Recaps

Kurenai confronted the masked Anyo but let him leave after he claimed to be a Takigakure Genin, while he resolved to reunite with her only when he could offer her a stable home. At Konoha Hospital, Minato defeated Ebisu and agreed to train Naruto for a month.

• Kurenai used genjutsu on Anyo, but he revealed he was blind and recognized her; Mabui arrived after Anyo summoned her for help.
• Kurenai asked whether Anyo was a Takigakure Genin, and he confirmed it before leaving with Mabui; he later explained that he did not want to make Kurenai suffer through another separation.
• Kakashi introduced Ebisu as Naruto's special-training teacher, but Naruto objected and said he wanted someone stronger to train him.
• Minato offered to help train Naruto, and Ebisu challenged him after accusing him of trying to poach a student.
• Minato defeated Ebisu in a minute, and Kakashi told Naruto that Minato was stronger than himself; Naruto agreed to train with Minato.

Anyo met Orochimaru in a hot spring and learned about his plans to attack Konoha during the main tournament. Their discussion ended in a tense clash over who could change the world.

• Anyo brought Mabui to a hot spring, where she briefly watched him bathe before leaving.
• Orochimaru arrived in a new female body, and Anyo warned that his soul might eventually become incompatible with it.
• Orochimaru lunged at Anyo to steal his blood, but senjutsu-infused water weakened him and stopped the attack.
• Orochimaru explained that he planned to impersonate the Kazekage and attack Sarutobi during the tournament while summoning beasts caused chaos in Konoha.
• Anyo refused to shoulder the hardest parts of Orochimaru's plan, and they argued over their ambitions as Orochimaru's killing intent rose.

Minato taught Naruto Wind Release while Jiraiya and Kakashi investigated Minato’s resemblance to the Fourth Hokage. Anyo agreed to help Orochimaru during the coming operation, and Jiraiya joined Naruto’s training by passing down the toad summoning contract, leaving Minato convinced that Jiraiya had recognized him.

• Minato began teaching Naruto the Great Breakthrough after discovering Naruto’s wind nature, while Kakashi and Jiraiya watched from a distance.
• Kakashi told Jiraiya that the foreign genin teaching Naruto resembled Minato, and Jiraiya decided to observe him for a few days.
• Anyo agreed to follow Orochimaru’s orders during the coming operation if Orochimaru defeated Hiruzen Sarutobi without injury and settled their grudge.
• Anyo instructed Mabui to send the Kazekage outfit and give Baki the plan, then teased Mabui about what she was thinking.
• After Naruto struggled to perform Wind Release, Jiraiya emerged and proposed teaching him alongside Minato.
• Jiraiya taught Naruto how to sign the toad summoning contract, and Minato realized Jiraiya must have recognized him.

Jiraiya learned that Minato had survived and heard about the masked man who released the Nine-Tails, while Anyo’s reunion with Yugao revealed his control over Sunagakure and left Yugao asking to join his organization.

• Minato told Jiraiya that a Sharingan-wielding masked man released the Nine-Tails during Kushina’s childbirth and that Anyo had saved his soul after the Reaper Death Seal killed him.
• Jiraiya told Minato that Akatsuki was searching for Tailed Beasts and promised to protect Naruto.
• Mabui told Anyo that Baki had been killed with a single sword strike, and Anyo tackled her to avoid an attack through the door.
• The masked attacker revealed herself as Yugao, who recognized Anyo as her captain and joyfully embraced him.
• Yugao questioned Anyo about Mabui and Sunagakure, and Anyo revealed that Sunagakure was under his control.
• Mabui explained Anyo’s organization to Yugao, who removed her mask and asked to join because she trusted him.

Anyo told Yugao about his plan, and she joined the Zero Organization, hoping to leave Konoha with him. After Sasori took command of the Sand Ninja, he prepared them to carry out the Konoha Crush Plan despite Baki's death.

• Yugao told Anyo she wanted to kill Orochimaru, and Anyo encouraged her to find an opportunity while explaining why Sarutobi kept her at a distance.
• Yugao said she had joined the Anbu to wait for Anyo and insisted on leaving Konoha with him; Mabui welcomed her into the Zero Organization.
• Anyo promised to write a story for girls with Yugao as its protagonist, and Yugao eagerly accepted.
• Sasori told Anyo he had been training Tenten for the Chunin Ninja Exams, then agreed to take over command of Sunagakure's operation.
• Sasori asserted his authority over the Sand Ninja, explained the Konoha Crush Plan, and ordered them to follow his battle plans while the Kazekage attended the exams.

Anyo forfeited his match against Naruto, then the Chunin Finals postponed Sasuke’s bout with Gaara while Shikamaru was pushed into the arena to face Tenten. The chapter ended with Shikamaru unwillingly facing Tenten after her month of training under Sasori.

• Anyo forfeited his match against Naruto before they fought, and Naruto won after urging him to reconsider.
• Anyo said the Shinobi World would not exist much longer as he left the arena, while the Kazekage and Sarutobi discussed the next match.
• Sarutobi postponed Sasuke’s match against Gaara after the Kazekage argued that officials had come to see the Uchiha Clan’s sole survivor fight.
• Naruto shoved Shikamaru into the arena for his match, where he faced Tenten, who had trained under Sasori for a month.

Shikamaru outmaneuvered Tenten but forfeited because Sasori had poisoned him, and Blackarachnia also forfeited, advancing Neji. As Anyo and Sasori prepared to begin their plan, Gaara was allowed to fight Sasuke, who arrived with Kakashi just as Genma was about to announce his forfeit.

• Shikamaru used Tenten's steel wires to catch her with the Shadow Possession Jutsu, but conceded because the poison had drained his chakra, giving Tenten the win.
• Sasori forfeited Blackarachnia's match, advancing Neji and provoking an angry reaction from the spectators.
• Gaara demanded to fight Sasuke before carrying out Anyo and Sasori's plan, and Anyo agreed after hearing his reasons.
• Shino Aburame won by default when the Otogakure genin failed to arrive, while the crowd chanted for refunds.
• Gaara insisted that he would wait for Sasuke, and Kakashi arrived with Sasuke in a dramatic entrance as the spectators cheered.

Sasori forced Gaara to use the Feigning Sleep Technique, releasing Shukaku and launching the invasion of Konoha. With Hiruzen trapped by the Sound Four and Shukaku attacking the arena, Might Guy stepped forward and activated the Eight Gates.

• Sasuke pierced Gaara’s sand defense with the Lightning Blade, but Sasori appeared and knocked Sasuke unconscious with a sand claw.
• Sasori overpowered Gaara and ordered him to use the Feigning Sleep Technique; Temari reminded Gaara of Yashamaru, and Gaara obeyed, falling asleep and releasing Shukaku.
• Shukaku emerged and attacked the Duel Arena while the disguised Kazekage seized Hiruzen and the Sound Four trapped him inside a barrier.
• Kakashi and Might Guy confronted Kabuto, then defended the arena from Shukaku’s Wind Release: Air Bullet with Water Release.
• Might Guy activated the Eight Gates Released Formation and prepared to face Shukaku.

Guy used the Seventh Gate to defeat Shukaku and throw him out of the Duel Arena while Anyo and Sasori moved to watch Orochimaru fight Sarutobi. Orochimaru summoned Hashirama and Tobirama, but Sarutobi trapped them and Orochimaru with the Reaper Death Seal, leaving the struggle unresolved.

• Guy opened the Seventh Gate, countered Shukaku’s Air Bullets, struck him, and hurled him out of the Duel Arena.
• Anyo and Sasori found a concealed vantage point as Orochimaru revealed himself and confronted Sarutobi.
• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama and Tobirama with Impure World Reincarnation, and the two attacked Sarutobi while their minds were suppressed.
• Anyo explained to Sasori that Orochimaru weakened the reincarnated Hokage to control them, and warned that Hashirama had been stronger than Sasori in life.
• Jiraiya and Minato arrived to defend Konoha’s breached border against the Sand and Sound forces.
• Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to absorb Hashirama’s and Tobirama’s souls and seize Orochimaru.

Sarutobi died after sealing Orochimaru’s hands, and Sasori led Sunagakure’s retreat from Konoha while rescuing Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. As the wounded Orochimaru was carried away, an unseen attacker struck at him with a deadly blade.

• Sarutobi and Orochimaru fought over Orochimaru’s soul, and Sarutobi sealed Orochimaru’s hands before dying.
• Anyo told Sasori to order Sunagakure’s forces to retreat, and Sasori signaled the withdrawal from his airborne fortress.
• Sasori flew to Gaara’s battle site and blocked Might Guy from attacking Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
• Kakashi confirmed Sarutobi’s death, and Sasori left with the three Sand ninja.
• The Sound Four carried Orochimaru toward Konoha’s border, where an unseen attacker’s blade locked onto him.

Yugao attacked Orochimaru to avenge Gekko Hayate, but Orochimaru used the Nine-Tails’ chakra to escape. After Anyo treated Yugao’s injuries, he planned Sunagakure’s diplomatic recovery and agreed with Sasori on peace envoys.

• Yugao tried to kill Orochimaru for causing Gekko Hayate’s death, but Orochimaru’s chakra cloak blocked her strike.
• Orochimaru unleashed a giant chakra hand that wounded Yugao and let him escape with the Sound Four.
• Anyo recognized the Nine-Tails’ chakra in Yugao’s wounds and healed her with senjutsu chakra.
• Anyo told Yugao to avoid Orochimaru’s power in a future encounter, then promised to write the illustrated heroine as soon as he could.
• Anyo advised Sasori to restore diplomatic relations, appoint himself Fifth Kazekage, and propose an Allied Nations Treaty; Sasori suggested sending a team led by Might Guy from Konoha.

After the battle, Anyo prepared to travel to Sunagakure while Orochimaru sought treatment for his sealed hands. As Konoha mourned Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya confronted Anyo about his connection to Orochimaru and asked whether he wanted to become Hokage.

• Anyo decided to travel to Sunagakure with Might Guy's team after Sasori finished negotiating with Konoha, while Mabui returned with Sasori and Yugao considered leaving the Anbu.
• Orochimaru returned to his base in poor condition, and Kabuto Yakushi said only one person could treat his injury, prompting Orochimaru to order him to find her.
• Anyo worked on a new book as rain fell over Konoha and Hiruzen Sarutobi's funeral approached.
• Anyo restored Minato's weakened soul and warned him not to fight with the damaged puppet.
• Jiraiya visited Anyo, accused him of helping Orochimaru's invasion, and asked whether he wanted to be Hokage.

Anyo rejected Jiraiya’s suggestion that he become Hokage and urged Minato to recover his Soul Power. Later, Anyo intervened when Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki attacked Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma, and Kurenai recognized his mysterious blade as the one that had saved her before.

• Anyo refused to become Hokage, and Jiraiya said he would take Naruto to find Tsunade in two days.
• Anyo told Minato to practice the Spirit Transformation Technique while recovering his Soul Power.
• Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma spotted two suspicious visitors near a dessert shop, then Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma confronted them.
• The visitors revealed themselves as Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, and the four began fighting.
• Anyo sent his concealed Supreme Edge to rescue Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma, wounding Kisame and forcing Itachi and Kisame to retreat.
• Kurenai Yuhi recognized Anyo’s blade from the Konoha Defense War and ran toward a part of the village.

Kurenai Yuhi confronted Anyo after recognizing him in Konoha, and they reunited at her home. Anyo revealed his weakened condition and past hardships, while Kurenai confessed her lasting love for him and asked him to be with her.

• Kurenai Yuhi searched for Anyo and threatened to stab herself until he appeared and stopped her with a blade.
• Kurenai Yuhi embraced Anyo, reproached him for hiding from her, and went home with him.
• Anyo told Kurenai Yuhi about his years of hardship, his reconstructed body, temporary blindness, and near-total loss of chakra.
• Kurenai Yuhi accepted Anyo's condition and told him she wanted to protect him, then confessed that she had loved him since childhood.
• Anyo admitted he would not remain faithful to one person, but Kurenai Yuhi said she still wanted a future with him and invited him to love her.

After spending the night with Kurenai Yuhi, Anyo discovered that her chakra had been converted into senjutsu chakra and strengthened him. Kurenai recovered and shared a meal with him, ending the chapter by realizing he could grow stronger just by sleeping with someone.

• Anyo examined the changes in his body and found that chakra from Kurenai Yuhi had become senjutsu chakra, giving him roughly Chunin-level strength.
• Anyo sensed that Kurenai had lost only a small amount of chakra and that she was gradually recovering.
• Kurenai Yuhi slept through the day, then woke in the evening to find Anyo had prepared a feast.
• Anyo told Kurenai about his newfound chakra and how their union had strengthened him.
• Kurenai Yuhi remarked that Anyo could get stronger just by sleeping.

Anyo spent several days with Kurenai Yuhi, then met Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame when they came to check on their sensei. He admitted that he and Kurenai Yuhi were a couple and won over her students with food and conversation.

• Anyo and Kurenai Yuhi spent three days together, and his chakra increased after their second time.
• Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame arrived to visit Kurenai Yuhi and recognized Anyo as the Takigakure genin Megatron.
• Anyo welcomed the students, prepared food for them, and explained that Kurenai Yuhi was unwell and he had been looking after her.
• Kiba asked whether Anyo and Kurenai Yuhi were a couple, and Anyo confirmed that they were.
• Anyo chatted with Kiba about dogs, with Shino about insects, and with Hinata about Naruto, winning the students over.

Itachi identified Anyo as the swordsman who had wounded Kisame, while the Shinobi World learned of the Third Hokage’s death. Anyo reunited with Genno, heard about a girl who had accompanied Tsunade, and trembled when he saw Genno’s portrait of her.

• Itachi told Kisame that Anyo was the Konoha White Fang’s student and the strongest blade user in the Shinobi World, then noticed Kakashi following them.
• Itachi and Kisame prepared to deal with their pursuer as the nations learned that Orochimaru had killed the Third Hokage and impersonated the Kazekage.
• Anyo reunited with Genno outside Konoha and asked how she was doing in Takigakure.
• Anyo told Genno that he was blind, though his sight would eventually recover, and asked about the important matter in Genno’s letter.
• Genno described seeing a girl with Tsunade and gave Anyo a portrait, which made him tremble when he saw it.

Anyo learned that Kikyo was likely his daughter and rushed toward the town where she had been seen, where he crossed paths with Itachi and Kisame. In a meeting inside Itachi’s soul space, Anyo confronted him about the Uchiha massacre and his plans, then promised to deal with Akatsuki and left Itachi wondering whether his family might still be alive.

• Genno showed Anyo a picture of Kikyo, and Anyo recognized her name as connected to the place where he and her mother had parted.
• Itachi and Kisame confronted Kakashi outside a town, but Might Guy arrived and drove them off before Kakashi collapsed unconscious.
• Itachi explained to Kisame that Anyo was powerful and that Jiraiya had taken their target away from Konoha.
• Anyo and Genno passed Itachi and Kisame, and Anyo entered Itachi’s soul space to speak with him.
• Itachi deduced that Anyo was an Uchiha and questioned why he had stayed away from the clan.
• Anyo revealed that he knew about Itachi’s plans involving Akatsuki and Sasuke, urged him to stay alive, and promised to deal with Akatsuki; Itachi asked what Anyo needed him to do.

Itachi abandoned the plan to capture Naruto, while Naruto was easily knocked unconscious by a masked young woman named Kikyo. Kikyo reunited with Tsunade, but Orochimaru confronted them and revealed that he knew Kikyo’s father, leaving Tsunade shaken and Orochimaru intent on taking Kikyo.

• Itachi persuaded Kisame to leave the Small Town without trying to capture Naruto.
• Kikyo challenged Naruto to spar and knocked him unconscious in half a minute.
• Tsunade noticed she had won a large amount at a gambling house and hurried away with Kikyo without collecting it.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi blocked Tsunade and Kikyo with a giant snake, and Orochimaru asked Tsunade to heal him.
• Kikyo recognized Orochimaru’s injuries, but Tsunade warned her not to help him.
• Orochimaru revealed that he knew Kikyo’s father and had seen him recently, while secretly deciding that he must have Kikyo.

Anyo arrived in time to stop Orochimaru from attacking Kikyo, then reunited with Tsunade and met his daughter. Tsunade left after Kikyo insisted on speaking with Anyo alone, and Kikyo asked him why he had abandoned her and her mother.

• Orochimaru revealed that he had killed the Third Hokage, and Kabuto asked Tsunade to heal Orochimaru's hands.
• Orochimaru attacked Kikyo, but Anyo's Unintentional Blade forced him to retreat and Anyo ordered him to keep Jiraiya away.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto left, and Anyo embraced Tsunade before apologizing for what had happened in the past.
• Anyo introduced himself to Kikyo, but Tsunade tried to take her away; Kikyo insisted on speaking with her father alone, so Tsunade left with Shizune.
• Kikyo admitted she had pretended to be hurt to persuade Tsunade, learned about Anyo's reconstructed body and sealed eyes, and asked why he had abandoned her and Tsunade.

Anyo learned from Kikyo that Tsunade had waited for him after leaving Konoha and realized he had been at fault for their separation. He joined Tsunade, Jiraiya, Naruto, Kikyo, and Shizune at a tavern to clear things up, just as Orochimaru arrived.

• Kikyo told Anyo that Tsunade had waited a week for him after leaving Konoha, and Anyo said he wanted to make amends.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade that the Third Hokage had died and that Konoha wanted her to become the Fifth Hokage, but she refused.
• Naruto arrived and argued with Tsunade, while Kikyo and Shizune joined them and Jiraiya realized Kikyo was Tsunade's daughter with Anyo.
• Anyo entered, revealed that Kurotsuchi was his pen name, and invited everyone to stay at the tavern while more guests arrived.
• Orochimaru entered the tavern alone as Tsunade drank in silence.

Anyo brought Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru together, where Tsunade agreed to become Konoha’s Fifth Hokage and Orochimaru offered Akatsuki intelligence in exchange for help with his injuries. After Orochimaru and Jiraiya left, Tsunade attacked Anyo for poisoning her years earlier, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

• Anyo sent Shizune, Kikyo, and Naruto away so the Sannin could speak privately.
• Jiraiya invited Tsunade to become Konoha’s Fifth Hokage, and she accepted despite her anger at Anyo.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had once belonged to Akatsuki and offered intelligence, but Tsunade could only ease his pain because Hiruzen’s sealing jutsu had damaged his hands.
• Anyo warned Orochimaru not to harm a particular person, and Orochimaru left after Tsunade could not heal him.
• After Jiraiya left, Tsunade struck Anyo, fed him black pills, and accused him of poisoning her long ago.

Anyo staged his death to make Tsunade listen, then used his Mangekyō ability to reverse time and heal himself. He confessed his feelings and asked to start over, and Tsunade relented as they reconciled.

• Anyo stabbed himself with the Supreme Edge, and Tsunade tried to save him with Medical Ninjutsu.
• Anyo explained that his body was already failing and confessed that he had long wanted to apologize to Tsunade.
• Anyo used his Mangekyō ability, time reversal, to undo the wound and restore his clothes.
• Anyo asked Tsunade to start over, and Tsunade said her past grievances were easing but insisted he would have to obey her once she became Hokage.
• Anyo kissed Tsunade, then swept her up as she protested that she was the Fifth Hokage.

Anyo and Tsunade reconciled in the tavern, where he revealed he had learned Shikkotsu Forest senjutsu and had encountered Tsunade’s parents as souls. The next day, they discussed turning the tavern into a place Tsunade could visit after stepping down as Hokage, just as Shizune called from outside and Tsunade hurried to get dressed.

• Naruto tried to enter the tavern but was thrown back by a barrier, which Jiraiya recognized as powered by senjutsu.
• Jiraiya took Shizune, Kikyo, and Naruto elsewhere while Anyo and Tsunade remained inside.
• Anyo used senjutsu chakra to restore Tsunade’s strength and told her he had met her parents’ souls in Shikkotsu Forest.
• Anyo showed Tsunade the necklace she had once given him, and they renewed their intimacy.
• The next day, Anyo told Tsunade he had bought the tavern and planned to renovate it for her future visits.
• Shizune called through the door, and Tsunade put on a dress Anyo had provided before they could answer her.

Anyo and Tsunade began their journey back to Konoha with Naruto, Shizune, Kikyo, and Genno, while Jiraiya left to investigate the Akatsuki. On the road, Anyo paid Tsunade’s gambling debts and offered to help Naruto train, and Kikyo asked to train as well.

• Anyo and Tsunade joined the others outside, where they were surprised by Anyo’s restored surroundings and Tsunade’s changed appearance.
• Genno brought a luxurious carriage, and Jiraiya chose to continue his travels rather than return to Konoha with the group.
• A group of creditors stopped the carriage to collect Tsunade’s gambling debts, and Anyo sent Genno to pay them.
• Anyo advised Naruto to use shadow clones to improve his Rasengan training, then sent him outside to practice.
• Kikyo leaned toward Anyo and told him she wanted to train too.