Chapter Summaries

Shuji brought Uzumaki Hagi and Karin from Kusagakure to Konoha, where Tsunade arranged medical examinations, work, and housing for them. After Tsunade reported Kusagakure’s Box of Ultimate Bliss plan, a Sunagakure delegation led by Chiyo arrived in Konoha.

• Hagi asked Anko for food, then Tsunade examined Hagi’s bite marks and checked Karin’s health.
• Tsunade and Shuji agreed that Hagi would receive ordinary work and that Karin could be trained, with both undergoing medical and sealing examinations.
• Shuji explained Konoha’s plans and compensation to Hagi, and Karin learned his name was Shuji.
• Hagi and Karin passed their examinations, became Konoha residents, and received work and an apartment with village support.
• Tsunade told Shuji that Hiruzen had assigned Root to investigate Kusagakure’s movements and that the Box of Ultimate Bliss might be involved.
• A Sunagakure delegation arrived in Konoha, led by the elder advisor Chiyo.

Shuji escorted Chiyo through Konoha before she demanded food and supplies for Sunagakure and warned that her village would retaliate if driven into desperation. In Kusagakure, Tsugawa blamed Konoha for recent interference and ordered the Box of Ultimate Bliss opened using Kusagakure’s own shinobi as sacrifices.

• Chiyo arrived at the Hokage Office and challenged Tsunade and Hiruzen before Hiruzen assigned Shuji to accompany her.
• Shuji showed Chiyo Konoha’s bustling streets, and she contrasted the village’s abundance with the harsh conditions in the Land of Wind.
• Chiyo demanded a stable, inexpensive supply of food and supplies, then threatened attacks on the Land of Fire if Sunagakure’s suffering continued.
• Tsugawa concluded that Konoha was behind Kusagakure’s recent setbacks and the disappearance of the Uzumaki mother and daughter.
• Tsugawa argued that Konoha might discover the fate of Kazuma and the child, then ordered the Box of Ultimate Bliss opened using Kusagakure’s own shinobi to complete the sacrifices.

Shuji rejected Chiyo’s threats and argued that Konoha should build a lasting alliance with Sunagakure by establishing regular joint Chunin Exams. As negotiations dragged on, Kakuzu discovered that Konoha’s Root had swept up many bounty targets, forcing him to consider expanding his operations.

• Shuji proposed that Sunagakure relocate to the Land of Tea, then told Chiyo that threats would not secure aid and that Sunagakure needed to offer something in return.
• Shuji told Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade that Konoha should seek a long-term alliance with Sunagakure through regular joint Chunin Exams that would foster cooperation among young shinobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that Kumogakure had proposed hosting the next joint Chunin Exams, and Konoha had agreed.
• Shuji and Chiyo continued haggling over supplies, prices, and border defense while Shuji withheld his proposal for regular exchanges.
• Kakuzu found that many bounty targets had disappeared and learned that Konoha’s Root had likely conducted a sweep, so he decided to report to Pain and expand his operating area.

As delegations arrived for the Chunin Exams, Shuji visited Itachi and heard how his investigation had changed his view of ordinary Uchiha clan members. Meanwhile, Obito learned about Kusagakure’s Box of Ultimate Bliss and headed there, while Hiruzen ordered Konoha to strengthen its border defenses.

• Shuji encountered Itachi and Izumi in the Uchiha compound, then walked with Itachi after Izumi left.
• Itachi told Shuji that his conversations with clan members had shown him they cared more about their everyday lives than clan ideology, and he admitted he had been narrow-minded.
• Itachi mentioned Anko’s visit, and Shuji revealed that he had taken a woman from Kusagakure.
• Zetsu told Obito that Kusagakure hid the Box of Ultimate Bliss and that it had created the monster Satori, so Obito decided to investigate.
• Danzo reported Kusagakure’s isolation and suspected the Box was in Hozuki Castle, prompting Hiruzen to raise alerts and reinforce surveillance along the Land of Grass border.

Mui survived a Root assassination attempt at Hozuki Castle, while Obito killed the Root agent who escaped into the sea. In Konoha, Shuji reported the Sunagakure agreement and then got pulled into Tsunade’s Chunin Exam paperwork, leaving his hoped-for vacation out of reach.

• Mui questioned the growing number of Kusagakure guards at Hozuki Castle, while Muku worried that events no longer matched the village’s promises about the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
• Root agents plotted to kill Mui and help one of their number escape with intelligence for Danzo.
• Mui defeated two attackers and survived a third attacker’s explosive technique, then ordered the prisoners recently brought to the castle to be inspected.
• Monkey escaped into the sea, but Obito seized him and the Heavenly Prison seal burned him to death when he left the water.
• Shuji told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Chiyo had accepted a three-year Sunagakure commitment to Konoha’s joint Chunin Exams in exchange for emergency supplies.
• Tsunade dragged Shuji into helping with the expanded Chunin Exam preparations, ending his plans to take leave.

Mui opened the Box of Ultimate Bliss using Sora, but Sora emerged as the monster Satori and attacked Hozuki Castle after Mui wished for Kusagakure’s protection and prosperity. In Konoha, Kakashi reported the energy eruption to Tsunade, Shuji, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Shimura Danzō, who concluded that Kusagakure had opened the box.

• Tsugawa pressured Mui to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss, and Mui released Sora from the Heavenly Prison Technique so the box could consume him.
• The box erupted into Hozuki Castle’s courtyard, where Tsugawa demanded a wish to conquer the Shinobi World; an elder and Ryuzetsu rescued Muku and urged Mui to choose a safer wish.
• Mui wished for Kusagakure to gain the power to protect itself and prosper, but Sora emerged and killed Tsugawa before transforming into Satori.
• Satori attacked Hozuki Castle and tried to devour those in the courtyard, while Uchiha Obito observed it, evaded its feathers, and vanished.
• Kakashi reported the eruption and powerful chakra signature near Hozuki Castle to Tsunade, Shuji, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Shimura Danzō.
• Shimura Danzō said his Root squad had lost contact, and the group concluded that Kusagakure had opened the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

After Sora destroyed Hozuki Castle, Mui recovered at Konoha Hospital and told Tsunade what had happened. Hiruzen Sarutobi organized Konoha’s response to the threat, while Sora flew toward Konoha blaming it for everything.

• Sora blamed Konoha for his father’s death and his own transformation, then flew toward Konoha with the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
• Mui woke in Konoha Hospital, learned that the children who had been with him were safe, and told Tsunade about Kusagakure’s plan, Kazuma, and Sora.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shikaku to prepare combat plans, assigned Tsunade to village security, and tasked Danzo’s Root with tracking Satori.
• Hiruzen asked Shuji to return to his Anbu identity and help monitor Satori, and Tsunade warned him to be careful.
• Konoha informed the allied village representatives about Hozuki Castle, and Dodai offered Kumogakure’s assistance while asking Konoha to send the news to the Raikage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shuji, and the Konoha squads fought Satori after it brought the Box of Ultimate Bliss toward the village. They drove Satori from the sky and trapped it in a wooden cage, while the transformed people from the box froze when it fell.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the deployment after learning Satori was carrying the Box of Ultimate Bliss toward Konoha, ordering the squads to harass it from a distance.
• The Konoha squads drew Satori's attention with long-range attacks, and Hiruzen Sarutobi struck it with the Adamantine Staff, knocking it into the forest.
• Shuji and Yamato unleashed Wood Release to restrain Satori, but Satori released transformed Kusagakure ninjas and Hozuki Castle prisoners from the Box of Ultimate Bliss and escaped into the sky.
• Shuji entered Sage Mode and disrupted Satori's flight with turbulent currents, while Hiruzen Sarutobi struck it with Fire Style: Flame Dragon Bullet.
• Shuji bound the falling Satori inside a wooden cage, and the people from the Box of Ultimate Bliss froze in place.

Shuji and Konoha’s leadership secured the Box of Ultimate Bliss after Satori’s defeat, then debated Kusagakure’s future and Mui’s fate. The chapter ended with Uzumaki Hagi thanking Shuji for saving her and Karin.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi sealed the Box of Ultimate Bliss, while Shuji withdrew the wooden cages and the group confirmed that Sora had died.
• Hiruzen assigned teams to guard and transport the Box of Ultimate Bliss, then asked Shuji to consider joining the Anbu and taught him about sealing techniques and Cursed Seals.
• Hiruzen rejected Danzo’s call to kill Mui, and Tsunade argued that Mui could help restore stability in Kusagakure; the leadership decided to let him return and have Muku and Ryuzetsu enter the Chunin Exams.
• Shuji encountered Uzumaki Hagi at the Hokage Building and asked about her life in Konoha and Karin’s wellbeing.
• Hagi bowed to Shuji and thanked him for saving her and Karin.

Mui agreed to return to Kusagakure with Muku and Ryuzetsu for the Chunin Exams, while Danzo considered how to regain influence and Shuji rejected joining the Anbu. After seeing villagers shun Naruto, Shuji urged Tsunade to address the treatment of the young Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and she agreed to make arrangements.

• Hiruzen told Mui that Muku and Ryuzetsu could represent Kusagakure in the Chunin Exams and asked Mui to lead their team back to face the village's losses.
• Danzo reflected on his declining authority and blamed Shuji's actions for undermining his position, then began considering new plans.
• Shuji decided to refuse Hiruzen's invitation to join the Anbu and rested at the Senju Old Residence.
• Shuji saw villagers fearfully shun Naruto, and briefly shielded the child from their stares as he passed.
• Shuji told Tsunade that Naruto's treatment could endanger the Jinchuriki, and Tsunade agreed to make arrangements.

Shuji explored whether natural energy could permanently strengthen him, but Katsuyu warned that the practice was dangerous and inefficient. Meanwhile, Tsunade tried to address Naruto’s treatment by the villagers, but the advisors and Hiruzen Sarutobi avoided endorsing a public order, leaving the question of revealing Naruto’s parentage unresolved.

• Shuji consulted Katsuyu about absorbing natural energy and learned that it required a rich environment and sustained cultivation while yielding limited gains.
• Anko told Shuji that Itachi had reached the Chunin Exams finals and that Kusagakure participants Muku and Ryuzetsu had also performed well; Shuji agreed to attend the finals with her.
• Konoha notified Kusagakure that Mui and his subordinates would represent the village, while Konoha officials negotiated compensation with Kumogakure over the deaths at Hozuki Castle.
• Tsunade proposed instructing villagers to watch their conduct around Naruto, but Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo focused instead on restricting Naruto’s movements and guarding him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Tsunade he would spend more time with Naruto after she became Hokage, but cautioned against revealing that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage’s son.

Shuji learned that Tsunade's effort to influence attitudes toward Naruto had failed, and the two discussed village reforms and tensions with the Uchiha. As the Chunin Exams finals approached, Shuji discovered that the Land of Rice Fields had applied to establish Otogakure, leaving him wondering whether Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Orochimaru was behind it.

• Tsunade arrived at the West Suburbs Old Residence after drinking, and Shuji suggested influencing Naruto's surroundings through Hayami and the former Senju clansmen.
• Tsunade told Shuji that she planned to bring the Hyuga Clan into the Uchiha Police Force after the Chunin Exams and that Shisui's team had been sent to monitor the Kirigakure border.
• Tsunade fell asleep in the courtyard, and Shuji covered her with a blanket.
• As nobles and merchants arrived for the Chunin Exams finals, Shuji met with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and then visited Tsunade's office.
• Tsunade showed Shuji the Land of Rice Fields' application to establish Otogakure, which had been investigated by Root and allied with Konoha.
• Shuji recognized Otogakure as Orochimaru's village and wondered whether Hiruzen Sarutobi knew who was behind it.

Tsunade postponed deciding whether to approve Otogakure’s founding, while Shuji met with Hayami Shigeru and Kachi Onju to discuss improving Naruto Uzumaki’s circumstances. At the Chunin Exams finals, Anko sensed Orochimaru’s return, and Shuji took her away to report it.

• Tsunade set aside the Land of Rice Fields’ application to establish Otogakure, leaving the decision for later.
• Shuji met Hayami Shigeru and Kachi Onju, who agreed to treat Naruto Uzumaki normally and help him when they could.
• Hayami Shigeru and Kachi Onju described the strain on Konoha’s barriers and security as outsiders arrived for the finals.
• Shuji and Anko watched the crowded finals venue, where Uchiha Itachi greeted them with his family.
• Anko felt Orochimaru’s presence and told Shuji that he had returned.
• Shuji supported Anko and led her away from the stands to find a quiet place and report Orochimaru’s return.

Danzo hired Orochimaru to kill four Uchiha Anbu and take their Sharingan, hoping to undermine Tsunade’s plan, while Orochimaru became intrigued by Shuji. After Tsunade ordered the village’s secret techniques and clans protected, Shuji stayed with the recovering Anko until she insisted they return to watch Itachi’s match.

• Danzo asked Orochimaru to make four Uchiha Anbu disappear during a mission and take their Sharingan, while arranging to draw Shisui away.
• Orochimaru suggested targeting Itachi as well, but Danzo warned him that Tsunade and Shuji were watching the boy and identified Shuji as a Senju with the First Hokage’s cells.
• Tsunade learned Orochimaru had infiltrated Konoha and ordered extra guards for the village’s forbidden techniques and warnings to every shinobi clan, especially the Uchiha.
• Shuji remained at the medical station with Anko and acknowledged that he still could not remove her Heavenly Cursed Seal.
• Ryuzetsu arrived injured with Mui and Muku, and Muku admitted that Itachi had defeated him with ease.
• Anko recovered enough to leave the medical station with Shuji so they could watch Itachi’s match.

Orochimaru infiltrated Konoha, prompting Danzo, Hiruzen, and Tsunade to respond while Shuji warned Itachi and took Anko to stay at his Old Residence. The search for Orochimaru remained uncertain, and Anko was left under Shuji’s protection.

• Orochimaru used genjutsu to immobilize Ren and escaped the Root facility.
• After Itachi defeated Kumogakure’s Shi in the Chunin Exams, Hiruzen ordered Root and the Anbu to search the village for Orochimaru.
• Shuji warned Itachi that Orochimaru might target the Uchiha, and Itachi agreed to stay alert.
• Shuji invited Anko to stay at his Old Residence, and she accepted.

Shuji brought Anko to stay at the West Suburbs Old Residence, then met Orochimaru outside after he repelled a venomous snake sent to probe him. Orochimaru invited Shuji to join him, and Shuji prepared for a possible fight while asking him to spare the Senju residence.

• Shuji introduced Anko to Senju Toka, who welcomed her and arranged a room for her at the Old Residence.
• That night, Shuji caught a venomous snake attacking him with Wood Release vines, while Anko remained unaffected in her room.
• Shuji went outside and found Orochimaru waiting in the woods, where Orochimaru confirmed his interest in Shuji’s Wood Release and praised his composure.
• Shuji asked why Orochimaru had let Anko’s Cursed Seal flare at the Chunin Exams, and Orochimaru discussed her potential and the Senju clan’s decline.
• Orochimaru invited Shuji to leave Konoha and offered to help awaken the power inherited from the First Hokage.
• Shuji activated Sage Mode and asked Orochimaru to spare the Senju residence if they fought.

After Orochimaru visited Shuji, Shuji and Tsunade assessed the threat to the Uchiha and planned reforms to reduce Danzo’s influence and prevent unrest. They left the Uchiha Anbu squad on its mission but aimed to protect it, broaden Uchiha opportunities, and accelerate changes to the Police Force.

• Orochimaru visited Shuji at the West Suburbs Old Residence, tested him, then left without a fight.
• Shuji told Tsunade about the visit, and she suspected Danzo had leaked information and warned Uchiha Fugaku to watch for Orochimaru.
• Danzo confronted Orochimaru over acting without permission, but Orochimaru asserted control of their cooperation and agreed to target the Uchiha Anbu squad.
• Shuji advised Tsunade not to recall the squad, but to warn Shisui and expand Uchiha roles in the Anbu and Ninja Academy.
• Shuji proposed transferring Shisui back to Konoha to work with Fugaku and advance Police Force reforms, including bringing the Hyuga Clan into the force.

Shuji left the village to warn Shisui about Orochimaru while Tsunade took charge of village affairs and confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over Danzo’s suspected connection to the rogue ninja. Hiruzen ordered Danzo to recall Root’s operatives and stand by, leaving Danzo resentful as he continued to rely on Orochimaru’s planned task.

• Shuji volunteered to travel to Shisui’s squad, and Tsunade gave him an authorization and an encrypted scroll with their location and patrol details.
• Tsunade instructed Shuji to protect public morale, coordinate with Uchiha Fugaku, and consult Itachi about clan personnel.
• Tsunade confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi, arguing that Orochimaru’s appearance at Shuji’s residence pointed to a leak and that Danzo might target the Uchiha squad.
• Hiruzen said he lacked conclusive evidence to punish Danzo, but Tsunade challenged him to choose between Danzo’s purge plan and a peaceful resolution with the Uchiha.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzo to recall Root members on non-top-secret missions and assemble them on standby, and Danzo reluctantly agreed while suspecting Hiruzen had abandoned their understanding.

Shuji left on an emergency mission while Tsunade moved to restrict Danzo and begin reforms to improve relations between the Uchiha and Konoha. The chapter ended with Itachi agreeing to help Tsunade assess Uchiha candidates as news of the Academy’s new openings spread through the clan.

• Shuji told Anko to stay at the Old Residence with Grandma Toka, then departed alone on an emergency mission.
• Tsunade watched Danzo leave the village on an official mission, temporarily limiting his influence over Konoha’s decisions and operations.
• Tsunade proposed opening Ninja Academy positions to the Uchiha, and Hiruzen Sarutobi approved preparations to begin immediately.
• Tsunade informed Uchiha Fugaku of the Academy openings and raised the possibility of a future Anbu squad primarily composed of Uchiha members.
• Tsunade told Itachi about the suspected attack on an Uchiha Anbu squad and Danzo’s possible involvement; Itachi requested to join the Anbu, but Tsunade asked him to wait until Shuji returned.
• Tsunade asked Itachi to identify suitable Uchiha candidates for future transfers, while news of the Academy openings spread through the Uchiha District.

Uchiha Fugaku faced a crowd of clanspeople eager to learn about jobs opening at the Ninja Academy, while Orochimaru accepted Danzo’s offer of an elite squad. Shuji reached the coastal campsite of the Uchiha teams and found signs of a recent battle, then followed the traces to search for them.

• Uchiha Fugaku returned home and was swarmed by clanspeople asking about positions at the Ninja Academy, while Uchiha Mikoto took Sasuke inside.
• Earth Nine told Orochimaru that Danzo and Root’s main force were under house arrest but that an unmonitored elite squad was ready to attack an Uchiha Anbu squad.
• Orochimaru agreed to accept Danzo’s elite squad and told Earth Nine to have Danzo remain in custody and watch what happened.
• Shuji raced toward the eastern coast of the Land of Fire, considering whether Uchiha Obito might be behind Kirigakure’s increased activity.
• Shuji found the Uchiha teams’ campsite abandoned and marked by signs of battle, with no bodies or clear evidence of serious casualties.
• Shuji followed faint traces from the campsite to find the missing squad members.