Chapter Summaries

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.

Haruma posed as Akatsuki’s leader, but Sasori and Deidara recognized that his answer to their code question was wrong and fled. Haruma quickly defeated them, while Tsunade and Jiraiya were left questioning his identity and motives.

• Haruma crushed Manda and sent him back to the summoning realm.
• Deidara tested Haruma with Akatsuki’s code question, and Haruma gave an answer that revealed he was an impostor.
• Sasori and Deidara tried to escape with a clay bird, but Haruma caught up and knocked Deidara out of the sky.
• Haruma used overwhelming force to bring down Sasori and the Third Kazekage Puppet.
• Tsunade questioned Jiraiya about Haruma’s identity and his connection to Akatsuki, Orochimaru, and other events, while Jiraiya said he would explain after the fighting.

Jiraiya questioned why Shisui had not appeared as the Mist youngsters kept him from approaching Orochimaru, until Naruto woke and awkwardly recognized the gathered group. Meanwhile, Haruma let Sasori and Deidara escape after Shisui helped stage a convincing pursuit, then changed the plan and ordered the group to go to the Land of Lightning after dealing with Orochimaru.

• Kimimaro, Suigetsu, and Haku blocked Jiraiya as he asked why Shisui had not appeared, and Tsunade moved to support him.
• Naruto woke, noticed Orochimaru and the others, and called out to Sasuke, Haku, and Chōjūrō before Karin scolded him for overlooking everyone else.
• Sasori fled through the forest carrying the unconscious Deidara after hearing Haruma and Shisui discuss Obito and Pain.
• Haruma praised Shisui's performance and explained that the disrupted plan did not matter because Sasori would carry information back to Nagato.
• Haruma told Shisui to bring everyone to the Land of Lightning after they finished with Orochimaru.

Haruma’s plan to mislead Akatsuki succeeded, and he brought Orochimaru to his underground base to recruit him. Orochimaru joined Haruma’s team after asking whether he could see the future, and Haruma confirmed the ability while explaining why Orochimaru could not repair his arms by stitching together pieces of other souls.

• Haruma watched Shisui take Orochimaru and the youngsters away, while planning to exploit the delay before Nagato and Obito learned what had happened.
• Shisui told Jiraiya and Tsunade that Kirigakure would take Orochimaru into custody, and Jiraiya stopped Tsunade from confronting him.
• After Shisui left, Jiraiya collapsed under Haruma’s Limbo technique, then recovered when Haruma released it.
• Orochimaru led Shisui and the others to an underground base, where Haruma was waiting in his original appearance.
• Orochimaru agreed to join Haruma’s team and asked whether Haruma could see the future; Haruma confirmed it and explained why soul grafting could not restore Orochimaru’s arms.

Haruma explained how Orochimaru could use Living Corpse Reincarnation to restore his hands and arranged for him to join the Great Rich Man Company, promising to unseal the souls after Orochimaru gathered his assets. Meanwhile, Kisame discovered that Itachi and Kakuzu had betrayed the organization and fought to deliver his intelligence, leaving Itachi closing in on him as Kakuzu deployed his monsters.

• Haruma explained that Living Corpse Reincarnation could repair Orochimaru’s body but could not restore his hands’ trapped souls, and Orochimaru realized Haruma knew something about the future.
• Haruma told Orochimaru to bring his test subjects and assets to the Great Rich Man Company in Kirigakure within seven days, then gave him coordinates for a welcome gift and a Shinigami summoning sacrifice.
• After Orochimaru left with Kabuto, Haruma told the youngsters and Shisui about the next stage of the plan.
• At the Land of Lightning’s border, Kisame tried to send his intelligence to the leader, but Kakuzu destroyed his messenger summon while Itachi stood by.
• Kisame accused Itachi and Kakuzu of betraying the organization, fused with Samehada, and unleashed powerful Water Release techniques to protect the intelligence.
• Kakuzu revealed five masked monsters from his back, while Itachi activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and charged at Kisame.

Kisame, Itachi, and Kakuzu fought amid a vast ocean of water and fire, while Haruma’s squad approached the battle near the Land of Lightning. Sasuke recognized Itachi, but Haruma prioritized the mission and vanished toward the fighting as Kisame sensed an approaching chakra presence.

• Itachi used Amaterasu and Susanoo to repel Kisame, who escaped with a Water Clone and summoned a vast ocean of whale sharks to cover his retreat with the intelligence.
• Kisame sent a white shark carrying the intelligence scroll away while Kakuzu combined his elemental masks and blasted much of the sea-beast swarm with a powerful lightning attack.
• Haruma brought Sasuke, Shisui, Suigetsu, Karin, and others near the battlefield, where Sasuke recognized Itachi and asked whether they could bring him home.
• Shisui told Sasuke that their mission was not to capture Itachi, and Karin punched Suigetsu after he mocked Sasuke.
• Haruma ordered Karin to watch for approaching Land of Lightning ninja and the others to wait, then vanished toward the battlefield as Kisame detected a rapidly approaching chakra presence.

Haruma rescued Kisame from Kakuzu and Itachi, while Shisui used Kotoamatsukami to rewrite Kisame’s memories and make him a loyal Kirigakure and Great Rich Man Company infiltrator. Shisui then gave Itachi replacement Mangekyō Sharingan, which Itachi received after signing another IOU.

• Haruma used Domain Expansion to freeze Kisame and knock him unconscious, then brought him to a nearby cave with Itachi and Kakuzu.
• Shisui arrived and used Kotoamatsukami to make Kisame believe he had always served Lord Haruma and infiltrated the Akatsuki for Kirigakure.
• Kisame thanked Haruma, who declared that Kisame, Kakuzu, and Itachi were now comrades.
• Haruma took Kakuzu and Kisame outside, leaving Shisui and Itachi to speak privately.
• Shisui gave Itachi a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan and a ten-digit IOU, explaining that the transplant could stop his eyesight from deteriorating and that both men might evolve their eyes into the Rinnegan.
• Itachi signed the IOU and pressed his bloody fingerprint onto it.

Haruma orchestrated a staged Akatsuki attack on Kumogakure, sending Shisui to impersonate Itachi while the others devastated a Cloud ninja unit. A rushed to confront the attackers, and Haruma returned to the Land of Lightning’s border to face what came next.

• Itachi learned Shisui had lost track of his debt and asked him to keep Sasuke from signing an IOU.
• Haruma briefed Kisame and Kakuzu on the plan, then used Flying Thunder God to take them and Itachi toward the staged battle while Shisui stayed behind to impersonate Itachi.
• Akatsuki members attacked a hundred-strong Cloud ninja unit, and Shisui’s arrival disguised as Itachi helped rout the remaining defenders.
• A learned of the attack, ordered Mabui to keep watch on B, and rushed out to confront Akatsuki.
• Mabui sent the intelligence to the Anbu, while Darui led five Anbu squads after A; Haruma returned alone to the Land of Lightning’s border.

Haruma protected Sasuke and Shisui’s group from Raikage A, badly injuring him and forcing Kumogakure to wait for reinforcements. Haruma then told the group to hold back until the reinforcements arrived and to announce their names and objective.

• Raikage A attacked Sasuke with a Lariat, but Haruma stopped him and threw him back.
• A attacked Haruma again, and Haruma broke his leg and slammed him into a deep pit.
• Shisui gathered the youngsters and paused their attack while Suigetsu celebrated their fight.
• Darui arrived with Anbu, and C began healing A as Darui urged him to wait for reinforcements.
• Haruma told the group not to act until the reinforcements arrived and to announce their names and objective.

Haruma and the Akatsuki confronted Raikage A and demanded that the Five Great Nations pay them five billion annually. When A refused, Haruma rose above Kumogakure and began unleashing Super Shinra Tensei.

• Cloud reinforcements gathered, but Haruma repelled A when the Raikage charged at the rising stone platform.
• Suigetsu introduced Haruma as Pain and named the disguised Akatsuki members to the Cloud ninja below.
• Suigetsu demanded five billion in annual payments from every ninja village in the Five Great Nations, threatening war if they refused.
• A rejected the demand, so Haruma rose into the clouds to demonstrate a god's power while leaving witnesses alive.
• Haruma gathered immense chakra above the assembled Cloud ninja and cried, "Super Shinra Tensei!"

Killer B slipped away from his guards and reached the battlefield, where he found Raikage A battling Haruma amid the slaughtered Cloud ninja. Haruma defeated A in a direct clash and explained the five-second cooldown of his repulsive dōjutsu, leaving A and Killer B facing an enemy who claimed his strength went far beyond his eyes.

• Killer B used an Eight-Tails clone to fool the two Anbu guarding him and headed toward the battlefield.
• Killer B found the battlefield in ruins and saw Raikage A fighting Haruma among the dead.
• A attacked Haruma, but an invisible barrier repelled him; Killer B joined the fight with a surprise sword strike that Haruma dodged.
• A realized Haruma’s repulsion had a five-second cooldown and attacked during the interval, but Haruma broke A’s fist and sent him flying with a punch.
• Haruma explained that Shinra Tensei repelled attacks in every direction and had a five-second cooldown, then declared that his power did not depend on his dōjutsu.