Recaps

Shuji worked with the villages to investigate the missing shinobi and contain the Land of Snow’s expansion, while Obito and his allies attacked with a flying fortress. The fortress was destroyed, but the enemy’s plans and whereabouts remained uncertain.

• Mei asked Shuji to protect Kirigakure’s interests in negotiations, while Ōnoki invited him to discuss Iwagakure’s place in the alliance and Zabuza helped settle the joint investigation framework.
• Shuji and Tsunade coordinated efforts after Kumogakure and Sunagakure reported missing personnel, and Shuji brokered a joint investigation between the two villages.
• Shuji learned that Kazahana Dōtō had used a geothermal generator and a flying fortress to seize nearby islands, then pushed the villages to recognize Kazahana Koyuki and blockade the Land of Snow.
• Hiruko and Juzo Biwa attacked the allied fleet, but Shuji and the Sunagakure forces repelled them, after which Shuji warned A that Madara Uchiha and Akatsuki could make an invasion dangerous.
• The Ancor Vantian Fortress struck Kumogakure, and Shuji proposed an interconnected defensive zone while arranging Sunagakure’s aerial support and bringing Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro to Konoha.
• After Dōtō threatened the Land of Fire, the fortress destroyed Shuji’s wooden ship, and Orochimaru confronted him with the reanimated Third Hokage and Blue B.
• Shinnō aimed the fortress’s cannon at Konoha, but Orochimaru raised a forest and Wood Golem to block the beam as Ōnoki’s Dust Release brought down the fortress.
• Shuji ordered the wreckage searched for documents and equipment, then agreed with Ōnoki to continue cooperation and give Iwagakure treatment equal to Kumogakure.

Shuji trained Naruto, Gaara, and Sasuke while building alliances and warning other villages about Madara and the Illegal Arena. He left the story pursuing a new system for shinobi and arranged a renewed test for Sasuke’s special training.

• Shuji arranged for Naruto to train Gaara, who defeated Sasuke before Naruto’s Shadow Clones later defeated Sasuke and awakened his Sharingan.
• Gaara agreed to return to Sunagakure and become Kazekage after Shuji assured him their companionship would continue.
• Shuji negotiated cooperation with Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Amegakure, and Kirigakure, and warned Mei Terumi and Genji that Madara Uchiha was likely to target Kirigakure.
• Shuji and A identified an overseas arena trafficking ninjas and holding gladiatorial matches, prompting Shuji to seek a joint ban on unofficial shinobi combat events.
• Shuji told Ōnoki that shinobi were people rather than tools and urged him to help replace a system built around war with one that could provide stability and security.
• Ōnoki agreed to consider Shuji’s request, revoked Deidara’s shinobi status, and entrusted Shuji with escorting Iwagakure’s exchange students to Konoha.
• Samui reported that the Raikage leaned toward supporting Shuji’s Illegal Arena proposal, then told Shuji she would become less reserved with him.
• Shuji asked Itachi to reinstate Sasuke’s leave-of-absence test, requiring Sasuke to fight Naruto fully armed before receiving special training.

Shuji advanced plans for cooperation among the villages while Konoha prepared to host their conference. After White Zetsu spores struck Takigakure, Shuji helped uncover and contain the threat, then began exploring senjutsu training and White Zetsu cells as the story turned toward new security measures.

• Sasuke passed Shuji’s test but gave up specialized leave, while Shuji proposed cross-class training and matches for the Academy students.
• Shuji directed Kakashi to organize a conference for smaller-village leaders and promote tournament access, paid projects, and renewed aid as Konoha prepared to host the gathering.
• Fugaku urged Itachi to leave the Anbu for the Joint Affairs Bureau, and Shuji arranged for Itachi to assist Kakashi while retaining his Anbu position.
• Shuji challenged Naruto to defeat his classmates with taijutsu, but Hinata beat Naruto in their first match, while Shuji added Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Rock Lee to special training.
• Shuji joined Konoha reinforcements responding to an attack on Takigakure, where Oyashiro En had seized control and White Zetsu spores drained chakra from Kaede and infected nearby ninja.
• Shuji used natural energy to reveal hidden spores in Asuma and others, then had the parasites removed and sealed after Karin sensed a foreign will within them.
• Kabuto persuaded Shibuki to attend Konoha’s conference, while Iwagakure requested an emergency meeting after Roshi went missing.
• Shuji reviewed Kabuto’s White Zetsu cell research, approved work on an implantation plan, and began considering senjutsu training for shinobi and promising students.

As the villages built a joint response to Akatsuki and expanded the Joint Affairs Bureau, Shuji began Sage Art training for selected shinobi. Neji pursued strength beyond the limits imposed by the Hyuga Main House, and Hiashi finally apologized and revealed Hizashi’s choice.

• Kakashi and Shuji approved Yugakure’s request for help against Hidan and organized Anbu support and warnings for the attending villages.
• A proposed a Joint Rapid Response Mobile Force based in the Land of Woods, and the villages agreed to place Han in command despite Iwagakure’s initial concerns.
• Banga and Baki reported that Iwagakure accepted the joint force while Sunagakure accepted Iwagakure’s technical and personnel support.
• Shuji began Sage Art adaptability training for Guy, Hiashi, and Choza, then arranged to train Neji as well.
• Kabuto reported Neji’s safe initial results and warned Shuji that the Mother Tree needed more nourishment, proposing that Shuji become its jinchuriki after its tailed-beast chakra was harmonized.
• Konoha expanded the bureau’s intelligence work and planned a larger office and cross-village database, while Nagato recognized that Akatsuki’s actions were pushing nations toward cooperation.
• Ino and Sakura decided to pursue medical training after Karin pointed out that excellent squads would need medical ninjas.
• Neji demonstrated the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms to Hiashi, who offered to train him, revealed Hizashi’s choice to die in his place, and apologized.