Chapter Summaries

At Shin'yu’s year-end gathering, Zhi Li and Tong Ren reunited with the group and reflected on their travels and gratitude to him. Hiruko discussed the limits of his Kimaera Technique, and Shin'yu suggested balancing yin and yang before further fusions; Zhi Li offered to find him a candidate.

• Shin'yu welcomed Zhi Li and Tong Ren at the gathering and asked about their years of travel.
• Tong Ren thanked Shin'yu for saving his life and promised that he and Zhi Li would answer his call for help.
• Shin'yu praised Tong Ren’s growth and teased Zhi Li for becoming reserved, while she privately reflected on her feelings for him.
• Hiruko explained that his innate Yang Attribute had interfered with his Kekkei Genkai fusions, and Shin'yu advised him to seek an Yin Release Kekkei Genkai to balance his yin and yang.
• Kakuzu pointed out Tong Ren as a possible target, but Zhi Li offered to provide Hiruko with another candidate.

The Third Kazekage traveled with Shinnō to Kara’s remote base, questioning the organization’s secrecy and power along the way. They arrived at an ancient treehouse, where an Inner Member named Kensuke answered the door.

• Shinnō led the Third Kazekage on an overnight flight beyond the Land of Lightning to a remote mountain forest.
• The Third Kazekage reflected on the Land of Wind’s abandoned plan to migrate to more hospitable lands and wondered what Kara was hiding.
• Shinnō and the Third Kazekage reached an old wooden house built among the trunks of an enormous banyan tree.
• Kensuke opened the door, questioned Shinnō for disturbing the lord, and heard that the Third Kazekage was a prospective new member.
• The Third Kazekage recognized Kensuke as an Inner Member and regarded Kara’s hierarchy with growing solemnity.

The Third Kazekage sought Kara’s help for a surprise attack on the Hidden Leaf Village and met its leader, Jigen, through the Black Box. Jigen refused to intervene unless the Third Kazekage joined Kara as an Inner Member.

• Oya Kensuke insulted the Third Kazekage but let him enter the wooden house with Shinnō.
• The Third Kazekage saw the Black Box and, following Oya Kensuke’s instructions, touched it with Shinnō.
• The Black Box transported the Third Kazekage and Shinnō to a strange space, where they met Jigen.
• The Third Kazekage asked Jigen to lend Kara’s strength for a surprise attack on the Hidden Leaf Village and offered financial support.
• Jigen said Kara would not help unless the Third Kazekage joined the organization as an Inner Member.

The Third Kazekage weighed joining Kara against his duty to Hidden Sand Village, then tested Jigen’s power before accepting the offer. He agreed to become an Inner Member, though his final words left his condition unstated.

• The Third Kazekage asked Jigen whether Kara would help attack Hidden Leaf Village and resolve Hidden Sand Village’s crisis, and Jigen promised power in return for abandoning his village and title.
• After recalling his defeat by Uchiha Shin'yu, the Third Kazekage decided to join Kara so he could fulfill one last responsibility to Hidden Sand Village.
• The Third Kazekage agreed to become an Inner Member on the condition that he verify Jigen’s strength, then attacked him with an iron spear and Iron Sand.
• Jigen made the attacks vanish and struck the Third Kazekage in the chest, leaving him badly injured against the wall.
• Convinced that Jigen’s strength meant the operation would succeed, the Third Kazekage agreed to join Kara, but did not state his condition.

Jigen prepared to work with the Third Kazekage and Shinnō to attack Hidden Leaf Village while considering a suitable Vessel. The war ended with the Fire-Rain Alliance victorious, but Hidden Sand Village suffered devastating losses, leaving Sasori grieving for his parents and questioning the Third Kazekage.

• Jigen told Oya Kensuke that the Third Kazekage would join them and ordered Kensuke to cooperate with him and Shinnō on their mission.
• Jigen said he might leave seclusion and explained that he still needed to find a suitable Vessel because his current body could not bear his power.
• After the Third Kazekage disappeared, Chiyo retreated with the remaining Hidden Sand forces, while Hatake Sakumo’s forces destroyed the Sand Ninja raiding force and killed its commander, Red Sand Gorou.
• Hatake Sakumo, Kato Dan, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Uchiha Fugaku, and Hanzo helped drive the Stone Ninja out of Rain Country, but Hidden Leaf Village refused to advance into the Land of Earth.
• The war ended with Hidden Sand Village suffering a crushing blow, and Sasori asked Ebizo whether his parents were truly gone and why the Third Kazekage had broken his promise.

Uchiha Naka confronted Hiruko and two masked allies who attacked the Uchiha clan compound while its elites were away. Naka fought Hiruko, whose Steel Release let him withstand Naka’s attacks, and the battle continued after Naka trapped him in threads and sent flames surging along them.

• Uchiha Naka recognized that the Hidden Leaf Village high-ups were weakening the Uchiha and asked the masked intruders who they served.
• Orochimaru sent Hiruko forward to fight Naka, calling him a whetstone for Hiruko’s new ability.
• Hiruko charged Naka, but Naka dodged his punch and struck him with a palm that felt like it had hit steel.
• Naka used the Great Fireball Technique, but Hiruko emerged unharmed and revealed his Steel Release: Iron Skin.
• Naka’s Shuriken bounced off Hiruko, so Naka bound him with threads and sent the Dragon Fire Technique racing along them.

Naka revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan and used its blue radiance to dissolve Hiruko’s Steel Release. Orochimaru and Nian intervened, but Naka’s skeletal Susanoo repelled them as his kunai pierced Hiruko’s chest.

• Hiruko broke Naka’s wires and used his hardened body and speed to fight him at close range.
• Naka’s fire and Lightning Release attacks failed to injure Hiruko, who kicked him away and broke his kunai.
• Naka revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan as Hiruko lunged with his Steel Release blade.
• Naka’s blue radiance dissolved Hiruko’s blade and hardened arm, then he grabbed Hiruko’s wrist and stabbed toward his heart.
• Orochimaru tried to stop Naka while Nian attempted to rescue Hiruko, but Naka’s skeletal frame blocked Orochimaru and knocked Nian away.
• Naka’s kunai pierced Hiruko’s chest.

Nian and Orochimaru fought Naka, whose Mangekyo abilities gave him the advantage, while Nian used his eye power to restore Hiruko after Naka killed him. Naka identified Nian and challenged him, and the chapter ended as Nian rushed in to attack.

• Nian used Susanoo to stop Naka's attack and pull the wounded Hiruko to safety, while Orochimaru attacked Naka in Sage Mode.
• Nian used Ame no Tokotachi to restore Hiruko, then explained that Naka's Taishakuten nullified chakra-based Ninjutsu.
• Nian and Orochimaru revealed their plan to pressure Naka while Hiruko fought, but Naka saw through it, activated his Mangekyo, and killed Hiruko.
• Orochimaru battled Naka with Sage-enhanced snakes, but Naka's Susanoo and sword strikes knocked Orochimaru down before Nian intervened.
• Naka recognized Nian's Mangekyo and guessed that Uchiha Shin'yu was behind the attack; Nian revealed his identity and said he was acting against Naka himself.
• Nian charged at Naka, who raised his hand to catch Nian's fist as a shockwave erupted.

Nen and Orochimaru fought Naka at the Nanga Mountain estate, but his Taishakuten and Susanoo overwhelmed their attacks. Naka recognized Hiruko’s apparent survival as Uchiha Shin'yu’s Ame no Tokotachi, while the fight remained unresolved.

• Nen and Naka exchanged sword strikes and Taijutsu, and Nen used Wood Style vines that Naka quickly broke apart.
• Orochimaru attacked Naka with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, but Naka escaped with the Substitution Jutsu and stabbed Orochimaru from above.
• Orochimaru emerged from a white snake and struck Naka with Autumn Dew on Leaves, fracturing his breastbone despite Taishakuten dissolving the Ninjutsu.
• Naka charged Nen and Orochimaru, then summoned a crimson Susanoo that blasted them back and attacked with Phoenix Sage Fire Technique: Claw Crimson.
• Naka’s Taishakuten suppressed Nen’s Susanoo, while Orochimaru used a white snake to deflect Naka’s burning Shuriken.
• Naka accused his opponents of scheming and identified Hiruko’s survival technique as Uchiha Shin'yu’s Ame no Tokotachi.

Uchiha Naka fought Orochimaru and Uchiha Nian while relying on Susanoo and two hidden ocular techniques. Nian and Orochimaru coordinated an attack that poisoned Naka with snake venom, leaving him unconscious.

• Uchiha Naka analyzed his opponents and prepared to use Wu Fan Tian or Izanagi as trump cards.
• Naka’s Susanoo advanced to its next stage and struck down Orochimaru’s Sage Art: Snake Stream Strike.
• Orochimaru used a body-shedding technique to evade Naka’s attack, then joined Nian’s plan to create a Chakra smoke screen.
• Uchiha Nian copied Taishakuten to break through Susanoo and stabbed toward Naka with a Kunai.
• Naka blocked the Kunai with his palm, but Orochimaru’s white snake bit his neck and its venom made him collapse unconscious.

Nian, Orochimaru, and Hiruko defeated Uchiha Naka and prepared to leave, but they heard that someone was attacking the Hidden Leaf Village. Nian stayed behind to investigate while Orochimaru and Hiruko departed with Naka.

• Nian and Orochimaru discussed how their intelligence on Naka’s abilities had helped them defeat him, while Hiruko admitted he had ignored the plan and rushed into battle.
• Orochimaru lifted the barrier around Nanga Mountain and sensed distant explosions, discovering that someone was attacking the Hidden Leaf Village.
• Nian decided to stay and gather intelligence, while Orochimaru and Hiruko carried the unconscious Naka away on Hiruko’s Strange Bird.
• Nian hid underground in the Uchiha Clan Territory and activated the Mangekyo technique Kuenbiko.

Nian used Kuenbiko to witness the Blood Pond Clan’s attack on the Hidden Leaf Village and learned that Oya Kensuke was leading the assault. The chapter left Tsunade injured and surrounded by Human Bombs as Kensuke prepared to make her explode.

• Nian used Kuenbiko to observe Sarutobi Hiruzen responding to the Blood Pond Clan’s attack, where controlled villagers exploded as Human Bombs.
• Hiruzen ordered the Sealing Team and Jonin to restrain the attackers and evacuate civilians, while learning that Jiraiya, Tsunade, Sakumo, and Dan had joined the battle.
• Nian realized the Blood Pond Clan had returned and used Kuenbiko to locate Tsunade.
• Tsunade attacked Oya Kensuke, but he evaded her strike while Human Bombs killed and injured the surrounding Hidden Leaf Village ninja.
• Oya Kensuke told the injured Tsunade that he planned to make her explode and test the power of her blast.

Tsunade fought Oya Kensuke, who used civilian puppets and explosive attacks to exploit her reluctance to harm villagers. Just as Kensuke prepared to finish her, Nian arrived and protected her with a skeletal Susanoo, drawing Kensuke's attention to his Uchiha eyes.

• Tsunade held back against Kensuke's civilian puppets, but they self-destructed and sent her flying.
• Kensuke taunted Tsunade for protecting villagers and revealed that he had sacrificed his own clansmen to strengthen himself.
• Kensuke used his control over the surviving ninja to surround Tsunade with explosive puppets, burying her beneath the ruins.
• Tsunade launched a surprise attack on Kensuke, but he countered with a bloodline technique that threatened to cut her in half.
• Nian arrived and formed a skeletal giant around Tsunade, blocking Kensuke's attack and forcing him back.
• Kensuke recognized Nian's eyes as belonging to the Uchiha.

Nen arrived to save Tsunade and fought Oya Kensuke, a Blood Pond Clan survivor who revealed the clan’s main family had secretly survived the Hell Valley incident. Their battle escalated as Nen’s Susanoo and Kensuke’s Blood Sickle Weasel traded attacks, leaving Kensuke poised to strike Susanoo’s head with a second Blood Hammer.

• Nen reached Tsunade and confronted Oya Kensuke, who explained that the Blood Pond Clan’s branch family had been sacrificed while the main family hid and rebuilt its strength.
• Nen’s Mangekyo Sharingan incapacitated Kensuke’s puppets, then Amaterasu and Wood Release: Great Forest Technique attacked Kensuke.
• Kensuke summoned the Blood Sickle Weasel, which broke free of Nen’s wooden restraints and battled Susanoo with Blood Sickle Wind.
• Tsunade asked Nen to protect the village, but he refused and fired Susanoo’s Thunder Cannon and Yasaka Magatama at Kensuke.
• Kensuke charged Susanoo with a Blood Hammer; after Nen shattered it with Thunder God’s Judgment, Kensuke formed another hammer and aimed it at Susanoo’s head.

Uchiha Nen killed Oya Kensuke’s Blood Sickle Weasel and trapped Kensuke with Wood Style before striking him with Particle Style. Kensuke survived by using a mysterious trump card that absorbed part of the attack and freed him from the trees.

• Kensuke repeatedly struck Susanoo with Blood Hammers, but Nen used Swift Release: Instant Flash Step to appear beside him and launch a powerful punch.
• Kensuke escaped Nen’s punch with Blood Shadow Clone Technique, but Nen killed the Blood Sickle Weasel with Wood Style and created a forest that trapped Kensuke.
• Nen formed Particle Style: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique and blasted away the forest and ground around Kensuke.
• Kensuke emerged unharmed after a ripple from his chest twisted and absorbed part of the Particle Style Chakra, freeing him from the restraints.

Oya Kensuke unleashed his blood-based techniques against Nen and Tsunade, forcing Nen to summon a Wood Dragon to battle Kensuke’s nine-headed Blood Dragon. Nen armored the Wood Dragon with Susanoo and lightning, then destroyed the Blood Dragon, leaving Kensuke falling amid the rain of blood.

• Oya Kensuke released blood from sealed jars to create a blood mist barrier and attacked Nen with spinning blood drills.
• Nen used Wood Release to form wooden hands that stopped the drills, while Kensuke summoned a massive nine-headed Blood Dragon.
• Nen and Kensuke controlled their Wood Dragon and Blood Dragon in a fierce clash, and Tsunade struck one of the Blood Dragon’s heads to help Nen.
• Nen used Susanoo to armor the Wood Dragon, transforming it into the Armored Wood Dragon.
• The Armored Wood Dragon tore apart the Blood Dragon’s heads and body, leaving Oya Kensuke falling through the rain of blood.

Nian drove Oya Kensuke into retreat, but the Sky Ninja arrived with Angkor Fortress as Tsunade faced a choice between defending the Hidden Leaf Village and leaving with Nian. The chapter ended with Tsunade weighing her loyalty to the village against her bond with Nian.

• Nian's lightning attack destroyed Kensuke's Blood Shadow Clone, while Kensuke considered retreating after using the technique for the third time.
• Nian prepared to attack Kensuke again, but a Sky Ninja force arrived overhead with Angkor Fortress.
• Kensuke escaped in a cloud of blood mist, and Tsunade stopped Nian from pursuing him so they could face the new threat.
• Nian warned Tsunade that the Sky Ninja's Energy Heavy Cannon could devastate the village and offered to keep her safe.
• Tsunade realized Nian was asking her to choose between fighting for the Hidden Leaf Village and leaving with him.

Nian left the Hidden Leaf Village with Tsunade after taking her hostage to force the village to let him go. The Sky Ninja closed in overhead as the pair vanished into the night.

• Tsunade tried to speak to Nian, but Hidden Leaf ninjas arrived and mistook him for an attacker.
• Jiraiya and Kato Dan joined the crowd, and Nian stopped Tsunade from explaining that he had saved her.
• When Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived, Nian grabbed Tsunade by the neck and threatened to kill her unless he was allowed to leave.
• Hiruzen ordered the ninjas to clear a path, and Nian dispelled the Susanoo and escaped with Tsunade on a Sky Ninja-style flying wheelchair.

Hiruko and Orochimaru discussed the growing instability in Hiruko’s behavior after his devourings, and Orochimaru suspected the Kimaera Technique had damaged Hiruko’s soul by merging the souls of his targets with his own. The chapter left Hiruko fearing that devouring Uchiha Naka’s powerful Yin Release could consume or destroy him.

• Hiruko and Orochimaru flew away from the Hidden Leaf Village with the unconscious Uchiha Naka aboard their fused Strange Bird.
• Orochimaru pointed out Hiruko’s irritability, recklessness, and memory lapses after devouring targets, then suggested something was wrong with his soul.
• Orochimaru theorized that the Kimaera Technique fused the souls of Hiruko’s targets with his own, leaving their emotions, memories, and consciousness inside him.
• Hiruko realized that devouring Uchiha Naka’s strong Yin Release might let Naka’s soul overwhelm or erase him.

Orochimaru reassured Hiruko that their master could help fix the flaws in the Kimaera Technique, but their conversation was interrupted when Angkor Fortress and its Sky Ninja forces appeared. Orochimaru stayed behind to hold off the attackers while Hiruko fled with Uchiha Naka.

• Orochimaru told Hiruko that their master might be able to help solve the Kimaera Technique's problems, and Hiruko regained hope.
• Orochimaru and Hiruko spotted Angkor Fortress and recognized the Sky Ninja force closing in on them.
• Orochimaru entered Sage Mode and ordered Hiruko to escape with Uchiha Naka while he held off the Sky Ninja.
• Hiruko turned the Strange Bird and fled as Orochimaru equipped Flying Wheel Wings and charged the Sky Ninja.
• Orochimaru used Wind Style: Great Breakthrough and Sage Art: White Flash Technique to scatter and devastate the pursuing Sky Ninja.