Recaps

Hagoromo checked Naruto and his disciples’ training, while Naruto quietly worried about Minato’s absence. Sansan then reported a hidden observer near the Land of Waterfalls, leaving Hagoromo to suspect someone was gathering information about the Seven-Tails.

• Naruto told Hagoromo nothing was wrong, though he had noticed Minato was often absent and Kurama would not explain why.
• Naruto reported finding all of Hagoromo’s disguised Chakra marks and said Minato had given him an inscription formula to practice.
• Hagoromo checked the disciples’ training, then gave Karin basic Water Release and Earth Release Ninjutsu scrolls after she demonstrated her progress.
• Sansan told Hagoromo that someone had quietly watched the Land of Waterfalls and vanished before Sansan could pursue them.
• Hagoromo suspected the hidden observer was Black Zetsu, possibly gathering information about the Seven-Tails.

Hagoromo and Sansan discussed Sansan’s reaction to absorbing the Four-Tails’ Chakra and whether he might absorb more if Takigakure captured the Seven-Tails. Back at the training ground, Hagoromo explained Might Guy’s Taijutsu-focused path to his disciples, who then joked together as Naruto challenged Sasuke to a match.

• Sansan told Hagoromo that absorbing the Four-Tails’ Chakra had deepened his Divinity and let him create two clones, and he asked to absorb more Chakra if the Seven-Tails was captured.
• Hagoromo deferred deciding until the situation developed, and Sansan agreed to watch Takigakure.
• Hagoromo returned to find Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, and the others discussing Might Guy’s training.
• Hagoromo explained that Might Guy could barely use Ninjutsu and had built his strength through Taijutsu and perseverance.
• Naruto challenged Sasuke to a match, but Sasuke refused, making the others laugh.

Naruto used Shadow Clones linked through the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to extend his sensory range while searching for Chakra marks, and Hagoromo explained the risks and purpose of the exercise. After noticing Naruto struggled to draw Minato’s complicated marking pattern, Hagoromo suggested a simpler spiral, which Naruto carved into wood.

• Naruto sent two Shadow Clones searching for Chakra marks and discovered their linked sensing expanded his range.
• Hagoromo explained how Naruto’s Shadow Clones worked as sensory extensions and warned him not to use more than ten because the accumulated strain could be dangerous.
• Hagoromo clarified that Naruto was meant to walk around and find someone else’s hidden Chakra marks to train his sensing.
• Hagoromo asked Naruto to demonstrate Minato’s marking pattern, recognized it as Sword of Shinobi Love, and suggested drawing a simpler spiral instead.
• Naruto recalled the Rasengan’s shape transformation and carved a spiral mark into the wood with Chakra.

Hagoromo helped Naruto master the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the success triggered Minato Namikaze’s fading spiritual imprint to appear in the Sealing Space. Minato told Hagoromo that his imprint would disappear now that Naruto had learned the technique, leaving Hagoromo to hear his final instructions.

• Hagoromo detected that Naruto was 95 percent of the way to learning the Flying Thunder God Technique and tested him with a marked piece of wood.
• Naruto instinctively teleported to the mark with a Rasengan and learned the Flying Thunder God Technique at entry level.
• Naruto told Hagoromo that his father needed to speak with him urgently, so Hagoromo took Naruto home and put him to sleep.
• Hagoromo entered the Sealing Space, where Minato explained that his spiritual imprint would disappear now that Naruto had learned the technique.
• Minato said he had used what remained of his imprint to help Naruto progress, and Hagoromo asked whether he had any final instructions.

Minato said goodbye to Naruto and disappeared after encouraging him to pursue his dream of becoming Hokage. Naruto broke down in tears, and Hagoromo comforted him until he fell asleep.

• Minato asked Hagoromo not to use the key to open the Nine-Tails’ seal unless necessary, and Hagoromo agreed.
• Minato told Naruto he was proud of his growth, urged him to face future difficulties, and revealed that Naruto’s mother had also dreamed of becoming Hokage.
• Minato faded away as Naruto promised to grow stronger and shouted, “Dad! Goodbye!”
• Kurama pushed Naruto’s consciousness out of the Sealing Space, while he refused the Eight-Tails’ suggestion that he exploit Naruto’s grief.
• Hagoromo told Naruto he could cry, held him as he wept, and waited beside his bed after Naruto fell asleep.

Naruto struggled with grief over Minato’s disappearance, so Shikamaru and their classmates took him out of the Ninja Academy to keep him company. Hagoromo then met with representatives from Kumogakure and Kirigakure, who sought intelligence-sharing and a coordinated alliance against Akatsuki.

• Choji, Sasuke, and the others worried about Naruto’s subdued mood, while Hinata said Hagoromo had asked them to spend time with him.
• Shikamaru invited Naruto to skip class, and Sasuke, Hinata, Ino, Karin, Choji, and Shikamaru left the Ninja Academy with him.
• Hagoromo watched the students go before Shisui told him that Hiruzen had summoned him because delegations from Kumogakure and Kirigakure had arrived.
• Hiruzen assigned Shikaku and Hagoromo to discuss Akatsuki with Samui, Darui, Ao, and another Kirigakure Jonin.
• Samui proposed intelligence-sharing and a coordinated response, while Ao called for an alliance to eliminate Akatsuki and prevent Kirigakure from being manipulated again.

Shikaku shared Konoha’s intelligence on the Akatsuki with Kumogakure and Kirigakure, then pressed Ao to reveal details about the Fourth Mizukage’s control. The villages agreed they needed to find the person behind it, while Shikaku disclosed that the Nine-Tails had also been controlled when it attacked Konoha.

• Samui asked whether Kumogakure had lost personnel and whether Konoha’s spy had learned specific information about the Akatsuki.
• Shikaku gave Samui and Ao Konoha’s report on Akatsuki members, but said Konoha knew nothing about the three most elusive figures.
• Samui asked about the Akatsuki’s ultimate goal, and Shikaku said it captured Tailed Beasts before asking Kirigakure to share its information.
• Ao described the cold, malicious Chakra of the person who controlled the Fourth Mizukage and said the Mizukage broke free only shortly before dying.
• Ao revealed that Mei Terumi wanted to identify the controller, while Kirigakure hoped to cooperate with Konoha and Kumogakure to find him.
• Shikaku said Konoha regretted what happened to the Fourth Mizukage and revealed that the Nine-Tails had been controlled during its attack on Konoha ten years earlier.

Konoha, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure agreed to establish a joint intelligence network and form mixed teams to counter the Akatsuki. After the meeting, Hagoromo revealed to Jiraiya that the Akatsuki had been founded by the three disciples Jiraiya taught in the Land of Rain.

• Shikaku outlined key questions about the Akatsuki, and Darui and Ao agreed to Konoha's proposal for a joint intelligence network and rapid-response mechanism.
• Shikaku proposed mixed teams of elite shinobi to intercept the Akatsuki, while each village would protect its own Jinchūriki and search its archives for records about gathering the Tailed Beasts.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi named Jiraiya, Shikaku, Hagoromo, Kakashi, Guy, and Shizune as Konoha's main members of the joint teams and told them to prepare.
• Jiraiya asked Hiruzen Sarutobi why he had been kept from leaving the village, and Hagoromo urged him to examine the intelligence scroll.
• Hagoromo told Jiraiya that the Akatsuki had been founded by the three disciples Jiraiya had taught during the Second Shinobi World War, leaving Jiraiya stunned.

Jiraiya wanted to confront his former disciples, but Hiruzen and Hagoromo persuaded him to join the mission against Akatsuki instead. In Kirigakure, Mei Terumi agreed to contribute to the operation while worrying over the condition of one of the proposed candidates.

• Jiraiya asked Hiruzen to let him find Nagato and his former disciples, but Hagoromo warned that confronting Akatsuki would likely lead to a fight and endanger Konoha.
• Hiruzen urged Jiraiya to set aside his grief and help Konoha plan around Akatsuki’s strength; Jiraiya accepted a place in the mission but not command.
• Jiraiya resumed teasing Hagoromo before Hiruzen sent him away and asked Hagoromo to sign documents.
• Mei Terumi heard Ao’s report in Kirigakure and discussed joining Konoha’s operation with Genji, who insisted she remain in the village.
• Mei considered sending Gonbei and Ringo Ameyuri, but questioned whether Ameyuri’s poor health would let her endure a long mission.

Mei Terumi agreed that Kirigakure had to protect its standing among the Great Shinobi Villages, despite her concern for Ringo Ameyuri. At the academy, Karin defeated Kiba after trapping him in a Water Prison Technique, and Hagoromo declared her the winner.

• Genji told Mei Terumi that Kirigakure could not show weakness during the alliance, and she reluctantly agreed that the village had no other candidates.
• Hagoromo announced Karin Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka as the next competitors, and Kiba smugly expected an easy fight.
• Karin rushed Kiba and nearly overwhelmed him with her strength, but Kiba countered with the Four Legs Technique.
• Karin used Water Release: Water Whip to keep Kiba at bay, then trapped him in a Water Prison Technique when he charged.
• Hagoromo declared Karin the winner while Kiba struggled inside the water prison.

After Sakura asked Hagoromo to take her as a disciple, he suggested that she pursue medical ninjutsu and offered to introduce her to Tsunade if she learned a basic healing technique within three days. Sakura accepted the challenge and left eager to begin.

• Naruto bragged to Sasuke about winning their match while Ino, Hinata, and Karin noticed Sakura watching them.
• Ino brought Sakura to Hagoromo's office, where Sakura asked him to make her his disciple.
• Hagoromo asked Sakura to consider her talents and suggested that her strong chakra control and grasp of the basics suited medical ninjutsu.
• Hagoromo explained the medical-nin system, and Sakura decided she wanted to become a medical-nin.
• Hagoromo told Sakura to learn a basic healing technique from Shizune and Hinata within three days, promising to introduce her to Tsunade if she succeeded.

Hagoromo helped Sakura understand how to use Medical Ninjutsu by replacing a patient's failing vital functions with carefully controlled Chakra. After repeated failures, Sakura revived a fish and passed the training.

• Sakura felt discouraged by her lack of progress and worried that she had no talent for Medical Ninjutsu.
• Hagoromo took Sakura to the river and explained that she needed to use Chakra to take over the fish's failing heart rather than simply trying to heal it.
• Hagoromo taught Sakura to focus completely and release her Chakra gently, while Sakura repeatedly injured or failed to revive the fish.
• Sakura followed Hagoromo's guidance, synchronized her Chakra with the fish, and made its gills begin moving again.
• Hagoromo sent water over the fish, which began swimming, and told Sakura she had passed.

Hagoromo brought Sakura to meet Tsunade, who recognized Sakura’s talent for Medical Ninjutsu and agreed to teach her on one condition. Hagoromo accepted the task of training Shizune before their upcoming operation against the Akatsuki.

• Hagoromo asked Tsunade to consider teaching Sakura, and Tsunade questioned why he would not teach her himself.
• Hagoromo explained that Sakura had learned Medical Ninjutsu only three days earlier and mastered basic practice in thirteen hours.
• Tsunade tested Sakura with an injured fish and praised her talent and Chakra control.
• Tsunade agreed to teach Sakura if Hagoromo trained Shizune to improve her ability to fight and protect herself.
• Hagoromo accepted, and Shizune agreed to train with him before the mission.

Hagoromo began training Shizune in the Crescent Moon Breathing Method and watched his students practice. Meanwhile, Tsunade judged Sakura’s medical talent to be exceptional and considered her a potential successor to her signature techniques.

• Hagoromo learned that Shizune had water and earth chakra natures but had never trained in Nature Transformation, so he taught her the Crescent Moon Breathing Method.
• Ino asked Hagoromo about Sakura, and he confirmed that Tsunade had taken Sakura on as a student for now.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Ino, Shikamaru, Hinata, and the others trained at the ground while Shizune watched and reflected on how Tsunade’s unsettled life had limited her own training.
• Shizune decided she needed to keep a closer eye on Tsunade, who sneezed while relaxing in the courtyard with Jiraiya.
• Tsunade told Jiraiya that Sakura’s talent for medical techniques surpassed Shizune’s and that Sakura might inherit her Monster Strength and Strength of a Hundred Technique.

Jiraiya and Tsunade discussed Naruto, the prophecy, and Tsunade’s plans to train Sakura. In the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru learned that Tsunade had returned to Konoha, while Kimimaro continued to serve him despite his worsening illness.

• Jiraiya told Tsunade that Hagoromo had become Naruto’s disciple, and Tsunade teased Jiraiya about missing his chance to take Naruto as his own.
• Tsunade asked Jiraiya whether he would keep searching for the Child of the Prophecy, but he kept the matter secret and she went to teach Sakura.
• Orochimaru learned that the Fifth Mizukage and Kumogakure had sent teams to Konoha, then urged Itachi to investigate the Akatsuki while he watched from afar.
• Kimimaro defeated the test subjects in the basement and knelt before Orochimaru, who praised his strength and asked about his health.
• Orochimaru told Kimimaro to care for his body because it belonged to him, then lamented that Kabuto could not treat Kimimaro’s bloodline disease and wondered about Hagoromo.

Hagoromo encountered Kabuto Yakushi, who asked to learn Medical Ninjutsu from him, and suspected Kabuto was trying to approach him on behalf of Orochimaru or Sasori. At the training ground, Hagoromo arranged a spar between Karin and Shizune using only Inch Power Eight Gates.

• Hagoromo met Kabuto Yakushi leading a group of trainee ninja back from a mission and praised Kabuto for turning their work into training.
• Kabuto asked Hagoromo for advice on Medical Ninjutsu, and Hagoromo agreed while wondering whether Orochimaru or Sasori had sent him.
• Shizune told Hagoromo she had nearly mastered Inch Power Eight Gates, so he called Karin over for a spar.
• Hagoromo told Karin and Shizune to fight using only Inch Power Eight Gates and invited Naruto and the others to watch for new insights.
• Hagoromo raised his hand and started the match between Karin and Shizune.

Shizune fought Karin in a training match, using a breathing and Chakra-control method she had adapted for herself. Karin lost despite unleashing her powerful Chakra, and Naruto and Sasuke recognized her as a possible future rival.

• Hinata noticed that Shizune's breathing and Chakra flow differed from the method Hagoromo had taught them.
• Shizune used her modified Bong Sau to send Karin stumbling back, and Hagoromo explained how her medical knowledge had helped her adapt the technique.
• Karin released a huge surge of Chakra and charged Shizune, but their clash left Karin sprawled on the ground and Shizune with a possibly cracked hand.
• Shizune congratulated Karin after Hagoromo declared the match over, and Karin praised Shizune in return.
• Naruto and Sasuke agreed that Karin might become a future rival, then turned their competitive attention back to each other.

Tsunade learned that Shizune had improved her taijutsu with Hagoromo’s help and urged her to keep training with him. At the Hokage’s office, Might Guy asked to take Rock Lee as his student, and Hagoromo agreed to arrange an assessment while noting that Guy still needed one more team member.

• Tsunade saw Shizune use Inch Power Eight Gates well enough to make her move, then learned Shizune had fractured her hand sparring with Karin.
• Shizune told Tsunade about Karin’s abilities, and Tsunade recognized her exceptional potential and advised Shizune to train with Hagoromo more often.
• Might Guy rushed into the Hokage’s office and told Hagoromo he wanted to take a promising trainee ninja as his student.
• Hagoromo identified the boy as Rock Lee and showed Guy his file, which noted his strong physical ability but lack of talent for Ninjutsu.
• Hagoromo agreed to arrange an assessment for Rock Lee and reminded Might Guy that he still needed to choose one more team member.

Naruto used Flying Thunder God to surprise Sasuke during their fight, then endured Sasuke’s Chidori Stream with Yang Release Armament. Sasuke figured out that Naruto was teleporting between the Kunai he threw.

• Might Guy asked Hagoromo for help assigning Rock Lee, and Hagoromo suggested temporarily adding a Chunin to Guy’s team.
• Naruto warned Sasuke before their match, then used Flying Thunder God to appear beside him and punch him across the training ground.
• Sasuke activated his Sharingan and realized Naruto’s movement was not the Body Flicker Technique, but he could not react in time.
• Sasuke activated his modified mark and used Chidori Stream while Naruto charged into the lightning with Yang Release Armament.
• Naruto struck Sasuke again during their clash, and Sasuke realized Naruto was moving using the Kunai.

Naruto and Sasuke continued their arena fight, with Sasuke destroying Naruto’s Flying Thunder God Kunai and using the Kusanagi Sword to press his advantage. They committed to ending the battle in one move, but Naruto vanished and struck Sasuke in the ribs.

• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to dodge Sasuke’s lightning attacks, but Sasuke burned away the Kunai around the arena with his Dragon Fire Technique.
• Naruto covered his fists with Yang Release Armament as Sasuke powered up his Activated Mark and Kusanagi Sword.
• Choji and Shikamaru worried that Naruto and Sasuke had outgrown them, but Ino reminded them that they were the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho.
• Sasuke used Lightning Swift: Flash to close in, and the two traded attacks while Hagoromo watched approvingly.
• Naruto and Sasuke agreed to settle the fight in one move, and Sasuke cut apart Naruto’s Kunai before charging at him.
• Naruto vanished instead of running, then struck Sasuke in the ribs with tremendous force.

Naruto defeated Sasuke by revealing that he had secretly placed multiple chakra marks on him, and Hagoromo praised their progress while pointing out their mistakes. Hagoromo said they could apply for early graduation if they passed a new S-rank trial in the Mirage Vapor Pearl, leaving Naruto and Sasuke apprehensive.

• Naruto struck Sasuke and ended the fight, revealing that he had placed several nearly invisible chakra marks on Sasuke during their battle.
• Hagoromo praised Naruto's tactical growth but warned him against prolonging a fight for drama, and he told Sasuke not to focus only on Naruto's kunai.
• Sasuke asked why he could not copy Naruto's technique, and Hagoromo explained that the Sharingan could not copy the Flying Thunder God.
• Sasuke explained that Amatsukaku helped reduce the strain of his Activated Mark, and Naruto asked Hagoromo for a weapon of his own.
• Hagoromo said Naruto and Sasuke could apply for early graduation if they passed his S-rank Mirage Vapor Pearl trial, which both boys dreaded.

Naruto, Sasuke, and their friends asked to become intern ninjas early, and Hagoromo won Hiruzen Sarutobi’s approval after explaining how strong they had become. Hiruzen assigned Hagoromo to supervise Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, with Asuma to lead Shikamaru’s team, and scheduled their internships for next year.

• Sasuke suggested that he, Naruto, and the others apply for early internships, and Hagoromo agreed to seek the Third Hokage’s approval.
• Hagoromo told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the students were strong enough to handle a Special Jōnin, convincing him to consider their early graduation.
• Hagoromo proposed that Asuma supervise Shikamaru’s Ino-Shika-Cho team and that either he or Kakashi supervise Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata.
• Hiruzen chose Hagoromo to lead Naruto’s squad because of the risks surrounding the Nine-Tails and Kakashi’s Sharingan.
• Hiruzen approved the arrangements but postponed the internships until next year, and Hagoromo offered to lead the students himself without the village’s internship assessment.

Hagoromo prepared his students for ninja internships by emphasizing teamwork, while Obito planned operations against the Five-Tails and Seven-Tails and considered using Itachi against Madara. Kabuto consulted Hagoromo about Cellular Failure Syndrome, then left concealing his true thoughts.

• Hagoromo told his students that they could apply for internships after their fourth year and instructed Naruto's team to practice teamwork.
• Black Zetsu told Obito that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki had left the village and asked how to handle Hagoromo and Itachi.
• Obito ruled out attacking Hagoromo, decided Itachi might be useful against Madara, and ordered Nagato to pursue the Five-Tails while he targeted the Seven-Tails in Takigakure.
• Kabuto asked Hagoromo about Cellular Failure Syndrome, learned that conventional medical ninjutsu could not treat it, and departed after hiding his serious expression.

Konoha learned the Five-Tails’ jinchūriki was away on a mission and sent Jiraiya and Hagoromo to join the operation, while weighing Kumogakure’s ambitions to take the lead. Meanwhile, Hiruko and Shinnō both revealed their interest in the Five-Tails and Shinnō proposed that they work together.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed Kumogakure’s intelligence about the Five-Tails’ jinchūriki and discussed the planned operation with Shikaku.
• Jiraiya insisted on going after hearing that the Akatsuki might target the jinchūriki, and Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Hagoromo to accompany him.
• Hagoromo learned Kumogakure wanted to lead the mission and agreed with Jiraiya to act according to the situation.
• Shinnō suggested working with Hiruko, who revealed that he wanted the Five-Tails’ chakra and Kekkei Genkai to complete his perfect body.
• Shinnō told Hiruko that he wanted the Five-Tails’ life energy and chakra, then asked whether Hiruko would work with him.

Hiruko and Shinnō agreed to cooperate in capturing the Five-Tails, while a joint Kumo–Kiri–Konoha team reached the Land of Frost coast to investigate a suspected Akatsuki extraction site. The team began a stealth operation, with Ao activating his Byakugan to locate the target.

• Hiruko agreed to let Shinnō extract the Tailed Beast Chakra after Hiruko copied the Five-Tails’ Boil Release trait, and they set off toward their prey.
• Samui revealed that Kumogakure had detected intense Chakra and a barrier fluctuation on the Land of Frost coast using Lightning Release: Lightning Cloud Probe.
• Jiraiya, Hagoromo, Ao, and the others accepted Kumogakure’s plan, with Ao tasked to guide the group and Jiraiya and Hagoromo assigned to guard their flanks.
• Darui used Storm Release: Illusory Light Mist Shadow to cloak the coastline and interfere with Chakra-sensing barriers.
• Ao activated his Byakugan while Gonbei watched Jiraiya and Hagoromo warily.