Recaps

Yuu’s unorthodox care of Naruto and Sasuke and his harsh treatment of Itachi unfolded as Konoha tightened its grip on the other nations through the Tailed Beast Arena and control of brewing supplies. The arc ended with Itachi arriving at Yuu’s estate to receive the promised gift.

• Yuu tormented Jiraiya and Orochimaru in the hospital, then left them to the medical staff while he and Hiruzen Sarutobi took charge of Naruto and Sasuke.
• Yuu trained Uzuki Yugao, while Naruto and Sasuke’s drinking and destructive tantrums exhausted Hiruzen Sarutobi and led Yuu to send Danzo to help care for them.
• Itachi Uchiha sneaked into Hiruzen Sarutobi’s home to see Sasuke, awakened his Three Tomoe Sharingan, and was caught and brutally interrogated by Yuu before being released with a promise of a gift.
• Yuu left much of Konoha’s administration to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and Minato as the village used arena wagers and threats involving its Tailed Beasts to control rival nations.
• The other nations accepted Konoha’s demands to protect brewing-ingredient fields and expand wine production, while their villages supplied workers and elite ninja to divert a hot spring toward Yuu’s estate.
• Fugaku Uchiha worried that Itachi’s visit to Sasuke might bring trouble for their clan, but Itachi confirmed that Yuu had promised him a great gift.
• An Anbu messenger summoned Itachi to Yuu’s estate, where a servant led him to the training grounds and left him to approach alone.

Saiki Yuu forced Itachi Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, then sent him to infiltrate Akatsuki as a spy. Years later, Akatsuki expanded its operations while debating how to contend with Yuu and Konoha, and Pain acknowledged the danger Yuu posed.

• Saiki Yuu repeatedly wounded and restored Itachi Uchiha until Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, then told him he had important work for him later.
• Itachi revealed his new eyes to Fugaku Uchiha, who misunderstood how they had awakened before learning that Sasuke Uchiha was safe.
• Several years later, Naruto and Sasuke fought atop Hokage Rock, while Minato Namikaze prepared to succeed Saiki Yuu as Hokage after Yuu briefly took the position.
• Itachi joined Akatsuki under Pain’s leadership, and Yuu later revealed that he had sent him to infiltrate the organization as a spy.
• Akatsuki recruited Itachi, assigned him the codename Vermilion Bird and partnered him with Juzo Biwa, while Kakuzu reported that the organization was profiting from smaller villages seeking protection.
• Pain ordered Akatsuki to gather funds and recruit members rather than challenge Konoha, while Uchiha Obito warned him to avoid Yuu’s territory and pursue three Tailed Beasts.
• Konan and Nagato remained suspicious of the man claiming to be Uchiha Madara, while Pain concluded that Akatsuki had to defeat Yuu to take the Tailed Beasts under Konoha’s control.

As Saiki Yuu’s influence spread across the Shinobi World, he entered his physical prime and strengthened his swordsmanship and Haki. Meanwhile, Itachi Uchiha infiltrated the Akatsuki and uncovered Obito’s control over Yagura, while Obito began recruiting Kisame Hoshigaki.

• Pain vowed to make Saiki Yuu understand his sorrow, while Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu discussed Itachi Uchiha’s apparent betrayal and their fear of Yuu’s power.
• Saiki Yuu appeared at the Ninja Academy’s opening ceremony, inspired its students with a speech, and left the crowd and Konoha’s leaders impressed by his influence.
• Tsunade and Yugao offered to defend Yuu and the Saiki Family, but Yuu told them to stay out of the Akatsuki matter.
• Fugaku Uchiha told Yuu that Itachi had joined the Akatsuki, and Yuu admitted he wanted the organization to attack Konoha so he could fight.
• Itachi joined Juzo Biwa on a mission to capture the Three-Tails, while Uchiha Obito sent Black Zetsu to watch them and arrange Juzo’s death in Kirigakure.
• After turning twenty, Yuu reviewed his strength, advanced his Observation and Armament Haki, and judged himself ready to face peak Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju.
• Itachi defeated Yagura with Tsukuyomi and discovered signs that a Mangekyō Sharingan had controlled him, while Obito decided Yagura’s death had served its purpose.
• Kisame Hoshigaki killed Suikazan Fuguki, took Samehada, and encountered Uchiha Madara, whom he recognized as the one who had controlled Yagura.

Saiki Yuu took six Tailed Beasts, Ino, and Hinata on vacation, then passed through Amegakure and frightened the Akatsuki Organization with a display of swordsmanship. He left without confronting Nagato and decided to let the Akatsuki gather more Tailed Beasts before targeting Uchiha Madara.

• Uchiha Obito restored Kisame’s memories of Saiki Yuu’s humiliating wound, and Kisame left with him seeking revenge.
• Saiki Yuu departed Konoha with six Tailed Beasts, Ino, and Hinata, leaving Naruto and Sasuke behind.
• Yuu made the Tailed Beasts hunt and serve as mounts during the trip, while the Akatsuki sealed the Three-Tails and learned that Yuu was approaching the Land of Rain.
• Nagato and the Akatsuki considered confronting Yuu, but Uchiha Obito urged Nagato to avoid a fight and ordered Itachi and Kisame to withdraw.
• Yuu slashed the sky above Amegakure, clearing its clouds and sending the residents into the sunlight.
• Pain and Konan prepared to receive Yuu, but he left Amegakure without entering and demanded tribute be doubled in exchange for sunny weather.
• Yuu explained that he had concealed his true power and chosen not to attack Nagato, then decided to let the Akatsuki gather more Tailed Beasts before killing Uchiha Madara.
• Yuu ordered the Tailed Beasts back to Konoha, while Ino and Hinata praised him and the beasts silently resented their short vacation.