Recaps

Kimimaro dominated Gaara in their Chunin Ninja Exams match, following Haruma’s order to prolong the fight. Gaara unleashed an enormous sand attack that engulfed the arena and nearby stands, forcing Yamato to intervene.

• Kimimaro and Gaara began their match while Karin tended to the unconscious Sasuke in the contestants' lounge.
• Kimimaro shattered Gaara’s Sand Armor and repeatedly sent him flying as Gaara tried to control the battlefield with sand.
• Haruma left the lounge, ordering Haku to keep watch until Zabuza arrived, while concealed Anbu numbers increased around the stands.
• Gaara erupted in rage and unleashed Quicksand Waterfall Flow, which engulfed the arena and the spectator stands beside Kimimaro.
• Yamato stepped onto the railing and used Wood Release: Four-Pillar Adamantine to stop the sand from killing spectators.

Sunagakure and Otogakure launched an assault on Konoha during the Chunin Exams, while Zabuza’s Kirigakure team protected civilians and Kakashi sent the Genin after the fleeing Sand Ninja. The Kazekage held Sarutobi hostage inside a barrier until a mysterious Rinnegan wielder appeared and killed five Anbu.

• Kiba’s Akamaru detected the disguised infiltrators, and Kabuto ordered them to cast genjutsu on the spectators and attack the Konoha Genin.
• The Kazekage captured Sarutobi and revealed that the alliance was a pretense, then addressed him as his former student.
• Baki held Kimimaro off while Temari and Kankuro helped the injured Gaara escape from the arena.
• Zabuza ordered his Kirigakure team to free civilians from genjutsu and avoid joining the battle between Sunagakure and Konoha.
• Kakashi assigned Naruto, Sakura, and the other Genin an A-rank mission to pursue the fleeing Sand Ninja.
• A mysterious orange-haired man with a Rinnegan appeared above the arena after killing five Anbu, and Sarutobi and the Kazekage recognized his eyes.

Orochimaru attacked Konoha and revealed his goal to destroy the village in order to provoke war and shake the Shinobi World out of peace. As Sarutobi faced his former student inside the barrier, Haruma guarded the barrier’s Sound Ninja while battles raged throughout Konoha.

• Mei Terumi and Shisui recognized the significance of Haruma’s Rinnegan, while Fugaku suspected Haruma was the same person as the mysterious figure who had used the Sharingan.
• The Kazekage revealed himself as Orochimaru and confronted Sarutobi inside the barrier.
• Sand Ninja, Sound Ninja, and giant pythons attacked Konoha, while Jiraiya, Ibiki Morino, and other defenders fought to protect the village and its children.
• Haruma killed Anbu who approached the barrier and guarded the Cursed Seal Four as Sarutobi and Orochimaru prepared to fight.
• Orochimaru told Sarutobi that he wanted to destroy Konoha to provoke another war, believing conflict would produce powerful ninja and revive the stagnant Shinobi World.

Sarutobi attacked Orochimaru, but the reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama quickly drove him into retreat. Haruma watched from outside the barrier, intent on preserving his plan to blame the Akatsuki and keep his identity secret.

• Sarutobi launched a powerful combination of Fire, Wind, and Earth techniques at Orochimaru, who praised the attack without defending himself.
• Tobirama stopped Sarutobi’s swamp with a lake and attacked him with water techniques, while Hashirama smashed the fireball apart with his fists.
• Sarutobi blocked Tobirama’s rain with an Earth-Style Wall, but Hashirama punched through it and forced him to leap away.
• Outside the barrier, Haruma watched the two reanimated Hokage and considered them tools he would eventually add to his collection.
• Zabuza and his squad gathered and protected the civilians, while Suigetsu questioned whether the mysterious man was Haruma and Kimimaro affirmed his faith in their boss.
• Haruma chose not to let his squad watch the battle, determined to preserve his plan for Sarutobi’s death, Orochimaru’s sealed hands, and shifting suspicion onto the Akatsuki.

Sarutobi defeated the reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama with explosive tags and sealed their souls using the Reaper Death Seal. He then trapped Orochimaru with Enma’s help and began sacrificing his life to stop him.

• Sarutobi and Enma fought Hashirama and Tobirama while the Sound Ninja strained to maintain the barrier.
• Sarutobi used an explosive-tag ambush to knock the reanimated Hokage into place, then sealed their souls with the Reaper Death Seal.
• Hashirama and Tobirama briefly regained their clarity, apologized to Sarutobi, and praised his leadership before their bodies crumbled to ash.
• Orochimaru drew the Kusanagi Sword and attacked Sarutobi, confident that his injured former teacher could no longer stop him.
• Sarutobi grabbed Orochimaru’s shoulders as Enma held the sword in place, and Orochimaru realized Sarutobi’s life force was rapidly draining.

Sarutobi struggled to extract Orochimaru’s soul while Enma held him in place, as Konoha’s forces contained the invasion and Haruma’s allies carried out their plans. The chapter ended with Fugaku infiltrating the Hokage Building and seemingly placing the Hokage Advisors under genjutsu.

• Sarutobi kept Orochimaru trapped in his jutsu despite his worsening injuries, while Enma held the Kusanagi Sword in place and prevented Orochimaru from escaping.
• Kakashi and Hiashi assessed the battlefield; Kakashi sent Anbu to deal with Orochimaru’s summons and planned to return with Jiraiya.
• Hiashi recognized Fugaku’s figure as a Shadow Clone and chose to submit to Haruma to protect the Hyuga Clan.
• Mei Terumi asked Fugaku about his mission, and Fugaku said the targets were under control and that he needed an opportunity to switch places with his real body.
• Fugaku entered the Hokage Building, where the three Anbu guarding Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had been incapacitated, and a scarlet gleam flashed in the Advisors’ eyes.

Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to take Orochimaru’s hands before dying, but Haruma intervened when Jiraiya confronted Orochimaru. Haruma revealed his Rinnegan and used Shinra Tensei to blast everyone away, leaving his intentions and Jiraiya’s fate unresolved.

• Jiraiya abandoned his attempt to reach Naruto and hurried to the arena after learning that a Rinnegan wielder had appeared during Sarutobi and Orochimaru’s battle.
• Sarutobi sealed Orochimaru’s hands with the Reaper Death Seal, then died from his wounds as Orochimaru cursed him and ordered the Sound Ninja to retreat.
• Jiraiya arrived, found Sarutobi dead, and threatened to imprison Orochimaru, while Orochimaru concluded that Haruma could foresee the future and would help him.
• Haruma descended to assist Orochimaru in exchange for a substantial gift from Kabuto, then identified himself to Jiraiya only by using Shinra Tensei.
• Haruma’s repulsive force shattered the surrounding landscape and hurled Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and the others away from him.

Haruma left Konoha after securing the four Hokage’s remains and making arrangements for his allies. He secretly gave Fugaku and Shisui two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving them stunned by his gift.

• Orochimaru fled Konoha with the Cursed Seal Four and wondered whether Haruma had already anticipated his next move.
• Haruma emerged from the Uzumaki ruins with a mask and celebrated collecting the remains of four Hokage for Impure World Reincarnation.
• Haruma told Mei Terumi and the others to remain in Konoha until the Third Hokage’s funeral, then planned to visit the company’s branch office alone.
• Fugaku asked about Haruma’s Rinnegan, and Haruma dismissed his chances of awakening one while refusing to explain how he could change his eyes back.
• Haruma gave Kimimaro Yang Release Chakra to slow his illness, left Fugaku a scroll, and departed Konoha at night.
• Fugaku and Shisui opened the scroll at the Uchiha Shrine and found two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan.

Haruma ambushed Hidan and discovered that Hidan's ritual could not harm him, while Haruma's blood remotely killed Jirobo. Haruma left Hidan stunned and recognized the killing potential of Hidan's ability.

• Haruma attacked Hidan outside the restroom with ice and fire, but Hidan survived and gradually healed from his wounds.
• Hidan fought Haruma with his scythe, and Haruma deduced that Hidan healed without chakra before overpowering him with a punch.
• Hidan used his blood to perform a Jashin ritual and stabbed himself repeatedly, but Haruma remained unharmed.
• At Orochimaru's base, Kabuto examined Orochimaru's arms when Jirobo suddenly collapsed and died.
• Haruma sensed Jirobo's death through the Flying Thunder God Mark and realized that Hidan's ritual could kill someone remotely using Haruma's blood.

Haruma defeated Hidan, took his place in Akatsuki, and joined Kakuzu at a hidden base. At an Akatsuki meeting, Haruma claimed that an impostor posing as Nagato had taken Kakuzu’s mission funds, leaving the members alarmed and Konan demanding answers.

• Kakuzu arrived during Haruma and Hidan’s fight, and Haruma said Hidan’s abilities were unimpressive.
• Haruma swiftly dismembered Hidan, put on his Akatsuki uniform, and disguised himself as Hidan while Kakuzu packed Hidan into a body bag.
• Haruma and Kakuzu settled into a hidden base near the Bounty Station, where Haruma examined Hidan before giving up and Kakuzu reviewed maps and bounty information.
• Black Zetsu told the Akatsuki that Orochimaru had attacked Konoha disguised as the Kazekage, killing Sarutobi and suffering severe injuries.
• Black Zetsu reported that a mysterious person with the Rinnegan had appeared in Konoha, and Kakuzu asked Nagato whether he had recently been in Amegakure.
• Haruma claimed that Nagato had visited the Land of Fire and taken Kakuzu’s mission funds, prompting Konan to urgently question Kakuzu about the money.

Haruma and Kakuzu reached the Fire Temple to kill Chiriku, and Haruma slaughtered a group of monks before confronting the abbot. Chiriku attacked them, but Haruma denied killing the monks and blamed his bloodied scythe.

• Nagato told Konan to keep the plan moving and ordered more teams to help Kakuzu and Hidan gather funds.
• Haruma and Kakuzu arrived at the Fire Temple to target Chiriku, a former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
• Haruma destroyed the temple's barrier and gates, then used his scythe to decapitate more than a dozen monks.
• Chiriku emerged, saw the dead monks, and attacked Haruma and Kakuzu with his Welcoming Approach: Thousand-Armed Murder technique.
• Haruma dodged Chiriku's attacks, denied killing the monks, and pointed to his bloodied scythe as he claimed the blade was responsible.

Haruma, posing as Hidan, killed Chiriku with Wood Release and left with Kakuzu to pursue another target. In Konoha, Jiraiya planned to find Tsunade and train Naruto while Shikaku raised suspicions that the Hokage Advisors were being controlled; a white carrier pigeon flew toward the village.

• Haruma summoned Thousand Trees True Hands and crushed Chiriku's temple, killing him while Kakuzu preserved the body for the bounty.
• Haruma and Kakuzu left the mountain, with Haruma embracing his role as Hidan and declaring that the Shinobi World's fate was up to him.
• Kirigakure's group departed Konoha after the funeral, and Naruto and Sasuke said goodbye without fighting.
• Jiraiya told Kakashi and Shikaku that he would seek Tsunade to become Hokage and would take Naruto with him to train.
• Shikaku warned that Mito and Koharu were approving proposals involving Kirigakure unusually easily, and he and Kakashi suspected genjutsu involving the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.
• A white carrier pigeon flew toward Konoha.

Konoha learned that the Fire Temple had been destroyed, while Shisui’s team guarded the mutilated Hidan and prepared to lure Orochimaru back. In Yugakure, Haruma and Kakuzu began building a bizarre Jashin cult as they waited for Itachi and Kisame to join them.

• Mito told the Jonin team leaders that the Fire Temple had been destroyed and that Chiriku was presumed dead, prompting Asuma Sarutobi to volunteer to collect his remains.
• Shisui brought Kimimaro, Suigetsu, Haku, and Karin to an underground base, where they found Hidan nailed to a cross and fed him to keep him alive.
• Kimimaro agreed to guard Hidan so he could not reattach his body and escape, while Shisui explained that they were to track Tsunade and invite Orochimaru back for research.
• Haruma told Kakuzu that he planned to expand Hidan’s Jashin cult in Yugakure, using a cat image as Jashin’s symbol.
• Haruma and Kakuzu expected Itachi and Kisame to join their group and decided to wait in Yugakure while developing the cult.

Asuma's squad investigated Chiriku's murder and headed for a bounty station, while Itachi and Kisame arrived in Yugakure and joined Haruma and Kakuzu for a major mission in the Land of Lightning. Itachi questioned Haruma about the attack on Konoha, but Haruma's killing intent made clear how vast the gap between them was.

• Asuma's squad examined the ruined Fire Temple, and Shikamaru urged Asuma to request reinforcements if they found the enemy.
• Asuma decided to take the squad to the nearest Bounty Station to gather information about Chiriku's stolen body.
• Kisame told Itachi he remained in Akatsuki because he wanted to be Itachi's partner, despite Kirigakure abandoning its Bloody Mist policies.
• Itachi and Kisame reached Yugakure, where Haruma confronted Kisame over his insult to Lord Jashin before Itachi stopped them from fighting.
• Haruma announced that their combined teams would pursue a lucrative target in the Land of Lightning, though neither Itachi nor Kakuzu knew who it was.
• Itachi asked Haruma why he had attacked Konoha, and Haruma warned him against speaking insolently as his killing intent overwhelmed him.

Asuma’s squad encountered Haruma and the Akatsuki while heading toward Yugakure to recover Chiriku’s body. Haruma overwhelmed Asuma in their opening exchange, but the others launched a coordinated counterattack.

• Asuma, Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, and Shikamaru learned that Chiriku’s body had been taken to a Bounty Station outpost near Yugakure and continued toward it while awaiting reinforcements.
• Izumo sensed three powerful people nearby, but the squad saw Haruma, Uchiha Itachi, Obito Uchiha, and Kakuzu approaching with Kisame also present, making their numbers unclear.
• Haruma exposed the squad by cutting down a tree and announced that they would be offerings to Lord Jashin; Kisame, Kakuzu, and Itachi watched from the forest entrance.
• Asuma attacked Haruma with a blade of chakra, but Haruma blocked the strike and forced Asuma to one knee with a powerful scythe blow.
• Haruma pressed his attack, and Izumo, Kotetsu, and Shikamaru launched the Syrup Capture Field, Twin Blade Slash, and Shadow Imitation Technique together.

Haruma continued his attack on Asuma, while Asuma’s team tried to hold him off until reinforcements arrived. Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kurenai reached the forest, where they confronted Itachi, Kisame, and Jiadu, leaving a three-on-three fight about to begin.

• Itachi suspected Haruma had engineered the encounter to kill Asuma and undermine his supporters, while Kisame watched Haruma fight.
• Haruma broke Asuma’s right arm and sent him crashing through trees, but Asuma ordered Shikamaru and Izumo to hide and help restrain their opponent.
• Haruma destroyed Asuma’s attempt to use smoke for cover and declared that the reinforcements were near before preparing to attack again.
• Kakashi and Might Guy arrived at the forest entrance, where Kisame drew Samehada to face them.
• Kurenai tried to kill Kisame with a sword after binding him with an illusion, but struck a Water Clone instead.
• Kurenai found Itachi, Jiadu, and Kisame together, and Kisame welcomed the chance to fight the three reinforcements.

Kakashi, Guy, and Kurenai faced the Akatsuki members while Kisame attacked with powerful Water Release and Itachi trapped Kakashi in Tsukuyomi. Shikamaru regrouped with his companions and learned Asuma was missing after the battlefield was flooded.

• Kakashi went to support Asuma with Kurenai while Guy stayed behind to face Kisame, Itachi, and Kakuzu.
• Kisame unleashed Great Water Shockwave, and Guy fought him with taijutsu as Kurenai escaped the torrent.
• Kakashi tried to attack Itachi but was caught in Tsukuyomi, where Itachi inflicted unbearable pain on him.
• Kakuzu kept Kurenai from reaching the forest, telling her that she could not change the fate of the person inside.
• Shikamaru escaped the flooded battlefield with Sai's help, then reunited with Ino, Choji, Sakura, and Sai and revealed that all four enemies were Akatsuki members.
• Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki arrived and asked Shikamaru whether he had seen Asuma, deepening his fears.

Might Guy opened six gates and fought Kisame and Haruma while Kakashi and Kurenai struggled against Itachi and Kakuzu. After Haruma’s group withdrew with Asuma’s corpse, Guy and Kakashi considered pursuing them, but a water attack aimed at the Genin forced Guy to intervene.

• Might Guy opened six gates, kicked Kisame into the water, and rushed to help Kakashi and Kurenai.
• Guy struck Itachi, but his punch hit a crow clone, so he continued toward Kurenai’s fight with Kakuzu.
• Haruma intercepted Guy’s attack on Kakuzu and overpowered him in a fist-to-fist clash.
• Kakashi, Kurenai, and Guy regrouped, while Haruma’s group withdrew carrying Asuma’s corpse and Itachi persuaded Kisame not to continue fighting.
• Guy considered opening the Seventh Gate to stop Haruma’s group, but a water jutsu targeted Sakura, Choji, and the other Genin, prompting Guy to leap into action.

Haruma’s group left after their battles with Konoha’s ninja, while Shisui watched Naruto and Jiraiya approach Tsunade in Tanzaku Town. Sasori and Hidan headed there to hunt Orochimaru, setting the stage for an altered confrontation among the Sannin and Akatsuki.

• Haruma led Kisame, Kakuzu, and Itachi away from the forest battle, while Kakuzu considered asking the boss to fix the weakness in his technique.
• Kisame learned from Itachi that Might Guy was Konoha’s strongest Taijutsu ninja and vowed to fight him again.
• In Tanzaku Town, Naruto learned that Jiraiya wanted Tsunade to return to Konoha as Hokage and angrily confronted her.
• Shisui followed Naruto, Jiraiya, and Tsunade after they left the izakaya, waiting for Tsunade to refuse to treat Rock Lee before approaching Orochimaru.
• Sasori and Hidan traveled toward Tanzaku Town after Zetsu’s intelligence revealed Orochimaru’s whereabouts, hoping to capture him while he was injured.

As Tsunade prepared to meet Orochimaru in Tanzaku Town, Shisui, Sasuke, Suigetsu, Karin, Haku, and Kimimaro headed there to intervene. Meanwhile, Haruma traveled toward the Land of Lightning with Kisame, Itachi, and Kakuzu, while considering what to do about Kisame.

• Sasori and Deidara checked into an inn in Tanzaku Town as clay insects and puppet spiders spread around it, while Tsunade drugged Jiraiya during a tavern visit before her meeting with Orochimaru.
• Shisui told Suigetsu that Haruma’s gift had helped him grow stronger and enabled him to spy on Tsunade and Orochimaru, while Karin scolded Suigetsu for questioning the gift.
• Orochimaru discussed Tsunade’s possible choice with Kabuto and mused that he might become a windmill driven by a greater force.
• Haruma, Kisame, Itachi, and Kakuzu camped in a mountain cave near the Land of Lightning, and Haruma refused to reveal their mission target until they arrived.
• Haruma considered whether to kill Kisame or control him, while Itachi worried that he could no longer keep Kisame from provoking Haruma.

Jiraiya, Shizune, and Naruto arrived as Kabuto exploited Tsunade’s fear of blood, bringing the conflict with Orochimaru to a head. The Sannin summoned their great beasts, while Karin detected two powerful chakra signatures approaching the battlefield.

• Shizune told Jiraiya and Naruto about Tsunade’s deal with Orochimaru, and they hurried to the meeting place.
• Tsunade healed her injured muscles and attacked Kabuto, but he cut his own palm to trigger her fear of blood and began to subdue her.
• Jiraiya, Shizune, and Naruto interrupted Kabuto, and Jiraiya told Orochimaru that Tsunade would not heal him.
• Sasori and Deidara traveled toward Orochimaru’s location, with Sasori agreeing that Deidara could choose their next target.
• Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya summoned Manda, Katsuyu, and Gamabunta, and Manda demanded a hundred human sacrifices.
• Karin sensed two approaching chakra signatures as powerful as the Sannin’s, and Shisui looked toward them.

Haruma learned that Sasori and Deidara were closing in on Orochimaru and ordered Shisui’s group to keep Orochimaru alive and prevent his capture for ten minutes. Deidara then blasted the battlefield with his C2 Dragon and faced Jiraiya and Tsunade, while Sasori approached Orochimaru.

• Kisame tried to chase after Haruma, but Itachi and Kakuzu stopped him and persuaded him to wait by claiming they had detected unfamiliar chakra.
• Haruma heard Shisui’s report and ordered him to keep Orochimaru from dying or being taken away for ten minutes.
• Shisui told Kimimaro and the others to remain hidden while he waited for Haruma to arrive.
• Deidara flew into the battle on a clay dragon and unleashed a huge explosion that carved a vast crater into the battlefield.
• Sasori headed toward Orochimaru while Deidara challenged Jiraiya and Tsunade, declaring that art was an explosion.

Jiraiya and Tsunade fought Deidara while Orochimaru and Kabuto faced Sasori, whose puppet attacks overwhelmed them. Sasuke arrived with Susanoo, while Jiraiya and Tsunade encountered Sasuke and the other youngsters on a nearby hillside.

• Deidara attacked Jiraiya and Tsunade with explosive clay, but Jiraiya protected them from the blasts with his Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
• Sasori revealed his puppet body and attacked Orochimaru and Kabuto with needles, molten rock, and over a hundred puppets.
• Manda struck at Sasori but missed, and Sasori's needles pierced Manda's head.
• Sasuke's hundred-meter Susanoo smashed dozens of Sasori's puppets and joined the battle.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade spotted Sasuke and the other youngsters on a hillside, and both groups stared at each other in confusion and embarrassment.

Kirigakure’s young squad arrived during the battle and told Jiraiya they had accepted a mission to capture Orochimaru. When Deidara attacked them, Kimimaro fought back with Haku’s help, and the chapter ended with Kimimaro and Deidara falling from the sky after a massive explosion.

• Haku told Jiraiya that Kirigakure’s squad had accepted a mission to capture Orochimaru and said their leader, Lord Shisui, had gone to Orochimaru’s battlefield.
• A distant green Perfect Susanoo drew everyone’s attention, and Deidara decided to leave and support Sasori by attacking Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the youngsters.
• Deidara’s explosives struck the squad, but Haku’s ice and Kimimaro’s bone defense protected them from the blast.
• Haku created an airborne ice ladder, allowing Kimimaro to dodge Deidara’s C3 bomb and reach him in the air.
• Kimimaro punched Deidara as their explosives detonated, and both fell from the sky while the squad rushed to Kimimaro’s aid.
• Tsunade asked whether the squad members were really Genin like Naruto, and Jiraiya confirmed that they were.

Tsunade arrived to heal Kimimaro while Jiraiya joined the battle against Shisui, Sasori, and Deidara. After a sudden Shinra Tensei sent everyone flying, Manda crashed down and Orochimaru was greeted by a familiar voice.

• Kimimaro refused Karin’s offer to heal him, saying the ten minutes were up, and Tsunade arrived to treat his injuries.
• Jiraiya reached the battlefield as Deidara landed beside Sasori, and the two attacked Shisui with an iron-sand rocket.
• Shisui dispelled his Susanoo, and a newcomer used Shinra Tensei to repel the attack and send everyone nearby flying.
• Tsunade and Kimimaro’s squad headed toward the battlefield after sensing the blast, while Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta.
• Manda crashed to the ground and threatened Orochimaru before a newcomer appeared atop his head and greeted him.