Chapter Summaries

Yūske signed the Monkey Clan summoning contract and chose Sarutobi as his partner. After returning home with Sarutobi, he began showing him around and promised to get him snake meat.

• Yūske signed the summoning contract and was introduced to six Monkey Clan fighters.
• After learning that he could still summon other monkeys who chose to help, Yūske selected Sarutobi as his partner.
• Enshin bound Sarutobi to answer Yūske’s summons, and Hiruzen Sarutobi told Yūske to spend the day getting acquainted with him.
• Sarutobi shrank to a small size and perched on Yūske’s shoulder as they left for home.
• Yūske showed Sarutobi the snakes in his room, stopped him from touching them, and cheered him up by promising to buy him snake meat.

After introducing Sarutobi to his parents, Yūske reflected on why he pursued strength and admitted that he wanted the freedom to do as he pleased, while also deciding he wanted to become Hokage. The next morning, Hiruzen began Yūske and Sarutobi’s training in the Forest of Death by weighting Yūske down and leaving the monkey to attack him.

• Yūske told his parents that Sarutobi was his fighting partner and might accompany him while he trained away from home.
• At Hokage Rock, Sarutobi asked Yūske why he worked so hard to become stronger, and Yūske said strength would let him do what he wanted.
• Yūske considered Hiruzen’s motives for accepting him as a student and resolved that he wanted to become Hokage, though he was wary of trusting his teacher.
• Hiruzen brought Yūske and Sarutobi to the Forest of Death, loaded Yūske with weights, and left them to begin training.
• Sarutobi attacked Yūske with his staff, then chased him through the forest, damaging the surroundings as Yūske fled.

Yūske defeated a giant ape during training, then learned from Hiruzen Sarutobi that the war had ended and Konoha’s army would return the next day. After leaving the Hokage Building, he wandered through the village and found his family’s BBQ Grilled Meat restaurant.

• Yūske used Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag to defeat the giant ape, and Enshin rescued the injured Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Yūske that the war was over, the Land of Earth had surrendered, and Konoha’s army would return the next day.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said Yūske would receive a reward and suggested he lead a team of promising early-graduating students.
• Yūske left the Hokage Building, strolled through the village, and entered his family’s BBQ Grilled Meat restaurant.

Yūske reunited with his friends at a restaurant and learned that Uchiha Fugaku wanted to meet him. After hearing how Fugaku had asked Uchiha En about him, Yūske agreed to meet the young Clan Head.

• Yūske joined Kurenai Yūhi, Uchiha En, Inuzuka Shiro, Hyuga Reon, Yoru, and Captain Shinku for a meal and reunion.
• Uchiha En told Yūske that Uchiha Fugaku wanted to meet him, and Yūske asked why.
• Uchiha En recounted how Fugaku had asked what Yūske was like and whether he held prejudice against the Uchiha Clan.
• Kurenai Yūhi asked En what direction Fugaku wanted the clan to take, but En said he was unsure.
• Yūske told En to arrange a meeting with Fugaku, and En agreed.

The returning ninja army entered Konoha, where Hiruzen Sarutobi held a meeting to review wartime merits and punishments. Afterward, Nara Shikamaru invited Yūske to visit the Nara Clan, and Yūske took Tsunade to BBQ Grilled Meat.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed the returning army and led the ninja into Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi invited Yūske to a meeting with the village’s high-ranking officials.
• Nara Haruna distributed the preliminary merits and punishments lists, and the officials debated and accepted the assessments.
• The officials learned that Shimura Danzō had received credit for achievements made by his undercover subordinates.
• Nara Shikamaru invited Yūske to visit the Nara Clan the next afternoon, and Yūske agreed.
• Yūske invited Tsunade to dinner and led her to BBQ Grilled Meat.

Yūske learned that Luzhen’s dinner invitation could be an opportunity to gain the Nara Clan’s support for his ambition to become Hokage. After meeting with Uchiha Fugaku, Yūske was shocked to see the Mangekyō Sharingan in Fugaku’s eyes.

• Tsunade explained that Luzhen’s invitation might signal goodwill from the Nara Clan as its next generation prepared to take over.
• Yūske agreed to prepare early for his goal of becoming Hokage, and Tsunade accepted a piece of meat he fed her.
• Yūske’s mother watched him and Tsunade together, then visited them and embarrassed Yūske with her enthusiasm.
• Uchiha En invited Yūske to meet Uchiha Fugaku, and Yūske arranged for Fugaku to visit his home.
• Fugaku asked Yūske what he thought of Konoha’s village, Hokage, clans, and civilians, then revealed an unusual eye pattern that Yūske recognized as the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Uchiha Fugaku told Yūske that his Mangekyō Sharingan showed fragments of a future in which the Uchiha Clan met a tragic end, but that Yūske later appeared in a changed future. As Fugaku pressed Yūske about the village and the clan’s brewing coup, Yūske realized the Uchiha’s crisis might be more serious than he had thought.

• Fugaku sent Uchiha En out, then told Yūske that his Mangekyō Sharingan could reveal fragments of the future.
• Fugaku described visions of war and of his son killing him and his wife, then said Yūske’s appearance in a later vision coincided with the disappearance of the clan’s tragic fate.
• Fugaku explained how Konoha’s treatment of the Uchiha and their role in the Security Force had divided the clan and strengthened support for a coup.
• Fugaku asked Yūske how he viewed the village, the Hokage, the clans, and civilians, and Yūske compared the village to a family.
• Fugaku asked how Yūske would respond to a family member plotting to kill its head, and Yūske questioned whether the Uchiha Clan’s situation had truly become that serious.

Uchiha Fugaku asked Yūske to help him become Clan Head and eventually unite the Uchiha Clan with Konoha. Yūske agreed to discuss helping him after he took the position, and Fugaku called Uchiha En back inside.

• Uchiha Fugaku said that ending the Hokage's targeted measures against the Uchiha could resolve the clan's division without casualties.
• Yūske warned Fugaku that he could not guarantee becoming Clan Head or gaining every clansman's support, and Fugaku asked him to help suppress opposition if the time came.
• Uchiha Fugaku knelt before Yūske, pledged his loyalty, and said he believed Yūske could help the Uchiha integrate into Konoha.
• Yūske helped Fugaku stand and agreed to discuss the matter after Fugaku became Clan Head, telling him to keep their conversation secret.
• Uchiha Fugaku went to the door and called Uchiha En, who had been standing guard outside.

Uchiha Fugaku recruited Uchiha En and several trusted Uchiha jōnin into a secret plan to change the clan’s fate by supporting Yūske’s rise to Hokage. Yūske reflected on his new alliance and the possibility of winning over the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, then shared a late-night drink with his parents.

• Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha En left Yūske’s home and went to a guarded residence where several Uchiha jōnin had gathered.
• Fugaku revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and claimed his visions showed Yūske resolving a future catastrophe that would otherwise destroy the Uchiha Clan.
• Fugaku asked the assembled Uchiha to keep the plan secret and become Yūske’s first core supporters, and they agreed.
• Yūske considered how Fugaku’s loyalty could help him become Hokage and thought about his planned visit to Nara Shikamaru’s home.
• Yūske’s parents returned home late, and his mother brought out alcohol for Yūske and his father.

Yūske visited Nara Shikamaru, who apologized for suspecting him of spying for Sunagakure and leaking a supply team’s route. Yūske accepted a meal and drinks as compensation, then joined Shikamaru in welcoming their friends and their children.

• Yūske left home and went to the Nara compound to visit Nara Shikamaru.
• Nara Shikamaru bowed to Yūske and explained that he had suspected him of being a Sunagakure spy who leaked the supply escort team’s route.
• Yūske laughed off the suspicion, accepted Shikamaru’s apology, and asked him to pay for a meal and drinks as compensation.
• Shikaku announced that Dingmao and Xiong'er had arrived with Choza and Inoichi.
• Yūske, Nara Shikamaru, and their guests exchanged greetings before the adults and children headed off in separate groups.

Yūske demonstrated his String Style to Luzhen, Yamanaka Yūji, and Akimichi Chōji, then left after dinner having gained the clans’ friendship. After he departed, the three men agreed to recommend him as Teacher to Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza.

• Yūske told Luzhen, Yamanaka Yūji, and Akimichi Chōji that he planned to form a team and take missions after the war.
• Yūske showed them his String Style, and Akimichi Chōji failed to pull apart the threads while Yūske explained they could block ninjutsu.
• Luzhen said Yūske’s Kekkei Genkai differed from the ability he had once wanted to study, but did not explain further.
• Yūske left after dinner, pleased that he had built friendships with the Yamanaka Clan and the Akimichi Clan.
• Luzhen proposed that Yūske become Teacher to Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza, and Yamanaka Yūji and Akimichi Chōji agreed to let him ask Lord Hokage to approach Yūske.

At the memorial for Konoha’s fallen, Tsunade mourned Nawaki while Yūske comforted her, and Orochimaru joined them at the monument. In the Land of Rain, Jiraiya continued caring for Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko, burdened by guilt and uncertain about their future.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi delivered a eulogy at the Hero Monument, encouraging the grieving ninja to carry on the Will of Fire.
• Tsunade approached Nawaki’s name on the monument and mourned him as Yūske embraced her.
• Tsunade thanked Yūske, and they shared a tender moment before he reminded her they were in a public place.
• Orochimaru arrived with white flowers and spoke about how tangible things perish while intangible things endure.
• In the Land of Rain, Jiraiya sneezed while caring for Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko, then admitted they were not ready yet.
• Jiraiya watched the children train and silently wrestled with guilt over Konoha’s debt to them and uncertainty about their future.

Yūske and Tsunade confessed their feelings and began a relationship, after which Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Yūske to discuss a teaching assignment. Yūske learned he was being considered to guide the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho and began weighing the proposal.

• Tsunade kissed Yūske's cheek, and Yūske confessed that he liked her.
• Tsunade and Yūske agreed to be together and parted at her doorstep.
• An Anbu summoned Yūske to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi at the Hokage's Office.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Yūske to consider guiding three genin, but Yūske initially resisted.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that the students were the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, and Yūske began weighing the assignment.

Yūske accepted the role of instructor for Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza after Hiruzen asked him to give Tsunade a new home and protect her. He met his three prospective Genin at the Academy and set their first test for the next morning, leaving them to find his house themselves.

• Yūske agreed to test the three students, and Hiruzen urged him to care for Tsunade, whose family had sacrificed themselves for Konoha.
• The next day, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza waited at the Ninja Academy to meet their Jonin instructor.
• Yūske arrived and asked each student to introduce themselves, then told them to come to his house at seven the next morning for a test.
• Yūske reassured Shikaku that he would remain their instructor even if they failed, but said their importance to him might decrease.
• Yūske left without giving them his address, making finding his house part of the test, and Choza noticed that Yūske had not introduced himself.

Yūske brought Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi to the Forest of Death for a combat test against him. He sent Sarutobi to harass the boys while his String Clone stayed behind, then rushed home to rest.

• Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, and Choza Akimichi visited Yūske’s home, where his mother welcomed them and woke him up.
• Yūske took the three boys to the Forest of Death and explained that they should prepare, survive, and treat him as an enemy in the test.
• Shikaku Nara led the team into the forest after the boys confirmed they understood the instructions.
• Yūske summoned Sarutobi and ordered it to follow and harass the boys without hurting them, while leaving marks along the way.
• Yūske created a String Clone to wait two hours before searching for the team, then hurried home to rest.

In the Forest of Death, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi were ambushed by Sarutobi and captured during Yūske’s genin examination. While they waited tied to a tree, Yūske went to eat ramen with Tsunade and then headed back to the forest with food for his students.

• Shikaku Nara explained to Inoichi Yamanaka that Yūske’s pursuit was meant to test how they handled fear and suggested setting traps.
• Sarutobi attacked the three genin with stones, blocked Choza Akimichi’s Human Bullet Tank, escaped Shikaku Nara’s Shadow Imitation Technique, and fled before Inoichi Yamanaka could use his Mind Body Switch Technique.
• Yūske woke from a nap and decided to invite Tsunade to Ichiraku Ramen.
• Yūske’s clone left Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi tied to a tree, where Choza called for his father to rescue them.
• Yūske and Tsunade ate ramen together, and Yūske packed four extra portions for his students.
• Yūske bought bananas for Sarutobi, took Tsunade’s hand, and walked with her toward the Forest of Death.

Yūske reunited with Tsunade and his students in the Forest of Death, treated their injuries, and officially established Yūske Team. Later, Yūske and Tsunade discussed keeping their relationship quiet for now and agreed to support her plans to improve Konoha’s medical system.

• Yūske dispelled his clone, led Tsunade to Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, and Sarutobi, then freed the captives and shared ramen with them.
• Tsunade treated Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi with the Mystical Palm Technique and met Sarutobi, whom Yūske introduced as a member of Enma’s clan.
• Yūske told Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi that they had passed his test and declared Yūske Team officially established.
• Yūske invited Tsunade and the new team to dinner at his house, where everyone brought gifts and celebrated the team’s formation.
• Yūske and Tsunade stepped outside and agreed not to tell his parents about their relationship yet.
• Tsunade told Yūske she planned to raise improvements to Konoha’s medical system at the next Jonin Meeting, and Yūske promised to support her.

Yūske led Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi through another routine D-rank mission, then asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for C-rank work. Hiruzen hesitated over the risks to the newly graduated heirs and summoned their elders to discuss the decision.

• Shikaku restrained the wolves with Shadow Imitation Technique, and Choza knocked them unconscious with Human Bullet Tank before Inoichi tied them up.
• Yūske accepted the farm owner's extra payment and lunch, then returned to Konoha with his team and the wolves.
• After submitting the mission, Yūske paid his students their shares and promised them two days off and barbecue.
• Yūske asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for a suitable C-rank mission, but Hiruzen worried about sending the newly graduated genin into dangerous conditions.
• Hiruzen summoned the Anbu and ordered them to call Luzhen and the other two to his office to discuss the request.

Nara Shikamaru and the other clan leaders prepared their sons for more advanced training, while Yūske presented Nara Shikaku, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi with their first C-rank mission. The three students faced the choice of undertaking a mission that could require them to kill, and Yūske waited to see whether they would commit.

• Nara Shikamaru decided Nara Shikaku was ready to learn advanced clan techniques, and the Yamanaka and Akimichi heirs also began two days of special training.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Yūske a C-rank bandit suppression mission in the Land of Fire for his three students.
• Yūske warned Nara Shikaku, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi that they could be injured or forced to kill, and told them to meet him the next morning if they chose to proceed.
• Choza Akimichi declared that he wanted to take the mission, and Nara Shikaku and Inoichi Yamanaka decided to stand with him despite their fears.
• Yūske spent the night planning how the three would carry out the mission.

Yūske sent Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi to handle a C-rank mission against bandits without accompanying them. After infiltrating the stronghold and escaping their bindings, the three discovered the bandits had captured women and children, and Shikaku ordered the Ino-Shika-Cho formation as danger closed in.

• Yūske gave Shikaku Nara the mission scroll and made him team leader, then returned to Konoha after the trio left the village.
• Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi disguised themselves as lost children and followed an elderly woman into the bandit stronghold.
• The bandits tied up the trio and locked them in a house, but Choza broke free, Shikaku used his shadow to undo his ropes, and they escaped through a window.
• The trio watched the Chieftain return with captured women and children and announce plans to celebrate and target the children.
• When a bandit told the Chieftain about the three genin, Shikaku ordered Inoichi and Choza to take up the Ino-Shika-Cho formation.