Recaps

Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Sōkyū Hatake after preparing a way to counter him, summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and drawing in the Ten-Tails’ chakra to transform himself. He revealed that Black Zetsu had promised him a world where Shimura Danzō could exist, leaving Hiruzen resolved to pursue that goal.

• Sōkyū Hatake met Hiruzen Sarutobi, who said he had expected him and prepared something to deal with him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma and sent Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to surround Pakura while he faced Sōkyū alone.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, creating a barrier that seemed to prevent escape.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi connected the statue’s tubes to his back and absorbed its chakra, regaining his strength and surpassing his prime.
• Sōkyū Hatake asked how Hiruzen had obtained the statue and suspected he had met Black Zetsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled Black Zetsu’s promise of a world where Shimura Danzō could exist and became more determined to cooperate.

Hiruzen Sarutobi activated the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and its aura alarmed Kurama inside the pregnant Kushina Uzumaki. As Biwako Sarutobi entered the delivery room, Kurama recognized that she was an impostor, leaving Kushina trapped in a dangerous confrontation.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi infused the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path with five kinds of chakra, opening five of its eyes.
• Kushina Uzumaki sensed the statue's aura, and Kurama identified it as the Ten-Tails' husk.
• Kushina Uzumaki tried to protect Kurama by preparing a Sealing Barrier, but Biwako Sarutobi entered before she could begin.
• Biwako Sarutobi helped Kushina lie down and spoke strangely about the timing of the birth.
• Kurama warned Kushina that the woman was not the original Biwako Sarutobi, and the impostor revealed a black substance covering half her face.
• Kurama urged Kushina to let him out so he could fight the impostor.

Black Zetsu possessed Biwako Sarutobi and tried to take the Nine-Tails from Kushina Uzumaki, explaining how he had manipulated Hiruzen Sarutobi into carrying out his plan. Minato Namikaze appeared in the delivery room, leaving Black Zetsu baffled and wrongly convinced Minato had abandoned Konoha’s defenders.

• Kushina Uzumaki refused to let Kurama leave her body, knowing the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was the immediate danger.
• Black Zetsu revealed he had possessed Biwako Sarutobi and explained how he had recruited Hiruzen Sarutobi to help carry out his plan.
• Black Zetsu sent White Zetsu through the barrier and moved to take the Nine-Tails, while Kurama asked Kushina to let him out.
• Kushina reached for the Flying Thunder God Kunai, but Black Zetsu mocked her belief that Minato Namikaze could arrive.
• Minato Namikaze appeared in the delivery room, and Black Zetsu mistakenly concluded that Minato had abandoned the guards outside to protect Kushina.

Sōkyū Hatake revealed himself to Black Zetsu and trapped him with sealing formulas and lightning, while Minato Namikaze reunited with Kushina Uzumaki. The chapter ended with Black Zetsu imprisoned and shocked senseless.

• Sōkyū Hatake appeared beside Black Zetsu, who froze in despair, while Minato Namikaze helped Kushina Uzumaki to her feet.
• Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze reunited, and Minato admitted to himself how far Sōkyū Hatake surpassed him.
• Sōkyū Hatake confronted Black Zetsu, who blamed him for repeatedly ruining his plans.
• Black Zetsu used the Mayfly Technique to escape through the ground, but Sōkyū Hatake's sealing formulas and lightning blocked him.
• Sōkyū Hatake sealed Black Zetsu inside a lightning cage and identified him to Minato Namikaze as the mastermind behind the incidents.

Sōkyū Hatake captured Black Zetsu and stored him away for later study, while Kushina Uzumaki went into labor. Sōkyū then met Hagoromo Otsutsuki at Hokage Rock, where the Sage demanded that he return Black Zetsu.

• Sōkyū Hatake endured Black Zetsu’s screams as he shrank the Lightning Cage and stored him in his system space.
• Kushina Uzumaki’s water broke, and Sōkyū summoned Mitaraishi Anko and Ayame to help deliver the baby.
• Sōkyū left the delivery room to meet the spiritual power trying to break through the barrier.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki manifested above Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Statue and accused Sōkyū of targeting Black Zetsu.
• Hagoromo demanded that Sōkyū hand Black Zetsu over, while Sōkyū denied the accusation.

Sōkyū Hatake confronted Hagoromo Otsutsuki over Black Zetsu, and the two prepared to fight. They moved their duel away from Konoha and appeared above the open sea.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki demanded that Sōkyū Hatake hand over Black Zetsu, but Sōkyū refused and challenged him to a fight.
• Sōkyū Hatake and Hagoromo Otsutsuki’s auras collided over Konoha, alarming the villagers.
• Uchiha Fugaku and Minato Namikaze sensed the clash outside the delivery room, then joked about arranging a marriage between their children.
• Sōkyū Hatake suggested they move somewhere else to avoid damaging Konoha and vanished.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki followed Sōkyū Hatake’s aura, and they appeared above the open sea.

Sōkyū Hatake and Hagoromo Otsutsuki began their fight, and their first clash ended in a draw. Hagoromo then summoned the three sages of the Great Sage Lands to help him kill Sōkyū.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki praised Sōkyū Hatake before sending a massive yang-release dragon at him.
• Sōkyū Hatake countered with a lightning dragon infused with Armament Haki, and both dragons dissolved after their clash.
• Sōkyū Hatake recognized that Hagoromo’s spirit body was consuming unrecoverable soul power, while Hagoromo admitted he wanted to eliminate Sōkyū and free Black Zetsu.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki used the Summoning Technique to call the White Snake Sage, the Katsuyu Sage, and the Great Toad Sage to the sea.
• The three sages appeared before Sōkyū Hatake, and Hagoromo intended to use them to kill him.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki summoned the three sages to help oppose Sōkyū Hatake, but the Great Toad Sage refused to take part and departed. As Hagoromo began a ritual and summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Sōkyū Hatake fought the White Snake Sage and Katsuyu Sage, whose healing kept their forces in a stalemate.

• The Great Toad Sage recognized Sōkyū Hatake and, choosing to avoid the conflict, left Hagoromo Otsutsuki and the others.
• The White Snake Sage and Katsuyu Sage agreed to fight Sōkyū Hatake while Hagoromo began a ritual on the sea.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path from one of the formation's circles.
• The White Snake Sage attacked with Myriad Snakes Pouring Down, while Katsuyu Sage's clones healed the snakes.
• Sōkyū Hatake used Senjutsu, Ryūmyaku, and Mamaragan to strike the snakes and slugs with lightning, but Katsuyu Sage's healing restored them and the battle stalled.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki began draining Shukaku into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, revealing his betrayal of the Tailed Beast. As Shukaku struggled, Bunpuku spent his life force to weaken the chain and give him a chance to escape.

• Sōkyū Hatake failed to break through the barrier held by the White Snake Sage and Sage Katsuyu, while Hagoromo Otsutsuki maintained the formation.
• Bunpuku appeared near death, and Shukaku emerged from his body still connected to him.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki sent a chain from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to bind Shukaku and drain his chakra.
• Bunpuku used his life force to strengthen his chakra and corrode the chain, urging Shukaku to seize his chance to escape.

Bunpuku sacrificed his life to free Shukaku from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but Hagoromo Otsutsuki recaptured Shukaku before he could escape. Shukaku lost sight of Bunpuku's corpse as Hagoromo revealed he had sealed the entire area.

• Bunpuku told Shukaku to live as an individual and gave his name before collapsing, severing the chain restraining Shukaku.
• Shukaku broke free, shielded himself with sand, and took Bunpuku's corpse into his body as he tried to flee through the sea.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki stripped away Shukaku's sand, but found Shukaku had hidden inside his own power and was swimming away with Bunpuku's corpse.
• Shukaku swam nearly a thousand meters before hitting Hagoromo Otsutsuki's invisible barrier, allowing the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's chains to seize and drain him.
• Bunpuku's corpse slipped out of Shukaku's grasp and disappeared beneath the seawater as Hagoromo Otsutsuki said he had sealed off the area.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki continued summoning the tailed beasts and their jinchūriki, drawing their chakra into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path as it grew closer to revival. When Seven-Tails Chōmei appeared, he ignored Hagoromo and followed Sōkyū Hatake’s instruction to sit quietly, leaving the others uneasy.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki continued draining Shukaku after Shukaku fell silent, then summoned Two-Tails Yugito Nii and Matatabi.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki summoned the remaining tailed beasts and their jinchūriki, who stayed in their ritual circles rather than resisting.
• Sōkyū Hatake warned the captives they could try to break their chains, while Two-Tails Yugito Nii and Roshi reminded him that Seven-Tails Chōmei was next.
• Seven-Tails Chōmei appeared, addressed Sōkyū Hatake instead of Hagoromo Otsutsuki, and sat down when Sōkyū told him what to do.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki questioned why Sōkyū Hatake was not saving Chōmei, and Sōkyū taunted him for seeming wary.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki summoned the remaining Tailed Beasts and Kushina Uzumaki with newborn Naruto, then prepared to confront Sōkyū Hatake. As the two men took their places across the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Hagoromo declared that he would kill Sōkyū and free his younger brother.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki summoned Killer B and Gyuki, and Gyuki recognized him as the Sage of Six Paths.
• Kushina Uzumaki and newborn Naruto appeared; Kushina confirmed her son's name and Yugito Nii noted that mother and child were safe.
• Shukaku, the One-Tail, mocked Kurama for protecting his Jinchuriki, and Kurama retorted that Shukaku's Jinchuriki, Bunpuku, had died.
• Kurama rejected Hagoromo Otsutsuki's claim to be his father, saying his father would not treat the Tailed Beasts that way.
• Sōkyū Hatake and Hagoromo Otsutsuki took positions on opposite sides of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, with the Tailed Beasts linked to it by chains.
• Sōkyū Hatake formed a lightning throne and sat upon it; Hagoromo copied him with a throne made from Truth-Seeking Orbs and vowed to kill Sōkyū.

Sōkyū Hatake revealed that his plan was to free the tailed beasts and Jinchūriki from Hagoromo Otsutsuki’s spatial blockade. With Obito, Fugaku, and Shisui ready to help, the group began preparing to escape while Sōkyū stayed behind to face Hagoromo.

• Sōkyū showed Hagoromo that he had trapped Black Zetsu in a sealed jar as the Demonic Statue drained the tailed beasts’ chakra.
• Sōkyū called on Shukaku, and Obito Uchiha appeared to transport the tailed beasts and Jinchūriki with Kamui.
• Minato and Kushina reunited, while Uchiha Fugaku and Shisui joined Obito and offered their support.
• Sōkyū told Minato to use Flying Thunder God to evacuate everyone except himself and Hagoromo once Obito moved them into the Kamui Dimension.

Sōkyū Hatake overwhelmed the Katsuyu Sage and White Snake Sage, while Obito Uchiha rescued Shukaku the One-Tail through Kamui. Hagoromo Otsutsuki intercepted Sōkyū’s trident with a Truth-Seeking Orb shield, and their attacks met in a stalemate.

• Sōkyū Hatake pierced the Katsuyu Sage and White Snake Sage’s combined attacks with his Lightning Giant’s trident and drove it toward them.
• Obito Uchiha opened a Kamui vortex, and Shukaku the One-Tail entered the Kamui Dimension before Hagoromo Otsutsuki could stop him.
• Sōkyū Hatake guided his trident toward the immobilized sages as Hagoromo Otsutsuki rushed to defend them.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki blocked the trident with a barrier formed from his Truth-Seeking Orbs, and the two attacks collided without either overpowering the other.

Sōkyū Hatake demonstrated that Conqueror’s Coating could withstand Hagoromo Otsutsuki’s Truth-Seeking Orbs, then kept Hagoromo at bay while Obito Uchiha transferred the tailed beasts and Kushina Uzumaki into the Kamui Dimension. With the transfer complete, Sōkyū stayed behind as Hagoromo eagerly prepared to face him.

• Sōkyū Hatake coated his Trident in Conqueror’s Haki, and Hagoromo Otsutsuki became eager to fight him seriously.
• Uchiha Fugaku and Shisui Uchiha supplied chakra to Obito Uchiha as he transferred the tailed beasts and their hosts into the Kamui Dimension.
• Killer B and Gyuki entered the Kamui Dimension, leaving Kurama the Nine-Tails and Kushina Uzumaki as the final transfer.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki said he would not interfere because the missing tailed beasts had already doomed the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path plan.
• Obito Uchiha transferred Kurama and Kushina, then collapsed from exhaustion after completing his mission.
• Sōkyū Hatake told Minato Namikaze to take everyone to safety and stayed behind because Hagoromo Otsutsuki was ready to fight.

Sōkyū Hatake and Hagoromo Otsutsuki began their long-awaited battle after Minato Namikaze departed. Their clash escalated as both unleashed powerful weapons and techniques, leaving the ocean in chaos while the fight continued.

• Minato Namikaze left Sōkyū Hatake to face Hagoromo Otsutsuki alone and said he would wait for him to return for a drink.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki and Sōkyū Hatake prepared to fight as the Katsuyu Sage and the White Snake Sage retreated from the battlefield.
• Sōkyū Hatake attacked with Lightning Soru, but Hagoromo Otsutsuki blocked his lightning trident and forced him back.
• Sōkyū Hatake and Hagoromo Otsutsuki clashed weapons, splitting the sky and leaving both injured.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki transformed into a muscular form and attacked with twin Truth-Seeking Orb blades, while Sōkyū Hatake countered with his lightning trident and Bakusaiga.
• Their repeated clashes churned the ocean and sent enormous tsunamis surging in every direction.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki unleashed Endless Reincarnation, trapping Sōkyū Hatake beneath the crushing power of seven stars. As Hagoromo celebrated and the White Snake Sage and Katsuyu Sage tended to him, Sōkyū Hatake’s defenses began to fail, and he realized the pressure might force him into the ocean.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki restored his strength to its peak and clashed with Sōkyū Hatake, who taunted him while struggling under the pressure.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki cast Sage art: Endless Reincarnation, summoning a Seven-Star Formation that sealed the surrounding space and descended on Sōkyū Hatake.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki covered his injured right eye, while the Katsuyu Sage healed his physical injuries and the White Snake Sage offered to deal with the Great Toad Sage.
• The first wave of star-born pressure cracked Sōkyū Hatake’s defenses, injured him, and drove him downward toward the ocean.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki sensed that reality had changed when Shukaku appeared and described a world where Hagoromo had created the tailed beasts and founded Ninshu. He followed Shukaku to Ninshu’s fortress, where he met its leader, Minato Otsutsuki, whose face he recognized as Minato Namikaze’s.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki noticed that his surroundings and the events around him felt wrong, while the White Snake Sage and Katsuyu Sage sensed no genjutsu.
• Shukaku appeared, treated Hagoromo Otsutsuki as his creator, and said that Hagoromo’s descendant Minato Otsutsuki led Ninshu.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki failed to disrupt the surroundings with chakra and agreed to visit Ninshu after Katsuyu Sage could not return to Shikkotsu Forest.
• Shukaku took Hagoromo Otsutsuki to a fortress, where the ninja celebrated his return and called for Minato Otsutsuki.
• Minato Otsutsuki greeted Hagoromo Otsutsuki, who recognized his face as Minato Namikaze’s.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki visited the Hatake Clan and realized that the world around him was an illusion, but he struck Hamura Otsutsuki with his Truth-Seeking Orbs before fully confronting what was happening. Hamura lay wounded and asked why his older brother had attacked him.

• Minato Otsutsuki brought Hagoromo Otsutsuki to the Hatake Clan to see Sōkyū Hatake.
• Hatake Sakumo explained that Sōkyū Hatake had been injured as a child, and Hagoromo Otsutsuki suspected that his surroundings were unreal.
• Hamura Otsutsuki appeared and spoke of their mother and youngest brother, leaving Hagoromo Otsutsuki convinced that the world was fake.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki attacked Hamura Otsutsuki with his Truth-Seeking Orbs, piercing his body.
• Hamura Otsutsuki collapsed, shocked and hurt, and asked Hagoromo Otsutsuki why he had attacked him.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki attacked Hamura Otsutsuki, prompting Black Zetsu to take control of Hamura’s body and fight back. Their clash destroyed the Hatake Clan Compound, leaving Hatake Sakumo and Sōkyū Hatake staring at the ruins.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki pierced Hamura Otsutsuki through the heart, shocking Minato Otsutsuki, Hatake Sakumo, and Sōkyū Hatake.
• Black Zetsu emerged from the ground, covered Hamura Otsutsuki’s body, and stabilized his wounds while taking control of him.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki accused Sōkyū Hatake of setting a trap and declared he would destroy the world he believed was fake.
• Black Zetsu, piloting Hamura Otsutsuki’s body, challenged Hagoromo Otsutsuki and used the Tenseigan’s Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki countered with the Rinnegan’s Shinra Tensei, and the resulting blast razed the Hatake Clan Compound.
• Hatake Sakumo brought Sōkyū Hatake away from the blast, and they saw that their home had been destroyed.

Black Zetsu wielded the Tenseigan against Hagoromo Otsutsuki, whose battle threatened to destroy Ninshu’s compound. After Hagoromo defeated Black Zetsu, Black Zetsu unleashed the Tenseigan’s ultimate move, and Hagoromo’s response left him staring in shock.

• Black Zetsu and Hagoromo Otsutsuki clashed with their weapons, damaging Ninshu’s compound and forcing its residents to flee.
• Minato Otsutsuki and the clan heads organized an evacuation while Hatake Sakumo wondered why Hagoromo had asked about his youngest son, Sōkyū Hatake.
• Sōkyū Hatake secretly smiled as the battle intensified above Ninshu.
• Hagoromo overwhelmed Black Zetsu, who was wounded and questioned whether Hagoromo was truly his eldest brother.
• Black Zetsu attacked with Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, but Hagoromo used Heavenly Love Quaking Star and told him to look up.
• Black Zetsu looked upward and reacted with shock.

Black Zetsu and Hamura Otsutsuki joined forces to redirect Hagoromo Otsutsuki’s attacks and save the Ninshu settlement, despite the strain on Hamura’s injured body. They destroyed both incoming meteorites, leaving the settlement’s people safe as Hatake Sakumo and Sōkyū Hatake watched.

• Black Zetsu redirected the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion away from the Ninshu settlement, injuring Hamura Otsutsuki’s body in the process.
• Hamura Otsutsuki regained consciousness and urged Hagoromo Otsutsuki to turn back, but Hagoromo sent the Heaven-Shaking Obstructive Star plunging toward them.
• Hamura Otsutsuki told Black Zetsu to increase the Tenseigan’s output, and they combined their chakra to unleash a larger Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion.
• Hamura Otsutsuki and Black Zetsu’s attack pierced and destroyed both meteorites, restoring the clear sky above Ninshu.
• Hatake Sakumo sighed with relief, while Sōkyū Hatake watched the aftermath with interest.

Hagoromo Otsutsuki revealed that he knew the world was an illusion and killed Hamura Otsutsuki and Black Zetsu, who had joined forces against him. He then sat down and challenged Sōkyū Hatake to appear.

• Hyuga Hiashi used his Byakugan to see Hagoromo Otsutsuki holding Hamura Otsutsuki and Black Zetsu by the throat.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki said he wanted to shatter the illusion and snapped Hamura Otsutsuki's neck.
• Black Zetsu tried to use the Mayfly Technique, but Hagoromo Otsutsuki's formation had sealed the ground and blocked it.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki attacked and killed Black Zetsu, then called for Sōkyū Hatake to come out.

Sōkyū Hatake confronted Hagoromo Otsutsuki after Hagoromo called his name, despite Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi Hatake trying to protect him. Sōkyū challenged Hagoromo’s claim that their world was a genjutsu by taking Hamura Otsutsuki’s Tenseigan eyes, leaving Hagoromo to question what the world really was.

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki called Sōkyū Hatake’s name, and Sōkyū stepped forward with an unfamiliar confidence.
• Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi Hatake tried to stop Sōkyū from confronting Hagoromo, but Sōkyū rose into the air surrounded by lightning.
• Sōkyū told Hagoromo that his quick reaction to Hamura Otsutsuki’s and Black Zetsu’s bodies suggested he cared about them, despite calling the world an illusion.
• Sōkyū removed Hamura Otsutsuki’s Tenseigan eyes, provoking Hagoromo to insist the eyes were merely illusory.
• Sōkyū asked Hagoromo who had said the world was a genjutsu he created.

Sōkyū Hatake explained that his single-use Infinite Tsukuyomi made tangible the world within Hagoromo Otsutsuki’s heart, then argued that being forgotten was worse than death. Hagoromo realized that Hamura Otsutsuki had vanished because no one in the living world remembered him, and Sōkyū said even Hagoromo could no longer find him.

• Sōkyū Hatake showed Hagoromo Otsutsuki a glass orb containing a blood-red Rinnegan and explained that he had created a single-use Infinite Tsukuyomi using the Ryūmyaku and broken God Tree branches.
• Sōkyū Hatake told Hagoromo Otsutsuki that Infinite Tsukuyomi gave tangible form to the world in a person’s heart, while Hagoromo insisted that it was still only an illusion.
• Sōkyū Hatake revealed Hamura Otsutsuki’s ravaged body and said that being forgotten was true death.
• Sōkyū Hatake explained that Hamura Otsutsuki had vanished because no one in the living world remembered him, leaving Hagoromo Otsutsuki trembling and horrified.
• Sōkyū Hatake told Hagoromo Otsutsuki that, as a spirit, he could not keep Hamura Otsutsuki in existence through his own remembrance, and that even he could no longer find any trace of Hamura.