Recaps

Aozora helped Fugaku lead Konoha’s assault against Iwagakure, then survived a battle with Orochimaru that cost him his right eye. Back in Konoha, he pursued new training while the Uchiha’s reputation became a point of public conflict.

• Aozora persuaded Tsunade to teach him Sage Jutsu, while Shisui revealed his Kotoamatsukami and agreed to seal the ability away.
• Fugaku took command of Konoha’s western front and led a surprise raid that devastated Iwagakure’s camp, earning the Uchiha a military victory.
• Aozora fought Orochimaru during the attack on Konoha’s stronghold, killed Juzō Biwa, and lured Orochimaru away before being poisoned and cursed.
• Aozora used Izanagi to survive, lost the sight of his right eye, and returned to camp as Konoha’s shinobi praised his stand against Orochimaru.
• Aozora and Fugaku helped improve public opinion of the Uchiha, while Hiruzen learned of the Akatsuki’s involvement and ordered further investigations.
• Aozora made Itachi the summoner of the Ninja Crow Clan, created an independent Great Crow Incarnation, and negotiated access to two Ninjutsu from Konoha’s archives.
• Aozora intervened when Masahiro accused Nobuo of awakening his Sharingan through sacrifice, arrested the men, and defended the Uchiha as part of Konoha.

After being framed for the Akiba Market attack, Aozora gave up his ninja status and began training in Sage Jutsu. He accepted Obito’s offer to join the Akatsuki as an infiltrator, then returned to training the Flying Tigers while investigating Kazuma’s group.

• Aozora’s team escaped a frame-up at the Akiba Market, but Konoha’s leaders put them under house arrest as rumors spread and the Daimyo threatened the village’s budget.
• Aozora confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen at the High-Level Meeting, rejected the Hokage’s unresolved apology, and temporarily surrendered his ninja status.
• Aozora trained in Sage Jutsu with Tsunade, and the Heavenly Book taught him Nine Breaths Qi Assimilation after absorbing a trace of Nature Energy.
• Obito recruited Aozora into the Akatsuki, and Aozora agreed on the condition that Obito would not harm Shisui.
• Aozora decided to use his Akatsuki membership to gather intelligence and techniques, while his Great Crow incarnation chose the name Taiyi.
• Fugaku asked Aozora to restart Project Sleeping Dragon and teach Itachi, while Aozora planned to investigate Kazuma’s group through the Black Market.
• Aozora visited the Flying Tigers’ training grounds with Itachi, reserved a place for Long Xian in the Crouching Dragon Squad, and watched Itachi easily complete the Kunai exercise.

Aozora built the Uchiha’s Sleeping Dragon Team, joined Akatsuki, and manipulated Cloud’s peace treaty into a crisis that weakened Sarutobi Hiruzen. Hiruzen resigned as Hokage, leaving the succession between Jiraiya and Fugaku as Fugaku returned to Konoha.

• Aozora recruited twelve members for the Sleeping Dragon Team, trained them with Shūichi, Shingo, Gen'an, and Gen'ka, and helped all twelve awaken their Sharingan through carefully staged illusions.
• Aozora joined Akatsuki as Vermilion Bird, proved his worth to Pain, fought Kisame, and later reported on Konoha while Pain assigned him to undermine the Cloud peace talks.
• Aozora intervened when Kuroshima Kōhei tried to abduct Hinata, but let Hiashi kill him, setting off Cloud’s demand for Hiashi and forcing Konoha to sacrifice Hizashi in his place.
• When Cloud discovered that the surrendered corpse was not Hiashi, Konoha tore up the treaty and prepared for war, while Aozora urged Hiashi and Torifu to oppose Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Hiashi challenged Hiruzen’s leadership at a public gathering, and Hiruzen apologized and resigned before a Vote of Confidence could take place.
• The elders agreed that Jiraiya and Uchiha Fugaku would be the candidates for Fifth Hokage, while Jiraiya reluctantly considered serving until younger ninjas matured.
• Fugaku returned to a subdued welcome, and Aozora urged him to build support among the Jonin before the vote and revealed his involvement with Akatsuki and the Masked Man claiming to be Uchiha Madara.

Aozora helped Fugaku win the Hokage election by exposing Hiruzen’s abuses, then advised the new Hokage on gradual reforms and gained access to the Scroll of Seals. As the Sarutobi Clan moved toward rebellion with the Daimyo’s backing, Aozora urged Fugaku to involve Jiraiya and investigate before acting.

• Fugaku promised Hiashi a path to reform the Caged Bird seal, and Hiashi pledged the Hyuga votes to Fugaku.
• When Yamato’s ANBU ambushed Aozora, Shisui and Yashiro intervened, and Aozora led the Uchiha to demand an explanation from Hiruzen.
• Aozora exposed Hiruzen’s mistreatment of Naruto and challenged his conduct before Konoha’s leaders, after which Hiruzen died and Fugaku won the Hokage election.
• Fugaku appointed Aozora Hokage Assistant, and Aozora advised him on reforms to the ANBU, schools, medical services, and clan policies.
• Fugaku authorized Aozora to study the Scroll of Seals, while Obito and Zetsu tested Aozora’s loyalty to the Akatsuki Organization.
• Fugaku began implementing reforms, planned to raise Naruto, and accepted Aozora’s Yin-Yang Eye inheritance technique for possible Uchiha use.
• Asuma returned with Danzo and Orochimaru’s companion, then joined Sarutobi Shinnosuke in rallying the Sarutobi Clan against Fugaku with the Daimyo’s support.
• Aozora urged Fugaku to bring Jiraiya and the elders into an investigation of the Sarutobi Clan while Konoha prepared its defenses.