Recaps

At eight years old, Sōkyū Hatake had become a renowned battlefield ninja known as the Thunder God, with nearly all of his system mission objectives complete. After Orochimaru summoned him to the Operations Command Room, Sōkyū learned that Orochimaru had made progress researching the items he had brought him.

• Sōkyū Hatake’s battlefield record reached 968 harvested souls, and he completed every Make a Name on the Battlefield objective except killing a Kage-level powerhouse.
• Sōkyū Hatake checked in at the Border Line for the 365th day, earning a perfect-level skill upgrade and Rumble-Rumble Fruit Awakening.
• Sōkyū Hatake upgraded Rumble-Rumble Fruit Awakening to perfect level and saw that his stats were approaching Kage level.
• Sōkyū Hatake’s exploits earned him the title Thunder God, and a Konoha ninja told him that Orochimaru had summoned him.
• Sōkyū Hatake went to Orochimaru’s Operations Command Room, where Orochimaru said he had made progress researching the items Sōkyū had brought him.

Sōkyū Hatake inspected Orochimaru’s laboratory and learned that Yamato had survived the Hashirama cell experiment. Orochimaru released Yamato from the culture tank, and the newly awakened boy collapsed into his arms.

• Orochimaru led Sōkyū Hatake to his hidden laboratory and showed him Yamato in a culture tank.
• Orochimaru explained that Yamato had consented to the experiment after Orochimaru avenged his parents, who were killed by Sunagakure ninja.
• Orochimaru reported that Yamato’s readings were normal and the Hashirama cells had shown no further backlash after a year and a half.
• Sōkyū Hatake warned Orochimaru to keep Yamato’s identity secret, and Orochimaru said Yamato would work as his assistant for now.
• Orochimaru drained the culture tank and released Yamato, who woke up, tried to walk, and collapsed into Orochimaru’s arms.

Yamato awakened at the Border Combat Command Center and rapidly recovered with the help of the Hashirama Cells. He remembered how Orochimaru had avenged his parents and given him a new identity, leaving Yamato reaffirming his lifelong loyalty to him.

• Yamato awoke, recognized Orochimaru and Sōkyū Hatake, and began moving as his body recovered.
• Orochimaru noticed Yamato's rapid recovery and asked him to test whether he could perform ninjutsu.
• Yamato recalled meeting Orochimaru at his parents' memorial after graduating, where he agreed to follow him in exchange for revenge.
• Orochimaru killed the Sand Shinobi responsible for Yamato's parents' deaths and presented the man's head to Yamato.
• Yamato destroyed the head and followed Orochimaru to the border, accepting a death certificate and the new name Yamato.
• Yamato bowed to Orochimaru and pledged to be his loyal sharpest spear.

Yamato successfully awakened basic Wood Release during Orochimaru’s experiment, and Sōkyū Hatake later reunited with Mitaraishi Anko after she transferred to Orochimaru’s tutelage. Anko told Sōkyū that Danzo had tried to recruit her into Root and had since been reinstated to his old position.

• Yamato used Wood Release to grow a sapling, and Orochimaru told him to keep training on his own.
• Orochimaru told Sōkyū Hatake that Mitaraishi Anko had arrived after applying for early graduation, and Sōkyū went to find her.
• Sōkyū found Anko in his room, where she greeted him excitedly and said she had graduated and become Orochimaru’s student.
• Anko told Sōkyū that Danzo had tried to recruit her into Root during her graduation exam, but Hiruzen Sarutobi had refused.
• Anko told Sōkyū that Danzo had been reinstated in his old position after her graduation.

Sōkyū Hatake learned that Danzo had been reinstated and discussed what that meant with Mitaraishi Anko, who had come to stay next door. He prepared earth-oven chicken for Anko, and Orochimaru and Tsunade arrived as it cooked.

• Mitaraishi Anko told Sōkyū Hatake that Danzo had returned to his former position, and Sōkyū reasoned that Hiruzen Sarutobi needed him to handle covert affairs while the Hokage was at the battlefield.
• Mitaraishi Anko revealed that she was staying next door and teased Sōkyū about rumors linking him with Pakura; Sōkyū denied them and invited her to dinner.
• Sōkyū took Anko to his mountain chicken pen and cooked four chickens in an earthen oven.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade arrived for the meal, and Mitaraishi Anko stood to greet them.

Sōkyū Hatake received Orochimaru’s approval to lead a front against Pakura and shared dinner with Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Anko. He declined to bring the newly graduated Anko into the dangerous fight and secretly sent food to Yamato, whose identity Orochimaru concealed from Tsunade.

• Tsunade arrived with Orochimaru, teased Sōkyū Hatake, and pulled Anko aside to whisper about him and Pakura.
• Orochimaru offered Sōkyū Hatake command of a front, and Sōkyū chose the one facing Pakura.
• Sōkyū served dinner, and Anko playfully pinched his thigh before soothing the spot.
• Orochimaru suggested Anko might accompany Sōkyū, but Sōkyū refused because the battlefield was too dangerous for her.
• Sōkyū gave Orochimaru a lunch box for Yamato, and Orochimaru called him a secret subordinate when Tsunade asked who he was.

Orochimaru informed Konoha’s commanders that Sunagakure and Iwagakure had signed a two-year Non-Aggression Pact and that Rasa had gone missing inside the Land of Wind. Sōkyū Hatake volunteered to investigate, but Hyuga Hiashi could not accompany him because the Hyuga Main Family’s Byakugan was vulnerable to capture.

• Orochimaru reported that Sunagakure and Iwagakure had ended their fighting with a two-year Non-Aggression Pact after Kumogakure increased pressure on Iwagakure.
• Orochimaru said Bunpuku had returned to defend Sunagakure while Rasa had disappeared after going out alone in the Land of Wind.
• Orochimaru warned that the disappearance might be a Sunagakure ruse and said Konoha needed someone to investigate.
• Sōkyū Hatake volunteered despite Orochimaru’s warning that he was at the top of Sunagakure’s Kill List, and Tsunade objected to him going alone.
• Sōkyū Hatake invited Hyuga Hiashi to join him, but a Hyuga Clan ninja said the clan head could not go because the Main Family’s Byakugan could be taken if he were captured or killed.

Sōkyū Hatake accepted a mission to investigate Rasa’s disappearance and traveled alone to Higuma Town in the Land of Wind. After entering the town in disguise, he drew the attention of its many suspicious factions and rented a room at a restaurant.

• Sōkyū Hatake volunteered to go to the Land of Wind, and Orochimaru issued him a mission document.
• Mitaraishi Anko asked to accompany Sōkyū Hatake, but he refused and promised to return safely.
• Sōkyū Hatake crossed into the Land of Wind, avoided searching Sunagakure ninja, and headed for Higuma Town to look for clues about Rasa.
• Sōkyū Hatake entered Higuma Town wearing a Sunagakure forehead protector, prompting local factions to send people to investigate him.
• Sōkyū Hatake asked for a room and a meal at a restaurant, and the waiter led him upstairs.

Sōkyū Hatake paid to enter the Bounty Station and asked about Rasa. The information led him toward a battle site south of Executioner's Cliff, where he suspected Sasori was involved.

• Sōkyū Hatake paid an attendant to guide him to the Bounty Station, which was hidden behind a restroom stall.
• Sōkyū Hatake ordered Black Humor and asked a black-robed informant for information about Rasa.
• The informant said Rasa had stayed in Higuma Town three days earlier and was last seen heading toward Executioner's Cliff.
• The informant revealed that the Bounty Station had found signs of a battle and Gold Dust about ten kilometers south of the cliff.
• Sōkyū Hatake suspected Sasori was behind Rasa's disappearance and left the Bounty Station.

Sōkyū Hatake reached the site where Rasa’s gold dust had been found and disguised himself as a Sunagakure Anbu member to approach Pakura. He joined her search for Rasa’s trail, while remaining suspicious that Rasa had been taken rather than killed.

• Sōkyū Hatake used Lightning Descent to expose and drive off six people following him, including Higuma Town residents, Iwagakure operatives, and Konoha Anbu.
• Sōkyū Hatake expanded his God's-eye View, reached the search site, and spotted Pakura looking for clues.
• Sōkyū Hatake claimed the Great Elder and Bunpuku had sent him, and told Pakura that he had come with two companions.
• Pakura showed Sōkyū Hatake grains of Rasa’s gold dust and pointed out more traces that might mark his route.
• Sōkyū Hatake and Pakura agreed that Rasa’s gold dust may have been left deliberately, and Pakura invited him to continue searching with her.

Sōkyū Hatake and Pakura followed traces of gold dust and puppet marks to a hidden cave, where traps confirmed that a Sunagakure puppeteer had taken Rasa. Inside, Sōkyū identified the puppet as Sasori’s, prompting the concealed Sasori to demand to know who Sōkyū was.

• Sōkyū found widening trails of gold dust and puppet tracks, leading Pakura to suspect that Rasa was in trouble and that someone from Sunagakure was involved.
• The two discovered a chakra sensing wire and a cave concealed beneath yellow sand, then Pakura blasted open its entrance with Scorch Release.
• Pakura burned away poisoned needles and gas and dealt with the puppets and traps as she and Sōkyū advanced through the cave.
• In a large cavern, Hiruko appeared, and Pakura demanded to know where Rasa was being held.
• Sōkyū recognized Hiruko as Sasori’s puppet, and Sasori, speaking from within it, asked who Sōkyū was and how he knew his identity.

Sōkyū Hatake and Pakura discovered that Sasori had abducted Rasa and turned him into a puppet. As Sasori attacked them with the Third Kazekage puppet, Sōkyū Hatake prepared to leave Pakura to handle the Sunagakure matter.

• Sōkyū Hatake revealed his identity to Pakura and Sasori, who recognized him as the only person who knew about Hiruko and Sasori’s identity.
• Sōkyū Hatake revealed that Rasa was in the neighboring room, and Sasori admitted he had abducted and poisoned him to make him a puppet.
• Pakura confronted Sasori over betraying Sunagakure and demanded to know where Rasa was.
• Sasori showed Pakura a puppet made in Rasa’s likeness and claimed he had completed it in three days.
• Pakura insisted she would handle the matter herself, while Sōkyū Hatake called her his little maid and began to leave.
• Sasori threatened Sōkyū Hatake and connected chakra-control threads to the Rasa puppet.

Sōkyū Hatake confronted Sasori as Sasori prepared to complete a human puppet using Rasa’s still-beating heart. The chapter ended with Sōkyū fighting off Sasori’s puppets while Sasori was moments from removing Rasa’s heart.

• Sōkyū told Pakura that Sasori had not yet placed Rasa’s heart inside the puppet, and Pakura attacked the puppet to stop him.
• Sōkyū entered the operating room, evaded poisoned needles, and found Rasa bound to an operating table with most of his organs removed.
• Rasa begged to be killed, but Sasori struck him and continued preparing to remove his heart.
• Sōkyū charged Sasori, who summoned puppets to block him and then deployed his Red Secret Technique: Performance of the Ten Puppets.
• Sasori continued operating as Rasa’s heart remained attached by its last aorta, hoping to complete his powerful human puppet.

Sōkyū Hatake and Pikachu attacked Sasori as he finished turning Rasa into a Human Puppet, while the mission to kill a Kage-level fighter was completed. Sasori unleashed Rasa’s abilities against Sōkyū Hatake and Pakura, but realized the puppet still could not use its full power.

• Sōkyū Hatake had Pikachu electrocute Sasori, and the system announced that his battlefield mission was complete and awarded him perfect-level Conqueror’s Haki.
• Pakura entered the cave, and Sōkyū Hatake told her that Sasori had removed Rasa’s heart and might still be stopped from completing the puppet.
• Pakura attacked Sasori’s Sand Clone, but Sasori appeared elsewhere and placed Rasa’s heart into the puppet, completing the Human Puppet.
• Pakura sealed Rasa’s hollowed-out corpse while Sasori ordered the puppet to attack Sōkyū Hatake and Pakura with Iron Sand Shower.
• Sōkyū Hatake and Pikachu countered with Thunderbolt as Pakura used Scorch Release, and Rasa’s Iron Sand World Method only briefly forced Sōkyū Hatake back.
• Sasori realized that Rasa’s Human Puppet could not yet wield the full power Rasa had possessed in life.

Sōkyū Hatake and Pakura confronted Sasori and a masked man who revealed overwhelming power, but Sōkyū matched his force of presence with Conqueror’s Haki. The masked man escaped with Sasori, and later revealed to be Madara Uchiha, who admitted his restored strength had further weakened his aging body and that he had little time left.

• Pakura attacked Sasori, but a masked man and his companion arrived and took Sasori away from her.
• The masked man’s presence overwhelmed Pakura, and Sōkyū Hatake challenged him with Conqueror’s Haki.
• Sōkyū shielded Pakura as the masked man identified himself as Madara Uchiha and vanished with Sasori and the scattered puppets.
• Madara returned to his cave and told White Zetsu that using the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had briefly restored some strength but left him with at most a year to live.
• Madara resolved to accelerate his plan because Obito Uchiha had not yet turned to darkness.

Madara Uchiha ordered Black Zetsu to gather more intelligence on Sōkyū Hatake and hurry Obito Uchiha’s recruitment as his strength faded. After Pakura left, Sōkyū returned to Konoha and told Orochimaru and Tsunade that Sasori had killed Rasa and made him a Human Puppet, then bet a gold desk lamp against Tsunade teaching Ayame Medical Ninjutsu.

• Madara Uchiha questioned Black Zetsu about Sōkyū Hatake’s unexpected strength and ordered him to speed up the plan involving Obito Uchiha.
• Sōkyū Hatake teased Pakura about being his maid, and she left the cave to report Rasa’s fate to Sunagakure.
• Sōkyū returned to Higuma Town, slept, and set out for Konoha’s border the next morning, shaking off his pursuers.
• Sōkyū told Orochimaru and Tsunade that Sasori had killed Rasa and turned him into a Human Puppet.
• Sōkyū bet Tsunade a gold desk lamp that Rasa would become the Fourth Kazekage, asking her to teach Ayame Medical Ninjutsu if he won.

Sunagakure’s elders failed to choose between Rasa and Pakura as the Fourth Kazekage, so the village vote went to the Daimyo of the Land of Wind for a final decision. Rasa began pitching his plans to strengthen Sunagakure by using his Magnet Release to gather gold dust.

• News spread that Rasa, the Third Kazekage, had died, and Sunagakure branded Sasori an S-rank missing-nin accused of abducting and killing him.
• Sunagakure’s elders argued over whether Rasa or Pakura should become the Fourth Kazekage, while Chiyo left the meeting without offering an opinion.
• Fujiwara Terushita ended the deadlocked discussions and sent the village vote, which had tied, to the Daimyo of the Land of Wind.
• The Daimyo criticized Sunagakure’s failures, and Rasa promised to improve the village by developing its strength and obtaining gold dust with his Magnet Release.

The Land of Wind's daimyō chose Rasa over Pakura as Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage after Rasa promised to extract more gold dust and turn the war around. Fujiwara Terushita failed to secure greater investment for the village, and Rasa hinted that he should retire.

• Rasa proposed mining more gold dust so Sunagakure would depend less on subsidies, while Pakura argued that the village needed greater investment.
• Fujiwara Terushita supported Pakura's call to strengthen Sunagakure, angering Rasa.
• Rasa promised to turn the war around, and the Land of Wind's daimyō appointed him Fourth Kazekage with a sealed letter.
• Pakura left the Daimyō Palace, while Rasa celebrated his appointment with the Land of Wind's daimyō.
• Rasa told Fujiwara Terushita that he was too old to make decisions and should resign and retire.

After Sunagakure’s new Kazekage, Rasa, signed a ceasefire with Konoha, Sōkyū Hatake and the victorious shinobi returned toward the village. On the journey, Tsunade agreed to teach both Sōkyū and Mitaraishi Anko Medical Ninjutsu, while Orochimaru kept Yamato’s identity hidden.

• Rasa’s succession as Fourth Kazekage led to a ceasefire, war reparations, and Ebizo’s ransom, ending the conflict between Konoha and Sunagakure.
• Sōkyū told Orochimaru he had taken part of Rasa’s corpse, including the brain, for his research.
• Sōkyū reminded Tsunade of their bet, then offered her a gold desk lamp to teach Mitaraishi Anko Medical Ninjutsu as well.
• Orochimaru introduced the black-robed Yamato as his capable subordinate and deflected Tsunade’s suspicion.
• The returning shinobi reached the outskirts of Konoha and grew excited at the sight of the village gates.

Sōkyū Hatake returned to Konoha after the armistice and avoided a meeting with the Hokage Advisors. Back at the Hatake Clan Compound, he arranged for Tsunade to teach Ayame medical ninjutsu, then fell asleep in the bath and startled Mitaraishi Anko when he stood up in front of her.

• Villagers welcomed Orochimaru’s victorious force home and asked Sōkyū Hatake about Pakura.
• Sōkyū Hatake skipped the Hokage Advisors’ meeting and agreed to take Yamato to Orochimaru’s base.
• Sōkyū Hatake and Mitaraishi Anko returned to the Hatake Clan Compound, where Ayame greeted them.
• Sōkyū Hatake told Ayame that Tsunade would teach her medical ninjutsu, and Ayame promised to study hard.
• Sōkyū Hatake fell asleep in the bathtub and stood up when Mitaraishi Anko woke him, causing her to flee after peeking at him.

Sōkyū Hatake reunited with Minato Namikaze and Team Minato, who told him Kirigakure was preparing to attack Konoha and that they would soon deploy to the front. Sōkyū chose the Iwagakure front, hoping to reach Kannabi Bridge, and Minato suggested they might be sent out together.

• Tsunade took Mitaraishi Anko and Ayame away to train after gambling away the gold Sōkyū Hatake had given her.
• Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara visited Sōkyū Hatake after returning from the front lines.
• Minato told Sōkyū that Kirigakure was preparing to strike Konoha and that Team Minato would soon be sent to the Kirigakure front.
• Sōkyū said he would choose the Iwagakure front if he received deployment orders, because he wanted to see Ōnoki's Bloodline Limit and reach Kannabi Bridge.
• Minato said Sōkyū would probably leave around the same time as Team Minato and offered to speak to the higher-ups about sending them together.

Sōkyū Hatake was summoned by Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura to discuss his proposed Jōnin promotion and the disappearance of Aburame Ryoma. The Advisors approved the promotion and assigned Sōkyū to the Iwagakure front, where he would leave with Team Minato the day after tomorrow.

• A Root messenger summoned Sōkyū Hatake to the Hokage Office, where he met Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura discussed Orochimaru's recommendation to promote Sōkyū to Jōnin, while Danzō questioned him about Aburame Ryoma's disappearance.
• Sōkyū denied knowing Aburame Ryoma and insisted that his promotion was deserved.
• The Advisors raised the need to reinforce the other battlefronts, and Sōkyū chose to go to the Iwagakure front to see the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release.
• Utatane Koharu arranged for Sōkyū to leave for Iwagakure with Team Minato the day after tomorrow.

Sōkyū Hatake was assigned to the Iwagakure front with Team Minato, and Utatane Koharu warned him that the battlefield would be dangerous before asking him to return alive. Two days later, Minato Namikaze and Team Minato gathered at the Hatake Clan Compound for breakfast before setting out.

• Danzo ordered Sōkyū Hatake to join Team Minato at the Iwagakure front, and Sōkyū left the Hokage Office without ceremony.
• Utatane Koharu told Sōkyū Hatake that Roshi's forces had moved to face Konoha and that the Third Tsuchikage might join the front.
• Sōkyū Hatake reasoned that Konoha had few suitable reinforcements available, and Utatane Koharu warned him that the Iwagakure front would be especially dangerous.
• Utatane Koharu asked Sōkyū Hatake to come back alive, then left him at Hokage Rock.
• Two days later, Obito Uchiha arrived early at the Hatake Clan Compound for breakfast, and Minato Namikaze joined Kakashi Hatake and the others before they set out.

Sōkyū Hatake joined the main force and traded Kushina’s desired Desert Star ring to Minato Namikaze for a scroll about the Flying Thunder God Technique. As the team prepared to take command of the Iwagakure front, Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha started arguing and Rin Nohara intervened.

• Sōkyū Hatake asked Minato Namikaze to teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Minato agreed in exchange for a Desert Star ring for Kushina.
• Sōkyū Hatake received the technique’s scroll and boasted that his chakra would let him use it for long-distance travel.
• Minato Namikaze told Sōkyū Hatake that Jiraiya was currently at the Iwagakure front and would leave to watch against Kirigakure when they arrived.
• Obito Uchiha revealed that Minato Namikaze was the supreme commander, prompting Sōkyū Hatake to joke that he would take Obito’s credit while staying home.
• Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha challenged each other to fight, and Rin Nohara hurried over to stop them.

Minato Namikaze took command of the front against Iwagakure as Jiraiya warned Sōkyū Hatake about the region’s unpredictable attacks and Danzo’s interest in him. Sōkyū checked in at the Iwagakure border and received Armament Haki at elite level.

• Minato Namikaze and Sōkyū Hatake met Jiraiya at the Operations Command Room, where Sōkyū teased him about peeping.
• Jiraiya handed command over to Minato Namikaze, who began reviewing the handover documents.
• Jiraiya explained that Iwagakure’s forested mountain terrain made attacks and sabotage unpredictable, and warned Sōkyū about Danzo’s people.
• Jiraiya told Sōkyū not to betray Konoha and advised him to seek Minato Namikaze’s help if trouble arose.
• Sōkyū checked in at the border between Konoha and Iwagakure and obtained Armament Haki at elite level.