Recaps

Tsunade took Nonō as a disciple alongside Kana, while Nawaki, Minato, and Uchiha Chen relaxed in the hot springs with Rasa, Yotsuki Ai, and Killer B. Later, Minato prepared to train at Mount Myōboku, and the group discussed the Great Toad Sage’s immense age.

• Tsunade decided to take Nonō as a disciple as well as Uzumaki Kana, completing the Sannin’s line of successors.
• Uchiha Chen teased Nawaki about paying dowries for his new younger sisters, and Minato and Nawaki laughed with him in the hot spring.
• Rasa joined the bath and recoiled from the hot water, while Yotsuki Ai and Killer B arrived and chatted with Uchiha Chen’s group.
• Uchiha Chen reflected that peace between the great nations would be difficult and told Nawaki and Minato he was thinking of ways to achieve it.
• Minato told Uchiha Chen and Nawaki that he would travel with Jiraiya to Mount Myōboku for special training before the third round.
• Minato said the Great Toad Sage had not awakened in over ten years, and Nawaki wondered whether belief in the Toad God explained the toads’ longevity.

During the Chunin Exams’ half-month break, Uchiha Chen trained Kushina to control and fight with the Nine-Tails’ Chakra. Kushina pushed herself until she fainted, and the Nine-Tails warned Chen not to rush her progress.

• Uchiha Chen explained that Mikoto, Nawaki, and Minato were each training elsewhere, then proposed that Kushina practice using the Nine-Tails’ power against him.
• Kushina agreed after Chen said the Third Hokage had approved the training and urged her to prepare for powerful Chunin Exams opponents.
• Kushina used the Nine-Tails’ Chakra to boost her speed and strength, then launched a red, enhanced Drilling Air Bomb that forced Chen to defend with Chidori Stream.
• Kushina entered a second stage of training as Nine-Tails’ Chakra began escaping her body, and she fought Chen until she was exhausted.
• The Nine-Tails took control briefly, told Chen that Kushina had fainted from overexertion, and warned him not to rush her before Chen caught her as she fell.

Uchiha Chen watched Kushina test her control over the Nine-Tails' Chakra in a spar after Minato returned from training. Kushina unleashed a powerful improvised Tailed Beast Bomb, and the chapter ended with Uchiha Chen checking on her after Rashomon blocked the blast.

• Minato returned to the Training Ground after ten days of training with Jiraiya and said he had barely mastered consecutive Body Flicker.
• Kushina challenged Uchiha Chen to a spar, and he accepted while Minato watched.
• Kushina used Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and followed the Nine-Tails' instructions to form and throw a Budget Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Uchiha Chen moved Minato out of danger and summoned Rashomon to block the blast.
• The explosion shook Konoha and left Minato's hearing temporarily impaired, so Uchiha Chen went to check on Kushina.

Uchiha Chen dealt with the fallout from his destructive clash, then delivered Tsunade’s report on Kekkei Genkai Disease to the Third Mizukage. The Third Hokage revealed that the Mizukage’s continued survival was important to keeping Hidden Mist Village neutral.

• The Third Hokage told Uchiha Chen to serve as chief examiner for the third round and pay for the damaged Training Ground.
• Sakumo asked Uchiha Chen to speak with Mikoto because she was training too hard.
• Tsunade gave Uchiha Chen a report on Kekkei Genkai Disease and went to confront Jiraiya.
• Uchiha Chen warned Rasa to watch his words after Rasa began insulting him at the Training Ground.
• Uchiha Chen delivered Tsunade’s report to the Third Mizukage, who planned to proceed with their arrangements after the Chunin Exams.
• The Third Hokage told Uchiha Chen that the Third Mizukage’s survival helped keep Hidden Mist Village neutral.

Uchiha Chen oversaw the third round of the Chunin Exams, where Mikoto defeated Choza and Karura forfeited to Rasa. The chapter ended as Minato and Rasa began their match, with the Third Kazekage confident that Rasa would win.

• The Third Kazekage arrived at the arena, where Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Third Mizukage greeted him.
• Mikoto defeated Choza by dodging his Human Bullet Tank and trapping him with kunai and threads.
• Karura forfeited her match against Rasa, who advanced despite showing disdain for her surrender.
• Minato, Nawaki, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki each faced a Kirigakure Genin, and the early matches ended without major upsets.
• Minato and Rasa traded insults before their match, while the Third Kazekage expected Rasa to defeat him with Magnet Release.

Minato Namikaze defeated Rasa in the Chunin Exams by using his speed and stamina to outlast him, then striking as Rasa’s Iron Sand technique left an opening. Uchiha Chen announced Minato’s victory as the stands erupted in cheers.

• Minato and Rasa exchanged attacks, and Minato used repeated Body Flicker Techniques to evade Rasa’s Iron Sand.
• Rasa grew frustrated as Minato maintained his speed and energy, while Uchiha Chen noted that Minato’s Chakra Sealing Scroll helped sustain him.
• Rasa used Iron Sand World Method, exhausting his remaining Chakra as the technique transformed in midair.
• Minato spotted an opening, appeared behind Rasa, and struck him with a Rasengan, sending him flying.
• Uchiha Chen caught Minato as he staggered, announced him as the winner, and warned him to cover his ears before the crowd cheered.

Kushina defeated Nawaki in a brutal quarterfinal, while Mikoto also advanced, leaving three Konoha ninja among the four semifinalists. At lunch, the group learned Kushina would face Minato next and that Nawaki was recovering in the same hospital ward used by several of them before.

• Sakumo started Kushina and Nawaki’s match, and the two traded taijutsu and powerful ninjutsu until the arena was left in ruins.
• Nawaki collapsed from exhaustion, and Sakumo declared Kushina the winner before Medical Ninja carried them both away.
• Mikoto advanced through the lower bracket with minor injuries, completing the semifinal lineup with three Konoha ninja.
• Sakumo announced a two-hour break before the afternoon semifinals, and Hiruzen invited the Third Mizukage and Third Kazekage to a banquet.
• Uchiha Chen told the group that he and Sakumo had been assigned as examiners for a later exhibition match after Orochimaru and Jiraiya declined.
• Tsunade reassured Kushina that Nawaki was recovering, then revealed he was in the same hospital ward where Mikoto had stayed before.

Minato and Kushina fought for a place in the Chunin Exam finals, with Kushina unleashing the Nine-Tails’ power and Minato answering with sealing techniques and prepared scrolls. Minato eventually knocked Kushina back with a Five Elements Seal before passing out, but Kushina was declared the winner.

• Kushina drew on the Nine-Tails’ Chakra, and Minato used a reversed Evil Sealing Method to destroy her Chakra claws as he advanced.
• Kushina and the Nine-Tails attacked Minato with a Drilling Air Bomb and a Tailed Beast Bomb, while Minato evaded the first and survived the second using layers of sealing and impact-absorption scrolls.
• Despite being exhausted, Minato refused to surrender when Kushina told him he could not win.
• As Kushina lunged at him, Minato struck her with a Five Elements Seal, disrupting the Nine-Tails’ Chakra and sending her flying.
• Minato passed out with a satisfied smile, and Kushina was declared the winner.

Kushina and Mikoto fought fiercely in the Chunin Exams final, with Mikoto gaining the upper hand through her Sharingan while Kushina refused to rely on the Nine-Tails. As Mikoto’s irritation grew and a third tomoe appeared in her left eye, the fight continued with both girls launching powerful attacks, while Uchiha Chen watched in silence.

• Uchiha Chen told Mikoto and Kushina to be careful, then stayed behind while they went to the arena.
• Kushina chose not to undo the Five Elements Seal and resolved to fight Mikoto without the Nine-Tails’ help.
• Sakumo announced the final match, and Mikoto used her Two Tomoe Sharingan to read and counter Kushina’s attacks.
• Kushina endured Mikoto’s attacks and refused to surrender, hoping to outlast her and find a chance to turn the fight around.
• Mikoto’s irritation intensified, a third tomoe appeared in her left eye, and she attacked with Lightning Release: Earth Walk as Kushina countered with Wind Release.
• Uchiha Chen watched from the edge of the field as the battle continued.

Uchiha Chen declined a transfer to the Police Force after the Third Hokage told him Team One would be disbanded, then accepted a post in the Twelve Guardian Ninja with orders to monitor the Daimyo and investigate Hidden Mist Village. He planned to bring two ninja with him to Daimyo's Capital.

• The Third Hokage awarded Minato and the other successful candidates their Chunin vests and granted them two days off.
• Uchiha Chen told Sarutobi Hiruzen he would stay with Team One rather than transfer to the Police Force, but learned the team would be disbanded as Nawaki and Minato joined Anbu and Kushina joined the Barrier Team.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Uchiha Chen to serve as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja so he could watch the Daimyo and report on any suspicious activity.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Uchiha Chen an S-rank mission to monitor Hidden Mist Village after Konoha's Anbu spies there lost contact during the Chunin Exams.
• Uchiha Chen agreed to go to Daimyo's Capital and asked to bring two ninja with him.

At the Chunin promotion dinner, Uchiha Chen told Tsunade and Kushina that he would leave for the Daimyo’s Capital as a Guardian Ninja. He left Kushina determined to grow strong enough to become a Jonin and join him on missions.

• Tsunade reacted with surprise when Uchiha Chen revealed his classified assignment, then teased him and forced him to drink sake.
• Tsunade drunkenly guessed that Mikoto and the Hyuga Clan’s eldest daughter were among the three Guardian Ninja slots, then fell asleep while lamenting that everyone and everything eventually became history.
• Kushina asked Uchiha Chen if he was truly leaving and offered to sneak out with him, but he warned her she would be treated as a Rogue Ninja.
• Uchiha Chen told Kushina that Hokage Uncle would let her leave the village on missions once she became a Jonin, and urged her to train and master the Nine-Tails’ power before war came.
• Kushina promised to work hard, and Uchiha Chen handed her a bottle of sake so they could drink together.

The Third Mizukage discovered that his planned operation was a trap, and Uchiha Madara revealed himself as the mastermind behind the scheme. Madara declared that he intended to turn Kirigakure into the Bloody Mist Village.

• The Third Mizukage used himself as bait while his Water Clone led the Genin toward an ambush, but Yamaki and the Mist Ninjas attacked him at their meeting point.
• Yamaki struck the Third Mizukage with a Water Whip, then revealed that the attackers had prepared a Four Red Yang Formation.
• Uchiha Madara emerged and confirmed that Yamaki was White Zetsu and that the Beika Town Incident and the supposed clan coup had been part of his plan.
• Madara announced that he would turn Kirigakure into the Bloody Mist Village and revealed a Three Tomoe Sharingan in his right eye.

Madara defeated the Third Mizukage in battle and ordered White Zetsu to kill him and take his place. Madara planned to leave the battlefield partially exposed to lure Konoha toward the Hidden Mist Village, while waiting for two children to grow before pursuing the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

• The Third Mizukage attacked Madara with Water Release, but Madara countered with Great Fire Annihilation and Susanoo.
• Madara’s Susanoo overwhelmed the Third Mizukage’s attacks, including his Exploding Water Colliding Wave, and left him badly wounded.
• The Third Mizukage collapsed unconscious, remembering the Hidden Mist Village and his past as his supplies scattered across the ground.
• Madara told White Zetsu to kill the Third Mizukage and take his place, rejecting the idea of controlling him with the Sharingan.
• Madara ordered Spiral Zetsu to leave some traces of battle behind to attract Konoha’s attention, then reflected that his own time would soon set.

Uchiha Chen, Mikoto, and Himeji reached the Daimyo’s Capital and encountered an aggressive official near the Tenshukaku. After Chen caused the official’s driver to fall beneath the horses, the official cursed at the group, and Chen called for the police.

• Konoha dispatched many ninja on missions, leaving its defenses thin while Kushina and the Barrier Team worked to strengthen them.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya prepared to leave Konoha on a spontaneous trip, frustrating Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Uchiha Chen, Mikoto, and Himeji arrived in the prosperous Daimyo’s Capital and walked toward the Tenshukaku.
• A carriage from the General Suppressing the Japanese’s residence charged at the group, and its driver struck at them with a whip.
• Uchiha Chen caused the driver to fall from the carriage, and the horses broke four of the driver’s ribs.
• The General Suppressing the Japanese stepped down, cursed at the group, and demanded their names; Uchiha Chen called for the police to clean up the mess.

Uchiha Chen clashed with Odaichi over an accusation of assault, then learned that General Suppressing the Japanese had reported him and had ties to another Guardian Ninja. After discussing the Daimyo's influence with Himeji and Mikoto, Chen decided to write to Sakumo and use Odaichi's connection to him to uncover information.

• Odaichi confronted Uchiha Chen about allegedly attacking General Zhenwo's groom, but Chen denied the accusation and challenged her authority to detain a Konoha ninja.
• Odaichi revealed that General Suppressing the Japanese had reported Chen and warned him that Guardian Ninja Sato had been recommended by the general.
• Himeji identified Odaichi as the daughter of Oda Nobuhide and explained that many major Konoha clans had ties to the Daimyo's Capital.
• Uchiha Chen reassured Mikoto that the Daimyo would smooth over the incident, then questioned what the ninja world would be like without a Daimyo.
• Uchiha Chen decided to write to Sakumo and use a honey trap to get information from Odaichi.

Uchiha Chen and his companions met the Daimyo as the Land of Fire reorganized its Guardian Ninja, and Chen challenged objections to his team’s inclusion. Himeji defeated Sato, leaving the assembled delegates stunned.

• Uchiha Chen presented the Third Hokage’s gift to the Daimyo, who welcomed him warmly and discussed his reputation as Konoha Lightning.
• The Daimyo announced that the Guardian Ninja would be reorganized and told the gathered representatives to decide who would fill the twelve positions.
• Sato challenged the presence of Mikoto and Himeji, and Chen asked Himeji to face him.
• Himeji returned from the fight with blood on her, and the hall fell silent as Chen quipped, “Warm Tea Beheading Sato?”

After the Daimyo favored Chen and invited him and the Konoha ninja to dine, he asked his children to show them the capital, where Chen learned that Odaichi had trained under the legendary White Fang. The group arrived at a festival, and Mitsuide repeatedly described ordinary activities as Daimyo family traditions.

• The Daimyo dismissed the gathered ninja, then kept Chen and the Konoha group behind and invited them to a meal.
• At dinner, the Daimyo introduced his children, Mitsuide and Tamako, praised Chen, and hinted at marrying him to Tamako; Chen politely declined because he was too young.
• The Daimyo sent Mitsuide and Tamako to show the Konoha ninja around the capital, and Mitsuide suggested visiting a festival.
• Chen asked about Odaichi, and Mitsuide said she had claimed to learn swordsmanship from the legendary White Fang.
• Tamako led the group to a shumai stall, where Mitsuide again called their visit and his friendship with ninja Daimyo family traditions.

Uchiha Chen joined the Anbu squad led by Shinnosuke and investigated the disappearance of Konoha’s spies in Hidden Mist Village. After finding signs of a battle near the coast, Chen suspected that something had happened to the Third Mizukage before he returned home and ordered the investigation suspended, fearing he might be the target.

• Uchiha Chen met Shinnosuke and three other Anbu ninja in a forest, then learned Shinnosuke was leading his squad.
• Shinnosuke showed Chen the squad’s underground base, and they discussed Shinnosuke’s long absence from Konoha and Chen’s assignment as a Guardian Ninja.
• Shinnosuke told Chen that Konoha had lost contact with its Hidden Mist spies and that the ninja sent after them had disappeared since the Third Mizukage left the village.
• Chen suspected Madara might have acted against the Third Mizukage and asked Shinnosuke about unusual events before the Mizukage left the Land of Fire.
• Shinnosuke took Chen to a coastal site marked by craters and traces of Water Release, where Chen ordered the Hidden Mist investigation suspended and wondered if the attack had been aimed at him.

After months in hiding, the Third Mizukage appeared before Kirigakure and announced reforms following an attack and an alleged coup attempt. He declared that the village would become the Bloody Mist Village, leaving its ninja unsettled as they misread what the coming bloodshed would mean.

• Kirigakure ninja gathered outside the Mizukage Building amid rumors that the Third Mizukage had been injured and that clan leaders had been detained.
• The Third Mizukage appeared in good health and reassured the crowd after four months of absence.
• He revealed that ninja had attacked him and accused members of the Elder Council, clans, and ordinary ninja of plotting a coup and betraying Kirigakure.
• The Third Mizukage announced reforms across the village's institutions and ninja training.
• He said he wanted other villages to call Kirigakure the Bloody Mist Village, then left the crowd to speculate about his words.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s elders debated Danzo’s plans for Root and the crisis in Hidden Mist Village. The meeting ended with Konoha suspending investigations there, while Uchiha Fugaku continued an S-rank mission toward the distant Land of Rainbows.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen challenged Danzo over Root’s unfinished missions, then agreed to expand Root on the condition that Danzo recruit civilian orphans rather than ninjas from major clans.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Danzo to recall Root’s operatives from Hidden Mist Village after sharing evidence that the Third Mizukage might have been attacked.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen suspended investigations and missions to the Land of Water until Hidden Mist Village resumed contact with the outside world.
• Danzo revealed that Uchiha Yama had arranged an S-rank mission to the Land of Rainbows for Uchiha Fugaku, who had already departed.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen decided not to recall Fugaku, then discussed Biwako’s imminent delivery and wondered where Jiraiya and Tsunade had gone.

Jiraiya won back a fortune by betting against Tsunade, but she secretly borrowed millions from loan sharks and fled, leaving him to face the creditors. The chapter ended with Jiraiya realizing he had been left responsible for seven million ryo in debt.

• Jiraiya secretly transformed, bet his last savings on seven, and won a pile of chips while Tsunade continued losing.
• Tsunade lost Jiraiya's money and borrowed two million ryo, then told him she planned to take Kana and Nonō and run.
• Jiraiya hid his winnings in a Scroll inside a toad and decided he should leave before Tsunade's creditors arrived.
• A woman Tsunade had hired entered Jiraiya's room, claiming he had requested lessons in foreign languages, as loan sharks arrived outside.
• The creditors told Jiraiya that Tsunade had borrowed five million ryo and disappeared, leaving him facing seven million in total debt.

Uchiha Chen tried to avoid getting involved in Odaichi’s arranged marriage, but she arrived asking for help escaping to Konoha. He agreed to transform into her and stall her family, while Odaichi resolved to seek a life of her own even if Sakumo rejected her.

• Uchiha Chen found Odaichi’s note asking him to save her, but threw it away rather than get involved in her planned marriage to Azai Hisamasa.
• Odaichi visited Uchiha Chen in a kimono and announced that her wedding was set for the following month.
• When a staged fire alarm drew away her four attendants, Odaichi asked Uchiha Chen to help her escape to Konoha.
• Odaichi proposed that Uchiha Chen transform into her and delay her family’s search for a few days.
• Odaichi said she would live alone in Konoha if Sakumo did not accept her.

Uchiha Chen met Fugaku in the Daimyo’s Capital, where they discussed Odaichi’s flight and Fugaku’s upcoming year-long solo mission to the Land of Rainbows. Before parting, they promised to share a proper drink when they both returned to Konoha.

• Odaichi escaped toward Konoha under Mikoto and Himeji’s protection, while the search parties sent by Oda Nobuhide failed to find her.
• Uchiha Chen met Fugaku after Fugaku visited the Daimyo, and they talked about Chen’s work as a Guardian Ninja and Odaichi’s disappearance.
• Fugaku worried that Odaichi’s situation could affect Konoha’s relationship with the Daimyo, while Chen said the Hatake Clan could marry into the Oda Clan instead.
• Fugaku told Chen he had accepted a mission to the Land of Rainbows that would keep him away for over a year, and explained that he wanted to prove himself without relying on clan protection.
• Chen asked Fugaku whether the village or the clan mattered more, and Fugaku answered that both did.
• Fugaku promised to bury jars of wine for them to drink together after they returned to Konoha, and Chen agreed.

Uchiha Fugaku infiltrated the Mist Mountain mining camp in the Land of Rainbows to assassinate Imu. After befriending a poor young miner and hearing about his family, Fugaku set off to attack Imu’s residence while explosions drew the guards away.

• Uchiha Fugaku arrived in the Land of Rainbows after a perilous six-month sea journey to carry out his mission to assassinate Imu.
• Fugaku disguised himself as a worker and spent three days investigating Imu’s schedule and residence.
• A young miner told Fugaku he hoped to leave the country and earn enough to support his two younger sisters.
• Fugaku resolved to take the youth to the Land of Fire if his mission went smoothly.
• Fugaku caused explosions in the northern mine shafts, then used Body Flicker to charge into Imu’s residence as the guards rushed to help.

Fugaku assassinated Imu, a merchant secretly backed by the Hidden Mist Village, but Yamaki summoned a Falcon to track him as soldiers sealed the forest. Fugaku triggered explosions to create an opening and prepared to confront the pursuing Jonin.

• Fugaku fought through the samurai guarding Imu's compound and killed Imu in his bedroom.
• Yamaki emerged from the smoke, revealed Imu's connection to the Hidden Mist Village, and ordered the gates sealed.
• Yamaki summoned a Mist Bird to search for Fugaku and killed the woman who had witnessed the assassination.
• Fugaku found the forest sealed by soldiers and spotted the Falcon tracking him from above.
• Fugaku detonated his planted Explosive Tags to draw the samurai and Genin away, then charged out to face Yamaki.