Chapter 412: "Unprecedented Fear" - Sasuke is flung back and the Eight-Tails moves

to finish him off. Suddenly Suigetsu is blocking the attack. The Raiton charged
sword connects and Suigetsu considers how he's weak against such attacks. The
sword begins to cut through the cleaver so Sasuke charges Chidori into the cleaver
to strengthen it. Juugo lunges from behind the Eight-Tails and strikes him on his
head but the Jinchuuriki does not move. Sasuke retreats further and Suigetsu
manages to break his opponent's sword. Juugo charges up an air blast in his arm
and manages to knock the Eight-Tails off balance. Karin removes the swords from
Sasuke's chest and exposes her arm, revealing numerous bite marks. She tells
Sasuke to bite and he does. Suddenly his wounds close. Suigetsu says they should
charge at once and come at him seriously. Then they can try and spare him if
possible. The Eight-Tails watches from cover and considers his opponent's powers.
Elsewhere, Naruto holds water in his hands and begins to take on toad qualities.
Fukasaku whacks him and he returns to normal. Naruto says he should use Kage
Bunshin and the toad says that will be okay, but be careful, as if they turn into
a toad, so will he. Fukasaku offers that three clones will be the max. Gamakichi
awakens a short time later to see Fukasaku whacking the clones out of existence. A
bruised and puffy Naruto offers that he can't last at this rate and that it's
harder than he thought. The toad explains that true strength doesn't come easy.
And the training isn't something anyone can do, that's why only Jiraiya and Naruto
himself with their high chakra reserves can draw on the natural energy. He then
offers that only those who refuse to give up can become sages. Naruto smiles,
yells his eagerness to continue and totally jumps into the nearby water pool, much
to the toad's shock. Back in Lightning the three men attack simultaneously. The
Eight-Tails buries his fist into Suigetsu's chest and the water man holds onto
him. Sasuke charges with Chidori and strikes the Jinchuuriki's chest. The man
screams out but leaps away when Juugo comes smashing down on top of him. The dust
clears and an uninjured Eight-Tails watches from a distance. He offers that
they're a pain for being so weak, so it's time to get real. Karin points out the
man's location and he recognizes her chakra sensory abilities. Juugo charges up an
air burst in his arm and flings Sasuke towards the other man's location. The
Eight-Tails raises his hand forming devil horns and yells that it's time for
number eight.

Chapter 413: "Collapse" - As Sasuke approaches his foe, chakra begins to boil
around the Jinchuuriki. Suddenly a chakra cloak and eight tails surround him.
Sasuke recognizes the cloak from when he fought Naruto. The Jinchuuriki lunges,
with two tails acting like horns. Sasuke uses his Sharingan and quickly avoids the
attack. The Jinchuuriki considers how only his brother avoided that attack before.
He continues to move and heads for the rest of Team Hawk. Juugo grabs the others
and jumps to avoid the attack. He drops Suigetsu as the Jinchuuriki comes smashing
down. Sasuke considers how much trouble he's having predicting his opponent's
movements, so he asks Karin to keep a constant track of him. The Jinchuuriki
doesn't plan to give them an opening and moves to attack Sasuke again. Sasuke
activates Mangekyou and the Jinchuuriki finds himself in a Genjutsu being stabbed.
He collapses but then in an instant he barrels into Sasuke, knocking him
backwards. Blood flies from Sasuke's chest and Juugo catches him. Karin offers to
heal Sasuke but Juugo says no, he'll fuse his own flesh and chakra with Sasuke
since they should be compatible. The Jinchuuriki boasts that Genjutsu won't work
if he has a partner to wake him, which he has since he controls his beast. As his
skin begins to peel from his body, he rhymes that their destruction awaits.
Suddenly a massive ox-headed tentacled Bijuu towers over the shocked Team Hawk...

Chapter 414: "Rampaging Ox" - The group marvels at the monster’s form and chakra.
Juugo rushes to finish and finally withdraws his hand from Sasuke's chest.
Suddenly Juugo de-ages to a young boy and he offers that Sasuke can't die, as he's
his last tie to Kimimaro. The Hachibi charges but is blocked by a mass of uprising
water. Suigetsu floats within the water and tells the others to flee. The Hachibi
says they won't get the chance and forms a large ball of destructive chakra which
he fires into Suigetsu. Suigetsu and portions of the surrounding countryside are
blown away. In the distance two Cloud ninja hear the disturbance. Elsewhere at
Myouboku Mountain, Naruto continues his training and excitedly yells he can see
the natural energy. Fukasaku smiles and they take a break for lunch. After lunch
the sage toad directs Naruto to use his own chakra to lift one of the stone frogs.
Naruto tries and fails, so the toad suggests he try to draw out his Sennin chakra.
Naruto sits and focuses and the energy begins to seep in. Opening his toad-like
eyes he moves to one of the stone frogs and lifts. The stone suddenly lifts above
him and Fukasaku considers how much more quickly Naruto is learning than Jiraiya
once did. Naruto sits the stone down and it topples over. Gamakichi chides him for
knocking over their ancestor and Fukasaku considers how Naruto is also more of an
idiot than Jiraiya was. Back in Lightning, the two Cloud ninja rush to the scene.
They wonder why Killer Bee is in his Bijuu form, even after the Raikage warned him
not to transform. Suddenly the duo sees Team Hawk below. Seeing the Akatsuki robes
they recognize the group who took Yugito. Down below, Team Hawk looks at the
watery unconscious form of Suigetsu. Karin offers that there's no way to run and
an exhausted Sasuke looks at his team members. Remembering their various offers of
help and sacrifice, Sasuke closes his eyes and sees Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto. As
the Hachibi moves to strike again, Sasuke's left eye begins to bleed. It opens to
reveal his Mangekyou and the black flames of Amaterasu...

Chapter 415: "The Determined 'Amaterasu'!!!" - Hachibi is quickly engulfed in

Amaterasu's black flames. As the Bijuu flails about, Team Hawk dives for cover. As
a swinging tentacle falls towards a fallen Karin, Sasuke extends his Chidori sword
to sever it. The tentacle misses but black flames spread to Karin's back from the
beast. Juugo says she's finished and states they should retreat. Sasuke says no
and activates his other Mangekyou. As he focuses on the flames, they die down and
are extinguished. Sasuke is shaken and surprised that he was able to stop them. He
yells for Juugo to retrieve Karin and she's quickly brought out of harm’s way.
Juugo asks what happened and Sasuke wonders how he put the flames out, whether
that was the power of Mangekyou. He then casts his gaze to the Hachibi and
extinguishes those flames as well. Killer Bee drops out of the flames, as the
Bijuu was burned away. Seeing the man still alive, Sasuke offers they were able to
avoid killing him. From above the two Cloud are shocked that Killer Bee lost, and
consider that the Akatsuki were skilled. One of the Cloud notices the Uchiha crest
on Sasuke's back and says they have to inform the Raikage that his brother has
been defeated. The other offers that the Raikage won't let this stand. Juugo tells
Sasuke he looks tired and that the wounds from Itachi's battle still pain him.
Sasuke says yes, but now... Elsewhere at Myouboku, Fukasaku tells Naruto he has
mastered the oil. He then states that Naruto must begin calling the natural energy
without the oil. With his toad-eyes, Naruto jumps to the top of the statuary and
says he can feel the power. Fukasaku explains that normal ninjutsu utilize one’s
own chakra, so a ninja becomes tired more quickly by using it. However, by using
natural energy, one can recover more quickly. Naruto says he understands, and the
toad considers how the Kyuubi also helps Naruto recover even faster. Naruto
clinches his fists and wonders aloud if he can now do it. The toad asks him do
what? Naruto quickly says nothing and tries to drop the matter. The toad relents
and states he has something to give Naruto, a book to read. It's Jiraiya's first
book, which he put his heart into. Naruto accepts the book and reads the cover:
"Utter Gutsiness, A Ninja Tale"

Chapter 416: "Utter Gutsiness, A Ninja Tale" - In a forest, a ninja taunts a

hiding Leaf shinobi. The Leaf throws smoke bombs but his opponent moves to subdue
him. The Leaf asks if he can say one thing but his opponent strikes to kill. The
Leaf offers that he should quit making him try to give up and then poofs away. The
opponent realizes it was a Kage Bunshin too late and is struck from behind. The
downed man gloats that even if he dies, another assassin will strike; as long as
shinobi villages exist, there will be strife. The Leaf states he will break that
curse, he’ll find the peace no matter what. The assassin asks the man his name and
the Leaf says it’s... In Myouboku, Naruto cries as he finishes Jiraiya's book
about the hero named Naruto, the man he is unknowingly named after. Naruto thinks
back to his time training with Jiraiya. He asks why Orochimaru tried to destroy
the village if he and Jiraiya were once friends. Jiraiya explains that after
Orochimaru's parents died, he turned to Kinjutsu, either to revive his parents or
seek revenge against Konoha. Jiraiya explains that he was an orphan like Naruto,
so Orochimaru said he wouldn't understand. Jiraiya says maybe he didn't but he
still knows hate is spreading. Naruto asks what he means, and Jiraiya explains
that he hopes to one day end the hatred and bring an understanding between people.
Naruto offers that it sounds difficult. Jiraiya states if he can't do it, it will
be up to Naruto. Naruto smiles and says okay. Jiraiya laughs and Naruto asks
what's funny. Jiraiya offers that Naruto's smile is his salvation and that he's
glad Naruto is his apprentice. Naruto blushes but Jiraiya offers that he hasn't
given up yet; he'll change the world through his books. Naruto points out the lack
of sales but Jiraiya yells that they'll be best sellers soon enough, and when
Naruto begs for an autograph he won't get it. Naruto asks why he wants that, as he
has something better. In the present Naruto smiles and we cut to Akatsuki's hidden
base. Sasuke throws the bound Killer Bee before Madara. He offers his approval and
Sasuke turns to leave. Madara asks where he's going and Sasuke says to heal and
then to Konoha. Madara remembers an earlier conversation with Sasuke. Sasuke
explains that he plans to wipe out all of Konoha, not just the elders. He can't
forgive them. Sasuke was more important than Konoha to Itachi, and Itachi is more
precious than Konoha to him. Konoha had the Uchiha destroyed and worship the
Senju, so they're worthless. He offers that he’s not a kid ruled by his emotions,
those that don't know hatred would never understand. If anyone stands in his way
he'll kill everyone they ever cared about, then they'll finally understand his
hatred. In Cloud, the Raikage receives word of Killer Bee's abduction. The ninja
reports that his comrade went in pursuit. The Raikage smashes his desk and yells
that Akatsuki will pay. He offers aloud to his abducted brother that help is on
the way...

Chapter 417: "The Raikage Moves!!" - Naruto begins to turn into a toad so Fukasaku
whacks him again, warning him to remain absolutely still. Naruto asks why he can't
just take the oil with him, but the toad explains that it evaporates outside of
the Myouboku. He states that Naruto isn't taking the training seriously but Naruto
says that's not true, he's much better at concentrating now. The toad tells Naruto
to follow him and directs him to place a stone tile on top of a nearby spike. He
states Naruto must learn to become still and find the proper balance with nature.
Naruto begins to sit but then loses balance and falls. The toad grabs Naruto with
his tongue and says that once Naruto learns to stop moving, he'll be successful.
Elsewhere Team Hawk recuperates and Suigetsu demands to know why his sword was
left behind. Karin says they didn't have time. Juugo says they need each other so
they shouldn't fight. Suigetsu asks Sasuke if he'll get the Hachibi's power.
Sasuke says he doesn't know but that he has a new power anyway. He reaches for a
glass but accidently knocks it over. His vision blurs and Karin is alerted to a
presence outside. The Cloud ninja releases a messenger lizard but Sasuke soon
kills it. Juugo also arrives to stop the ninja's escape. At the King of Hell
statue, Madara arrives with Killer Bee and says they have to wait on Pain. In
Hidden Cloud, Raikage is angry about Yugito and Killer Bee's defeat. The secretary
explains that they received several communication reports and that one of the
ninja appeared to be Uchiha Sasuke, a former ninja from Konoha. The Raikage
wonders why Konoha couldn't finish him off, as they had no problems with the
Hyuuga. Cloud learns that no more lizards have arrived so the Raikage orders they
dispatch a battalion based on the information they do have about their man's last
location. He orders Samui's team to prepare and that word be sent to Konoha that
they'll deal with Uchiha Sasuke. He then says to prepare a summit of the Five
Kages, and that Akatsuki will pay for their actions. Three Cloud ninja prepare to
depart, Samui, Omoi and Karui. Omoi ponders what he did to piss of the Raikage. He
then begins to insult the two women with Karui kicking him out of anger. Samui
tells them to chill and head out.

Chapter 418: "Sennin Naruto!!" - As Naruto balances on a spike, Fukasaku approves

of the young man's ability to control the natural energy without the toad oil.
With himself centered, Naruto draws in the chakra and then opens his dark rimmed
eyes, having mastered the Senjutsu chakra without looking like a toad. The toad
asks how Naruto feels and the young man states he feels like he's become one with
the environment. A bird swoops down and lands on his shoulder, sending him off
balance and crashing down below. As the dust clears, he sees in surprise that he
was barely hurt. Fukasaku says that's thanks to Sennin Mode, and now there's one
final training area left, to use the sage chakra in the toad fighting style.
Outside Team Hawk's compound, Cloud ninja destroy the entrance, rush in and find
their comrade unmoving on the ground. Later that night at Myouboku, Naruto
finishes a jutsu in secret. He determines he needs more practice and that it will
have to proceed in secret. Back in Konoha, Shikamaru, Sakura and Shiho discuss how
Pain controlled his bodies, possibly through Genjutsu. Shikamaru offers that the
group had immortals with them, so anything is believable at this point. Shiho
offers that they just need to gather what they can and go from there. At the
interrogation squad headquarters, Inoichi tries to pry the mind of one of the Rain
ninja, but a block turns him away. Ibiki tells his comrade to be careful and the
men proceed. In the autopsy room, Shizune continues with her study of the Fuuma-
Pain body. Outside Konoha, the bodies of ninja dot the ground. Soon seven figures
stand before Konoha's outer wall: Pain Rikudou and Konan. Yahiko-Pain then offers
that it's time for the world to experience pain...

Chapter 419: "Invasion!!" - Pain has his Asura, Animal and Hungry Ghost realm
bodies act as diversions, while Konan, the Deva, Human and Hell realms act as
reconnaissance. Pain identifies a barrier around Konoha and says they'll launch
Animal over the wall and down through the barrier to hide their numbers. Animal is
launched and the barrier squad is alerted to her arrival. She lands and then
summons the others. They scatter and begin launching attacks. Asura fires missiles
into the surrounding buildings and Animal summons a giant centipede. Two barrier
squad members are confused by the enemies’ numbers, so they move to get backup and
alert the Hokage. Elsewhere the Human realm grips the head of a Leaf ninja and
senses that the man does not know the Kyuubi's location. He pulls out the man's
soul and the body collapses. In Cloud, the letter to the Hokage is prepared.
Raikage tells Samui's team that he's counting on them. Omoi says he has a bad
feeling and Karui says there's no way their sensei Killer Bee could get taken out
like that. They begin to argue so Raikage tells them to stop as tears fall from
his face. He says they have to save Bee. Karui and Omoi are moved and begin to cry
as well. At Akatsuki's base, Killer Bee floats in the air while Hachibi is
extracted. Zetsu comments that the extraction takes forever with so few members.
Suddenly the group looks in surprise as Bee turns into a tentacle and then falls
to the ground. Kisame offers that Sasuke messed up and Madara is speechless. Zetsu
laughs and his other half chides him. Back in Lightning at the bottom of the lake
rests the tentacle Sasuke severed to save Karin. From within it emerges Killer
Bee. He sees the coast is clear and swims to shore. Hachibi says that wasn't a
good plan, as he had to lose several limbs for it to work. Bee raps that he has
plenty left and his Bijuu tells him to quite the rapping, he's not good at it. Bee
says that next time he'll sing enka music instead. Hachibi is speechless and Bee
offers that he's now free to finally leave his village, since Akatsuki "captured"
him. Hachibi states the Raikage is probably worried. Bee says that's fine, he's
been stuck defending the village and it's time for a break. He'll find Sabu, the
leader of the enka ninjas. Hachibi offers that Akatsuki won't like this and asks
why Bee even bothered to summon him, as he had the upper hand. Bee states that the
Sharingan user was strong, and he just got carried away. Hachibi ponders that a
new era is coming, and Bee happily asks if it's because of his new music career
change?...

Chapter 420: "Battlefield, Konoha!!" - Naruto jumps through the air as he spars
with Fukasaku. The toad tells Naruto he's getting better and the young man offers
that he's not finished yet. In Konoha, Iruka helps a fallen comrade. The Deva Pain
arrives and asks him where Naruto is. Iruka refuses so Pain moves to impale him.
Suddenly the spike stops as a hand grabs it. Kakashi offers his surmise that the
attack is a diversion. Kakashi tells Iruka to go, so he picks up the injured ninja
and retreats. Pain moves to kick but Kakashi dodges and summons a stone wall. Pain
brings down his arm to impale Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi uses the attack to hold
Pain in place while he moves to thrust Raikiri. Suddenly Kakashi gets a sensation
of Rinnegan eyes and misses Pain's head. He wonders what it was and Pain says he's
honored to meet the legendary copy ninja. He asks Naruto's location and Kakashi
calls the question stupid. He moves to attack with Raikiri again but is then sent
backwards by an unseen wave which also crushes the wall behind Pain. Back at
Myouboku, Fukasaku explains that Sennin Mode is risky, as one can't stay in the
mode for extended periods of time. To gather the energy, one can't move and if one
can't move, then battle is pointless. It must be done when one has allies or can
find a place to retreat and gather energy. Naruto yells in confusion as to why he
even bothered learning it. The toad offers that all is okay, that's why he'll have
an ally, as they'll fuse their bodies together. Naruto is taken aback at the
thought of himself as a giant toad. The toad clarifies that he'll only be sitting
on his shoulder and Naruto is reassured. Fukasaku explains that while one is
fighting, the other will gather energy. That's how he and his wife did it with
Jiraiya. Naruto understands and high fives the toad in confidence. Back in Konoha,
Shizune finishes her analysis of Pain's black rods. She explains that they're
receivers for high frequency chakra waves. As she states that they must inform
Tsunade the building is rocked. At the code breaker head quarters, Shikamaru,
Shiho and Sakura are also shaken. They look out the window to see dust and debris
rising. At the interrogation building, Inoichi continues searching through the
Rain ninja's mind and finds what he's been searching for. Elsewhere the top of
Asura Realm's head opens, and he fires a laser into the surrounding buildings.
Team 8 and Ino and Chouji hear the disturbance. Ino rushes to tell her father,
while in the Hokage building Tsunade looks out her window. She thinks back to
Fukasaku's explanation that Jiraiya entrusted everything to Naruto, and how she
entrusted him with her necklace. She tells the waiting ninja to put out an
emergency alert and call for Naruto.

Chapter 421: "Call Naruto Back!!" - As villagers flee from Pain's giant centipede,
a little girl trips. Suddenly Sakura slugs the creature away, killing it. She
tends to the girl who gives her thanks. Iruka arrives and explains the situation
to Sakura. Sakura states she never thought Akatsuki would attack them directly. An
explosion rises nearby and Iruka suggests that Sakura should head to the hospital
to help the wounded. At the Hokage building, a toad states he'll retrieve Naruto.
Homura and Koharu enter and state Naruto is to be left at Myouboku. Tsunade
demands an explanation and the elders explain that the attacker is Pain, and it
would be bad if Naruto fell into his hands. Tsunade grabs them by their collars
and remembers Naruto's promise to become Hokage and avenge Jiraiya. The elders
demand to know the meaning of Tsunade's actions. She yells that Naruto is no
longer a child. He inherited the Will of Fire and will surpass Jiraiya. He's not
to be kept out of conflict, hidden away. He's one of the ninja who will protect
the village. She throws them down and offers that they lack what the Third,
Jiraiya and Chiyo had... faith. As we see teams around Konoha moving to act,
Tsunade explains that the First entrusted the elders with the village when they
were young, and now it's their turn to do the same. They rise and state she can do
what she wants. They take their leave and Shizune arrives. Elsewhere Kakashi
ponders how he was blown backwards. He sends a lightning wolf to test Pain's
defenses and it is repelled as well. As Kakashi wonders how to proceed, the Asura
Realm Pain lands behind him. Shizune explains that the piercings receive chakra
signals and once they learn what the Interrogation teams find, they should be able
to solve the riddle of Pain. Tsunade tells the toad to let Fukasaku know about
this as well. She orders teams to protect Shizune and the Interrogation squad and
states she'll be helping Katsuyu with the wounded. They leave and the toad
prepares to return to Myouboku. Suddenly he's impaled by a sword and Danzou offers
that now the Kyuubi is out of reach.

Chapter 422: "Kakashi VS Pain!!" - Konan envelopes a Leaf ninja in paper and
inquires about Naruto's location. He happily declines to answer. Elsewhere other
ninja are probing the Hungry Ghost Realm's absorption defenses. Hell Realm also
interrogates a ninja who refuses to give up Naruto's location. At the admin
building Tsunade summons Katsuyu. She tells her summon to break down into smaller
clones, and then use her chakra to help heal people. Tsunade then reaffirms that
she'll protect the village as Hokage. Elsewhere Chouza, Chouji and other ninja
move through the village. A distance away, Kakashi lunges with Raikiri but Asura
dodges. Kakashi remembers how the bodies share vision and ponders their strange
nature. Asura suddenly forms two more faces on his head and removes his cloak,
revealing four more arms and a saw-life blade sprouting from his back. Deva raises
his arm and Kakashi is drawn through the air towards him. Kakashi finally grasps
Deva's power and throws a chain around a beam to brace himself. He determines he
can't win alone. He needs some reinforcements and to let others know what he
discovered. He's shaken loose of the chain by Deva's ability and suddenly plunges
into Asura's blade. His body disperses as a lightning clone, which electrocutes
Asura. Deva suddenly retreats as two giant arms come crashing down. The left arm
lifts revealing a crushed Asura. Chouza offers that one of them has been taken
out. Chouza and Chouji return to normal size, while Kakashi emerges from nearby
rubble. He offers he had a backup plan, but their assistance just saved him a lot
of chakra...