Chapter Summaries

Naruto and his friends set out to find Fū after she got lost on her way to the Fourth Training Ground. Fū met Haku at his shop and learned that he was a boy with Ice Release, leaving her surprised and eager to learn his butterfly technique.

• Naruto caught Akamaru as he jumped in wearing the sweater Kiba had knitted, and Karin called for Kiba to free his trapped tail.
• Kiba, Shino, Sakura, Karin, Shikamaru, and Naruto decided to look for Fū at the guesthouse, then headed out after Naruto put out the fire.
• Fū wandered through town looking for the Fourth Training Ground and stopped to watch Haku's ice-crystal butterflies.
• Haku came out of his shop and told Fū that he was a boy after she mistook him for a young woman.
• Haku explained that his butterflies came from his Ice Release Kekkei Genkai and told Fū she could not learn the technique.

Fū visited Haku’s ice sculpture shop, learned about his past with Zabuza, and received a sculpture of herself with Chōmei. After getting lost while searching for her friends, she reunited with Naruto and the others and headed with them to a barbecue restaurant.

• Haku showed Fū his ice sculptures, including one of himself with Zabuza, and told her how Naruto brought them to Konoha.
• Fū introduced herself to Haku, and he made her an ice sculpture with Chōmei as a gift.
• Fū got lost looking for the Fourth Training Ground until Chōmei contacted Kurama, who guided Naruto to her.
• Fū reunited with Naruto, Shino, Kiba, Karin, and the others, then joined them on their way to the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant.
• The group talked about Haku, and Naruto said he had first mistaken Haku for a girl.

Tenten and Neji spent the Winter Festival together while Rock Lee and Might Guy unknowingly ran laps, and Naruto’s friends celebrated with games, a snowball fight, and fireworks. As the festival ended, Kakashi watched the fireworks from the Hokage Building and worried that Madara might really be Obito.

• Tenten waited for Neji at the training ground, and he arrived late with a present for her.
• Tenten teased Neji about showing his forehead after the Caged Bird Seal was removed, then took him to play ring toss.
• Rock Lee and Might Guy found the training ground empty and decided to run five more laps around Konoha on their hands.
• Naruto and his friends sang, wandered the festival streets, and fought a ninjutsu-filled snowball battle that turned into everyone ganging up on Naruto.
• Naruto and the others ate dinner together and watched the fireworks, while Kakashi worried that Madara might be Obito.

Black Zetsu worried that Obito might stray from the Eye of the Moon Plan, so he secretly sought a way to resurrect Madara with Impure World Reincarnation. As Obito headed to capture Roshi, Orochimaru learned from a letter that Konan had died, while the nearby White Zetsu listened in.

• Black Zetsu suggested that Obito use the recovered Rinnegan to resurrect Madara, but Obito refused until they had collected all the Tailed Beasts.
• Obito replaced his Three-Tomoe Sharingan with a Rinnegan and set out with Black Zetsu to capture Roshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki.
• Black Zetsu planned to approach Kabuto Yakushi and obtain Impure World Reincarnation from Orochimaru so he could bring Madara back.
• Kabuto gave Orochimaru a letter from Konoha, and Orochimaru read that Konan had died and remarked that Madara remained powerful.
• The White Zetsu at Orochimaru's base stopped chattering to eavesdrop on the news.

Black Zetsu infiltrated Orochimaru’s underground laboratory and tried to take control of Kabuto Yakushi, but his attempted technique failed and Kabuto exposed him. Black Zetsu then used the White Zetsu test subjects to ambush Kabuto and began spreading over his body.

• Black Zetsu entered the laboratory while Orochimaru was away, disguising himself as a White Zetsu.
• Kabuto Yakushi threatened the noisy White Zetsu and continued recording data on Kimimaro, the Hozuki Clan member, and Jugo.
• Black Zetsu attempted the Mind Body Switch Technique on Kabuto, but it had no effect.
• Kabuto recognized Black Zetsu after cutting through his White Zetsu disguise, while a small white snake slipped away.
• Several White Zetsu impaled Kabuto with wooden spikes, and Black Zetsu spread over his fallen body.

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.