Chapter Summaries

Temari and her brothers were sent from Sunagakure to Konoha for an academy exchange, though Temari feared the village was abandoning them and prepared to resist. At the handover, she discovered that Gaara already knew Shuji and spoke with him calmly, leaving her uncertain about the danger she had expected.

• Chiyo told Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara that they would leave for Konoha the next day with Shuji, while Temari wondered whether Sunagakure was abandoning them.
• Kankuro protested their departure, and Temari secretly packed kunai, shuriken, and Explosive Tags before spending a sleepless night planning for danger.
• Temari woke Kankuro and warned both brothers to follow her instructions if anything happened on the journey.
• At Sunagakure's entrance, Shuji arrived to receive the siblings, and Temari watched him warily as the Sunagakure escort departed.
• Gaara greeted Shuji and shook his hand, then calmly discussed Shukaku with him, surprising Temari and Kankuro.
• Shuji urged them to begin the journey, and Temari slowly withdrew her hand from her backpack.

Shuji returned to Konoha as the Land of Snow threatened the Land of Fire, and he and Tsunade discussed how to respond to the Ancor Vantian Fortress. After the fortress struck Shuji’s decoy fleet, Orochimaru appeared and demanded that Shuji remember his earlier warning about refusing to cooperate.

• Kazahana Dōtō declared that the Land of Snow would punish the Land of Fire unless Konoha returned Kazahana Koyuki within a week.
• Shuji and Tsunade discussed the fortress threat, Sunagakure’s air-defense support, and a plan to draw out the person behind the attack.
• Obito learned that Shuji was leading a fleet toward the Land of Snow and concluded that Sunagakure’s real support was hidden underwater or approaching from another direction.
• The Ancor Vantian Fortress fired on Shuji’s wooden ship, destroying it, before retreating into a rift in the clouds.
• Orochimaru arrived aboard a small airship, revealed himself to Shuji, and reminded him that refusing to cooperate would not be simple.

Shuji fought Orochimaru’s reanimated Third Hokage and Blue B, using water and wood techniques to trap them as Orochimaru threatened to keep harassing him. Meanwhile, Obito learned that Jiraiya and Kakashi were approaching from the sky and decided to distract them before pursuing his real target.

• The Third Hokage attacked Shuji with Sand Iron, but Shuji countered with water techniques and disrupted the iron sand’s control to trap him in a water prison.
• Orochimaru unleashed Blue B, whose Tailed Beast Bombs destroyed the Third Hokage, but the reanimated body began to reform.
• Blue B fired a massive Tailed Beast Bomb at Shuji, who submerged and then bound Blue B with water and wood before crushing him with Sand Iron.
• Shuji enclosed Blue B in a water cube and drained his chakra with vines, telling Orochimaru that he could keep fighting as long as Blue B’s chakra recovered.
• Zetsu told Obito that Jiraiya and Kakashi were approaching from the sky, and Obito chose to distract them before going after his real target.

Shinnō attacked Konoha with Ancor Vantian’s main cannon, but Orochimaru blocked the blast with a Wood Golem. Obito watched and realized Orochimaru had been deceived.

• Shuji monitored the battle from a submarine while Orochimaru watched from an airship, and he considered Konoha the enemy’s likely target.
• Tsunade learned that an unidentified presence had entered the Land of Fire and prepared to summon Shuji back using the Reverse Summoning Technique.
• Shinnō merged with the Zero-Tails and aimed Ancor Vantian’s main cannon at Konoha.
• Orochimaru raised a vast forest and a Wood Golem to stop the cannon beam from reaching Konoha.
• Obito watched Orochimaru atop the Wood Golem and concluded that Orochimaru had been played.

Obito Uchiha urged Shinnō to retreat from Konoha, but Ōnoki crippled the Ancor Vantian Fortress with Dust Release and brought it crashing down. Shuji’s forces searched the wreckage while Shuji and Ōnoki discussed cooperation and technical exchanges between the villages.

• Obito Uchiha arrived in the energy room and told Shinnō to leave, but the fortress began falling after its thrusters were destroyed.
• Shinnō recognized Ōnoki’s Dust Release as the cause of the fortress’s collapse.
• Ōnoki repeatedly struck the Ancor Vantian Fortress with Dust Release, destroying most of it and sending the wreckage crashing into the forest.
• Hyuga Hiashi reported that no suspicious individuals were nearby, and Shuji ordered the search expanded and the wreckage examined for documents and equipment.
• Shuji and Ōnoki discussed continued cooperation and technical exchanges, and Ōnoki accepted that Iwagakure would receive treatment equal to Kumogakure.

Orochimaru defended his experiments after the Flying Fortress was destroyed, while Naruto welcomed Gaara to the Academy. Shuji then proposed that Sunagakure expand its aerial forces with funding from Kumogakure and Konoha, combining early-warning support with operations against the Land of Snow.

• Orochimaru confirmed that Shuji had escaped, then learned the Flying Fortress had been destroyed and argued to Zetsu that his experiments deserved the organization's support.
• Naruto introduced himself to Gaara and was surprised when Gaara greeted him seriously and politely.
• Gaara told Shuji that Naruto was the only person who had greeted him at the Academy.
• Baki visited Shuji to discuss Gaara's situation and Sunagakure's possible plans for him.
• Shuji told Baki that Kumogakure wanted Sunagakure's aerial forces to help suppress the Land of Snow front and offered funding for fleet expansion, with Konoha also willing to contribute.

Gaara’s classmates mocked him for being unable to join combat training until Naruto defended him and offered to train with him. Afterward, Shuji discussed a God Tree experiment with Kabuto and decided to obtain the remaining Tailed Beasts’ chakra himself, starting with Naruto.

• Gaara’s classmates called him weak for standing aside during taijutsu training, and Naruto stepped in to defend him.
• Gaara revealed that sand protected him, while Iruka explained that he could not train until he gained special permission because his technique might injure others.
• Naruto insisted he would get Gaara into training, and Gaara told Temari he did not know whether Naruto was his friend.
• Kabuto proposed using Shuji’s cells to improve the Mother Stock’s ability to recognize him and said the experiment would require chakra from the other Tailed Beasts.
• Shuji said he would handle obtaining the Tailed Beasts’ chakra and planned to collect some of the Nine-Tails’ chakra from Naruto.

Naruto sought Shuji’s permission for Gaara to join combat training, but Shuji refused because Gaara could not yet control his sand. Shuji instead made Naruto Gaara’s sparring partner, while he and Tsunade discussed gathering Nine-Tails chakra and a planned negotiation with Takigakure.

• Naruto asked Shikamaru to help him reach Shuji, but Shikamaru explained that Gaara was too dangerous for the students to spar with.
• Shikaku told Naruto that Shuji had approved Gaara’s enrollment at the Academy and said Shuji was waiting at the Hokage Office.
• Naruto asked Shuji to let Gaara join combat training, and Shuji refused, explaining that he had also ordered Gaara’s exclusion.
• Shuji allowed Naruto to spar with Gaara after class until Gaara could control his sand during ordinary taijutsu exchanges.
• Tsunade told Shuji that the village would formally approach Takigakure about a defense cooperation exchange, while Shuji planned to collect Nine-Tails chakra.

Sasuke challenged Gaara to a taijutsu sparring match, but Gaara’s automatic sand defense blocked every attack before Gaara defeated him. Shuji called the match a failure for Gaara’s control training, leaving Sasuke to wonder what his own loss meant.

• Naruto announced that Shuji had approved him to train with Gaara, and Shikamaru clarified that the arrangement did not mean Naruto was stronger than Sasuke.
• Gaara thanked Naruto for becoming his training partner, which increased Sasuke’s irritation.
• During taijutsu class, Sasuke challenged Gaara, and Shuji allowed Gaara to try sparring with him while promising Naruto a later session.
• Sasuke repeatedly attacked Gaara, but Gaara’s automatic sand defense stopped every strike.
• Gaara broke through Sasuke’s defense with a punch and kick, knocking him down.
• Shuji judged Gaara’s inability to control the sand defense a failure, and Sasuke wondered what his own defeat made him.

After Gaara defeated Sasuke in their spar, Sasuke trained alone and struggled with his frustration. Shuji told him he expected him to become Hokage, and Sasuke asked to join Gaara and Naruto's training so he could prove his strength.

• Gaara defeated Sasuke with his sand, and Shuji left the training ground with Gaara and Naruto while Sasuke rejected the others' attempts to comfort him.
• Sasuke trained alone near the Naka River until Itachi found him, treated his injuries, and carried him home.
• At home, Sasuke's family remained quiet about his defeat, and Itachi took him to see Shuji at the Hokage Office.
• Shuji explained that Gaara was a leading candidate to become Kazekage, said he expected Sasuke to become Hokage, and told him one defeat did not matter.
• Sasuke asked Shuji to let him participate in Gaara and Naruto's training so he could restore the Uchiha clan's reputation.

Sasuke learned that Shuji had encouraged him to aim for Hokage, while Shuji discussed the Uchiha and the Hyuga clan with Tsunade. Neji reflected on how his father’s death and the Caged Bird shaped his resentment, then secretly watched the Hyuga Main House show unusual deference to a guest.

• Sasuke asked Itachi whether he knew that Shuji had encouraged Sasuke to become Hokage, and Itachi said he did not know.
• Tsunade asked Shuji about his encouragement of Sasuke and the Nine-Tails’ chakra; Shuji said he had set proper treatment of the Branch House as a condition for the Uchiha.
• Shuji told Tsunade he was going to the Hyuga clan because the Main House was changing its heir, and he remarked that Hanabi was more outgoing than Hinata.
• Neji recalled how his father’s death, his own Cursed Seal, and his anger toward Hinata had shaped his view of the Main House and his purpose in life.
• After training, Neji hid around a corner and watched Hiashi and the Main House members respectfully see off a tall guest in dark clothes.

Shuji trained Naruto and Sasuke to help Gaara strengthen his sand defenses, while Naruto failed to prove his Transformation Technique was worthy of Iruka’s recognition. Baki visited Temari and Kankuro, confirmed they would remain in Konoha for the planned exchange, and reminded them of their loyalty to Sunagakure.

• Shuji had Naruto spar with Gaara, then directed Sasuke to test Gaara’s sand with faster, lighter taijutsu and ninjutsu.
• Sasuke struck Gaara twice and used the Great Fireball Jutsu, while the sand blocked the attack without counterattacking.
• Naruto asked Shuji to teach him powerful ninjutsu, but Shuji told him to demonstrate progress Iruka would acknowledge; Naruto’s conspicuous transformation failed Shuji’s test.
• Baki weighed Sunagakure’s choice between keeping Gaara in Konoha under the fleet-development agreement and demanding his return, while the village favored accepting Konoha and Kumogakure’s funding.
• Baki told Temari and Kankuro they would complete the planned exchange and might guide a later group, then reminded them they would always be shinobi of Sunagakure.

Naruto struggled with feeling overlooked after Gaara defeated Sasuke, but Shuji praised his specialized Transformation Technique and rewarded him with the Multi Shadow Clone Technique. Meanwhile, Kakashi and Shuji discussed Konoha’s fleet expansion and the growing threat of overseas technology, and Kakashi considered visiting the training grounds.

• Naruto felt lonely and resentful after Gaara drew attention by defeating Sasuke, and Shuji told him to rest instead of continuing training.
• Shuji explained that Naruto’s specialized Transformation Technique showed promise despite his inability to perform the ordinary version, then awarded him the forbidden A-rank Multi Shadow Clone Technique.
• Naruto eagerly accepted the reward and vowed to learn the technique and surpass Sasuke.
• Kakashi reported to Shuji that negotiations with Sunagakure and Kumogakure had settled the main terms for fleet expansion, though technical sharing and maintenance details remained under discussion.
• Shuji warned Kakashi that Akatsuki and other threats could spread overseas, making underwater fleets and aircraft increasingly important.
• After Shuji mentioned training the next generation, Kakashi considered going to take a look.

Sasuke asked Shuji for leave from the Ninja Academy so he could focus on training, but Shuji made defeating Naruto the condition. Sasuke realized Shuji also had expectations for Naruto, leaving him stunned by the possibility that Naruto might become Hokage.

• Fugaku listened as Sasuke asked to take leave from the Ninja Academy and told him he needed Shuji's consent.
• Sasuke went to the training ground and told Naruto that he was slowing Gaara's training, prompting Naruto to challenge him.
• Gaara stepped between Naruto and Sasuke and said he would be the one to fight Sasuke.
• Sasuke asked Shuji for leave to train more intensively, and Shuji agreed on the condition that Sasuke defeat Naruto.
• Shuji told Sasuke he had expectations for Naruto too, and Sasuke wondered whether Shuji expected Naruto to become Hokage.

Shuji’s assessment that Naruto had a better chance of becoming Hokage than Sasuke drove Sasuke to face him in a spar. Naruto won with his Shadow Clones, and as Sasuke lay staring at the sky, his Sharingan awakened with one Tomoe.

• Shuji told Sasuke that Naruto had the same expectations placed on him and a greater chance of becoming Hokage.
• Naruto challenged Sasuke to a spar and used Shuji’s Shadow Clone Jutsu to create dozens of solid clones.
• Sasuke fought off the clones with taijutsu and Great Fireball Jutsu, but Naruto summoned another wave.
• Naruto and his clones overwhelmed Sasuke, who fell and was declared the loser.
• As Sasuke lay motionless amid the celebrating clones, one Tomoe appeared in his newly blood-red eyes.

Sasuke awakened his Sharingan during training but Shuji stopped him from continuing the fight with Naruto’s clones. After helping Naruto and Gaara, Shuji told Gaara he needed to return to Sunagakure and become Kazekage, and Gaara agreed.

• Sasuke reopened his eyes with the Sharingan awakened and challenged Naruto’s clones to continue fighting, but Gaara intervened under Shuji’s orders.
• Shuji ended the training and reminded Sasuke that Naruto had a better chance of becoming Hokage because of what Sasuke had ignored about the Uchiha and the Hyuga branch.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to help Gaara train, and Shuji collected some of the Nine-Tails’ chakra that leaked out before Naruto fell asleep.
• Shuji and Gaara took Naruto home, where Shuji replaced his nearly expired milk and tidied his apartment.
• Gaara asked whether he could become Hokage, and Shuji explained that Gaara needed to return to Sunagakure and become Kazekage.
• Gaara asked whether becoming Kazekage would end their companionship, and after Shuji said it would not, Gaara agreed to become Kazekage.

After returning from the Flying Fortress operation, Jiraiya learned that the allied forces planned to withdraw from Amegakure, and Shuji explained how restoring the village and negotiating water cooperation with the Land of Wind could support peace. Jiraiya left the Hokage Building hopeful that the countries might negotiate, reflecting that Shuji had found a more direct path to understanding than his writing.

• Jiraiya returned to Konoha and reported Kumogakure's plans for the Martial Exhibition and request for stronger joint defense to Tsunade.
• Tsunade told Jiraiya that the allied forces would withdraw their main force from Amegakure and leave only a few outposts.
• Shuji argued that Amegakure had lost its value as an Akatsuki base and proposed reopening it to enable water cooperation between the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind.
• Jiraiya questioned whether Sunagakure would negotiate with Amegakure, and Shuji said he would discuss the risks of excessive assertiveness with Sunagakure.
• Jiraiya invited Shuji for sake, but Tsunade kicked him out of the Hokage Office.
• Jiraiya left the Hokage Building reflecting that Shuji had found a more direct way to foster understanding than his novels.

Nagato and Konan suspected Konoha and Sunagakure’s proposed cooperation with Amegakure was a trap, but eventually agreed to let their people participate. Meanwhile, Shuji traveled to Kirigakure to discuss the exchange student program and admitted he also wanted to look around, prompting Mei Terumi to offer to accompany him.

• Konan reported that the Allied Forces had withdrawn and that Konoha had proposed trade between Amegakure and Sunagakure, while Nagato insisted it was a trap.
• Amegakure’s representatives cautiously entertained the proposal, then reported to Nagato and Konan when Konoha and Sunagakure proposed joint surveys and engineering plans for the Land of Rain.
• Konan advised Nagato to let Amegakure cooperate, and he agreed despite remaining uneasy about Konoha and Sunagakure’s motives.
• Kakashi told Tsunade that Amegakure’s people appeared to use space-time ninjutsu to send intelligence, while Tsunade explained Shuji had gone to Kirigakure over the exchange student program.
• Shuji told Mei Terumi he had come to discuss the exchange student program and also intended to look around, so Mei offered to accompany him through Kirigakure.

Mei Terumi hosted Shuji on a boat outside Kirigakure, where they discussed the village’s hopes for trade and peace as new threats forced those plans to pause. She invited Shuji into the village for his arranged lodging and asked him to consult her before looking around.

• Mei Terumi took Shuji to a restaurant boat outside Kirigakure to keep him from snooping through the village while entertaining him.
• Mei Terumi warned Shuji that Kirigakure’s education system could lead to intense clashes during the exchange and urged Konoha to prepare, including its Academy students.
• Mei Terumi described her hopes of making the Land of Water a maritime trade hub, but said a new threat had forced Kirigakure to put those plans on hold.
• Mei Terumi told Shuji she was working to ensure they would not have to fight to the death when they met again, and trusted him not to hurt Kirigakure’s pursuit of peace.
• Mei Terumi invited Shuji to stay in the village and asked him to discuss any plans to look around with her first.

Shuji met with Genji and Mei Terumi in Kirigakure to negotiate cooperation on the exchange student program and joint security measures. He warned them that Madara Uchiha was very likely to target Kirigakure first because of his history of controlling the village.

• Mei Terumi led Shuji through Kirigakure’s unusually dense, chakra-filled mist, a new warning measure introduced after his earlier advice.
• Zabuza Momochi reported the village’s security status to Genji, then overheard Mei Terumi say Shuji had so far come only about the exchange student matter.
• Shuji and Genji agreed in principle on the exchange student program and discussed tournament security, Bureau of Affairs staffing, maritime patrols, intelligence sharing, and emergency procedures.
• Genji asked how long Shuji would stay, and Shuji said he had another matter to report.
• Shuji warned Genji and Mei Terumi that Madara Uchiha sought to gather all the Tailed Beasts and that Kirigakure was extremely likely to be his first target.