Chapter Summaries

At the West Suburbs Old Residence, Shuji comforted Naruto over the deaths of the people who had praised their performance, then spent the night awake. The next morning, he proposed that the allied villages establish a joint school open to students from every nation.

• Shuji arrived at the Old Residence and joined the children and elders for tea and sweets.
• Naruto asked whether the people who had sought their autographs had died, and Shuji told him their deaths in the war were not his fault.
• Naruto followed Gaara to find their rooms after Shuji told him not to disturb Grandma Toka.
• After spending the night awake, Shuji walked through the Stadium District and met Mei Terumi, A, Ōnoki, and Chiyo.
• Shuji proposed that the allied villages establish a school under the Joint Affairs Bureau for students from every nation.

Shuji proposed that the Joint Affairs Bureau establish schools to teach basic shinobi skills, counter rumors, and build public support, while the Kage provisionally agreed to prepare the plan. Konoha and the Land of Fire negotiated over the Daimyo’s security, and the chapter ended with the Daimyo asking Shuji for the final plan after expressing trust in him.

• Shuji argued to the Kage that rumors could become weapons against shinobi everywhere and proposed schools where genin would teach ordinary people basic chakra skills.
• The Kage provisionally agreed to prepare a school plan, and Konoha delayed the Land of Fire convoy while Hiruzen Sarutobi negotiated with the Daimyo.
• Tuanhe questioned Konoha’s security plans and proposed expanding the Daimyo’s Guardian Ninja, while Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura offered a school in the Land of Fire.
• After the Joint Affairs Bureau invited other Feudal Lords to discuss schools, Tuanhe reopened negotiations, and Shuji said Konoha would review new Guardian Ninja candidates but could not train shinobi for the Capital of Fire alone.
• The Daimyo met Shuji privately, reaffirmed his trust, and asked him to provide the final plan.

After negotiating a temporary settlement, Shuji returned to the Hokage residence, where Kakashi discussed growing work at the Joint Affairs Bureau and school construction. Sasuke began observing the Bureau after school, and the chapter ended as winter break approached with the first snowfall of Konoha’s fifty-ninth year.

• Shuji rejected Tsunade’s suggestion that he take a Hokage portrait, then threw Kakashi out of the reception-room window after they fought over the sofa.
• Kakashi met Sasuke, learned that he had mastered Chidori, and agreed to bring him to the Joint Affairs Bureau after Sasuke accused him of planning to assign him work.
• Sasuke watched Kakashi and Itachi handle Bureau business, then left with Itachi without receiving an assignment.
• Itachi told Fugaku that Sasuke would intern at the Bureau after school, and Fugaku warned Sasuke not to interfere with his brother’s work.
• Sasuke began spending afternoons observing the Bureau and heard news of Deidara’s explosive-performance application and a planned joint tournament in the Land of Snow.
• The first snow fell as the Ninja Academy announced its final examination schedule and winter break approached.

Sasuke visited Shuji’s home with Itachi and Anko, where he joined Naruto, Kaede, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro for a snowy day and dinner. As Sasuke and Itachi headed home, Sasuke asked what Shuji meant to his brother, and Itachi answered that it was more than that.

• Itachi told Shikamaru that he no longer needed to report to the Bureau of Affairs, and Anko invited Itachi and Sasuke to Shuji’s home.
• Sasuke found Naruto, Kaede, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro helping prepare Shuji’s house, and Gaara told him that he, Temari, and Kankuro lived there.
• Sasuke and Gaara arranged the dining room before Naruto challenged Sasuke to a snowman contest, which grew into a snowball fight involving everyone.
• Sasuke joined the chaotic snowball battle and found himself enjoying the lively atmosphere.
• The group shared dinner, and Kaede invited Sasuke to return for New Year’s Eve as Shuji mentioned preparing New Year’s money.
• On the walk home, Sasuke asked Itachi what Shuji meant to him, and Itachi said it was not just that.

On New Year's Day, Shuji welcomed the sunrise at Hokage Rock before joining a meeting about the Fishing Plan and the upcoming event in the Land of Snow. After learning Hiruzen Sarutobi would lead Konoha's team, Orochimaru decided to attend as well.

• Shuji took Naruto, Kaede, and Temari to watch the sunrise at Hokage Rock, where they greeted Fugaku's family, Itachi, Izumi, and other villagers.
• After the sunrise, Shuji left the children to visit Naka Shrine and went to a meeting with Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Kakashi.
• Kakashi reported that the chakra bait had been stolen and that Yura was challenging Baki's position; Shuji proposed using the dispute to mislead Akatsuki about tensions among the villages.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said a Kage should oversee the Land of Snow event and chose to lead Konoha's team instead of Kakashi.
• After Zetsu told Orochimaru that Hiruzen Sarutobi would lead the team, Orochimaru decided to go to the overseas island event.

Obito and Pain agreed to expand Akatsuki’s control across the overseas islands and use the Land of Snow tournament to prove their strength. As the tournament began, Hiruzen recognized Orochimaru, who revealed he had joined the opposing side to demonstrate his latest results.

• Obito urged Pain to expand Akatsuki’s new order across the islands, and Pain ordered Kakuzu, Hidan, Shinnō, and the Sky Ninja to secure them.
• Pain and Konan arranged for Amegakure ninja to take overseas missions, and two months later their teams helped administer the islands.
• Nagato traveled with Konan to the tournament island, where Sasori, Hiruko, and Orochimaru had gathered for the contest against the Joint Affairs Bureau.
• Hiruzen arrived with Shuji and Darui, while Shuji left to fish and the sides met on the beach.
• Hiruzen identified the disguised Land of Snow minister Kuchin as Orochimaru, who revealed his face and said he had interesting results to show his former teacher.

Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Orochimaru was using concealed Impure World Reincarnation shinobi, including Second Tsuchikage Mu, and stepped forward to fight in the second match. Meanwhile, Shuji offered Pain Nine-Tails chakra and argued that the contest and their broader conflict could still be resolved through negotiation, leaving Pain willing to consider his words.

• Orochimaru sent a concealed Snow Ninja to represent his side in the first match, and Sumashi volunteered for the Joint Affairs Bureau.
• The Snow Ninja vanished from sight and chakra detection, then erased Sumashi with a white attack that Hiruzen identified as Dust Release.
• Hiruzen realized the Snow Ninja was Second Tsuchikage Mu revived through Impure World Reincarnation and volunteered to represent the Joint Affairs Bureau in the second match.
• Pain approached Shuji by the shore and offered to compromise, proposing that Akatsuki take only Tailed Beast chakra and spare the Jinchuriki.
• Shuji offered Pain a scroll containing Nine-Tails chakra as payment for honoring their agreement, while warning that the path Pain pursued could still bring danger to the Five Great Nations.
• Pain dismissed Shuji's threats but said he would consider what Shuji had told him, and the contest continued.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fought Orochimaru while Orochimaru tried to recruit Shuji, but Uchiha Shisui freed Senju Tobirama from Impure World Reincarnation. Shuji traded a scroll to end the confrontation, and Nagato’s Akatsuki withdrew as Shuji judged that Nagato keeping the Rinnegan was the best option for now.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi battled Orochimaru with Enma’s help while Orochimaru summoned Senju Tobirama and tried to persuade Shuji to join Akatsuki.
• Orochimaru used Senju Tobirama and other reincarnated Kage to pressure Hiruzen and Shuji, while the Joint Affairs Bureau and Akatsuki prepared to fight.
• Shuji stepped forward with a Wood Clone as Uchiha Shisui used his eye power to restore Senju Tobirama’s autonomy, and Tobirama released Impure World Reincarnation.
• Shuji gave Nagato a scroll as the price for breaking their agreement and argued that Orochimaru had effectively participated in two matches.
• Nagato lowered his hand and Akatsuki and the Land of Snow’s ninja withdrew; Shuji told Senju Tobirama that Nagato keeping the Rinnegan was temporarily the best option.

Senju Tobirama joined the allied shinobi forces after being resurrected and agreed to return to Konoha, where he learned about the villages, Akatsuki, and the advances in Impure World Reincarnation. Meanwhile, Orochimaru returned to the Land of Snow base and learned that Zetsu had found something that might advance his Sharingan research.

• Senju Tobirama suggested adding pheromones to Kirigakure's Hidden Mist Technique so the defenses could detect enemies using Stealth Camouflage, and the villages adjusted their ship defenses.
• Tobirama questioned Shisui about Uchiha Kagami, recognized his old student Hiruzen Sarutobi, and learned from Shuji about Akatsuki and its members.
• Tobirama revealed that Madara Uchiha's corpse had disappeared and explained the limits of Impure World Reincarnation, then agreed to return to Konoha.
• Tobirama asked Shuji about the Senju and Toka, and Shuji told him that the family and village were thriving.
• At the Land of Snow base, Orochimaru considered Shisui's ocular technique while Zetsu arrived with a discovery that might advance his Sharingan research.

Shuji returned to Konoha with the reanimated Senju Tobirama, while Kabuto continued research into Tailed Beast chakra and White Zetsu cells. Tobirama inspected the underground laboratory and judged its work remarkable but dangerously reckless.

• Shuji arranged for Kumogakure to handle further contact requests from the Land of Snow and discussed temporarily shifting pooled funds toward military defense with Tobirama.
• Kabuto reviewed the Tailed Beast chakra research and examined Neji, warning him that the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird tradition could be limiting its members' potential.
• An Anbu informed Kabuto that Shuji and Senju Tobirama had arrived at the laboratory, and Shuji sent Kabuto to examine Shisui after he used a Mangekyo Sharingan technique.
• Shuji took Tobirama to the underground laboratory, where Tobirama examined White Zetsu cellular tissue and called the research remarkable but dangerously reckless.

Senju Tobirama warned Shuji that White Zetsu research could broaden access to shinobi power and destabilize the world, then agreed to help recover the Fourth Hokage. Shuji returned to find Temari had decided to stay in Konoha and intern at the Bureau of Affairs, easing the children’s fears of separation.

• Senju Tobirama discussed the risks of White Zetsu research with Shuji and agreed to summon the Yamanaka Clan head and Tsunade to help free the Fourth Hokage from the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
• Shuji told Yakushi Kabuto that the Second Hokage would not challenge his authority, rejected excessive flattery, and clarified that White Zetsu cell research was outside the data-sharing agreement with other villages.
• Yakushi Kabuto reported that Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan had damaged his optic nerves and suggested temporarily removing his eyes for treatment; Shuji told Kabuto to let Shisui decide.
• Temari and Kankuro discussed graduating and returning to Sunagakure, prompting Kaede and Naruto to fear they would leave, but Temari revealed she would stay in Konoha and intern at the Bureau of Affairs.
• Shuji returned to the West Suburbs, where Kaede, Naruto, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara welcomed him.

Neji considered whether to graduate early and questioned the future prescribed for him by the Hyuga Clan’s Branch House system. After asking Shuji what the Branch House meant to him, Neji was invited inside to discuss the future he sought.

• Neji dined with Hiashi, Hinata, and Hanabi, then trained with Hiashi, who asked whether he had considered graduating early and left the choice to him.
• At the Ninja Academy, Rock Lee declared that he would complete all six years, while Sai and Tenten discussed graduation plans with Neji.
• Neji reflected on the Caged Bird seal and wondered how Shuji might view the Hyuga Clan and its Branch House.
• After Special Training Class, Neji went to the Laboratory Building seeking Shuji and asked what the Hyuga Branch House meant to him.
• Shuji asked whether Neji intended to break free and invited him inside to discuss the future he sought.

Neji told Shuji that he wanted to change the Hyuga Clan, not merely remove the Caged Bird, and learned that reform would need to account for the Branch House’s desire for safety and the village’s interests. In the underground laboratory, Yakushi Kabuto revealed research into the Hyuga’s origins and offered Neji a risky experiment that could free him from his restraints; Neji asked what he needed to do.

• Neji struggled to define what he wanted until he told Shuji he wanted to make changes within the Hyuga Clan.
• Shuji explained that reform could face resistance from the village and from Branch House members who valued the Caged Bird’s protection, and urged Neji to unite their opinions.
• Shuji brought Neji to the underground laboratory, where Tsunade, Senju Tobirama, Yakushi Kabuto, and Yamanaka Inoichi discussed a dangerous plan to undo the Reaper Death Seal and revive the Fourth Hokage.
• Kabuto showed Neji research suggesting the Senju, Hyuga, and Uchiha shared a common origin, and said an experiment might free Neji from his restraints.
• Neji asked Kabuto what he needed to do.

Kabuto explained that removing Neji’s Caged Bird directly would be too dangerous, but White Zetsu cells might awaken a deeper Hyuga bloodline and overwrite its restraints. Tobirama considered how that experiment could reveal secrets about inherited ocular powers, while Orochimaru confronted Zetsu after learning it recognized the reanimated figure as Madara Uchiha.

• Kabuto showed Neji that the Caged Bird was embedded in his visual cortex and said surgery to remove it was too dangerous to attempt.
• Kabuto proposed using White Zetsu cells to activate Neji’s deeper bloodline, and told him to return after preparing his body if he chose the experiment.
• Tobirama proposed that the Senju might carry dormant Byakugan-related genes and said Neji’s experiment could help test the theory.
• Orochimaru examined a repaired Reanimated Body but chose not to awaken it, then questioned Zetsu after it recognized the figure as Madara Uchiha.
• Black Zetsu admitted that it and White Zetsu had been used by others and offered to cooperate with Orochimaru, calling their body a gesture of sincerity.

Sasuke’s work at the Joint Affairs Bureau expanded as the new building filled with departments, officials, and a Special Dispatch Group. After Shisui chose to seek a faster way to restore Kotoamatsukami, Shuji directed him to begin with the nutrient solution, while Shuji and Tobirama discussed Madara Uchiha’s Mangekyo Sharingan.

• Sasuke spent the day carrying documents between the Bureau’s departments and heard Kakashi ask him to recruit promising Ninja Academy graduates.
• Sasuke and Itachi met Shisui in the Stadium District, where Shisui invited them to eat and joked about Sasuke working without pay.
• Shisui went to Kabuto’s laboratory and asked about restoring Kotoamatsukami, learning that cell implantation could be faster than the nutrient solution.
• Shisui asked Shuji to restore his ocular power quickly so he could help in the coming war, but Shuji told him to first test the nutrient solution.
• After Shisui and Kabuto left, Shuji asked Tobirama about Madara’s ocular abilities, and Tobirama said Madara and Izuna had actively sought the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Shuji received a white robe chosen by Tsunade and delivered a lecture at the Ninja Academy about its new graduation system and the paths available to young ninjas. Afterward, Sasuke asked Kakashi about classmates’ career goals, and Kakashi encouraged him to look beyond obvious talents.

• Kabuto examined an original White Zetsu while Senju Tobirama and Tsunade discussed the treatment preparations and sent Shuji to give a lecture at the Ninja Academy.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu presented Shuji with a white robe chosen by Tsunade, and Shizune gave him the lecture outline.
• Shuji caught Kakashi trying to dodge him, and the two walked through the village to the Ninja Academy as residents watched Shuji in his robe.
• Shuji told the gathered students that graduates would spend a year serving as Genin on D-rank missions, exploring specialties, and finding their own paths.
• Sasuke told Kakashi that his classmates already had goals, and Kakashi advised him to look beyond obvious talents when considering village work.

Sasuke invited Sakura and Ino to apply for internships at the Joint Affairs Bureau, while Shuji advised Temari about Sunagakure’s future and heard Kumogakure’s latest news. Afterward, Shuji met Kakashi, who was waiting for their teacher’s temporary return.

• Kakashi assigned Sasuke the task of finding students willing to join the Joint Affairs Bureau’s internship program.
• Sasuke invited Sakura and Ino to apply, and Sakura eagerly agreed while Ino said she would discuss it with her father.
• Temari asked Shuji for advice about conflicting guidance from Yura and Baki, then decided to keep Yura’s situation hidden from the current Kazekage.
• Samui told Shuji that the Land of Snow had accepted Kumogakure’s demands and that the next match would be postponed until December.
• Shuji joined Kakashi, who said he hoped to avoid their teacher until the teacher returned.

Sakura confronted Ino over their opposing views of Sakura’s internship with Sasuke, leaving Ino devastated and Naruto distressed. Naruto argued with Sasuke about the fallout, then discovered that Minato Namikaze had returned and revealed himself as Naruto’s father.

• Sakura told Ino she would pursue the opportunity to intern with Sasuke, and Ino struggled to explain why she thought Sakura’s choice was different from Karin’s path into the Sensory Class.
• Sakura left after telling Naruto the conflict had nothing to do with him, while Karin and Shion comforted Ino.
• Naruto confronted Sasuke about Sakura and Ino’s fight, but Sasuke insisted he had only offered them an option and walked away.
• Naruto returned home troubled and mistook a figure outside his window for Jiraiya before discovering it was Minato Namikaze.
• Minato told Naruto he was his son, explained that he had been able to return after handling some matters, and asked whether he could hug him.

Naruto reunited with Minato and Kushina, while Minato chose to remain in Konoha under a new identity and spend time with his son. At school, Naruto confronted Sasuke over how he treated Sakura and Ino, and Sasuke walked away.

• Naruto met Kushina in a vision and embraced her before Minato tucked him into bed and covered him with his Hokage cloak.
• Jiraiya went to Konoha Hospital, where Tsunade told Reno and Ino that Inoichi was stable and out of danger.
• Ino returned home for her schoolbag, encountered Sakura, and hurried toward school as Sakura followed at a distance.
• Naruto greeted Gaara, Kaede, Temari, and Kankuro, then told Sasuke that his attitude toward Sakura and Ino had been wrong; Sasuke dismissed him and left.
• Minato told Shuji he would stay until the war was over to spend time with Naruto, using the name Minato Uzumaki and posing as Naruto's adoptive guardian.

Iruka’s class was unsettled as the students argued over Sasuke’s Bureau of Affairs internship offer and his treatment of Ino and Sakura. After Sasuke snapped at Sakura and questioned Shuji about whether he had acted wrongly, Shuji asked him to wait after school so someone else could advise him.

• Iruka noticed the class was unusually quiet and ended the morning lesson, while Naruto’s lunch drew Kaede, Gaara, Choji, and Shikamaru over to him.
• Ino left to buy bread with Karin and Shion, and classmates debated her falling out with Sakura and Sasuke’s internship offer.
• Kaede defended Naruto, and Naruto calmly asked the class to stop arguing, easing the tense atmosphere.
• Sakura followed Sasuke into the hallway, but he called her annoying and told her that Ino’s situation had nothing to do with her.
• Shuji spoke with Sasuke in the teachers’ lounge, where Sasuke asked why defending voices made him feel empty and whether doing the right thing could still lead to harm.
• Shuji told Sasuke to wait for him after school and said someone with a controversial past would be better suited to advise him.