Recaps

Anyo was assigned a joint mission to hunt an S-rank rogue ninja who had extorted several villages by capturing kekkei genkai users. He discovered that the target was his uncle Kakuzu and reached him first with the Spirit Transformation Technique.

• Anyo learned that Yugao and Haku had grown much stronger through their training and medicinal treatments.
• The Third Hokage told Anyo that Konoha and Kumogakure had agreed to a ceasefire to eliminate the rogue ninja, and ordered him to capture or kill the target.
• Anyo accepted the mission and learned that Yugao and Haku would go ahead to the Iwagakure Battlefield under Jiraiya's command.
• Anyo joined Hizashi Hyuga and Shibi Aburame, who tracked the target using insects planted on one of his puppets.
• Anyo sent his soul ahead, found Kakuzu resting in a cave, and entered his mental space to reveal that Kakuzu was his mission target.

Anyo warned Kakuzu that the nations hunting him made his money-making schemes too dangerous, then arranged a plan to fake Kakuzu’s death. After Anyo’s strike and Kakuzu’s apparent self-destruction convinced Hizashi Hyuga and Shibi Aburame the target was dead, Anyo reunited with the surviving Kakuzu and offered to help him get a replacement heart.

• Anyo persuaded Kakuzu to abandon capturing the Konoha shinobi by promising that Sasori could preserve Rasa’s Gold Dust kekkei genkai in a gold-producing puppet.
• Hizashi Hyuga located the target with Byakugan, but Kakuzu ambushed the three shinobi with combined fire and wind techniques from above.
• Anyo pierced Kakuzu’s vital point with the Unintentional Blade, and Kakuzu collapsed as Hizashi and Shibi believed he had been killed.
• Kakuzu detonated Explosive Tags, destroying the spot where his body lay, and Shibi found no trace of him afterward.
• Anyo left the others and met Kakuzu beside a river, where Kakuzu praised his growth and Anyo offered to find him a replacement heart.

Anyo brought Kakuzu toward Sunagakure to involve him in taking control of the village, while Sasori revealed the Zero Organization to Chiyo. The chapter ended with Rasa speaking from outside Chiyo's door and asking whether she would still think Sasori had been deceived if he led the organization.

• Anyo and Kakuzu defeated an Earth Release ninja, and Kakuzu took the ninja's heart before they headed for Sunagakure.
• Anyo told Kakuzu that Hanzo of the Salamander and a member codenamed Secretary had joined the organization, and Kakuzu agreed to help manage its funds.
• Chiyo confronted Sasori with the puppet Anyo had given her and asked what Sasori knew about Kurotsuchi.
• Sasori told Chiyo that Kurotsuchi had faked his death, was a Konoha Anbu and a member of the Zero Organization, and that Sasori belonged to it too.
• Sasori described the organization's goal of changing the shinobi world, but Chiyo accused Kurotsuchi of leading him astray and ordered Sasori to stay in the village.
• Rasa spoke from beyond the door and asked Chiyo whether she would still think Sasori had been deceived if Rasa led the organization.

The Third Kazekage revealed the Zero Organization to Chiyo, while Anyo returned to Sunagakure and reunited with Sasori and Ebizo. At the Kazekage's Office, Mabui demanded to leave after being overwhelmed with paperwork, leaving Anyo scrambling to calm her down.

• The Third Kazekage told Chiyo he had founded the Zero Organization and asked her to report on the campaign.
• Anyo and Kakuzu arrived in Sunagakure, where Sasori greeted Anyo and invited him to see his latest research.
• Anyo visited Ebizo, revealed he was alive, and spent time fishing with his former teacher.
• Ebizo gave Anyo a scroll before Anyo left to meet the others at the Kazekage's Office.
• Mabui complained that Sasori had left her to handle a mountain of unfamiliar paperwork and insisted she was leaving the organization.

Anyo, Mabui, and Kakuzu visited Sasori's underground base, where Sasori showed off his Ryūmyaku-powered puppet Blackarachnia. After its ultimate form exploded, Anyo suggested Sasori build Mabui a smaller motorcycle puppet, and Kakuzu uncovered Sasori's unfinished Megatron, which he planned to use to let Anyo rule forever after death.

• Anyo offered to return to Kumogakure with Mabui after the Third Shinobi World War, but she distrusted his motives.
• Sasori revealed Blackarachnia, a giant puppet powered by Ryūmyaku chakra, and demonstrated its humanoid and beast forms.
• Blackarachnia's attempt to fly ended in an explosion, and Kakuzu shielded the group with an Earth Release wall.
• Sasori used Ryūmyaku power to restore Blackarachnia, and Anyo suggested he build Mabui a smaller desert-racing motorcycle puppet called Arcee.
• Kakuzu uncovered Sasori's unfinished Megatron, which Sasori intended to house Anyo's soul after his death so he could rule forever.

Anyo reached Konoha’s Temporary Base in Sasori’s upgraded War Hawk Puppet and joined Minato’s plan to destroy Kannabi Bridge. After Anyo challenged Minato to turn his grief over the war into a resolve to fight for peace, Minato’s outlook changed.

• Anyo learned that Sasori had agreed to reveal some of the organization’s information to Chiyo and began studying Ebizo’s Space-Time Ninjutsu scroll.
• Anyo flew the War Hawk Puppet to Konoha’s Temporary Base and concealed it after landing.
• Minato told Anyo that Iwagakure had the advantage and explained that its reinforcements and supplies passed through Kannabi Bridge.
• Anyo agreed to join Minato’s mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge.
• Minato confessed that the war had exhausted him, and Anyo urged him to grow stronger and fight to achieve peace.
• Minato took Anyo’s words to heart and emerged with a renewed resolve.

Jiraiya gave Anyo an S-rank mission to infiltrate Iwagakure and exploit intelligence about the Third Raikage’s likely rescue attempt. Anyo accepted the mission and prepared to assume the identity of a captured Iwagakure Ninja.

• Jiraiya arrived and shared an emotional exchange with Minato about their teacher-student bond.
• Jiraiya spoke privately with Anyo and asked about his relationship with Tsunade.
• Jiraiya showed Anyo intelligence locating Kumogakure’s captured Ninja deep in Iwagakure territory, which could lure the Third Raikage into danger.
• Jiraiya ordered Anyo to infiltrate Iwagakure and work with its forces to ensure the Raikage did not escape.
• Jiraiya produced a captured Iwagakure Demolition Squad Ninja whose appearance Anyo could use for his cover.

Anyo learned that Fugaku had kept Shisui on the Kumogakure Battlefield despite the Hokage’s transfer order, then used mind-reading to uncover the captured Iwagakure Ninja Hunt’s identity and the Explosion Corps’ plans. After mastering Jiraiya’s shadow technique, Anyo infiltrated Iwagakure by hiding in Hunt’s shadow, where he learned the corps had been ordered to return to the village.

• Inoichi told Anyo that Fugaku had withdrawn his order to send Shisui to the Anbu and kept him on the Kumogakure Battlefield after Uchiha clansmen pressured him.
• Inoichi used the Mind Reading Technique on Hunt and gave Anyo a scroll identifying Hunt as one of the Explosion Corps’ leaders.
• Anyo learned that Hunt’s son was Deidara and studied Jiraiya’s Toad Flat Shadow Manipulation Technique as preparation for infiltrating Iwagakure.
• Anyo told Haku and the others to follow Jiraiya’s orders, mastered the technique, and hid in Hunt’s shadow to enter Iwagakure’s territory.
• Shū told Hunt that the Tsuchikage had ordered the Explosion Corps to return to the village and rest because Konoha might target them.

Anyo infiltrated Iwagakure by taking control of Hunt’s soul, promising not to harm Deidara. While waiting for events to unfold, he showed the young boy explosive clay techniques, leaving Deidara captivated by the explosions.

• Anyo followed Shū and Hunt into Iwagakure, where Ōnoki discussed the stalemate with Konoha and hinted at a possible opportunity involving Kumogakure.
• At Hunt’s home, Anyo’s control faltered when he saw Deidara, so he put the child to sleep and entered Hunt’s mental world.
• Hunt agreed to let Anyo control his soul after Anyo promised not to hurt Deidara and threatened to take the child hostage if Hunt resisted.
• Anyo gained complete control of Hunt’s soul and left his main body to wait ahead for the expected destination.
• When Deidara woke, Anyo showed him an exploding clay owl and encouraged his interest in explosive art.
• Anyo created and detonated a giant clay dragon in the sky, leaving Deidara transfixed.

Anyo spent time training Deidara in Iwagakure before Ōnoki gave him a mission to ambush the Raikage during a prisoner rescue. After the Raikage freed the captives and led them toward Kumogakure, Anyo and Shū confronted him at a river crossing with a vast force of Iwagakure Ninja.

• Anyo trained Deidara in Taijutsu and heard Ōnoki praise the boy’s talent.
• Ōnoki gave Anyo intelligence about the Raikage and ordered him to lead a mission with ten thousand Ninja.
• Anyo met Shū at the prison, and they agreed to let the Raikage rescue the Kumogakure prisoners before attacking.
• The Raikage broke into the prison, defeated the guards, and led the rescued captives toward Kumogakure.
• At the river crossing, Anyo and Shū appeared on a clay bird as Iwagakure Ninja emerged around the Raikage’s group.

The Third Raikage held off ten thousand Iwagakure Ninja so the rescued Kumogakure Ninja could escape, fighting for three days and nights. As Anyo delivered the apparent killing blow through Hunt, a hidden blade struck the Raikage’s neck, and he recognized his true attacker before dying.

• The Third Raikage refused to flee and stood against the Iwagakure force while the rescued Kumogakure Ninja boarded a ship.
• Anyo ordered the Iwagakure Ninja to attack, and the Third Raikage broke through their earthen defenses with his Lightning Release.
• Anyo directed the Iwagakure Ninja to wear the Third Raikage down, and the battle continued for three days and nights, leaving thousands dead.
• Anyo launched a clay dragon at the exhausted Third Raikage and called on the Iwagakure Ninja to stand aside.
• The Third Raikage pierced Hunt with his final strike, but a hidden blade cut his neck, and he recognized the attacker before he died.

After Hunt and the Third Raikage died in their final clash, Konoha gained the initiative in the war, and Kirigakure prepared to attack Konoha. Anyo read the Hokage’s order for Shisui to return home, then received an important message from Sasori.

• Shū declared the Third Raikage dead and Hunt’s side victorious, and the Iwagakure ninja celebrated their win while mourning their losses.
• Anyo’s separated soul returned after Hunt died, leaving him with some of Hunt’s feelings for Deidara, and Anyo slipped away.
• A and Killer B returned to Kumogakure after confirming the Raikage’s death, easing pressure on Konoha and allowing it to gain the upper hand on the Iwagakure front.
• Genji ordered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to secretly lead an attack on Konoha, while Mei Terumi was revealed to have infiltrated the Anbu and followed them.
• Ao told Genji that an Anbu member’s clothes, mask, and blade had been stolen, and Genji realized Mei had likely gone after Ōbu.
• Anyo read the Third Hokage’s order for Shisui to return to Konoha, then opened a scroll from Sasori and reacted with astonishment.

Anyo left the front to return to Konoha, suspecting Kirigakure would soon attack and hoping to confront the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. At Konoha’s border, Might Duy opened the Gate of Death to protect Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu from the Seven Swordsmen.

• Anyo received Sasori’s intelligence that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had secretly left Kirigakure and suspected they were heading for Konoha.
• Anyo convinced Jiraiya to let him return to Konoha, then warned Minato not to attempt the dangerous Kannabi Bridge mission before he came back.
• Anyo departed on his war hawk, while Haku and Yugao discussed secretly following him after the war.
• Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu were surrounded by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who questioned them about a sword-wielding Uchiha who used poison.
• Might Duy arrived to protect the three young ninja and told them to run, then opened the Gate of Death and attacked the Seven Swordsmen with Evening Elephant.

Anyo witnessed Might Duy unleash the Eight Gates against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and intervened to save Mei Terumi from his final attack. He treated her injuries in a cave, where Mei woke and recognized him beneath his Anbu mask.

• Anyo sensed a powerful chakra fluctuation near Konoha's border and discovered Might Duy battling the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist with the Gate of Death open.
• Might Duy killed Chigetsu Hōzuki and several others, while Suikazan Fuguki fled and summoned the hidden Mist Ninja Anbu to delay his pursuer.
• Anyo recognized Mei Terumi among the Anbu and used his Susanoo to shield her from Might Duy's final Evening Elephant, though the attack badly injured them both.
• Might Duy died after his final strike, and Anyo carried the unconscious Mei to a cave and treated her severe injuries.
• Mei woke, recognized Anyo despite his Anbu mask, and demanded that he remove it; after he did, he teased her about being unable to do anything but spit at him.

Anyo rescued the badly injured Mei Terumi, treated her wounds, and learned she had infiltrated Kirigakure's Anbu rather than joining it. While she slept, he sought a way to get her to Tsunade's Laboratory and discovered Kirigakure's main force approaching Konoha under Ao.

• Anyo gave Mei Terumi a medicinal pill that eased her pain, then scolded her for charging into danger with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
• Mei Terumi revealed through her silence that she had secretly infiltrated Kirigakure's Anbu, and Anyo realized she had used the Hidden Mist Technique to help him escape in the past.
• Mei Terumi cried over missing Anyo, so he kissed her, then held her until she fell asleep.
• Anyo decided to create chaos to enter Konoha and carried Mei Terumi away on a battle eagle while searching for Kirigakure's troops with the Spirit Transformation Technique.
• Anyo found Kirigakure's main force nearing Konoha by a shortcut, led by Ao, who expected to be the first Kirigakure ninja to fight into the village.

Anyo, disguised as Chigetsu Hōzuki, stopped Ao’s force from retreating by defeating Shisui’s attacks and ordering the Mist Ninja to advance. As Kirigakure launched its assault on Konoha under cover of the Hidden Mist Technique, Anyo slipped Mei Terumi into the village and judged that Kirigakure was bound to lose.

• Ao’s force fell under Shisui’s long-range genjutsu, but Anyo arrived disguised as Chigetsu Hōzuki and persuaded Ao to continue the advance.
• Anyo countered Shisui’s genjutsu with his eyes closed, overwhelmed his attacks with Hiramekarei and swordsmanship, and forced him to retreat to Konoha.
• Ao ordered the Mist Ninja to sprint forward, and Anyo dropped his disguise, summoned his Puppet, and followed with Mei Terumi.
• Kirigakure used the Hidden Mist Technique at Konoha’s gates, while the Third Hokage reassured the defenders and Shisui remained by his side.
• The Mist Ninja broke Konoha’s barrier and began their assault; Anyo brought Mei Terumi into the village through the mist and stayed out of the battle, expecting Kirigakure to lose.

After bringing the badly injured Mei Terumi to Konoha, Anyo treated his own wounds and began hydrotherapy to heal hers. Mei Terumi regained some ability to move, and she told Anyo that he was her medicine.

• Anyo treated his chest injury and summoned Katsuyu to help care for himself and Mei Terumi.
• Anyo studied Tsunade's treatment notes and prepared hydrotherapy for Mei Terumi, whose injuries were severe.
• Anyo placed Mei Terumi in the treatment chamber and used chakra and medicine to begin healing her while Katsuyu assisted.
• Mei Terumi woke in pain and asked Anyo to stop the treatment or give her a red pill, but he refused because the medicine was poisonous.
• Anyo comforted Mei Terumi, and after the first stage of treatment ended, she regained basic movement.
• Mei Terumi embraced Anyo and told him, "You're my medicine."

Konoha drove back Kirigakure’s invasion, but the Third Hokage realized the village faced a more difficult war as Kirigakure joined the conflict. Anyo revealed that Might Duy had defeated four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist with the Eight Gates, and Shisui volunteered for the Kumogakure battlefield.

• Ao ordered the Mist Ninja to retreat after the Third Hokage and the Hyuga Clan turned the battle against them.
• Konoha stopped pursuing the retreating Mist Ninja, and the Third Hokage lamented the damage to the rebuilt village.
• Shisui told the Third Hokage about fighting Chigetsu Hōzuki, and Anyo revealed that Might Duy had killed four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
• Anyo predicted that Kirigakure would ally with Kumogakure, leading the Third Hokage to prioritize the Kumogakure battlefield.
• Shisui volunteered to go to the Kumogakure battlefield, and the Third Hokage accepted.

Anyo told Mei Terumi about the battle with Kirigakure and explained Might Duy’s Eight Gates Released Formation. Meanwhile, Danzo opposed the Third Hokage and, after investigating Akatsuki, decided to target the organization and contacted Hanzō.

• Anyo returned to Mei Terumi and told her Kirigakure had retreated after the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were reduced to three.
• Anyo explained that Might Duy was a Genin who had used the Eight Gates Released Formation to gain immense power.
• The Third Hokage rebuffed Danzo’s demand that he step down and described Konoha’s improving position in the war.
• Danzo ordered Root to investigate Sunagakure’s armistice and discovered Konan’s connection to Anyo and Akatsuki.
• Danzo wrongly concluded that the Third Hokage controlled Akatsuki and ordered Root to contact Hanzō about a deal.

Anyo received intelligence from Koizumi and ordered Blackarachnia to prepare Rasa to manage Sunagakure while monitoring Amegakure. In Amegakure, Hanzō and Danzo trapped Yahiko’s group, and Yahiko died to save Nagato and Konan.

• Anyo read Koizumi’s report about Sunagakure, the Akatsuki, and Hanzō, then ordered Blackarachnia to put Rasa in charge of Sunagakure and watch Amegakure.
• The Third Hokage learned Danzo had left Konoha with Root members but decided not to investigate.
• Hanzō and Danzo’s forces captured Konan and confronted Yahiko and Nagato, revealing that Hanzō had used peace negotiations as a trap.
• Hanzō threatened Konan and ordered Nagato to kill Yahiko, while Konan urged Nagato to escape.
• Yahiko told Nagato to kill him, but when Nagato hesitated, Yahiko threw himself onto the Kunai and died after entrusting Nagato and Konan with surviving.

After Yahiko’s death, Nagato awakened the Rinnegan’s power and summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, unleashing a massacre against Hanzō and the Root ninjas. Meanwhile, in Konoha, Anyo continued caring for Mei Terumi, whose feelings for him deepened as she recovered.

• Yahiko died, and Nagato used a mysterious force to repel the kunai Hanzō’s ninjas threw at him.
• Nagato rescued Konan, but Hanzō’s Explosive Flame Formation wounded him; Nagato then told Konan to stay with Yahiko while he faced their attackers.
• Root members charged at Nagato on Danzo’s signal, and Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path despite Konan’s warning.
• The statue impaled Nagato with metal rods, draining his life force, then devoured the souls of the ninjas with a purple dragon.
• In Konoha, Mei Terumi recovered under Anyo’s care and pressed him about visiting his home; he promised to rescue her if Konoha captured her, and she embraced him.

Hanzō reported his defeat by the Rinnegan wielder to the Third Kazekage, while Anyo learned of the upheaval in Amegakure and regretted not acting sooner. He decided to join Minato at the Iwagakure Battlefield and target Kannabi Bridge to disrupt Iwagakure’s supply lines.

• Hanzō told the Third Kazekage that Danzo had lured him back to Amegakure and that he had fled after facing the Rinnegan wielder.
• The Third Kazekage ordered Hanzō to record the battle and return to the Land of Hot Water, warning him not to interfere further.
• Anyo read Sasori’s intelligence about the Rinnegan and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but abandoned the idea of searching Amegakure because he had duties on the battlefield.
• Anyo told Mei Terumi to return to Kirigakure, and she said she would try to persuade Genji to stop the war.
• Anyo volunteered to join Minato at the Iwagakure Battlefield and proposed destroying Kannabi Bridge to cripple Iwagakure’s supply transport.

Anyo left Konoha disguised as an Anbu to join Minato’s team on the battlefield, hoping to find Madara Uchiha and possibly take his Rinnegan. Before departing, he parted from Mei Terumi, and he joined Kakashi, Obito, and Rin as their mission support.

• Anyo had Mei Terumi disguise herself as him and leave Konoha while he hid in her shadow.
• Katsuyu passed Mei Terumi Anyo’s message that their promise still stood, and Mei said she would wait for him to come get her.
• Anyo thanked Katsuyu, summoned the War Hawk Puppet, and set off toward Iwagakure.
• Obito Uchiha arrived late to meet Minato, Kakashi, and Rin, and argued with Kakashi about rules and promises.
• Anyo appeared as Anbu Squad Captain Ye and joined Minato’s team as support for their mission.
• Anyo recognized Rin Nohara, warned her about her weak chakra, and promised to give her poisons for protection.

Minato briefed Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Anyo on an infiltration mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge and disrupt Iwagakure’s supplies. Kakashi rejected Anyo’s gift and walked away, while Minato worried that Kakashi still had not recovered from White Fang’s suicide.

• Minato explained that Iwagakure was invading Kusagakure with over a thousand Ninja and identified Kannabi Bridge as the target whose destruction would cut off reinforcements and supplies.
• Minato assigned Anyo to protect Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara as they infiltrated enemy territory, while he planned to intercept the enemy alone.
• Kakashi insisted that the team needed a temporary captain, and Minato agreed that Kakashi would lead them.
• Rin Nohara gave Kakashi a modified medical kit, and Minato gave him a specially made Kunai.
• Anyo offered Kakashi a scroll, but Kakashi rejected it and cut it in two with his White Light Chakra Sabre before walking away.
• Minato said Kakashi still had not gotten over White Fang’s suicide, while Anyo predicted that Kakashi would become an excellent Ninja.

Kakashi’s team encountered enemy scouts, and his reckless use of Chidori left him wounded before Minato rescued him and killed the enemy ninja. After Kakashi recovered, the group prepared to split up for the mission, while Anyo and Minato remained concerned about the young ninja’s teamwork and safety.

• Kakashi ignored Anyo’s warning and charged at the enemy with his new Chidori, while Minato’s kunai exposed the enemy’s clone tactics.
• Anyo dealt with a clone threatening Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara, then warned Minato that Kakashi was in danger; Minato rescued Kakashi from a lethal clash, though Kakashi’s shoulder was cut.
• Minato used Flying Thunder God to appear beside the real enemy ninja and kill him, then told the team to withdraw and regroup.
• Anyo and Minato criticized Kakashi’s lack of teamwork, and Minato forbade him from using Chidori in combat until the technique was improved.
• Obito Uchiha spoke with Minato and Anyo about teamwork, and Anyo explained how Hatake Sakumo had died by suicide after being condemned for saving his teammates.
• After Rin Nohara treated Kakashi’s wound, Minato split the group into two teams and left, trusting Anyo to protect the young ninja.