The First and Last Opponent

With security thinned by the war mobilisation, Suigetsu and Jugo slip out of their cell in the Land of Iron. Hunting for his lost blade, Suigetsu fills Jugo in on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, their earlier members, and the weapons each once carried. Meanwhile the Third Division squares off against those same swordsmen, now revived, and Kakashi devises a plan built around Santa Yamanaka, Ensui Nara, and Maki from among his fighters.

Kakashi's opening strike nearly lands on Zabuza, but Haku throws himself in the way as a living shield. Zabuza cuts straight through Haku to reach Kakashi, who twists aside and comes away with only a shallow wound to the stomach. Once Haku is trapped and sealed, the two clash again, and this time Kakashi slips past the great blade to run Zabuza through. With both enemies restrained, he claims the Kubikiribocho for himself and vows to loose hell on the enemy ranks.

On other fronts, the Second Division keeps grinding through White Zetsu clones while Kitsuchi learns thousands of foes have tunnelled beneath them, and Gaara uncovers one of the reincarnated shinobi facing his own division. Two animation slips appear: Zabuza's broken blade shows briefly restored, and Santa releases his technique from his own body even though he and Kakashi have swapped forms.