Chapter Summaries

After leaving the Mizukage Building, Shuji joked with Mei Terumi about his reputation for always having hidden motives, and Mei proposed using visits to Kirigakure to build a more carefree public image. Meanwhile, Yagura and Genji discussed protecting the Three-Tails and preparing for the possibility that Yagura would sacrifice himself if Madara Uchiha tried to capture it.

• Shuji told Mei Terumi that people assumed his every move had a serious purpose, unlike Jiraiya-senpai's travels.
• Mei Terumi offered to arrange frequent visits and leisurely hospitality so rumors would portray Shuji as someone who enjoyed life in the Land of Water, and Shuji agreed.
• Genji told Yagura that he had ordered Utakata hidden and suspended Utakata's missions outside the village.
• Yagura argued that Kirigakure should keep using its Jinchuriki as a fighting force rather than hide them out of fear of losing a Tailed Beast.
• Yagura said he would die with the Three-Tails if capture became inevitable, and urged Kirigakure to cultivate another bearer.
• Yagura resolved to remain Mizukage until Mei was ready to take over and to face the coming crisis at the front.

Shuji traveled by boat toward the Land of Lightning to approach Kumogakure about obtaining Tailed Beast chakra, while Hiruzen supervised Naruto, Gaara, and Sasuke’s training in Konoha. Sasuke questioned Hiruzen about the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, and Hiruzen told him that becoming Hokage required seeing everyone in the village as companions.

• Shuji left the Land of Water for the Land of Lightning after reaching an agreement with Mei Terumi.
• Hiruzen took over supervising Naruto, Gaara, and Sasuke’s special training and praised Naruto’s progress with the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.
• After training, Naruto invited Gaara to Ichiraku Ramen, and Gaara accepted.
• Sasuke stayed behind and asked Hiruzen what resolving the issue between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans would mean.
• Hiruzen told Sasuke that the issue was not about one clan submitting to another and explained that a Hokage trusted, protected, and stood alongside everyone in the village.

Ōnoki dealt with Roshi’s departure and Deidara’s rejected tournament application before adding two names to Iwagakure’s exchange student list for Konoha. In Kumogakure, A told Shuji that a secret overseas gladiatorial arena might be connected to Kirigakure and the Land of Snow and Akatsuki.

• Ōnoki reflected on Roshi leaving again despite repeated warnings and decided there was little he could do to make him return.
• Deidara demanded approval to enter the Martial Exhibition and defeat an Uchiha, but Ōnoki refused because the rules and confidential identity records made his participation impractical.
• Ōnoki reviewed Iwagakure’s exchange student list for Konoha and added two names.
• After three days at a Kumogakure hot spring inn, Shuji met A, who reported that an overseas arena was trafficking ninjas and holding gladiatorial matches for prominent spectators.
• A said that missing Kekkei Genkai ninjas from Kirigakure had appeared in the arena, but the Joint Squad could not act without confirming Kirigakure’s involvement.
• Shuji identified the other force at sea as the Land of Snow and Akatsuki.

Shuji returned with intelligence about an illegal shinobi arena and warned Tsunade that Akatsuki might take over its profitable black-market network. He proposed using the Joint Martial Arts Tournament Bureau of Affairs to establish rules against such events, leaving Tsunade to consider the political implications and plan how to approach the Feudal Lords.

• Shuji returned from the Land of Water and gave Tsunade documents describing the arena's matches, patrons, and fighters.
• Shuji and Tsunade discussed the arena's origins and the risk that Akatsuki would take control of its channels for funding and resources.
• Shuji proposed that the Feudal Lords jointly outlaw private shinobi combat events and authorize the Bureau to investigate and act against those involved.
• Tsunade warned that Shuji's proposal would assert shinobi-led rules over the countries and their Feudal Lords.
• Shuji argued that the joint effort should begin establishing rules to prevent future conflicts from shifting between villages and countries.
• Tsunade agreed that the proposal required a detailed plan, while Shuji told her she could not avoid being involved.

Kakashi beat Guy in their latest Flying Wing contest, then prepared to oversee a preliminary investigation into illegal arenas. At Ichiraku Ramen, Shuji reunited with Naruto and Gaara before leaving on another business trip, promising Naruto a new ninjutsu if he passed a test.

• Kakashi defeated Guy in their eighty-seventh Flying Wing contest and declined to continue competing because he had work at the Bureau of Affairs.
• Kakashi reviewed the plan to publicly begin investigating possible illegal arenas outside the Five Great Nations, though he worried about the consequences Shuji's arrangements might leave behind.
• Naruto and Gaara ate ramen at Ichiraku when Shuji arrived with Samui, whom Naruto greeted respectfully.
• Naruto asked Shuji to watch their training, but Shuji said he was leaving on a business trip the next day.
• Gaara told Shuji that the Third Hokage had approved his participation in regular class sparring the following week, while Naruto described his training.
• Shuji told Naruto he would teach him a new ninjutsu when he returned if Naruto passed a test.

Shuji visited the Land of Earth and explained to Ōnoki why he believed the ninja profession had to be replaced. He argued that the Shinobi World needed a new way for powerful individuals and communities seeking peace to live and work together.

• Ōnoki led Shuji to a peak overlooking the Land of Earth and asked why he had come.
• Shuji recalled earlier questions about what it meant to be a ninja and said he still considered it a profession.
• Shuji told Ōnoki that ninjas were people, not merely tools for carrying out clients’ wishes.
• Shuji argued that human desires and the village system made conflict inevitable, and that professional ninjas would ultimately be eliminated.
• Shuji said the old system had to be replaced with a new way for powerful individuals and peaceful communities to advance together.

Ōnoki heard Shuji’s vision for shinobi villages to move away from war and violence, and Shuji asked him to help secure a ban on unofficial death matches using shinobi. Ōnoki did not refuse, but the chapter left the proposal’s fate undecided.

• After a sleepless night, Ōnoki found Shuji eating lamb soup at a food stall in Iwagakure’s Stadium District.
• Ōnoki took Shuji to a mountain overlook, where Shuji explained that he wanted to separate the shinobi world’s roles in assassinations, war, espionage, and sabotage from the systems of the nations.
• Shuji argued that shinobi villages could transform by providing stability and security without relying on war, while Ōnoki questioned what shinobi would do instead.
• An explosion sounded from the southwest, and Ōnoki recognized Deidara’s handiwork; Shuji said his plans would face obstacles.
• Shuji asked Ōnoki to persuade the Land of Earth’s Feudal Lord to support a Joint Affairs Bureau proposal banning unofficial life-and-death gladiatorial events that used shinobi as stakes.
• Ōnoki suspected Shuji had come with another purpose but did not reject the request.

Shuji accepted Ōnoki’s offer to escort a group of Iwagakure exchange students, including Deidara and Kurotsuchi, back to Konoha. Meanwhile, Orochimaru explained the limits of Impure World Reincarnation to Zetsu and hinted that he and Shuji were racing toward their goals.

• Ōnoki invited Shuji to take Iwagakure’s exchange students back to Konoha, and Shuji agreed to escort them safely.
• Shuji noticed Deidara and Kurotsuchi on the student list, and Ōnoki said he had revoked Deidara’s shinobi status because of his misconduct.
• Orochimaru told Zetsu that Impure World Reincarnation could not reproduce Tailed Beast chakra without suitable specimens or tissue from the Tailed Beasts themselves.
• Zetsu told Orochimaru that the organization’s expanding business had faced resistance, and Orochimaru said the conflict would drain their opponents while his experiment progressed.
• After Zetsu left, Orochimaru reflected on the organization’s tangled relationships and called his contest with Shuji a race.

Kurotsuchi and the Iwagakure exchange students arrived in Konoha, while Banga warned them to follow the rules. Shuji coordinated the exchange program and learned that Samui planned to pursue him more directly.

• Banga introduced the rules for the Iwagakure students’ stay, and Deidara showed little concern for his warnings.
• Ebisu told Iruka that the new exchange students would be divided among classes and asked him to present his experience with past exchanges.
• Shuji confirmed that Omoi and the other Kumogakure students would return home at the end of July, with a new group arriving afterward.
• Samui gave Shuji the list of the next Kumogakure exchange students and reported that the Raikage leaned toward supporting Shuji’s proposal about the Illegal Arena.
• Samui told Shuji she would stop using honorifics and become less reserved because the competition for him was too fierce.

Shuji admitted to Itachi that he used private relationships to advance official goals while also genuinely valuing the closeness they brought him. Itachi reframed this as Shuji using official duties as an excuse to build connections he wanted, and Shuji accepted the insight before arranging a combat test for Sasuke and Naruto.

• Shuji dismissed Deidara as a manageable problem and told Itachi and Shisui to take turns keeping him in line.
• Shuji confessed to Itachi that he relied on trust and personal affection for official purposes but also enjoyed those relationships.
• Itachi suggested Shuji might use official duties as an excuse to pursue personal connections he genuinely wanted, and Shuji agreed.
• Shuji asked how Sasuke was doing and heard that Sasuke could counter Naruto's Shadow Clones with ninja tools and traps.
• Shuji told Itachi to reinstate Sasuke's leave-of-absence test, arranging a fully armed fight against Naruto as a condition for special training.

Sasuke defeated Naruto in a test match, earning the chance to leave the Ninja Academy for specialized training. He declined the offer, believing he still had things to learn at school.

• Shuji arrived at Gaara's training ground, where Hiruzen was waiting to discuss the next steps and witness Sasuke's test.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan, kunai, shuriken, and steel-wire traps to outmaneuver and defeat Naruto's Shadow Clones.
• Sasuke caught Naruto in a joint lock and declared the match over, prompting Naruto to demand a rematch.
• Shuji told Sasuke he had passed and could apply for leave to receive specialized training.
• Sasuke thanked Shuji but gave up the leave application, saying there were things he could only learn at the Ninja Academy.

Shuji evaluated Naruto's special training and sent him, Sasuke, and Gaara back to regular classes, reminding Naruto that he had first sought training to help Gaara. Shuji and Hiruzen then discussed making special training and cross-grade matches a regular part of the Ninja Academy.

• Naruto demonstrated his Shadow Clone and Sexy Jutsu combination, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi to get a nosebleed.
• Shuji praised Naruto's idea but criticized his weak fundamentals and explained why Sasuke had defeated his clones so efficiently.
• Shuji ordered Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara to return to regular classes starting the next day, and Naruto remembered that he had originally sought training to help Gaara.
• Gaara invited Naruto to eat ramen, and Naruto apologized for focusing on beating Sasuke before challenging him to win next time.
• Shuji proposed special training and matches across classes and grades, and Hiruzen considered the idea.

Kakashi reported that smaller shinobi villages were struggling as commissions shifted to the Five Great Shinobi Villages, raising concerns about illegal arenas and shinobi leaving their villages. Shuji proposed new tournament opportunities, paid work, and financial aid, and Kakashi was tasked with coordinating a conference of smaller village leaders in Konoha next month.

• Kakashi briefed Tsunade, Shuji, and Hiruzen on the Joint Affairs Bureau’s investigation, including Yugakure’s small arena and other villages’ questions about similar competitions.
• Kakashi presented Mui’s report that Kusagakure’s commissions had fallen sharply as major villages grew closer and took more work.
• Shuji proposed off-season events, entry into the tournament system for shinobi from smaller villages, and paid work on the Land of Wind and Land of Rain water project.
• Shuji called for renewed financial aid from small-country daimyos, warning that struggling shinobi might leave their villages and cause greater losses.
• Shuji instructed Kakashi to propose tournament eligibility and prize standards, then invite willing smaller-village leaders to a Konoha conference in the middle of next month.
• Tsunade assigned Kakashi to coordinate the gathering, and he agreed while calling himself only a messenger.

Shuji explained that Konoha expected shinobi involvement in nations to deepen through development and security rather than direct political intervention, while the Third Hokage prepared to convey Konoha’s position to the Feudal Lord. That night, Shisui caught Deidara’s covert attempt to provoke an Uchiha, and Kurotsuchi warned that his actions would make it harder for Iwagakure’s exchange students to gather information.

• Shuji told Hiruzen Sarutobi that future shinobi involvement would focus on production, construction, trade security, and joint defense, and Hiruzen agreed to explain Konoha’s position to the Feudal Lord.
• Deidara sneaked out of the Iwagakure residence and used clay creatures to scout while calling for the Uchiha he had challenged before.
• Shisui intercepted Deidara and told him to submit a formal sparring request instead of conducting reconnaissance in the residence area.
• Deidara’s clay clone and hidden real body were both caught in Shisui’s genjutsu, and Shisui left after warning him to observe the district’s etiquette.
• Kurotsuchi visited the paralyzed Deidara and warned that his disturbance would increase Konoha’s scrutiny of Iwagakure’s exchange students.

Fugaku joined preparations for security at the upcoming joint shinobi village conference, then urged Itachi to leave the Anbu for the Joint Affairs Bureau so the Uchiha could gain influence in the new era. The chapter ended with Fugaku asking Itachi to consider the transfer, while noting that the clan could replace him in the Anbu.

• Nara Shikaku briefed Tsunade, Shuji, Fugaku, and Hyuga Hiashi on security preparations for the joint shinobi village conference.
• Fugaku proposed that Police Force Headquarters handle outer-area sweeps and route surveillance while the Stadium District branch covered nearby patrols and emergency response.
• Shuji agreed that Headquarters should lead the operation but called for the branch's Special Reconnaissance Squad to assist with sweeps and surveillance.
• After the meeting, Fugaku went home and asked Itachi whether he had considered transferring from the Anbu.
• Fugaku argued that the Joint Affairs Bureau could give the Uchiha greater authority and urged Itachi to request a transfer, saying the clan had others who could serve in the Anbu.

Itachi discussed Fugaku’s proposal that he leave the Anbu for the Joint Affairs Bureau, while Sasuke announced his school’s special training selection. Shuji agreed to temporarily second Itachi to help Kakashi, leaving Itachi’s Anbu position intact.

• Sasuke told Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi that his school would select outstanding students for special training, and Fugaku encouraged him to seize the opportunity.
• Fugaku told Itachi that joining the Joint Affairs Bureau before it expanded could give him a chance to secure an important post, and Itachi said he would apply.
• Sasuke declined Itachi’s offer to help him prepare for the selection and left for school.
• Itachi visited Shuji at the Hokage Office and explained that Fugaku had asked him to consider transferring from the Anbu.
• Shuji agreed to second Itachi temporarily to the Joint Affairs Bureau to assist Kakashi, while retaining Itachi’s Anbu position.

Iruka announced that Gaara and Second Pillar were selected for special training, leaving Naruto upset at being excluded. Naruto asked Shuji for a chance to join, and Shuji challenged him to defeat the class in taijutsu before naming Hyuga Hinata as his first opponent.

• Iruka announced that Gaara and Second Pillar would attend special training, while Naruto protested that he had been excluded.
• Iruka told Naruto that his overall grades were not strong enough and urged him to improve on the next test.
• Naruto ate lunch alone and overheard Shuji instructing Ebisu about the incoming Iwagakure exchange students and school patrols.
• Naruto asked Shuji to let him join special training, and Shuji required him to defeat everyone in class except Sasuke and Gaara using taijutsu alone.
• Shuji agreed to watch Naruto's practical combat class and chose Hyuga Hinata as his first opponent.

Shuji arranged special combat training for selected students and added Rock Lee, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi to the list. Hinata defeated Naruto with her Gentle Fist, and Naruto noticed Shuji had disappeared from the training ground.

• Naruto reluctantly accepted that he would fight Hinata in Shuji's training, while Ebisu explained the current special training list.
• Shuji added Rock Lee, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi to the list of students for special training.
• Iruka gathered the students early for practical combat training and announced Naruto and Hinata as the first match.
• Hinata used Gentle Fist to redirect Naruto's attacks and struck him repeatedly as he struggled to defend himself.
• Hinata won after turning aside Naruto's punch and stopping her palm at his chest.
• Naruto looked toward Shuji's bench after the match and found that Shuji had disappeared.

Shuji visited Kakashi at the Joint Affairs Bureau to discuss Takigakure’s response to the upcoming conference and arranged an escort for its representatives. He left to seek intelligence on Takigakure, while Kakashi noted that the Bureau remained divided over a broader meeting of Feudal Lords.

• Shuji left after seeing Naruto’s failed attempt to recover in the taijutsu contest.
• Shuji told Kakashi that Itachi would soon arrive to assist him, and Kakashi confirmed that Itachi would be the only new arrival.
• Kakashi showed Shuji Takigakure’s official promise to attend the conference and unofficial reports that its former leader had died, Shibuki had succeeded him, and internal conflict had driven several shinobi away.
• Shuji ordered the Joint Affairs Bureau to offer Takigakure an escort for its representatives, with a jonin squad from Konoha Headquarters assigned to the task.
• Kakashi told Shuji that the Bureau remained divided over meeting with Feudal Lords outside the Five Great Nations, and Shuji urged him to focus on the conference and the Martial Exhibition regulations first.

Shuji’s plan to bring small shinobi villages into the Martial Exhibition system faced little resistance, but redistributing small nations’ aid funds remained difficult. Meanwhile, Obito and Nagato discussed Konoha’s growing cooperation with other villages and reaffirmed Akatsuki’s plan to use the Ten-Tails to impose peace.

• Shuji anticipated resistance to redistributing small-nation aid funds and planned to build support through Sunagakure, the participating villages, and the Joint Affairs Bureau.
• Obito resolved to fund and monitor Orochimaru’s research while directing any Tailed Beast chakra they obtained into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Obito met Pain Deva Path at the Land of the Moon palace, where Akatsuki’s Flying Fortress reconstruction had advanced despite the blockade.
• Obito and Nagato discussed Amegakure’s planned participation in Konoha’s Joint Shinobi Village Conference and whether cooperation among villages could break the cycle of hatred.
• Nagato insisted that Akatsuki would complete the Ten-Tails and use its power to establish peace, taking over Konoha’s efforts if they proved insincere.