Recaps

Aoki Tsuki helped secure Tomohisa’s loyalty and Sasori’s recruitment, then visited the imprisoned Kikuno Momo and tried to persuade her to cooperate. He left after asking about her connection to the Uchiha Clan’s Ninja Cats, while Kikuno Momo stayed silent.

• Sasori accepted Konan’s offer to join the Akatsuki, and Aoki Tsuki unsuccessfully tried to recruit Kakuzu for bounty-hunting jobs.
• Black and White Zetsu discussed Sasori’s resemblance to a Sunagakure puppeteer and decided not to inform Obito yet.
• Aoki Tsuki delivered Tomohisa’s loyalty letter to Konan, who recorded both missions as S-rank but offered him only B-rank pay for now.
• Aoki Tsuki asked Konan for permission to visit Kikuno Momo, and she allowed him to bring food and clothes to the imprisoned spy.
• Aoki Tsuki urged Kikuno Momo to leave Root’s service and asked whether she had ties to the Uchiha Clan, but she did not answer.

After a failed assassination attempt prompted Konan to reestablish Amegakure’s guard, Aoki Tsuki organized the force and helped stabilize the village. The chapter ended with Konoha’s leaders discussing a renewed threat from the Land of Forests and Ōnoki.

• Aoki Tsuki arrived after former subordinates of Hanzō attacked Amegakure, and Konan announced that the village would restore its guard.
• Konan appointed Aoki Tsuki captain of the guard and ordered him to create a patrol plan within a tight budget.
• Aoki Tsuki designed the guard’s Wings of Freedom emblem, assigned his subordinates to squads, and gave Takuno Jin a Wind Cutter Technique scroll.
• The new guards began patrolling Amegakure, reassuring villagers and helping stabilize the government.
• Konoha’s leaders learned that the Land of Forests had rebelled again, the Hannya Corps had killed their contact, and Ōnoki was behind the unrest.

Minato Namikaze debated how to respond to the Land of Forests’ betrayal while Danzo secretly arranged an assassination operation through Amegakure. In Kyoto, Aoki Tsuki’s forces attacked Ran’on’s loyalists, and Aoki defeated Ran’on in battle before offering him a chance to surrender.

• Minato Namikaze rejected Danzo’s call for an immediate decapitation operation and decided to send Kakashi’s Anbu squad to investigate, while Hiruzen Sarutobi urged him to seek help from Clan Head Fugaku.
• Danzo told his Root members to contact Hanzō and arrange an assassination through Amegakure rather than act directly.
• Aoki Tsuki learned that Ran’on and Hanzō’s former subordinates opposed the village, secured a letter from Pain for the daimyō, and led five elite squads to Kyoto.
• Aoki Tsuki’s forces attacked the daimyō’s residence, where Ran’on confronted Aoki and defended his loyalty to Hanzō.
• Ran’on used poison, oily rain, and multiple Ninjutsu against Aoki, but Aoki countered his attacks and beat him in a blade fight.
• Aoki Tsuki pointed out that Ran’on’s men were suffering heavy casualties and offered to spare them if Ran’on swore loyalty to the new leader.

Aoki Tsuki killed Ran'on’s rebels, secured the daimyo’s support for Pain’s rule, and returned to the village with an agreement to end the internal conflict within three years. Nagato planned to meet that condition within one year, while Akatsuki’s larger plans remained on hold.

• Aoki Tsuki granted Ran'on a quick death, and the rebel forces were wiped out.
• Aoki Tsuki told the daimyo that Pain had taken charge of Amegakure and delivered Pain’s letter.
• The daimyo agreed to forgive the village’s debts and provide ongoing funds if Pain ended the internal conflict within three years, and he agreed to keep Pain’s leadership quiet.
• Aoki Tsuki returned to the village, reported the victory and funding agreement to Konan, and treated the wounded on the way back.
• Konan told Nagato about the daimyo’s demand, and Nagato said he could settle the conflict within one year.
• Nagato and Konan decided to focus on the village before involving Aoki Tsuki in Akatsuki, and Aoki Tsuki went home to sleep.

Aoki Tsuki led an Amegakure squad to assassinate Oniki, the leader of the Hannya Corps, for a twenty-million-ryō contract arranged by Konoha's Root. After the ambush killed Oniki's escorts, Aoki Tsuki confronted him on a mountaintop, where their fight continued under cover of mist.

• Konan told Aoki Tsuki that Danzo's people had hired Hanzō to assassinate Oniki, and Aoki Tsuki accepted the mission after learning the payment was twenty million ryō.
• Aoki Tsuki traveled to the Land of Forests with Shioame, Ryōta, and Shinichi, where Pupa revealed that Oniki would be ambushed while traveling to finalize an alliance with Iwagakure.
• An Uchiha boy used his Sharingan to incapacitate Pupa, then tracked Oniki's party the next morning as they entered a canyon.
• Aoki Tsuki's squad attacked Oniki's escorts with senbon, explosives, and water techniques, killing them and driving Oniki toward the canyon summit.
• Oniki identified Aoki Tsuki as an Amegakure ninja and fought him with Earth Release, but Aoki Tsuki countered with a lightning blade and then covered the mountaintop in mist.

Shisui Uchiha intervened to protect Oniki and fought Aoki Tsuki, who resisted Shisui’s genjutsu and powerful attacks. Aoki Tsuki escaped after a whistle signaled that his companion had succeeded, leaving Shisui to abandon the failed mission and return to the Land of Fire.

• Aoki Tsuki broke free of Oniki’s mudslide attack and paralyzed him with Lightning Release, but Shisui Uchiha arrived and stopped Aoki Tsuki from finishing him.
• Shisui Uchiha used his Sharingan to incapacitate Oniki, who had claimed allegiance to Konoha while secretly backing away to escape.
• Aoki Tsuki refused to retreat because of his mission, and he and Shisui Uchiha fought from the canyon’s mountaintop to the river.
• Aoki Tsuki broke Shisui Uchiha’s Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique and countered his attacks, while both fighters began running low on chakra.
• A whistle sounded, and Aoki Tsuki escaped during the mist created by his water dragon attack; Shisui Uchiha realized the companion had likely succeeded and returned to the Land of Fire.

Aoki Tsuki’s squad completed its mission, and Danzo used the captured Hannya Corps leader and alliance treaty to secure Konoha’s position. Shisui left for the front lines while Pain’s campaign brought order to the Land of Rain, and Aoki Tsuki hosted the daimyō’s finance minister in Amegakure.

• Aoki Tsuki returned to the cave, where Nonō was treating Oniki, and handed over the mission’s evidence and prisoners before his squad departed.
• Nonō reported the mission to Danzo, who presented the alliance treaty to Hiruzen and claimed Oniki had agreed to remain on Konoha’s side.
• Shisui admitted his mission had failed, requested a posting to the Kirigakure front, and later warned Itachi to remain cautious and keep training.
• Pain spent six months eliminating rival forces across the Land of Rain, while Amegakure expanded its intelligence and body-collection operations.
• Aoki Tsuki welcomed Eiji Ishida to a karaoke bar, where the finance minister recalled his first love and requested the song “Love Only One Person in a Lifetime.”

Aoki Tsuki became Akatsuki’s core member Azure Dragon and began preparing for more dangerous missions. A month later, he traveled with Konan to the Land of Artisans, where onlookers mistook him for a swordmaster.

• Konan gave Aoki Tsuki an Akatsuki ring and cloak, naming him a core member with the codename Azure Dragon.
• Aoki Tsuki trained to improve his abilities, focusing on developing his Imperial Lightning Snake technique.
• Konan assigned Aoki Tsuki to accompany her on a mission to the Land of Artisans, though she withheld the details.
• After traveling for half a month, Aoki Tsuki and Konan arrived at the Land of Artisans wearing Akatsuki cloaks.
• People at the docks speculated that Aoki Tsuki was a swordmaster visiting Master Tesshin to have a sword forged.

Aoki Tsuki and Konan visited the Land of Artisans, where Aoki sensed Shisui Uchiha and followed him to the docks. Shisui fought Juzo Biwa while sabotaging a weapons shipment, and Juzo awoke after an unknown blue-haired young man rescued him from drowning.

• Aoki Tsuki and Konan ate at a restaurant, where Konan waited to see Aoki finish the food before eating.
• Aoki sensed Shisui Uchiha and left the restaurant to follow him to the docks.
• Shisui sank one ship carrying supplies for Kirigakure and attacked the second as Juzo Biwa emerged from the mist to stop him.
• Shisui used genjutsu to incapacitate Juzo, who sank unconscious into the sea.
• A blue-haired young man rescued Juzo and revived him, and Juzo asked who he was.

Aoki Tsuki recruited Juzo Biwa into the Akatsuki after Juzo’s mission failed and his ships sank, then traveled with Konan to Takumi Village. There, Konan commissioned Master Tesshin to create a device that would let a black rod receive Chakra from over ten kilometers away, and Tesshin identified a rare metal that might meet her needs.

• Aoki Tsuki told Juzo Biwa about the Akatsuki, and Juzo agreed to defect from Kirigakure and join.
• Konan asked Aoki Tsuki to arrange for the Akatsuki to receive Juzo in the Land of Rain.
• Takumi Village’s leader, Miki, discussed the sunken shipment and the village’s plans for the upcoming Swordsmanship Master Tournament.
• Miki welcomed Aoki Tsuki and Konan as wealthy customers and brought them to meet Master Tesshin.
• Konan showed Tesshin a black rod and asked him to make a Chakra amplification device with a range of at least ten kilometers.
• Tesshin said lightning-patterned black steel from Thunder God Mountain might satisfy Konan’s requirements.

Aoki Tsuki secured Master Tesshin’s promise to forge ninja tools by agreeing to represent Takumi Village at the Land of Iron’s swordsmen’s tournament. After dominating a chaotic preliminary and reaching the finals, he faced Kimen, whose skill revealed the speed and force of Aoki Tsuki’s self-taught swordsmanship.

• Aoki Tsuki persuaded Master Tesshin to forge his ninja tools if he found the needed material and represented Takumi Village at the Land of Iron tournament.
• Aoki Tsuki and Konan traveled to the Land of Iron, where Aoki Tsuki registered as Rōgetsu and met Tatewaki.
• Aoki Tsuki chose the ninth preliminary ring and provoked its competitors, then defeated wave after wave of challengers in a melee.
• Mifune heard reports about the tournament and learned that Tatewaki was a promising local swordsman.
• At the finals, Aoki Tsuki fought Kimen and used his swift, powerful swordsmanship to counter Kimen’s two-sword attacks.
• Mifune recognized that Aoki Tsuki’s swordsmanship had no formal school’s practiced forms and judged it to be a killing art honed in real combat.

Aoki Tsuki defeated Kimen, then watched Tatewaki outlast the armored Gōriki as the Swordsman Tournament advanced. After both Tatewaki and Aoki Tsuki fought their way to the final, they began their duel with evenly matched attacks.

• Aoki Tsuki defeated Kimen with Continuous Rain Breathing: Pursuing Dragon, and Rikaku declared Rōgetsu of the Land of Artisans the winner.
• Tatewaki defeated Gōriki by wearing down the armored samurai, despite exhausting himself in the prolonged fight.
• Aoki Tsuki received byes in the later rounds, defeated Kazeno Hayabusa in the repechage, and reached the semifinals; Tatewaki defeated Zanshin and Hayate to join him.
• Rikaku announced Tatewaki and Rōgetsu of the Land of Artisans as the finalists competing for the title of swordmaster.
• Aoki Tsuki opened the final with Rain Cutter, but Tatewaki intercepted the crescent slash with a fast sword-drawing strike, matching its force.

Aoki Tsuki defeated Tatewaki in the swordsmanship tournament’s final match, earning the title of ultimate winner and recognition from Mifune. At the banquet, Mifune agreed to send help with Aoki Tsuki’s search for a rare ore, while Tatewaki said he would travel instead of entering another tournament.

• Aoki Tsuki and Tatewaki exchanged powerful sword techniques, and Tatewaki broke Aoki Tsuki’s new sword before Aoki Tsuki wounded him with a counterattack.
• Despite his injury, Tatewaki continued fighting and met Aoki Tsuki’s Moon Shadow with his One-Sword Style: Sky-Splitting Slash.
• Aoki Tsuki’s final attack overcame Tatewaki’s strike, and Tatewaki admitted defeat before fainting; Rikaku declared Rōgetsu the tournament’s winner.
• Mifune praised both swordsmen for reaching the level of sword intent, then received Tesshin’s letter and agreed to help Aoki Tsuki search for the rare ore.
• Aoki Tsuki spoke with Tatewaki at the banquet, where Tatewaki said he planned to travel through various countries and would not compete again.

Aoki Tsuki searched Thunder God Mountain for lightning-patterned tungsten steel, reunited with Konan, and used lightning strikes to forge ore while awakening a new connection to Lightning Release. Following a nearby electrical force, he discovered a hidden cave and found what appeared to be a shrine.

• Aoki Tsuki dismissed the samurai escort and climbed Thunder God Mountain, where he reunited with an exhausted Konan in a cave during a storm.
• Konan and Aoki Tsuki discussed their search for ore, his victory in the samurai tournament, and their views on war and peace.
• Aoki Tsuki evaded Konan's question about his dream and left the cave to search for lightning-patterned tungsten steel.
• Aoki Tsuki attracted lightning to an ore-rich boulder with an iron antenna and produced several pieces of lightning-patterned black steel.
• After repeated lightning strikes energized his body and sharpened his senses, Aoki Tsuki followed a strange electrical presence into a hidden cave and reached a hall that looked like a shrine.

Aoki Tsuki recovered a lightning-charged sword, helped Konan gather ore, and returned to Amegakure as the Shinobi World grew tense after the Fourth Hokage’s death. He joined Root’s assassination attempt on the Third Hokage, which ended with Kakashi appearing behind Kinoe.

• Aoki Tsuki found a slender sword hidden inside a statue on Thunder God Mountain and charged it with lightning, discovering that it amplified his Lightning Release techniques.
• Aoki Tsuki returned with Konan to the Land of Artisans, where Master Tesshin forged a special ninja tool from their ore over half a month.
• After news spread that the Fourth Hokage had died, Danzo ordered Hanzō to help Root assassinate the Third Hokage, while Akatsuki accepted a black-market contract to kill Shisui Uchiha.
• Aoki Tsuki traveled with Sasori toward Konoha, then separated from him and joined Root’s assassination team under the codename Tsuki.
• Root and Kinoe ambushed the Third Hokage, but the apparent victim was replaced by a tree stump, and Kakashi appeared behind Kinoe.

Aoki Tsuki helped Kinoe escape Kakashi, while Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Danzo over the failed assassination attempt. Sasori ambushed Shisui Uchiha and forced him to reveal Susanoo, then trapped it with Iron Sand stakes.

• Aoki Tsuki intercepted Kakashi's attack on Kinoe, and Kakashi withdrew with the Hokage's guards after warning he would report the incident to the Third.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage's office and confronted Danzo, then spared him in exchange for renewed service to the village.
• Aoki Tsuki left the Root members and followed Sasori's trail, while Shisui Uchiha waited at the expected Kirigakure assault route.
• Sasori attacked Shisui with Hiruko and a hundred puppets, but Shisui summoned Susanoo and destroyed them.
• Sasori used Iron Sand to obscure Shisui's vision, then pinned Susanoo in place with enormous iron stakes.

Aoki Tsuki and Sasori both failed their assassination missions and reported back to Pain, who planned to exploit Konoha’s turmoil. Later, Aoki learned from Kikuno Momo about Ibuse’s possible hiding places and promised to spare the Uchiha if he encountered them.

• Shisui used Susanoo and Fire Release to melt Sasori’s Iron Sand, but his injuries forced him to flee after he launched a counterattack.
• Aoki Tsuki met the wounded Sasori, and they returned to report their failed missions to Pain.
• Aoki told Pain and Konan that the Nine-Tails’ attack had killed the Fourth Hokage and led to the Uchiha being confined under surveillance.
• Aoki visited Kikuno Momo in Amegakure’s dungeon and told her the Uchiha might face destruction, prompting her to ask him to show them mercy.
• Aoki admitted that he wanted to find Hanzō’s summon, Ibuse, and Kikuno Momo shared several possible hiding places based on her information.
• Aoki told Kikuno Momo what he knew about the Uchiha and solemnly agreed to spare its members if he encountered them.

Aoki Tsuki mastered his self-developed Sage Mode, defeated Ibuse, and secured both a Summoning Contract and Hanzō’s hidden techniques. He then went to the Land of Hot Water to investigate the Jashin Cult, suspecting Hidan might be among its child subjects.

• Aoki Tsuki used Sage Mode to split a lake with his sword and then defeated Ibuse with the Lightning Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
• Aoki Tsuki persuaded Ibuse to sign a Summoning Contract by claiming Hanzō had entrusted the salamander to his care.
• Ibuse gave Aoki Tsuki a scroll containing Hanzō’s signature techniques before returning to the lake.
• Aoki Tsuki studied the techniques and planned to develop his swordsmanship, Sage Mode, and chakra-based attacks.
• Aoki Tsuki arrived at an Akatsuki base in the Land of Hot Water and learned that the Jashin Cult was kidnapping children for secret experiments.
• Aoki Tsuki suspected Hidan was among the children and decided to investigate the cult further.

Aoki Tsuki infiltrated the Jashin Cult, rose through its ranks, and gained access to its records on immortality experiments. He proposed a way to find a compatible vessel and began developing chakra chains, while High Priest Takane gave him one week to test his theory.

• Aoki Tsuki proved his devotion during the initiation sacrifice and became the acting captain of the new recruits.
• Over two months, Aoki Tsuki led the cultists in capturing ninjas and defeating bandits, earning promotion to a mid-level leadership role.
• Aoki Tsuki learned that the cult was searching for a vessel capable of surviving Jashin's power and persuaded Priest Daisuke to seek his advice.
• High Priest Takane tested Aoki Tsuki with poison, then granted him three days to study the cult's experimental records.
• Aoki Tsuki studied the cult's curses, found inspiration for binding chakra chains, and told Takane that a fanatical believer could serve as a compatible vessel.
• Takane ordered Aoki Tsuki to test his theory within one week.

Aoki Tsuki found young Hidan in Yugakure and lured him into killing bandits as part of a Jashin ritual, leading to Hidan’s successful transformation in the cult’s experiment. After gaining power within the Jashin Cult, Aoki Tsuki curbed its public violence and secured goodwill and potential work for Akatsuki from the Land of Hot Water’s rulers.

• Aoki Tsuki found Hidan stabbing ants and persuaded the boy that the Jashin Cult could grant him power and freedom to kill.
• Aoki Tsuki took Hidan to a bandit hideout, where Hidan killed everyone and drew a Jashin sacrificial symbol in their blood.
• The cult’s experiment gave Hidan black-and-white markings and apparent Jashin Mode, so High Priest Takane appointed Aoki Tsuki chief deacon.
• Aoki Tsuki ordered the Jashin Cult to move underground and choose sacrifices carefully, after which large-scale massacres in the Land of Hot Water stopped.
• The Land of Hot Water’s daimyo praised Akatsuki for quelling the unrest, and Aoki Tsuki offered the organization’s services.
• Aoki Tsuki presented the daimyo’s wife with perfume made from balloon flowers, leaving a favorable impression that could help Akatsuki gain future missions.

Aoki Tsuki developed the framework for two new techniques and was assigned to join an Akatsuki assassination operation targeting Kirigakure’s Kekkei Genkai clans. He set out to meet Sasori, Kakuzu, and Jūzō at a bridge near the Land of Fire’s border.

• Aoki Tsuki reported to Konan that he had joined the Jashin Cult as its Grand Deacon and recommended Hidan as a future Akatsuki recruit.
• After Konan briefed Pain, Pain learned from Zetsu that Madara had gone to the Land of Water and agreed he might need to intervene.
• Aoki Tsuki spent over two months developing Spirit Pivot Yama Judgment, a sealing technique using his hair, and planned Ninja Art: Earth-Binding Flame Hell.
• Konan summoned Aoki Tsuki, praised his improvement, and assigned him to an assassination mission with Sasori, Kakuzu, and Jūzō.
• Konan told Aoki Tsuki that the targets were important members of Kirigakure’s Kekkei Genkai clans and that she and Pain would act secretly; he then packed and left to meet the team.

Aoki Tsuki and his Akatsuki teammates infiltrated Kirigakure to carry out assassinations, and he killed Kaguya Clan leader Miura Kawa after a difficult fight. As he escaped, a distant Tailed Beast Bomb shook the area, leaving him wondering who the Fourth Mizukage was fighting.

• Aoki Tsuki, Juzo Biwa, Sasori, and Kakuzu reached Kirigakure and divided up their assassination targets.
• Sasori chose the Hozuki Clan, Juzo chose a family connected to a Kirigakure elder, and Kakuzu took the Kaguya Clan.
• Aoki Tsuki searched the Kaguya Clan’s caves and attacked Miura Kawa, who defended himself with Shikotsumyaku bone armor and spikes.
• Aoki Tsuki used Lightning Release to disrupt Miura Kawa’s defenses and killed him with a thrust through the heart.
• Aoki Tsuki escaped the clan’s territory under cover of the Hidden Mist Technique as the Kaguya clansmen discovered Miura Kawa’s body.
• Aoki Tsuki saw a distant Tailed Beast Bomb explode and wondered whether the Fourth Mizukage had attacked someone.

Jūzō, Sasori, and Kakuzu’s assassination attempts in Kirigakure failed as their targets resisted and the village mobilized. While fleeing, Jūzō joined forces with Aoki Tsuki, who fought Suikazan Fuguki and drove him to retreat.

• Jūzō’s attack on Elder Harumi was interrupted by Zabuza and Fuguki, and he fled after the three overwhelmed him.
• Sasori and Kakuzu encountered powerful opponents and retreated, then met up with each other as they escaped Kirigakure.
• Fuguki pursued Jūzō into a forest, but Aoki Tsuki arrived and cut the hair binding Jūzō and the Kubikiribōchō.
• Aoki Tsuki fought Fuguki with lightning, while Samehada defended itself and launched away from Fuguki to avoid the attack.
• Fuguki trapped the fighters in a vast water prison and summoned a giant pufferfish, but Aoki Tsuki summoned Ibuse, whose poison killed it.
• Fuguki dispelled the water prison and escaped into the water, and Aoki Tsuki dismissed Ibuse.

Pain’s Six Paths defeated and captured Yagura, the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, and Obito took him to the Kamui Dimension. After the Akatsuki members reported their mission results, Obito learned that most of the Kirigakure assassinations had failed and ordered an investigation into Aoki Tsuki.

• Aoki Tsuki and Jūzō watched as Pain’s Six Paths fought Yagura, while Aoki explained that the operation targeted the Fourth Mizukage.
• Pain’s Paths exhausted Yagura’s Chakra and captured him after the Preta Path drained the Three-Tails; Obito arrived and transported Yagura into his Kamui Dimension.
• Nagato told Konan that Yagura had been handed over to Madara, then gathered the Akatsuki members to hear their mission reports.
• Aoki Tsuki reported killing the Kaguya Clan’s leader, while Juzo Biwa, Sasori, and Kakuzu admitted that their assassination missions had failed.
• Zetsu told Obito that only Aoki Tsuki had succeeded; Obito ordered Black Zetsu to investigate Aoki’s past and multiple identities.

Aoki Tsuki trained in Fire Release, then managed Akatsuki and Jashin Cult operations around the Land of Lightning while secretly directing the cult’s attacks. After he publicly claimed responsibility for a massacre, Kumogakure destroyed several cult bases, forcing him to suspend the believers’ activities.

• Aoki Tsuki struggled to perform the Fireball Technique, and Konan questioned him about obtaining Hanzō’s legacy before leaving him to continue his training.
• Aoki Tsuki later established a base in the Land of Hot Water, studied the Jashin Cult’s archive, and organized Akatsuki members and cultists to take on missions in the region.
• Aoki Tsuki urged the Jashin Cultists to target ninja and disrupt the prospect of peace, then assigned their commissions and operations.
• After three months, the group’s activity increased security commissions, and cultists killed several Guardian Ninja and nobles in the Land of Lightning’s capital.
• Aoki Tsuki publicly took responsibility for the attack, and Kumogakure retaliated by destroying more than a dozen cult bases, forcing him to halt the believers’ activities.