Recaps

Anyo used Kakuzu’s gold as bait to recruit bounty hunters into his organization, subduing newcomers with poison and selecting the more promising among them. After the gold scheme ended, the group returned to Takigakure, where Genno registered over a hundred recruits and Anyo began screening them.

• Anyo, Kakuzu, and Sasori set a poisoned, guarded gold trap and captured the first three bounty hunters who came looking for the mine.
• Kakuzu killed one captive to take his wind-affinity heart, while Anyo forced the other two to join by tormenting them with poison and then giving them an antidote.
• Anyo and his allies repeated the recruitment scheme, growing their organization to over a hundred people in just over ten days; Anyo killed one recruit who deliberately withheld an antidote and watched a captive suffer.
• After more than half a month, the gold scheme ended and Kakuzu recovered his gold, while Anyo returned to Takigakure with the recruits.
• Genno registered the newcomers, Anyo began screening them for useful abilities, and Sasori’s proposed organization names were rejected.

Anyo established Zero in Takigakure while Tsunade disguised herself as him to leave his prison, where Gekko Hayate attacked and died after using a forbidden drug. The Third Hokage ordered an investigation into the experiments behind the drug as Anyo remained away from Konoha.

• Anyo named the organization Zero and made himself, Kakuzu, and Sasori its founding members while evaluating recruits in Takigakure.
• Tsunade, disguised as Anyo, accepted the order ending his sentence and left the mansion, where Gekko Hayate attacked her with a burning explosive tag and a ninja blade.
• Tsunade defeated Gekko Hayate, whose body rapidly withered from the effects of a forbidden drug, and summoned the Third Hokage after discovering he could not be saved.
• The Third Hokage learned Tsunade had been impersonating Anyo and questioned her about his absence and Gekko Hayate's attack.
• Tsunade and the Third Hokage concluded that someone in Konoha was conducting forbidden experiments, and he ordered her to analyze the drug in Gekko Hayate's body.

Orochimaru defected from Konoha after the Third Hokage let him escape, while Anyo prepared to return from Takigakure and Jiraiya and Tsunade cornered Orochimaru outside the village. The chapter ended with Orochimaru realizing Tsunade had witnessed the child’s revenge and wondering what Anyo had done with the evidence.

• Orochimaru confronted the Third Hokage over his pursuit of eternal life, then fled after the Hokage’s hesitation allowed him to escape.
• Anyo assigned duties within the Zero Organization, entrusted it to Sasori, and rode back toward Konoha on the Eagle Puppet.
• Orochimaru killed at least ten Anbu while escaping Konoha, and Jiraiya pursued him and demanded that he return to face punishment.
• Tsunade blocked Orochimaru’s path with an earthen wall, trapping him between herself and Jiraiya.
• Tsunade accused Orochimaru of forbidden experiments and harming a child, and Orochimaru realized she had witnessed the child’s revenge.

Anyo returned toward Konoha and found Jiraiya and Tsunade fighting Orochimaru, who appeared to have defected early. To prevent Orochimaru from being captured and exposing Anyo’s secrets, Anyo intervened, but Orochimaru seized him as a hostage and escaped.

• Jiraiya and Tsunade attacked Orochimaru, who used his substitution technique to evade their combined strike.
• Anyo approached Konoha by puppet eagle and spotted the Sannin fighting in the forest.
• Anyo decided to help Orochimaru escape so Konoha would not uncover the secrets behind his prison sentence.
• Anyo struck between the fighters with Iaido and stood in Jiraiya and Tsunade’s way.
• Orochimaru bound Anyo with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, threatened the others with the Kusanagi Sword, and fled with him as a hostage.

Anyo escaped with Orochimaru, refused to defect from Konoha, and agreed to cooperate with him through his own organization. After Tsunade found Anyo pretending to be unconscious, she confronted him about his long absence, then kissed his forehead when he showed her the necklace he had promised to find.

• Orochimaru released Anyo, explained that his gift had exposed him, and invited him to leave with him.
• Anyo refused to leave Konoha but told Orochimaru about his new organization, and they agreed to cooperate.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya followed Orochimaru's trail and found Anyo pretending to be unconscious.
• Tsunade treated Anyo, then punched the ground beside his head when he revealed he had been faking.
• Anyo showed Tsunade the necklace he had found, and she kissed his forehead before telling him not to read into it.

Anyo learned why Orochimaru had defected and watched Jiraiya leave Konoha to search for him. After returning to the village, Anyo found Konan and Haku training and learned that Konan had decided to return to Amegakure as an undercover Konoha ninja.

• Tsunade explained how events involving Anyo had led Orochimaru to defect, and Anyo understood the strange chain of circumstances behind it.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade to inform the Hokage that he was leaving Konoha, then departed to bring Orochimaru back.
• Tsunade returned to Konoha with Anyo and told him to rest before reporting to the Medical Department.
• Anyo found Konan and Haku sparring at the training ground and assessed their growing abilities.
• Konan told Anyo she had chosen to return to Amegakure, and agreed to go undercover and report intelligence to Konoha.
• Konan asked Anyo to protect Yahiko and Nagato from Konoha, and Anyo promised to raise her request with the Hokage.

Anyo accepted a medical-support mission for the upcoming chunin exams and arranged for Konan to receive an Anbu identity so she could work as a Konoha spy. After Konan departed, Anyo and Haku spoke about his manipulative nature and their feelings, while he turned his attention to the exams and the coming war.

• Anyo told the Third that he had spent his absence helping a friend, then accepted a mission to provide medical support during the chunin ninja exams.
• Anyo asked the Third to arrange an Anbu identity and liaison for Konan, and the Third agreed.
• The Third asked whether Anyo resented his prison sentence and offered him a chance to return to the Anbu, but Anyo chose to stay in the Medical Department.
• Anyo visited White Fang's grave, then returned home and told Konan to stay cautious while undercover in Amegakure.
• Konan gave Anyo and Haku folded paper flowers before leaving, and Anyo admitted he had brought her to Konoha partly to use her.
• Haku called Anyo bad and confessed she liked him, while Anyo refused her feelings and looked forward to judging the next generation at the chunin exams.

During the Chunin Ninja Exams, Anyo used his newly developed Soul Division Technique to monitor the participants and reunited with Rin Nohara. Rin demonstrated the Spirit Control Technique she had created, and Anyo eagerly asked her to teach it to him.

• Anyo reviewed the exam participants, including Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara, and decided not to interfere with Obito's future.
• Anyo monitored the Forest of Death by attaching fragments of his soul to the participants.
• Rin Nohara recognized Anyo and told him she had practiced the Spirit Transformation Technique in secret for three years.
• Anyo explained his Soul Division Technique, and Rin revealed that she had developed a ninjutsu of her own.
• Rin used the Spirit Control Technique to take control of Anyo's divided soul and explained how she had learned to soothe and guide animals' souls.

Anyo mastered the Spirit Control Technique, helped Rin Nohara reunite with Obito Uchiha and Kakashi, and watched Might Guy defeat Obito twice during the Chunin Ninja Exams. After healing Obito, Anyo examined him and wondered how the ordinary Genin would later become powerful.

• Anyo learned the Spirit Control Technique from Rin Nohara and helped her find Obito Uchiha and Kakashi in the Forest of Death.
• Kakashi and his teammates encountered Might Guy's team, and the two teams fought as they made their way out of the forest.
• Might Guy defeated Obito in the first individual elimination match after Obito choked on candy and failed to use his Fire Release technique.
• Obito challenged Might Guy again, but Rin Nohara distracted him and Guy knocked him down with a Konoha Whirlwind.
• Anyo treated Obito's injured eyes and found that he seemed to have ordinary Genin-level abilities, while Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi watched him closely.

Anyo treated Kurenai Yuhi after her match and persuaded her to return to the Chunin Ninja Exams. Kakashi won the final against Might Guy, and the participants gathered the next morning for a free countryside outing led by Anyo.

• Anyo healed Kurenai Yuhi's wound, but she became angry when he called her Kurenai-sensei and stormed out of the venue.
• Anyo caught up with Kurenai Yuhi, offered her candy, and convinced her to return by telling her about the next day's outing.
• Kakashi defeated Might Guy in the final and took first place in the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• The proctor announced that a sponsor had arranged a free countryside outing for all exam participants the next day.
• Anyo led the participants from the Konoha Gate to a riverside lawn, where the owner of Ichiraku Ramen offered them a free breakfast.

Anyo pulled Kakashi aside to offer support and teach him swordsmanship, but Kakashi rejected his help and his teacher’s path. Kurenai Yuhi confronted Anyo about Haku, Tsunade, and Rin, and the chapter ended with her asking how many other “little sisters” he had.

• Anyo took Kakashi to the river, asked if he had enough money, and offered to teach him swordsmanship, but Kakashi refused.
• Kurenai Yuhi asked Anyo why Haku lived with him and whether he and Tsunade were involved; Anyo explained that Haku was his subordinate and Tsunade had been ordered to guard him.
• Rin Nohara arrived looking for Kakashi, and Anyo asked her to explain that nothing was going on between him and Tsunade.
• Rin Nohara told Kurenai Yuhi that Anyo would choose Tsunade only if he were blind, then fled when Kurenai questioned how they knew each other and why Rin called him big brother.
• Kurenai Yuhi asked Anyo how many more little sisters he had, and Anyo wondered whether there were any others.

Anyo organized games, a bonfire feast, and fireworks for the young ninja, while making peace with Kurenai Yuhi. The evening ended with Kurenai kissing Anyo, leaving him surprised once again.

• Anyo arranged tabletop games, and the young ninja gathered to play, with Werewolf becoming the most popular.
• Anyo lit a bonfire with Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Technique, and everyone began grilling the food prepared for them.
• Anyo sat by the river, where Kurenai Yuhi brought him grilled meat and leaned against his shoulder.
• Anyo revealed that he had bought every firework in Konoha and paid for the outing to apologize to Kurenai Yuhi.
• Kurenai Yuhi kissed Anyo before he could finish explaining, leaving him surprised.

Anyo promised to consider marrying Kurenai Yuhi when she was older, then developed a range of support-focused poisons in Tsunade’s laboratory. Tsunade recognized their potential to advance Konoha’s medical reforms, while reports of the Third Kazekage’s disappearance prompted the Third Raikage to mobilize Kumogakure’s ninja.

• Kurenai Yuhi asked Anyo if he would marry her, and he promised to wait until she was older before deciding.
• Anyo escorted Kurenai Yuhi home, declined Shinku’s invitation to come inside, and then went to Tsunade’s laboratory.
• Anyo developed and classified poisons with effects including paralysis, blindness, dizziness, and weakness while Tsunade slept.
• Tsunade examined the poisons, understood their value for medical-ninja squads, and hurried to tell the Hokage that Konoha’s medical reforms were on the right track.
• The Third Raikage ordered all Kumogakure ninja to assemble after learning that the Third Kazekage had disappeared and was suspected dead.

Kumogakure's attack on Sunagakure ignited the Third Shinobi World War, drawing Konoha into a conflict across multiple fronts. With Konoha running short of capable leaders, the Third Hokage summoned Anyo, who left the Medical Department despite Tsunade's efforts to keep him there.

• A Kumogakure squad attacked Sunagakure ninja in Amegakure and revealed that war was coming.
• Kumogakure attacked Sunagakure, and Konoha agreed to send aid; Kumogakure then declared war on Konoha and Iwagakure as well.
• Anyo walked through Konoha as the war began, expecting that he would soon be called back to fighting.
• The Third Hokage, facing casualties across several fronts and few available leaders, decided to summon Anyo.
• Tsunade tried to prevent Anyo from leaving the Medical Department, but Anyo accepted the Hokage's summons and thanked her before departing.

Anyo was reinstated as an Anbu Captain under the codename Night and prepared to join Minato Namikaze on the Iwagakure front. He defied Danzo to retrieve Yugao from Root, and she left with him as his first team member.

• The Third Hokage ordered Anyo to assist Minato Namikaze at the Iwagakure front, reinstated him as an Anbu Captain, and gave him the codename Night.
• Anyo asked to choose his own team members and received three days to prepare before departing for the battlefield.
• Anyo entered Root to retrieve Yugao and overpowered two Root members who tried to stop him.
• Anyo threatened Danzo and demanded that he remove Yugao's Cursed Seal.
• Danzo removed the seal, and Yugao agreed to leave with Anyo as his first team member.

Anyo assembled a five-person squad for the Third Shinobi World War and learned that Fugaku had taken Itachi to the Iwagakure front. After training with his teammates, Anyo led the masked team out of Konoha toward the battlefield.

• Anyo gave Haku an Anbu uniform and recruited him to join the team.
• Mikoto told Anyo that Fugaku had taken Itachi to the battlefield, and Anyo learned they were headed to the Iwagakure front.
• Shisui Uchiha demonstrated his three-tomoe Sharingan and powerful genjutsu, so Anyo invited him to join the squad.
• Yamanaka Ertian declined Anyo's invitation but recommended Inoichi Yamanaka, who accepted.
• Anyo trained with Haku, Yugao, Shisui Uchiha, and Inoichi Yamanaka, then led the team out of Konoha for the Iwagakure Battlefield.

Anyo's team arrived at the battlefield, where he and Minato switched roles so Minato could target Iwagakure's command post while Anyo took command. As the Tsuchikage attacked Anyo with Dust Release, Anyo countered with a Mangekyō Sharingan-enhanced Iaido strike, leaving the Tsuchikage facing death.

• Anyo's team reached the battlefield and saw Konoha and Iwagakure locked in a bloody stalemate.
• Anyo contacted Minato, learned that the Tsuchikage's hidden Dust Release had kept him from joining the fight, and arranged for Minato to attack Iwagakure's command post.
• Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to switch places with Anyo, who summoned Katsuyu and ordered her to treat lightly wounded Konoha ninja.
• The Tsuchikage spotted Anyo and attacked him and Katsuyu with Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique.
• Anyo ordered Katsuyu to split apart, activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, and struck at the Tsuchikage with Iaido.

Anyo fought the Tsuchikage, using his Mangekyō Sharingan and swordsmanship to survive the Tsuchikage’s powerful Earth Release attacks. After destroying the Rock Golem and striking what he thought was the Tsuchikage, Anyo was trapped inside the Iron Fortress as the Tsuchikage unleashed Dust Release across the entire arena.

• Anyo retreated from the Tsuchikage’s enhanced stone fist and used genjutsu to escape his aerial attack.
• Anyo landed and ordered Shisui and Inoichi to help the others rather than join his fight.
• The Tsuchikage created a Rock Golem and increased its speed, forcing Anyo to use his strongest Blade-Breaking Technique to destroy it.
• Anyo pierced the Tsuchikage with the Illusion Blade Technique, but discovered that his target was a rock clone.
• The Tsuchikage trapped Anyo inside the Iron Fortress and expanded his Dust Release attack to fill the arena.

Anyo and Minato wounded the Tsuchikage and forced Iwagakure’s forces to retreat, though Anyo collapsed after the battle. On the battlefield, Itachi learned firsthand that war turned strangers into enemies, while Fugaku recognized how powerful Anyo had become.

• Anyo dispelled his Susanoo when he realized help was coming, then combined Fire Release and Wind Release with Minato’s Flying Thunder God to attack the Tsuchikage.
• The Tsuchikage countered Anyo’s Iaido with Rock Fist, and both fighters were wounded before Minato carried Anyo to safety.
• Anyo ordered Minato and Haku to pursue the retreating Iwagakure ninja, and the battle ended after a day of fighting with the Tsuchikage ordering a retreat.
• Itachi found a wounded Iwagakure ninja and offered him water, but killed him when he tried to attack.
• Fugaku explained to Itachi that war made strangers enemies and urged him to remember the battlefield, then reflected on Anyo’s strength and Itachi’s potential.

Anyo recovered at Konoha’s temporary base and reflected on how to overcome his weakness against ranged opponents, while Minato and the Third Hokage assessed the changing Iwagakure battlefield. Tsunade departed to join the front, and Anyo stayed behind to help Konoha despite being unable to fight, as he and Minato disagreed over how to end the war.

• Anyo treated his injuries and decided he needed to develop sword techniques for fighting at range after realizing he could not learn Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The Third Hokage learned that Konoha had gained the advantage after the Tsuchikage was injured and Iwagakure’s command division was wiped out, though Iwagakure’s forces had dispersed into smaller groups.
• Tsunade persuaded the Third Hokage to let her go to the Iwagakure Battlefield, partly to assess Konoha’s medical reforms and partly because Anyo had been seriously injured.
• Minato and the Anbu squad members visited Anyo, who refused to return to Konoha and offered to help with intelligence and operations while he recovered.
• Anyo praised Minato for earning the title Yellow Flash, then urged him to kill the dispersed Iwagakure forces; Minato said he wanted peace and hoped to end the age of turmoil.

After the battle, Anyo evaluated his team and appointed Inoichi Yamanaka acting commander while he recovered from his injuries. Haku treated him and stayed by his side as Tsunade traveled toward the battlefield with the reorganized medical teams, eager to see Anyo again.

• Anyo criticized Shisui, Yugao, and Haku for their battlefield mistakes, praised Inoichi Yamanaka, and named him acting commander while Anyo was away.
• Haku returned to treat Anyo’s injuries, became upset at his recklessness, and told him he would join him if he died.
• Haku used ice blades to remove Anyo’s clothes, bandaged him, and explained that he had practiced treating injuries for three years.
• Haku rested Anyo’s head on his lap and soothed him to sleep.
• Tsunade traveled with the trained medical team, organized its members for battlefield deployment, and hurried onward because she longed to see Anyo.

Anyo reviewed his battles and developed a new swordsmanship that used soul power to control blades from a distance. After naming it Okatana Swordsmanship, he asked Haku about skilled weapon makers and considered visiting the Land of Crafts.

• Anyo used the Soul Division Technique to replay his battles against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the Tsuchikage, identifying flaws in his swordsmanship.
• Anyo concluded that he needed to rely on swordsmanship rather than the Sharingan and considered combining his blade work with ninjutsu and soul power.
• Anyo used the Spirit Control Technique to form soul blades, but his first attempt only stirred dust from the floor.
• Anyo asked Haku to bring three ninja blades, then used chakra and soul power to control them and drive them into the wall.
• Anyo named his new technique Okatana Swordsmanship and asked Haku where weapons were forged, learning that the Land of Crafts was known for it.

Anyo recovered under Tsunade’s care as Konoha gained ground against Iwagakure, but Iwagakure’s alliance with Kirigakure turned the campaign into a crushing defeat. The chapter left Tsunade wounded, Konoha’s advantage lost, and the Tsuchikage intent on killing her.

• Tsunade treated Anyo and ordered him to rest three more days, while Minato left for the Kumogakure front to protect Kushina Uzumaki from a possible abduction attempt.
• Tsunade led Konoha’s forces deep into Iwagakure territory, but Kirigakure’s sudden intervention in thick mist caused heavy casualties and revealed that Iwagakure had feigned weakness.
• Tsunade led a vanguard of Hyuga Clan members and elite ninja forward, but the Three-Tails and Six-Tails attacked with Tailed Beast Bombs and shattered Konoha’s morale.
• Two unidentified Kage-level ninja ambushed Konoha’s retreat, wounded Tsunade, and helped the Iwagakure and Kirigakure forces inflict enormous losses.
• The Tsuchikage hovered over the battlefield and decided Tsunade had to die because Konoha’s strength frightened him.

Anyo developed Lightning Release swordsmanship before rushing to the battlefield after learning that the offensive had failed and Tsunade was in grave danger. He rescued Shisui and reached Tsunade just as the Tsuchikage prepared to kill her, breaking the barrier and catching her as she collapsed.

• Anyo practiced Lightning Release techniques with his ninja blade and developed a powerful, chakra-consuming style he called Lightning Swordsmanship.
• Inoichi told Anyo that Kirigakure and an unidentified force had disrupted the offensive, the squad had been scattered, and the wounded Tsunade was fighting the Tsuchikage.
• Anyo found the injured Shisui surrounded by enemy ninja, killed his attackers, and sent a Lightning Release: Shadow Clone with Shisui to search for the other squad members.
• Anyo flew toward Tsunade, who was weakened by injuries and toxins and trapped within a barrier as the Tsuchikage prepared to strike her with Dust Release.
• Anyo's killing intent stopped the Tsuchikage from attacking, and his lightning assault destroyed the barrier before he caught Tsunade and reassured her.

Anyo helped Tsunade recover, sent her and the Konoha ninja retreating, then held off the Tsuchikage while the armies clashed. After Kirigakure reinforcements arrived, Anyo used his Mangekyō Sharingan to turn the jinchūriki’s Tailed Beast Bombs against them, and vanished as the Tsuchikage unleashed Dust Release.

• Anyo healed Tsunade and sent her away on the Eagle Puppet while he stayed to confront the Tsuchikage.
• Anyo ordered the remaining Konoha ninja to retreat and fought the Tsuchikage in a ranged ninjutsu duel.
• Anyo secretly warned the Tsuchikage that Kirigakure might betray him, making him doubt the arriving reinforcements.
• Kirigakure Anbu sent two transformed jinchūriki to attack Anyo, who controlled them with his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• The jinchūriki’s Tailed Beast Bombs struck the Tsuchikage’s reinforcements, and the Tsuchikage countered with Dust Release as Anyo vanished.