Chapter Summaries

Yūske’s squad captured a Kirigakure patrol and interrogated its jonin for information about their missing comrades. The jonin revealed that Kirigakure was divided over whether to go to war, and Yūske chose to continue the investigation rather than interfere in the dispute.

• Aburame Shiho detected a Kirigakure squad ahead, and Yūske led his team out to question them about four captured jonin.
• The Kirigakure jonin ordered an attack, but Yūske’s squad subdued him, and Yūske killed the three chunin after they stabbed their captain.
• Aburame Shiho tortured the captured jonin with insects until he revealed that Kirigakure was divided between Elder Genji’s antiwar faction and the Third Mizukage’s pro-war faction.
• The jonin said Genji’s subordinates had captured spies, possibly including Yūske’s missing comrades, while Kirigakure awaited the Land of Lightning’s response.
• Yūske rejected Shimura Maki’s suggestion to avoid a dangerous incursion and decided the squad would focus only on whether war would break out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered a search for the missing Shinnosuke and told Yūske to stay undercover in the Land of Water rather than join a rescue mission. Yūske recruited a bandit group to help conceal his team’s identities and gather intelligence.

• Kurenai Yūhi reported that Shinnosuke had sent no news for half a month, and Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Konoha's remaining Anbu to assemble and search for him.
• The Contact Ape delivered Yūske's report that a missing Anbu squad was imprisoned in Kirigakure, and Hiruzen told Yūske and his team to remain undercover and avoid the rescue.
• Yūske demanded money from a group of bandits, then offered to recruit them into his team.
• Yūske had Aburame Shiho place insects inside the bandits and sent them to hunt while warning them not to betray him.
• Yūske explained that bandits and rogue ninjas could conceal the team's identities and said the bandits could gather intelligence through their insects.
• The Contact Ape relayed Hiruzen's order for Yūske to remain in the Land of Water and stay out of the rescue mission, which Yūske accepted.

Yūske ordered the mountain bandits to stop robbing ordinary people and planned to recruit more men while posing as the wandering ninja Kosaburo. Later, Aburame Shiho confessed that she wanted to remain at his side, and they became intimate.

• Yūske told the Chieftain to target wealthy merchants and recruit street loafers instead of robbing ordinary people.
• Yūske told Aburame Shiho that he was enjoying the freedom of acting as Kosaburo in the Land of Water and spoke of his feelings for Tsunade.
• Yūske returned to his room and struggled to grasp the Flying Thunder God Technique despite being able to draw its seal.
• Aburame Shiho slipped beneath Yūske's blanket and told him she was his shadow and only wanted to stay by his side.
• Yūske acknowledged Aburame Shiho's importance, and the two became intimate.

Over two years, Yūske’s stronghold expanded while he and his allies trained and managed its intelligence network in the Land of Water. When Kirigakure ninja attacked the stronghold, Shimura Maki and Aburame Shiho fought back, leaving the Kirigakure Jonin trapped in Shiho’s insects.

• Yūske advanced his Flying Thunder God Technique, while Aburame Shiho managed the stronghold, Shimura Maki trained, and Gekko Yoru traveled to gain experience.
• A Kirigakure squad led by a Jonin arrived to attack the stronghold, and Aburame Shiho ordered its defenders to fight while civilians evacuated.
• Xue and Bi overwhelmed the stronghold’s defenders until Shimura Maki arrived and exposed the hidden Kirigakure Jonin with a Wind Style attack.
• The Kirigakure Jonin exchanged ninjutsu attacks with Shimura Maki, while Aburame Shiho unleashed her Kikaichū.
• Aburame Shiho’s insects surrounded and crushed the Kirigakure Jonin, leaving him in a desperate situation.

Yūske interrogated captured Kirigakure ninja and learned that they had been sent to Black Wind Mountain on a B-rank mission. He identified himself to Mizuki Yuki and took her to speak with her companions, hoping to persuade them to stay quietly as captives.

• Yūske ordered the injured to receive treatment and had Aburame Shiho seal the chakra points of three captives before Shimura Maki dragged them away.
• Mizuki Yuki offered to answer Yūske’s questions, revealing that her team had come on a village mission to investigate bandits and suspected ninja on Black Wind Mountain.
• Yūske considered the risk that Kirigakure would send another squad if the captives failed to return, then told Mizuki Yuki he was Watanabe Yūske, the Third Hokage’s disciple.
• Yūske gave Mizuki Yuki tea and said he would not kill her for now, then asked her to persuade her companions to stay and pay for their room and board.

Yūske offered the four captured Kirigakure ninja their lives in exchange for becoming his people and accepting threads merged into their bones. He waited for Sen Taku and the others to decide whether to accept his terms.

• Yūske learned Aburame Shiho could not confirm whether a traitor was among the bandits, and he told her he planned to return to Konoha.
• Yūske waited for Mizuki Yuki to persuade her companions, while Aburame Shiho affirmed she would follow him wherever he went.
• Shimura Maki brought Sen Taku, Hozuki Gekiseki, Kusagakari Kyōji, and their fourth companion to meet Yūske.
• Yūske offered to let the four return to Kirigakure and report the stronghold’s abandonment if they surrendered their freedom and became his people.
• Yūske explained that he could merge threads into their bones to control their lives and deaths, then waited for their answer.

Yūske forced Sen Taku, Mizuki Yuki, and two other Kirigakure Chunin to become his informants by implanting chakra threads that could punish or kill them. After assigning further plans to Aburame Shiho, he spent the night with her.

• Sen Taku asked what Yūske would demand of them, and Yūske said they would provide intelligence on Kirigakure and carry out other tasks as needed.
• Mizuki Yuki chose to live, and the other three Chunin agreed to serve Yūske.
• Yūske implanted chakra threads into all four and demonstrated the severe pain they could inflict if the Chunin disobeyed or exposed his identity.
• Sen Taku and the others knelt to Yūske, while Shimura Maki arranged their dinner and lodging and Aburame Shiho released her insects from their chakra points.
• Yūske told Aburame Shiho to have the strategist find another mountain and capture its occupants, then privately discussed Kirigakure's nature and his plans for Konoha with her.
• Aburame Shiho asked Yūske for a child, and after he refused for now, they spent the night together.

After a night with Aburame Shiho, Yūske weighed his feelings for her and the need to keep their relationship secret. He then ordered his forces to prepare to relocate to Black Wind Mountain, arrange a staged attack on a rival bandit group, and send Sen Taku’s team back to Kirigakure the next day.

• Yūske watched over Aburame Shiho after their night together and decided he needed to keep their relationship hidden from Tsunade for now.
• After lunch, Yūske gathered his people, including the four Kirigakure ninja, and explained why they needed to relocate.
• Yūske ordered the strategist and Shimura Maki to capture the Mount Rishiri bandits and bring them back so the deaths could be blamed on Sen Taku’s group.
• Yūske assigned the others to gather supplies for the move to Black Wind Mountain and told them to begin preparations.
• Yūske told Sen Taku and the other Kirigakure ninja to return to Kirigakure the next day and assured them they could come to him if they faced danger.

Yūsuke and his companions abandoned Black Wind Mountain, destroyed the stronghold, and settled at Mount Rishiri. He prepared to return to Konoha with Aburame Shiho while leaving Shimura Maki and Gekko Yoru in charge of his work.

• Yūsuke comforted Aburame Shiho, promised they would make a home in Konoha, and told her to hand her position at Mount Rishiri to Shimura Maki.
• Yūsuke and his bandits destroyed Black Wind Mountain and killed the captured Mount Rishiri bandits before leaving for Mount Rishiri.
• Yūsuke told Shimura Maki, Aburame Shiho, and Gekko Yoru that he was free to return to Konoha, while Shimura Maki and Gekko Yoru agreed to stay and protect the work they had built.
• Yūsuke held a celebratory banquet and told Shimura Maki and Gekko Yoru to continue their training, offering to send them ninjutsu through Kojiro.
• Yūsuke announced that he and Aburame Shiho would leave in two days aboard a ship belonging to the Land of Fire's daimyo, then returned to his room with her.

Yūske and Aburame Shiho returned to the Land of Fire after more than two years away and were welcomed by a senior sent by Hiruzen Sarutobi. After spending the night at the border town, they set off by carriage toward Konoha.

• Yūske and Aburame Shiho boarded the merchant ship and enjoyed a leisurely voyage back to the Land of Fire.
• After several days at sea, Yūske and Aburame Shiho arrived at the dock and met the senior who had seen Yūske off two years earlier.
• The senior told Yūske that Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent them to welcome him, and Yūske declined a celebratory banquet in favor of a simple meal.
• The senior thanked Yūske, believing he had helped improve the treatment of border-town ninja and enabled his grandson to attend the Konoha Academy.
• Yūske and Aburame Shiho spent the night at the border town, then departed by carriage for Konoha the next day.

Yūske returned to Konoha with Aburame Shiho after two years away and met with the Aburame Clan Head, who sought his support amid growing calls for a Fourth Hokage. He then reunited with Tsunade at the hospital and met her student, Kato Shizune.

• Yūske and Aburame Shiho returned to Konoha and went to the Aburame Clan Grounds, where the Clan Head discussed the village’s dissatisfaction with Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hatake Sakumo’s growing support as a candidate for Fourth Hokage.
• The Aburame Clan Head asked what Yūske could offer the clan, and Yūske said Aburame Shiho could make decisions on matters he trusted her with.
• After Yūske left, the Aburame Clan Head bowed to Aburame Shiho and said the clan would direct all its resources toward her.
• Yūske surprised Tsunade at Konoha Hospital, and she embraced him tearfully after more than two years apart.
• Yūske met Kato Shizune, Dan Katō’s niece and Tsunade’s medical student, before Tsunade took his hand and left the office with him.

Yūske returned to Konoha and reunited with Tsunade, who held a welcome banquet to introduce him to the Senju Clan as her future husband. After the celebration, Yūske considered how the village’s clans could support his eventual bid to become Hokage and the obstacles that remained.

• Tsunade told Yūske that more than a third of the Senju clansmen had returned to the clan compound, then arranged a welcome banquet for him.
• Tsunade and Yūske visited his parents, and his mother embraced him tearfully while his father quietly shared a smoke with him.
• Tsunade invited Yūske’s parents to the Senju compound, where the clansmen welcomed Yūske and toasted him throughout the banquet.
• After Tsunade put the apparently drunken Yūske to bed, he sat up sober and considered his clan alliances and plans to become Hokage.
• Yūske identified the daimyo’s attitude, Hatake Sakumo, Shimura Danzō, and Orochimaru as issues that could complicate his rise to Hokage.

After returning to Konoha, Yūske reunited with Tsunade and spent the night with her before discussing the village’s changes with his subordinates. He learned that Danzo’s Root had recruited Aburame clan members, while the Uchiha and Hyuga clans had provided none.

• Yūske reflected on Konoha’s recent turmoil, including Shinnosuke Sarutobi’s disappearance, Hatake Sakumo’s dangerous assignments, and Danzo’s return as Hokage Assistant.
• Tsunade emerged from the bathroom, and Yūske drew her close as they talked about missing each other during their years apart.
• Yūske and Tsunade spent the night together and woke the next morning feeling at ease in Konoha.
• Tsunade continued planning medical reforms and internships for trainee medical ninja.
• Yūske met with Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Reon, Aburame Shiho, and Kurenai Yūhi, and apologized for missing the Hyuga Clan Head’s funeral.
• Aburame Shiho reported that two Aburame branch-family members had joined Root at the Hokage’s request, while Hyuga Reon and Uchiha Fugaku said their clans had provided no members.

Yūsuke connected Shinnosuke Sarutobi’s disappearance to the Third Hokage’s pursuit of Kakuzu’s immortality and warned that Konoha’s leaders might threaten him and Sakumo. He revealed that he had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving his allies reassured about his strength.

• Yūsuke asked Kurenai Yūhi what had happened to Shinnosuke Sarutobi, and Kurenai explained that the Bounty Exchange had withdrawn Shinnosuke’s bounty.
• Yūsuke reasoned that the Third Hokage had sent Shinnosuke after Kakuzu to obtain his secret of immortality, which could explain Yūsuke’s exclusion from the center of power.
• Yūsuke warned that Sakumo had become a target of Konoha’s upper ranks, and Kurenai said Sakumo had left on a mission to the Land of Lightning.
• Aburame Shiho and Hyuga Reon urged Yūsuke to stay cautious, and he said he would not face the danger alone.
• When Kurenai questioned whether Yūsuke had the strength to become Hokage, Yūsuke demonstrated his Space-Time Ninjutsu and identified it as the Second Hokage’s Flying Thunder God Technique.

Yūske reassured his allies that the Third Hokage would not strip him of his influence, then spoke privately with Jiraiya about Tsunade, the Hokage position, and Konoha. Jiraiya accepted Yūske’s assurances and prepared to leave, with Yūske asking him to return for their wedding.

• Yūske showed his confidence in his strength and support, and the group went to meet Jiraiya when he arrived.
• Jiraiya teased Yūske about marrying into the Senju Clan, then questioned him privately about his allies and his relationship with Tsunade.
• Yūske said he had not deliberately gathered support and challenged Jiraiya to compete fairly if he wanted to become Hokage.
• Jiraiya explained that he feared power would change Yūske and urged him to remember that Hiruzen was their teacher and Konoha’s Third Hokage.
• Yūske recognized that Jiraiya planned to leave the village and urged him to consider peace while traveling, then asked him to return for the wedding.
• Jiraiya accepted Yūske’s words and headed back with him to the others.

Yūske returned to Konoha and met with Hiruzen Sarutobi, showing that he had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique and asking about his prospects for becoming Fourth Hokage. Hiruzen advised him that leadership required more than strength, and Yūske left to pick Tsunade up from work.

• Yūske visited Hiruzen Sarutobi's office and reunited with Nara Haruna, who told him Hiruzen was away.
• Yūske revealed that he had sealed the office space, and Nara Haruna realized he had succeeded with Space-Time Ninjutsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi returned and privately welcomed Yūske, who was shocked by his teacher's aged appearance.
• Yūske confirmed that he had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Hiruzen reacted with excitement.
• Yūske told Hiruzen he planned to compete for Fourth Hokage, and Hiruzen explained the leadership qualities the role required.
• Yūske said he would learn under Hiruzen, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave and pick Tsunade up from work.

Yūske reunited with Minato, Kushina, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, then invited them to a barbecue with Tsunade. He demonstrated the Flying Thunder God Technique to Minato, who began to understand it, and asked what powerful attack Minato could pair with his speed.

• Yūske met Minato and Kushina in the street, invited them and their companions to barbecue, and learned that Minato was studying the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Yūske picked up Tsunade from the hospital, and Tsunade led Kushina, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to collect meat from Yūske’s parents.
• Yūske took Minato to Tsunade’s house using the Flying Thunder God Technique and told him to remember the sensation.
• Minato realized how the technique worked, thanked Yūske, and Yūske asked whether he had a ninjutsu for delivering a powerful instant attack.

Yūske offered to help Minato Namikaze train in the Flying Thunder God Technique and discussed a possible future ninjutsu exchange. He then explained to Tsunade why he wanted to replace the Hokage, warning that Konoha could face disaster if its strongest shinobi left, and said he needed to confirm something with the Nara Clan.

• Yūske told Minato Namikaze he could teach him an A-rank hand-signless ninjutsu in exchange for something after Minato mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Yūske reassured Minato Namikaze that he regarded him as a disciple but would leave him to carry out the missions he chose once his training progressed.
• Tsunade returned with the others, and Yūske took her upstairs to hear about the Hokage brushing her off with excuses.
• Yūske questioned Tsunade about Konoha's strength and warned that the village could be vulnerable if Sakumo died and Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Yūske were absent.
• Yūske told Tsunade he wanted to prevent Konoha's coming troubles and said he needed to speak with the Nara Clan.

Tsunade accepted Yūske’s proposal, and they agreed to prepare for their wedding before his next journey. After catching their students eavesdropping, Tsunade punished Minato and Kushina by assigning them to help at the Senju Clan Compound until the wedding was over.

• Tsunade asked Yūske to marry her, but he presented a ring and formally proposed, which she happily accepted.
• Tsunade and Yūske opened the door and found Minato, Kushina, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin eavesdropping outside.
• Tsunade ordered Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to sit with Yūske, then assigned Minato and Kushina to report to the Senju Clan Compound every day until the wedding.
• Yūske served the group grilled meat and vegetables, and Obito nearly revealed that he and the others had previously eaten at Minato’s home.
• Yūske learned that Obito and Kakashi expected Minato to become their teacher after graduation, while Kakashi proudly said he was already a Chunin.
• Tsunade admired her ring and told Kushina to stop bullying Minato before asking the others to clean the house while she and Yūske handled important matters.

Yūske warned Nara Shikamaru and Tsunade that Sunagakure might trigger a wider war if the Third Kazekage was killed. He revealed that Sasori of the Red Sands might poison the Kazekage and blame Konoha, leaving Shikamaru to consider the threat to the Land of Wind border.

• Yūske and Tsunade visited the Nara Clan compound to discuss the shinobi world's growing tensions with Nara Shikamaru and his clan.
• Nara Shikamaru identified Iwagakure as the likeliest village to start a war, but Yūske suggested Sunagakure could be the real key.
• Yūske said a spy he had trained had uncovered disturbing information about Chiyo's grandson, Sasori of the Red Sands.
• Yūske revealed Sasori had turned his limbs into puppets, made dozens more, and kept photographs of Sakumo and the Third Kazekage in his room.
• Yūske warned that Sasori might poison the Third Kazekage and frame Konoha, prompting Nara Shikamaru to worry about the Land of Wind border defenses.