Recaps

After Asuma and the Konoha team defeated Kazahana Dōtō’s forces, Kazahana Koyuki was enthroned as the new Daimyo of the Land of Snow. The team secured Dōtō’s technical knowledge and Chakra Armor, then met with Asama Santaifu after the ceremony.

• Asuma kicked Kazahana Dōtō into an ice wall, and Shisui’s Sharingan put him to sleep as the Konoha team surrounded him.
• The Konoha Ninja’s victory cleared the way for Kazahana Koyuki’s enthronement as Daimyo, with Asama Santaifu named regent minister.
• Kurenai Yūhi and Shisui recorded the technical information extracted from Kazahana Dōtō and gathered four original Chakra Armor suits.
• Asuma, Kurenai Yūhi, and Anko Mitarashi speculated that Orochimaru would make Kazahana Dōtō work in a laboratory, while Shisui questioned how far their teacher would go.
• After the ceremony, Asama Santaifu arrived with Kazahana Koyuki and approached the Konoha team.

Kazahana Koyuki gave Kurenai Yūhi the Hexagonal Crystal, which activated a geothermal device and brought spring to the Land of Snow. Back in Konoha, Orochimaru reviewed the mission and questioned Shisui about his Mangekyō Sharingan, while the chapter explained why young Konoha ninja revered Orochimaru.

• Kazahana Koyuki handed the Hexagonal Crystal to Kurenai Yūhi in thanks and to secure Konoha's support.
• Kurenai Yūhi inserted the Hexagonal Crystal into the device, melting the snow and revealing flower-covered grassland.
• Orochimaru reviewed Kurenai Yūhi's mission report and said she, Asuma, and Anko were ready for promotion to Jōnin.
• Orochimaru asked Shisui about his Mangekyō Sharingan, and Shisui explained that his eyes held Tsukuyomi and Kotoamatsukami.
• Shisui revealed that his Kotoamatsukami could permanently alter a person's will but required a cooldown of more than ten years.
• The chapter described how Orochimaru's battlefield victories and status as Hokage made him a legendary figure to Konoha's younger ninja.

Shisui learned Orochimaru’s warning about Kotoamatsukami, while Tsunade successfully entered Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Mode and challenged Orochimaru to test her new power. Their spar ended with Tsunade unable to land a clean hit on Orochimaru, though she demonstrated how Sage Mode strengthened her healing and physical abilities.

• Orochimaru warned Shisui to save Kotoamatsukami for an invincible enemy threatening Konohagakure and never use it against his true body.
• Tsunade sensed Natural Energy and successfully cultivated Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Mode.
• Tsunade challenged Orochimaru to fight, and they battled through the forest as she tested her Sage-enhanced strength and healing.
• Tsunade activated her Yin Seal and Byakugou Seal after Orochimaru dodged her attacks without taking the fight seriously.
• Tsunade used a Shadow Clone to ambush Orochimaru, but struck only his clone, and Orochimaru continued evading her with Flying Thunder God.
• Tsunade demanded that Orochimaru stop using his evasive advantages, and their fight turned into roughhousing before she helped heal him.

Orochimaru and Tsunade fought at home, wrecking half the courtyard before inventing a story to explain the damage to Shizune. The chapter then shifted to Fugaku Uchiha gathering the Sharingan-using clan elites, where his authority over veteran members remained unsettled.

• Tsunade overpowered Orochimaru after his Eight Gates Formation burst ended and forced him to surrender.
• Shizune found the damaged courtyard and the battered Orochimaru and Tsunade, and Orochimaru claimed they had been researching a dangerous Forbidden Jutsu.
• Orochimaru suggested having Yamato use Wood Release to rebuild the courtyard when he returned from his mission with Kakashi and Guy.
• Fugaku Uchiha led the Uchiha Clan elites in paying respects at the shrine before gathering them in its secret chamber.
• Fugaku faced lingering resistance from veteran Three Tomoe Uchiha, including Setsuna Uchiha, who had previously challenged his authority at clan meetings.

At the Uchiha clan meeting, Fugaku praised Shisui’s promotion to Jōnin while concealing that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Fugaku then proposed reforming the Security Force by admitting non-Uchiha members, offering the clan access to other village positions, including the Anbu.

• Fugaku announced that Shisui had been promoted to Jōnin, and the clansmen praised his talent and future prospects.
• Fugaku kept Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan secret because he feared the Uchiha would become arrogant and provoke Orochimaru.
• Fugaku raised the Uchiha’s poor reputation among villagers and argued that the clan’s strict policing harmed its chance of producing a Hokage.
• Yashiro questioned Fugaku about the Security Force’s duty to arrest suspected spies, and Fugaku replied that the force needed reform.
• Fugaku announced that non-Uchiha ninja would be allowed into the Security Force and said the Fourth Hokage had offered the Uchiha positions in other departments, including the Anbu.
• Setsuna accused Fugaku of betraying the clan’s interests, while Fugaku defended the reform and the Uchiha reacted with interest in joining the Anbu.

Fugaku Uchiha forced through reforms to the Security Force, prompting Setsuna Uchiha, Raikou Uchiha, and Gon Uchiha to suspect Orochimaru was weakening the clan. Obito Uchiha appeared before them as “Madara Uchiha,” offered his power, and left them weighing his claims and intentions.

• Fugaku Uchiha pushed the Security Force reform through after promising the Uchiha would retain its leadership and many positions.
• Setsuna Uchiha, Raikou Uchiha, and Gon Uchiha discussed how Orochimaru’s reforms and mentorship of Shisui resembled the Second Hokage’s approach to the clan.
• Obito Uchiha appeared before the three leaders and introduced himself as the ghost of the Uchiha, Madara Uchiha.
• Setsuna Uchiha confronted Obito for using Madara’s name, while Obito claimed he had inherited Madara’s will and had fought Orochimaru.

Obito Uchiha told Raikou Uchiha that losing his eye had not been caused by Orochimaru, and Raikou proposed using Obito’s strength to overthrow Fugaku Uchiha as clan head. Meanwhile, Shisui trained Itachi for the Anbu selection exam, and their talk about Anko left Itachi teasing Shisui about their friendship.

• Raikou Uchiha questioned Obito Uchiha about his missing eye and suggested he had used Izanagi to escape Orochimaru.
• Obito Uchiha denied using the forbidden technique, and Raikou Uchiha proposed that the Uchiha use Obito’s strength to overthrow Fugaku Uchiha.
• Itachi Uchiha left home for a training session with Shisui, disappointing little Sasuke.
• Shisui told Itachi that his Anbu training would test his strength and later his ability to pursue Anko disguised as a fleeing ninja.
• Itachi worried that dissatisfied clansmen might threaten the clan or village, and Shisui promised to stop any danger.
• Itachi questioned Shisui about his closeness with Anko, then teased him after learning he had gone to the Dango Shop with her.

Itachi took Sasuke out when Uchiha Kishi and Uchiha Moto ambushed them, aiming to capture the clan head’s sons and overthrow Fugaku. Itachi fought the brothers to give Sasuke time to reach Shisui and Anko, and the chapter ended as Sasuke arrived at the Dango Shop.

• Itachi planned to spend time with Sasuke after Anko took Shisui to the Dango Shop.
• Uchiha Kishi and Uchiha Moto confronted Itachi and Sasuke, intending to capture them as part of their rebellion against Fugaku.
• Itachi used a substitution and an explosion to escape the brothers’ first attack, then told Sasuke to find Shisui and Anko at the Dango Shop.
• Itachi revealed that he had awakened his two-tomoe Sharingan and fought both brothers to let Sasuke get away.
• Sasuke reached the Dango Shop, where Shisui was looking at the dango in his hand.

Itachi fought off Uchiha Kishi and Uchiha Moto when they tried to capture him, using a hidden Genjutsu technique Shisui had taught him. Shisui arrived as the Uchiha Hawk Faction leaders confronted Itachi, and Gon charged him after Shisui revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Sasuke told Shisui that Itachi was in danger, and Shisui left Anko to watch over Sasuke as he rushed to help.
• Itachi battled Uchiha Kishi and Uchiha Moto with a sword, then used concealed-finger Genjutsu to make Moto injure his own eye and disrupt Kishi's attack.
• Itachi recalled that Shisui had taught him to cast Genjutsu without relying on the Sharingan.
• Gon Uchiha, Setsuna Uchiha, and Raikou Uchiha arrived and ordered Itachi to come with them, but Itachi refused.
• Shisui appeared and revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan, shocking Setsuna and Raikou.
• Gon drew his sword and charged at Shisui.

Shisui and Itachi fought the Uchiha Hawk Faction, and Shisui used Susanoo to repel three Elite Jonin. Meanwhile, Fugaku went to help his sons but was trapped by the Uchiha Fire Flame Formation and confronted Obito, who he believed he could defeat.

• Shisui drew his Tachi and faced Raikou Uchiha, Setsuna Uchiha, and Gon Uchiha while Itachi fought Uchiha Moto.
• Setsuna ordered Uchiha Kishi to attack Itachi, and Kishi charged after Moto urged him to kill Itachi.
• Gon and Shisui clashed swords, then Raikou attacked with lightning-enhanced shuriken.
• Shisui manifested Susanoo, blocked the shuriken, and knocked Raikou and Gon away with its skeletal arm.
• Fugaku left to reinforce Itachi after Anko brought Sasuke to him, but the Uchiha Fire Flame Formation trapped him.
• Obito appeared before Fugaku, who attacked him with shuriken and fire while Obito charged with Madara's Sickle.

Shisui Uchiha used his Susanoo and genjutsu to defeat Setsuna Uchiha and Raikou Uchiha, while Itachi Uchiha killed Gon Uchiha. With the attackers dead, Shisui turned his attention toward the Uchiha Fire Flame Formation surrounding the area.

• Setsuna Uchiha tried to interfere with Shisui Uchiha using genjutsu, but Shisui reflected it back and summoned Susanoo to strike Gon Uchiha away.
• Shisui trapped Setsuna in Tsukuyomi, leaving him bleeding and collapsed as Raikou fled.
• Shisui fired Susanoo: Ninety-Nine at Raikou, killing him as he tried to escape.
• Itachi pulled his tachi from Uchiha Kishi and killed Gon with a stab to the heart.
• Shisui's Susanoo dissipated, and he looked toward the distant Uchiha Fire Flame Formation.

Fugaku and Shisui broke Obito’s barrier and used their Mangekyō abilities against him, but he escaped as the Uchiha clan’s internal rebellion came to light. Elsewhere, Orochimaru found Tsunade and the children gambling with snacks and learned that Yuu kept winning.

• Fugaku used Susanoo to attack Obito, while a second Susanoo outside the barrier helped shatter it.
• Shisui trapped Obito in Tsukuyomi, but his Mangekyō power was nearing its limit.
• Fugaku and Shisui pinned Obito with their swords, but black liquid covered him and he escaped through a twisting space.
• Yashiro told Fugaku that several members of the Radical Faction had rebelled, and Orochimaru, Shikun Mitarashi, and Minato arrived.
• Orochimaru discovered dice behind Tsunade and watched Yuu win Qiong’s last snack before giving it back to her.

Orochimaru received an invitation to the Hyuga Main Family’s heir confirmation and considered whether to intervene in the Caged Bird Seal, while Yuu showed him a telescope that inspired plans for space exploration. At a railway construction site, an Iwagakure spy detonated an explosive and began an attack.

• Shikaku Nara gave Orochimaru an invitation from Hiashi to the Hyuga Main Family’s heir confirmation, and Orochimaru considered the Caged Bird Seal’s effect on Neji.
• Yuu showed Orochimaru a large astronomical telescope and asked whether people could survive on the moon, prompting Orochimaru to consider spaceflight and launching satellites.
• Kurenai Yūhi, Asuma, Anko, and Shisui watched workers build a railway to the northern border outpost, while Anko’s snake bit Asuma during their argument.
• Shiba, an Iwagakure spy disguised as a worker, judged Orochimaru’s young ninja to be careless and detonated an Explosive Tag on the completed railway.
• Shiba used the explosion to draw attention away, discarded his disguise, formed hand seals, and slammed his palms onto the ground.

Asuma, Shisui, Kurenai Yūhi, and Anko fought Iwagakure ninja led by Kitsuchi, who attacked the railway mission with powerful Earth Release techniques. Shisui overwhelmed the Iwa squad while the others battled Kitsuchi and his Stone Golem, leaving Manda pinned but still fighting thanks to his modifications.

• Shiba split the earth beneath Asuma and the others, but Manda shielded them from the falling rocks.
• Kitsuchi and several Iwa Shinobi confronted the group, while Shisui used speed and Genjutsu to kill multiple opponents.
• Kitsuchi gained the upper hand against Asuma, Kurenai Yūhi, Anko, and Manda with his Earth Release and Stone Golem.
• Asuma struck what he thought was Kitsuchi with a Wind Release blade, but Kitsuchi revealed it had been an Earth Replacement and appeared atop the Stone Golem.
• Kitsuchi’s earth dragon was shattered by Manda’s electric drill horn, but the Stone Golem seized Manda at the seven-inch point without stopping him.

Manda used his new laser weapon to split Kitsuchi’s Stone Golem, but Kitsuchi then created crushing mountains to cover his escape with the remaining Iwa Shinobi. Anko and the others escaped with Manda’s help, though Manda got trapped in the earth and was sent back to Ryūchi Cave for treatment.

• Manda fired a powerful laser that cut Kitsuchi’s Stone Golem in two and carved a deep fissure through the earth.
• Kitsuchi judged that Shisui and the others were gaining the upper hand, then used Earth Release: Earth Mountain Technique to create two mountains that threatened to crush them.
• Kitsuchi forced Shisui back, gathered the remaining Iwa Shinobi, and escaped underground as the earthen mountains closed in.
• Anko stopped Shisui from overusing his eyes, and Manda carried the group away while using propellers and missiles to blast through the mountains.
• Manda’s rear half became trapped in the earth, and Anko sent him back to Ryūchi Cave with the Reverse Summoning Technique for treatment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders confronted Orochimaru over his years of resource mobilization, fearing he was preparing for war. Orochimaru showed them his projects, including rockets, satellite surveillance, a powerful reactor, and improved crops, leaving them to see that his plans served more than military purposes.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura asked Hiruzen Sarutobi what Orochimaru was doing with the resources he had mobilized.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to take the elders to see Orochimaru, trusting that his former student had a reason for his actions.
• Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura to a plain outside Konoha.
• Orochimaru showed them a rocket and a screen displaying a magnified view of the Daimyo's Mansion, explaining that satellites could observe other nations.
• Orochimaru showed them a Giant Ark Reactor capable of powering Konohagakure for a year, Super Hybrid Rice, and upgraded Gold Dust Fertilizer.

Ōnoki rebuked Kitsuchi for failing to destroy the Land of Fire railway, then considered an alliance against Konohagakure. Three years later, Orochimaru showed Tsunade his human-developed Sage Mode, which stored Sage Chakra in a Sage Seal and might extend lifespan.

• Ōnoki scolded Kitsuchi for losing men and failing the railway mission, then wondered whether the Raikage's proposal to unite the great ninja villages against Konohagakure was worth considering.
• Three years later, Tsunade examined the purple Sage Seal on Orochimaru's forehead as he explained how he had developed a human-compatible Sage Mode by combining chakra and Natural Energy.
• Orochimaru explained that the Sage Seal stored Sage Chakra and that his new cultivation method might strengthen the body and soul and extend lifespan.
• Tsunade asked whether the new Sage Mode could truly increase lifespan, and Orochimaru confirmed that it could.
• Tsunade asked whether cultivating it required entering Sage Mode, and Orochimaru reacted with confusion.

Orochimaru defeated Tsunade in an exhausting sparring match, but she accused him of using a potion to gain an unfair advantage. He explained who had commissioned and bought the potion, then revealed that Guy and Dai mistakenly used it as a training drink.

• Orochimaru used his Eight Gates, Sage Seal, and practiced counter-techniques to overpower Tsunade in a prolonged sparring match.
• After they collapsed from exhaustion, Tsunade accused Orochimaru of taking a Forbidden Medicine and demanded an explanation for his blue potion.
• Orochimaru admitted that Senior Biwako had originally requested the potion for Shin'nosuke, and that Zixiao, Minato, Dai, and others had later bought some.
• When Tsunade asked why Dai needed the potion, Orochimaru explained that Guy had once mistaken it for a drink and run ten thousand laps around Konohagakure.
• Orochimaru said Guy and Dai continued drinking the potion because they believed it replenished energy for training, leaving Tsunade stunned.

Orochimaru reflected on how his drug had become a training aid for the Might family father and son and Minato, then helped prepare for Yu and Qiong’s Ninja Academy enrollment. A month later, Yu and Qiong collapsed during practical combat class, and Orochimaru rushed to the infirmary to examine them.

• Orochimaru recalled the Might family father and son’s absurd ad campaign for his drug and how they used it to train.
• Minato sought Orochimaru’s advice and acquired the drug after learning about Asuma Sarutobi’s experience and Kushina’s Yin Seal training.
• Tsunade offered to take Yu and Qiong to the Ninja Academy, but Orochimaru reminded her he had to give the new students a speech.
• A month later, Hiruzen Sarutobi alerted Orochimaru that Yu and Qiong had fainted during practical combat class and remained unconscious.
• Orochimaru teleported to the Ninja Academy infirmary and examined the flushed, rapidly breathing children as Naruto, Sasuke, Choji, Shikamaru, Sakura, and Ino gathered outside.

Tsunade and Orochimaru discovered that you and Qiong had awakened Wood Release and arranged to protect and strengthen them. Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha assembled the Four Kage in the Land of Craftsmanship to discuss an alliance against Konohagakure, and the summit began amid disputes over leadership.

• Tsunade arrived at the Ninja Academy infirmary and, with Orochimaru, confirmed that you and Qiong were awakening Wood Release; Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the incident kept secret and Iruka to secure the scene.
• Orochimaru persuaded Tsunade to let him use a drug modified from White Zetsu's cells on the children, hoping to improve their constitutions and Chakra reserves while they developed Wood Release.
• Obito Uchiha brought the Fourth Mizukage, Rasa, Ōnoki, and the Fourth Raikage to the Land of Craftsmanship for a meeting about resisting Konohagakure.
• Ōnoki tried to preside over the summit, but the Fourth Raikage challenged him and smashed the table; Kusagakure and Rasa urged them to focus on the alliance.
• The Fourth Kage set aside their quarrel and began contentious talks, with Rasa mediating as Sunagakure struggled under Konohagakure's growing influence and shrinking funding.

At Sasuke's graduation exam in Konoha Year 60, Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on how he had guided the Uchiha boy, while Sasuke and Naruto showed off their skills. Itachi and Shisui watched the lively ceremony, which ended with Naruto and Sasuke accidentally kissing and the children erupting into chaos.

• Rasa judged that the Kage meeting had formed a loose alliance that could restrain Konoha and give Sunagakure room to recover mission share.
• Sasuke earned full marks on his Transformation Jutsu exam, and Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him a Konoha forehead protector.
• Naruto Namikaze impressed Iruka by producing many clones and challenged Sasuke, while the other students cheered and bickered.
• Itachi Uchiha watched Sasuke's graduation from outside, and Shisui appeared beside him.
• Naruto and Sasuke accidentally kissed while roughhousing, leaving Hiruzen clutching his forehead as the children descended into chaos.

Shisui told Itachi that Kusagakure’s Grass Seed Faction planned to give the Box of Paradise to Kumogakure, and asked him to handle the mission. Their discussion revealed that the great nations were preparing for war against Konoha, leaving Itachi facing a mission amid rising tensions.

• Shisui told Itachi that Kusagakure’s Grass Seed Faction intended to defect to Kumogakure and offer it the Box of Paradise.
• Shisui explained that Itachi was chosen because he knew the Land of Grass and had earned the village’s trust.
• Itachi questioned why Iwagakure was allowing Kumogakure to move against Kusagakure, and Shisui said Konoha’s growing strength had alarmed the other great nations.
• Shisui and Itachi recognized that the other nations were likely to start a war to halt Konoha’s development.
• Shisui described Kumogakure’s hostility toward Orochimaru after he killed the Third Raikage, making Kumogakure a likely instigator of war.

Itachi learned that he would lead Izumi and Kabuto Yakushi on a mission to infiltrate Hozuki Castle and retrieve the Box of Paradise. After Sasuke graduated as the top student, Itachi had to tell him that his new mission would keep him from spending the next day together.

• Itachi learned that the Box of Paradise was sealed inside Hozuki Castle and that he would captain a team with Izumi and Kabuto Yakushi.
• Sasuke graduated from the Ninja Academy as the top student and ran to greet Itachi, who had come to pick him up.
• Sasuke told Itachi about his classmates, including Naruto, and showed him his new forehead protector.
• Sasuke asked Itachi to keep him company the next day, but Itachi struggled to explain that he had another mission.
• Sasuke blamed Shisui for taking Itachi away again, and Itachi tapped Sasuke's forehead with two fingers.

Itachi encouraged Sasuke to train with Shisui and explained that Sasuke would need to pass Kakashi’s assessment to become his Disciple. Itachi hoped Sasuke would grow strong enough to face the dangers of the Shinobi World alongside him.

• Itachi suggested that Sasuke train with Shisui, who had helped Itachi grow stronger and could teach him the Will of Fire.
• Sasuke objected to training with Shisui and said he would ask his future Team Leader Jōnin for guidance instead.
• Itachi and Shisui warned Sasuke that Kakashi’s assessment would be difficult and that failing could send him back to the Ninja Academy.
• Itachi recalled that Kakashi would become Sasuke’s Team Leader Jōnin and that he had asked Kakashi to train Sasuke strictly.
• Itachi reflected that he could not protect Sasuke forever, so Sasuke needed to become strong enough to withstand the dangers and unrest of the Shinobi World.

Kabuto Yakushi outlined the plan to infiltrate Hozuki Castle and investigate the Box of Paradise. At the academy, Sakura and Ino argued over Sasuke, and Kakashi and Shisui arrived to meet their new students, leaving Sasuke eager to learn about his brother’s past.

• Kabuto Yakushi introduced himself to Itachi and Izumi and explained that he would infiltrate Hozuki Castle to investigate the Box of Paradise and signal the others if it threatened Konohagakure.
• Iruka assigned the academy students to teams, and Sakura celebrated being placed with Sasuke while Ino renewed their rivalry.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, Sai, A, and Qiong waited for their Jōnin instructors as Sai bluntly called Sakura ugly.
• Naruto set a chalkboard eraser above the classroom door, and Kakashi arrived with Shisui after brushing dust from his head.
• Sasuke recognized Kakashi as his brother’s former superior and decided he could learn more about his brother by following the path he had taken.