Chapter Summaries

Sōkyū Hatake devastated Sunagakure with Senjutsu Disaster Kirin, then infiltrated the Kazekage’s Office and left gold bricks behind to stir trouble. He escaped toward the border with most of his battlefield mission complete and a new reward within reach.

• Sunagakure's Grand Elder assessed the destruction from Senjutsu Disaster Kirin and ordered an Elite Jōnin to tally the casualties and losses.
• A Sand Shinobi reported signs of an intrusion in the Kazekage's Office, and the Grand Elder found the office's secret room and Sōkyū Hatake's gold bricks.
• The Grand Elder ordered the Sand Shinobi to keep the discovery secret and vowed that Sunagakure would never coexist with Sōkyū Hatake.
• Sōkyū Hatake fled toward the border, satisfied that his attack had inflicted major damage and that his trip had been worth it.
• Sōkyū Hatake's Hell's Curse harvested 268 souls, and his battlefield mission reached its target for Elite Chunin while leaving only a few other objectives unfinished.

Sōkyū Hatake used two random attribute points before reaching the desert border, where Sasori ambushed him through the puppet Hiruko. Sōkyū destroyed Hiruko and its communication device, then continued onward, while Sasori vowed to avenge his parents.

• Sōkyū Hatake spent two random attribute points, increasing his Chakra and Stamina.
• Sōkyū Hatake entered a desert stretch and was attacked by Hiruko with poisoned needles and barbs.
• Sōkyū Hatake recognized Sasori behind Hiruko and taunted him about his parents' deaths.
• Sōkyū Hatake let Hiruko's attacks pass through him, then destroyed the puppet with a thunderbolt.
• Sōkyū Hatake destroyed Sasori's communication device and continued through the desert.
• Sasori reassembled Hiruko and vowed to avenge his parents.

Sōkyū Hatake returned to Konoha’s encampment and revealed that he had infiltrated Sunagakure, stolen its classified intelligence and ninjutsu, and been discovered. Orochimaru and Tsunade reacted to his report, especially his encounter with an unidentified elderly ninja.

• Sōkyū Hatake returned to the encampment, where the guards directed him to Orochimaru’s War Room.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade discussed how worried Orochimaru was about Sōkyū Hatake before he appeared at the door.
• Sōkyū Hatake told Orochimaru and Tsunade that he had visited Sunagakure and searched Rasa’s office and the Sutra Repository.
• Sōkyū Hatake produced stolen Sunagakure intelligence and said he had also taken ninjutsu, including forbidden techniques.
• Sōkyū Hatake explained that an alarm exposed him and that he encountered an elderly ninja stronger than Rasa and Pakura.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade exchanged shocked looks as they considered who the elderly ninja might be.

Sōkyū Hatake told Orochimaru and Tsunade how he escaped Fujiwara Terushita, and Orochimaru learned that Iwagakure's attack was keeping Rasa occupied. After Sōkyū returned, Rasa learned his office, secret room, and Sunagakure's grain stores had been looted or damaged, and flew into a rage.

• Orochimaru and Tsunade identified Sōkyū Hatake's pursuer as Fujiwara Terushita, Sunagakure's powerful chief elder and former acting Kazekage.
• Sōkyū Hatake explained that a Shadow Clone's lightning threat forced Fujiwara Terushita to stop pursuing him and defend the grain stores.
• Orochimaru said Rasa and Bunpuku were occupied fighting Iwagakure forces led by Roshi, while Ōnoki's force attacked Kumogakure.
• Orochimaru told Sōkyū Hatake to return to work, but Sōkyū slipped out of the Operations Command Room before Orochimaru could stop him.
• A Sand Shinobi reported that Sōkyū had looted Rasa's office and the Sutra Repository, burned grain, and caused nearly four hundred casualties.
• Rasa learned that his secret room and savings had been taken too, then roared Sōkyū Hatake's name and spat blood.

Chiyo warned the Sand Shinobi about Sōkyū Hatake and offered an elder’s seat to anyone who captured or killed him. On the battlefield, Sōkyū Hatake provoked Chiyo by revealing he had smashed apart Sasori’s puppets, and Orochimaru intervened as Chiyo prepared to fight.

• Chiyo announced Rasa’s reward and explained that Sōkyū Hatake had raided Sunagakure, caused heavy losses, and escaped.
• Chiyo ordered the Sand Shinobi to avoid fighting Sōkyū Hatake alone, signal for reinforcements, and transcribe their ninjutsu to rebuild the Sutra Repository.
• Sōkyū Hatake told Orochimaru he planned to return to the main battlefield, and Orochimaru warned him not to confront Chiyo and the others directly.
• Sōkyū Hatake encountered Chiyo and told her he had smashed apart Sasori’s puppets, though Sasori had hidden his real body.
• Orochimaru appeared and challenged Chiyo after she threatened to take Sōkyū Hatake’s head; Sōkyū Hatake slipped away to build up his strength.

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.