with his Wood Release.
• Naruto asked Jiraiya about samurai after overhearing a girl and her father argue about whether samurai were stronger than shinobi.
• Jiraiya explained samurai traditions, but Tsunade pointed out that the information had been taught in the Ninja Academy and that Jiraiya had failed the exam.
• Tsunade told Naruto that Mifune was the general of the Land of Iron and had earned renown after Hanzo spared him for risking his life to protect his comrades.
• Tsunade explained that Mifune had declared the Land of Iron neutral before the Third Shinobi World War, and the five Third Kage had accepted its neutrality.

A recalled Kakashi’s past infiltration of Kumogakure and his friendship with Yugito, which ended when she tried to stop him from fleeing. Years later, Yugito spotted Kakashi in the Land of Iron with Konoha’s delegation and looked away after he noticed her watching him.

• A remembered that Kakashi had infiltrated Kumogakure, befriended Yugito, and escaped after she hesitated to stop him.
• A recalled how the incident angered him and caused Kumogakure to cut off contact with Konoha.
• Yugito and Samui browsed shops in the Land of Iron, and Yugito refused an overpriced sapphire bracelet.
• Yugito and Samui recognized Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi among the Konoha delegation.
• Kakashi sensed Yugito watching him, and Yugito forced a smile before leading Samui away.

Tsunade and Jiraiya arrived in the Land of Iron for a meeting with the other Shinobi Villages, while Naruto considered buying a sword for its appearance. The chapter left Konoha and Sunagakure on friendly terms as the Raikage planned to pressure Konoha with Ōnoki.

• Two attendants escorted Konoha's party to their quarters and said the meeting would begin at noon the next day.
• Naruto noticed the attendants' swords and wondered whether he should buy a longsword to look cool.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya left Naruto and Hinata with Kakashi and went to visit the other Shinobi Villages' quarters.
• A learned that Konoha had brought Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga, then considered teaming up with Ōnoki to pressure Konoha.
• Rasa told Tsunade that Sunagakure would support Konoha and thanked her for helping Gaara, then accepted her dinner invitation.

Ōnoki and Kurotsuchi argued over Iwagakure's future after the threat of Madara was dealt with, while A went to seek out the Hokage and Mizukage. Outside their meeting, Naruto reunited with Zabuza and gave him a sealed present from himself and Haku before A arrived.

• Kurotsuchi told Ōnoki that Konoha's Hokage had visited the Kazekage and was heading to the Mizukage, prompting Ōnoki to worry about Konoha's influence over Iwagakure.
• Kurotsuchi suggested Iwagakure could surrender to Konoha if threatened, but Ōnoki insisted that the village must defend its dignity and warned her to represent Iwagakure responsibly.
• A left his room and headed toward Kirigakure after learning that the Hokage was meeting with the other leaders.
• Naruto greeted Zabuza and Chōjūrō outside the Mizukage's room, introduced Hinata as his girlfriend, and gave Zabuza a sealed present from himself and Haku.
• Zabuza tucked the scroll into his clothes and stepped in front of Naruto and Hinata when A approached, then asked the Raikage what he wanted.

The Raikage waited to meet the Mizukage and provoked Naruto, prompting Hinata to challenge him to an arm-wrestling match. The match began with A surprised by Hinata’s strength, while she wondered why he was holding back.

• A asked whether the Hokage was inside, and Zabuza told him to wait while the Hokage spoke with the Mizukage.
• A recognized Naruto as Minato’s son and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Naruto grew angry at his dismissive attitude.
• Hinata stood up for Naruto, challenged A to compete, and demanded that he apologize if he lost.
• Naruto created a table and stools with Wood Release, and Hinata and A began arm-wrestling.
• After five seconds, A realized Hinata was not struggling, and Hinata asked whether he was using any strength.

Hinata and A tested their strength in an arm-wrestling match until Tsunade stopped them. After A apologized to Naruto, Tsunade led Naruto and Hinata away, and A went with Mabui to meet the Mizukage.

• Hinata and A arm-wrestled, and A activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode when he could not overpower her.
• Hinata's chakra surged, but Tsunade intervened before the contest could damage the Land of Iron's building.
• Hinata told Tsunade that A had not apologized to Naruto, and Naruto explained what A had said about him and his father.
• Mabui clarified A's intent, and A apologized to Naruto for speaking harshly.
• Tsunade took Naruto and Hinata to their quarters, while A and Mabui entered the room to speak with Mei Terumi.

At the Five Kage Conference, the leaders revealed which Tailed Beasts and Jinchūriki had gone missing and discussed how to fight Madara. Madara suddenly appeared in the conference room and challenged them to face him together.

• Mifune assured the Five Kage that the Land of Iron would remain neutral, while Naruto and his teachers joked about Mifune’s beard.
• Ōnoki explained that Madara had captured Roshi and asked whether other villages had lost their Jinchūriki.
• Tsunade, A, and Ōnoki disclosed which Tailed Beasts their villages still possessed, and Mei Terumi revealed that Kirigakure had lost all its Jinchūriki and Tailed Beasts.
• The Kage discussed how they could confront Madara, and A said they would have to fight him together.
• Madara appeared in the conference room, pointed his gunbai at Tsunade, and asked if they wanted to take him on together.

White Mask, calling himself Madara Uchiha, attacked the Kage conference long enough to declare war on the shinobi world before escaping, and Tsunade revealed that he was Obito Uchiha. The Kage began planning for the coming war, while Kakashi and Yugito spoke outside the conference room about his former teammate.

• White Mask announced the Fourth Shinobi World War and unleashed a blue-green serpent that Kitsuchi, Yugito, Kakashi, and Ōnoki worked together to stop.
• Kakashi confronted White Mask about his Mangekyō, and White Mask vanished after using his dōjutsu.
• Tsunade told the Kage that White Mask was Obito Uchiha, and they discussed his White Zetsu forces and how he would wage war.
• During a break, Yugito approached Kakashi and asked about Obito, and Kakashi admitted that his old friend had become his enemy.

Yugito Nii and Kakashi made peace and agreed to investigate the masked man, while the Kage argued over how to respond to the outbreak of war. Naruto and Hinata slipped out of the meeting to find food, but spotted a woman reaching toward their teacher as they left.

• Yugito Nii teased Kakashi about their past, then urged him to find out whether the masked man was his former teammate.
• Kakashi agreed to join the talks the next day, and he and Yugito Nii went to the food street together.
• The Kage argued over who should command the war effort while Naruto and Hinata grew impatient with the meeting.
• Naruto and Hinata told Tsunade they were leaving, then peeked around the door and saw a woman reaching toward their teacher.

Naruto and Hinata secretly followed Kakashi and Yugito Nii on their dinner outing, hoping to spy on their romance. Kakashi noticed them and planned to confront them after dinner, while Yugito spotted them too.

• Naruto and Hinata used the Byakugan and Sage Mode to secretly follow Kakashi and Yugito Nii.
• Kakashi and Yugito talked about his retirement and went to a restaurant for grilled fish.
• Naruto and Hinata watched from a nearby table as Yugito asked Kakashi to cook for her and teased him about his mask.
• Kakashi removed his mask for Yugito, then said he would check on the two students tailing him after dinner.
• Yugito spotted Naruto and Hinata and laughed at their disguise.

After A realized Yugito Nii was dining with Kakashi, he rushed off to find them, while Naruto and Hinata moved to stop him. Naruto and Hinata confronted A and declared that he would have to get past them to bother Kakashi-sensei.

• A noticed Yugito Nii was missing, and Tsunade explained that Kakashi had accompanied her to eat for her protection.
• Mei Terumi praised Konoha for sending Kakashi to guard another village’s Jinchūriki, prompting A to rush off in search of Yugito Nii.
• Tsunade ended the meeting and left with Jiraiya, while Jiraiya guessed Naruto and Hinata might be following Kakashi.
• Naruto and Hinata heard that A was coming to interrupt Kakashi and Yugito Nii’s meal, then left the restaurant to intercept him.
• A found Naruto and Hinata and demanded to know where Kakashi was; they put on masks, activated their chakra cloaks, and stood in his way.

Naruto and Hinata blocked A from reaching Yugito Nii so Kakashi could have privacy, and their confrontation escalated into a fight. A defeated Naruto’s decoy with a Liger Bomb, but Naruto summoned a towering Wood Human as Hinata flew to his side, leaving A stunned by their abilities.

• Naruto and Hinata told A they would stop him from reaching Yugito Nii.
• A activated his Strongest Lightning Release Armor and attacked Naruto with Lightning Release: Lariat, while Hinata struck back with Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion.
• Naruto formed a Senjutsu Rasengan, but A cleaved through it with Lightning Oppression Horizontal Chop and slammed Naruto into the ground with Liger Bomb.
• A realized the Naruto he had buried was a wooden decoy when it transformed into a piece of wood.
• Naruto summoned a massive Wood Human, and Hinata flew over to join him, surprising A with the strength of their abilities.

Naruto, Hinata, and Kakashi confronted A and Yugito Nii after Naruto used Wood Release to intervene in their meeting. After Yugito Nii made peace with A, Obito returned to his base and discussed Kabuto’s preparations to revive Madara with Impure World Reincarnation.

• Kakashi stopped Naruto and Hinata’s confrontation with A, then scolded Naruto for failing to hide their pursuit.
• Yugito Nii apologized to A, who insisted she had been wrong to forgive Kakashi, whom he called a spy.
• Yugito Nii said goodbye warmly to Kakashi before A led her back to Kumogakure’s lodgings.
• Naruto and Hinata teased Kakashi about his friendship with Yugito Nii, and Kakashi sent them off to find Hinata more food.
• Obito returned to the underground base, where Kabuto said he had gathered powerful remains and was preparing to use Impure World Reincarnation on Madara.

Black Zetsu used Kabuto Yakushi to perform Impure World Reincarnation and bring Madara back. After hearing Black Zetsu’s account of the changed Shinobi World, Madara focused on Naruto Uzumaki and the rumors that he was Hashirama’s reincarnation.

• Black Zetsu prepared Madara’s corpse for Impure World Reincarnation while Kabuto Yakushi briefly regained consciousness.
• Black Zetsu overwhelmed Kabuto Yakushi and lured his mind back into the dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Black Zetsu sacrificed a White Zetsu to reincarnate Madara in a cracked, armored body.
• Madara asked why Black Zetsu had used Impure World Reincarnation instead of Rinne Rebirth, and Black Zetsu explained what had happened.
• Madara seized on the news that Naruto Uzumaki had powerful Wood Release and dismissed the rumor that he was Hashirama’s reincarnation.

Madara met Obito at his underground base, where the two traded insults and nearly fought before Black Zetsu intervened. Obito then ordered their forces to attack the Shinobi villages, and Black Zetsu confirmed their Impure World Reincarnation army was ready.

• Madara asked Black Zetsu to take him to see Obito, while a small white snake watched them pass.
• Obito prepared thousands of White Zetsu for war when Madara arrived and greeted him as his rebellious junior.
• Obito challenged Madara's usefulness, and the two raised their auras as they argued over who was stronger.
• Black Zetsu stepped between them and urged them to focus on collecting the remaining Tailed Beasts.
• Obito rejected a cautious plan and ordered Black Zetsu to gather their Shinobi so they could crush the villages one by one.
• Black Zetsu said the reincarnated Kage and other forces were ready, and that Impure World Reincarnation was more powerful than they had expected.

Obito led the White Zetsu Army and an Impure World Reincarnation force toward Iwagakure, where Mū and Hozuki Gengetsu confronted the prospect of attacking their former villages. At a summit in the Land of Iron, Ōnoki learned that the army had reached the Land of Earth, and Tsunade asked what was known about the strange Shinobi.

• Obito brought his army to the Land of Earth, prompting Iwagakure to prepare for battle.
• Mū and Hozuki Gengetsu discussed attacking their former villages as Madara led the army toward Iwagakure.
• Mū recalled how Madara had once defeated him and Ōnoki with Susanoo during their visit to Konoha.
• Mū told Hozuki Gengetsu that Kirigakure’s Hozuki Clan might be extinct, and Gengetsu questioned Kirigakure’s Shinobi.
• An Iwagakure messenger reported at the Land of Iron summit that Obito’s forces had reached the southern Land of Earth.
• Tsunade questioned the messenger, who said Iwagakure had seen the deceased Second Tsuchikage, Lord Mū.