Recaps

Tsunade served as Makoto’s assistant before accompanying him to inspect the Mechanical Science Research Institute, where he proposed using an artificial Jinchuriki to contain Tailed Beast Chakra. Makoto also questioned whether their technology had to rely on steel and began considering a new approach to the String Puppets.

• Tsunade cleaned the lounge, washed an apple, and prepared a fruit platter for Makoto, accidentally soaking one of his documents.
• Makoto took Tsunade to the Mechanical Science Research Institute to inspect its research projects.
• Tonokawa explained that the String Puppets and Tailed Beast Chakra container projects were stalled by the lack of suitable materials.
• Makoto suggested creating an artificial Jinchuriki to contain and transmit Tailed Beast Chakra, and Tonokawa planned to discuss the idea with Director Kabuto.
• Makoto reflected on technology’s effect on ninjas and suggested the String Puppet did not have to be made from cold steel, asking Tonokawa about the Third Raikage.

Tsunade struggled to accept her new work as Naruto’s assistant, but she returned to the Hokage’s office the next day and followed Samui’s instructions. After Mabui prepared lunch for her, Tsunade regretted not thanking her and planned to do so the next day.

• Tsunade returned home exhausted and told Shizune she was unsure about becoming Naruto’s assistant.
• Tsunade arrived early at the Hokage’s office, where Samui explained her duties and took her to the lounge to teach her how to serve Naruto.
• When Naruto arrived, Tsunade brought him tea and carried out the tasks Samui had assigned while he worked.
• Tsunade went to Mabui’s house to collect lunch, learned Mabui had prepared food for her too, and left without thanking her.
• Tsunade enjoyed Mabui’s cooking and decided she would thank her the next day.

Tsunade spent the afternoon serving Shin in the Hokage’s office, growing increasingly ashamed and uneasy about her obedience. After returning at two, she found herself automatically preparing to help him dress when he woke, and Shin remarked that she seemed used to the job.

• Tsunade tended to Shin during his afternoon break, and he fell asleep with his head on her thighs and an arm around her waist.
• Samui returned and quietly freed Tsunade from Shin’s hold, then told her to rest nearby and come back at two.
• Tsunade returned to the lounge at two and waited for Shin to wake.
• When Shin woke at two seventeen, Tsunade knelt and began putting on his socks and shoes without waiting for him to ask.
• Shin smiled and told Tsunade that she seemed to have gotten used to the job.

Zhen learned that his large-scale research projects had left Konoha short on money, while the institutes continued developing a Chakra-tempered body and artificial Jinchuriki. He summoned Kakashi as Tsunade lost a day’s pay for spilling tea on the financial reports.

• Zhen told Kabuto to train cells with Chakra vibrations, and Kabuto suggested making body-tempering devices for Konoha’s ninja.
• Zhen reviewed the projects dividing work between the Mechanical Science Research Institute and the Biological Science Research Institute.
• Zhen discovered that Konoha’s research expenses had exhausted its funds, with no new subsidy from the Daimyo’s Palace.
• Tsunade spilled tea on Zhen’s financial reports, and Zhen docked her pay for the day.
• Zhen summoned Kakashi while Tsunade massaged his shoulders and Samui tidied the desk.

Shinichi sent Anko to the daimyo’s palace after the daimyo requested her as a Guardian Ninja, while asking her to investigate Kushinadahime. Anko reluctantly accepted the mission, with Guy already there to help keep her safe.

• Shinichi arranged for Kakashi to secure contributions from wealthy merchants while Konoha faced a shortage of money.
• An envoy from Daimyo's Palace delivered overdue funds and requested Anko Mitarashi as a replacement Guardian Ninja.
• Shinichi suspected Kushinadahime and wondered why the daimyo had singled out Anko for the position.
• Anko arrived at the Naruto's office, saw Tsunade serving as Shinichi's assistant, and misunderstood the mission as Shinichi handing her over to the daimyo.
• Shinichi explained that Anko was to investigate Kushinadahime, and Anko reluctantly accepted the mission after he assured her Guy would be there.

Anko met Guy at the Land of Fire's capital and suspected that the beautiful Kushinadahime was connected to Orochimaru. In Kushinadahime's bedchamber, Anko found the Rain Ninja she had encountered before and then saw Kushinadahime enter, leaving her unsure which of them was Orochimaru.

• Anko arrived at the capital with the diplomatic delegation, met Guy and Qinglian Valley Saemon, and went to meet the daimyo.
• Anko sensed that Kushinadahime, the daimyo's beautiful companion, was Lord Orochimaru, and learned from Guy that Kushinadahime had been at the palace for three years.
• A servant summoned Anko to meet Kushinadahime, and Guy gave Anko a Black Magatama that could let them track each other's locations.
• Anko entered Kushinadahime's bedchamber and found the Rain Ninja sitting on the bed; he greeted her as if they had met before.
• Kushinadahime entered behind Anko and also greeted her, leaving Anko bewildered.

Anko confronted Byakuryu and learned that he was one of Orochimaru’s split souls who had modified her body and now wanted to take it back. She rejected his claim to be the Orochimaru she knew, and the chapter ended as Byakuryu activated a sealing array against her.

• Anko learned that Byakuryu and Kushinadahime were separate bodies formed from Orochimaru’s split soul, with Byakuryu claiming to be its dominant consciousness.
• Byakuryu revealed that he had fused Anko with a powerful body he had prepared for himself and demanded it so he could reunite the split souls.
• Anko challenged Byakuryu’s identity, recalling Orochimaru’s feelings toward Sarutobi, Shin, and her, and accused him of lacking the memories that defined the real Orochimaru.
• Byakuryu admitted he was not the strongest split body and threatened to kill Anko, who unleashed her power and recognized the sealing patterns prepared around her.
• Byakuryu formed a hand seal and activated the Chakra Restraining Seal: Nine-Tailed Fox Sealing Array.

Anko was freed from Byakuryu’s trap by Guy, but Byakuryu escaped after Guy struck him down. Kushinadahime comforted Anko and revealed Orochimaru had never wanted to cast her aside; after the Daimyo died, Anko asked Guy to conceal the truth, just as guards arrived to attack Kushinadahime.

• Byakuryu bound Anko with Chakra threads, forced her out of Sage Mode, and declared his intention to become a perfect Orochimaru.
• Kushinadahime tried to protect Anko, but Byakuryu struck her and admitted he remembered their past while rejecting his feelings for her.
• Anko revealed the fragments she had held, summoning Guy, who shattered the bindings and knocked Byakuryu into a crater.
• Byakuryu escaped by sinking into the ground, and Kushinadahime told Anko that Orochimaru had considered her special and had not wanted to cast her aside.
• The Daimyo was found dead, and Anko asked Guy to hide Kushinadahime’s connection to Orochimaru from the Hokage.
• Armored guards rushed into the room and shouted for Kushinadahime to be killed.

After the Daimyo’s death, Anko rescued Kushinadahime from the soldiers and refused Guy’s demand to take her back to Konoha. Kushinadahime trapped Guy in Genjutsu, allowing them to escape, and Guy prepared to report the incident to Shin.

• Oda Isamu entered the Daimyo’s bedchamber and tried to kill Kushinadahime, but Anko appeared and stopped him.
• Anko identified herself as one of the Seven Mianwei and led Kushinadahime out despite the Daimyo’s wife and soldiers opposing her.
• Anko carried Kushinadahime to a secluded place, where Guy caught up and insisted that they take her to Konoha.
• Anko refused, declaring that she could not live without Lord Orochimaru, and Guy tried to bring her back by force.
• Kushinadahime caught Guy in Genjutsu, then escaped with Anko while Qinglian Valley freed Guy.
• Guy decided to return to the village and report Anko’s actions to Lord Hokage.

After the Daimyo’s death, Makoto sent Kakashi and Guy to retrieve Anko, while Anko considered taking Kushinadahime to Ryūchi Cave. Kakashi’s tracking link suddenly failed, leaving Anko’s whereabouts unknown.

• Guy reported the Daimyo’s death and Anko’s actions to Makoto, who prepared to travel to the capital and ordered Kakashi to retrieve her.
• Makoto gave Kakashi a purple magatama that let him sense the locations of the Crown Guard members, and Kakashi and Guy left the village.
• Anko took Kushinadahime toward the Land of Rice Fields, but Kushinadahime worried that her father might not accept her if the Land of Fire considered her a criminal.
• Kushinadahime suggested going to Ryūchi Cave and reminded Anko that Byakuryu had said he was not the strongest among all the Split Bodies.
• Kakashi stopped during the pursuit and discovered that the tracking trail had disappeared.

Anko reached Ryūchi Cave and reunited with one of Orochimaru’s Split Bodies, an enormous eight-headed python that could not speak. Meanwhile, Shin learned Orochimaru had taken Anko away and traveled to the Land of Fire’s capital, where the daimyo’s death left the heir and court under his influence.

• Three attendants welcomed Anko and Kushinadahime to Ryūchi Cave and led them to the temple where Orochimaru’s eight-headed python body waited.
• Anko recognized the python as Orochimaru, embraced one of its heads, and insisted that Kushinadahime refer to him as “him,” not “it.”
• Kakashi and Guy failed to locate Anko, and Shin told them that she had been taken away by Space-Time Ninjutsu.
• Shin brought Kamado and Tsunade to the capital in a flying Hokage’s carriage and was welcomed by General Oda Isamu and the ministers.
• At the daimyo’s mourning hall, Shin met the daimyo’s principal wife and the young heir, while considering the royal family and ministers doomed to die.

Shin refused Oda Isamu’s request to suppress the rebellion while maneuvering around the succession crisis in the Land of Fire. After receiving news of unrest in Iwagakure, he returned to Konoha with nine former Guardian Ninja, leaving Prince Tomo and Oda Isamu awaiting his promised answer.

• Oda Isamu asked Shin to help suppress the rebels, but Shin hesitated and redirected Prince Tomo toward choosing new Guardian Ninja.
• Shin received an urgent letter reporting another disturbance in Iwagakure and left the capital, promising both Oda Isamu and Prince Tomo an answer soon.
• Outside the capital, Shin recruited nine former Guardian Ninja into Konoha as Chunin and flew back with them.
• Qinglian Valley told the former Guardian Ninja that Prince Tomo had gathered new Guardian Ninja.
• During the journey, Shin rested with his feet on Tsunade’s back after she questioned his decisions.

Zhen planned to expand Konoha and assigned Obito an S-rank mission to build houses using Wood Release. After his friends laughed at the assignment, Rin encouraged him, and Obito promised to complete it.

• Samui sent Qinglian Valley and the Guardian Ninja to register while Tsunade and Zhen left the carriage for the Hokage's Office.
• Zhen studied a map of the Land of Fire and decided to expand Konoha despite the village's tight finances.
• Zhen summoned Obito and assigned him to work with Earth Release ninja and construction craftsmen to expand the village for 200,000 ryo.
• At a barbecue gathering, Obito told his friends that his S-rank mission was to build houses, prompting them to laugh.
• Rin praised Obito's mission and urged him not to let Zhen down, and Obito vowed to complete the work perfectly.

After the rebels captured the capital, Shin gathered Konoha’s jonin and ordered them to save the Land of Fire. Later, he caught Anko in the wilderness and demanded Orochimaru’s whereabouts, but she pleaded with him to leave Orochimaru alone.

• A messenger reported that rebels had seized several cities, and Shin sent him to rest before returning to bed.
• Kamado informed Shin that the rebels had captured the capital, killed the royal family and generals, and left some officials alive.
• Shin convened Konoha’s jonin and announced a plan to take the capital, restore the major cities, and suppress and absorb the rebel forces.
• Shin sensed someone far from the village, found Anko in the wilderness, restrained her, and demanded to know where Orochimaru was.
• Anko begged Shin to let Orochimaru go, saying Orochimaru had already died once and their grudges should have been settled.

Shin refused Anko’s plea to spare Orochimaru, returned to the village, and left Anko in Anbu custody. At home, he spent time with his children before Ayari sent him to Ayano’s room for the night.

• Shin rejected Anko’s appeal and said he might spare Orochimaru if Orochimaru knelt and called him Hokage.
• Shin brought Anko back to the village, where Anbu took her to a holding cell for interrogation.
• Shin returned home, comforted Naruto and Sasuke, and tucked Neji in after the children asked him to stay.
• Ayari told Shin to treat the children equally and directed him to sleep in Ayano’s room.
• Shin entered Ayano’s room and pulled away her blanket, leaving her to curl up and complain that she was cold.

Shin pressured Anko into revealing Orochimaru’s hiding place and what she knew about his Split Bodies, then let her go. In Amegakure, Byakuryu struggled with his failing body and learned that Nagato was going to receive Naruto, who had arrived without warning.

• Shin threatened to have a Yamanaka ninja probe Anko’s mind unless she disclosed Orochimaru’s whereabouts.
• Anko told Shin that Orochimaru was hiding in Ryūchi Cave and identified Byakuryu as a Rain Ninja, one of Orochimaru’s stronger Split Bodies.
• Anko explained that Orochimaru’s soul had been divided into countless fragments, but she did not know where the other Split Bodies were.
• Shin reviewed materials on the Soul Secret Technique and concluded he needed to capture one of Orochimaru’s Split Bodies.
• Byakuryu injected himself with medicine and worried that his damaged body was too weak to defeat Hyuga Shin or devour the Split Bodies.
• Nagato told Byakuryu that Naruto had suddenly arrived in Amegakure and asked him to come along to receive him.

Shin captured the disguised Orochimaru in Rain Village and took him away after Byakuryu admitted to killing the Land of Fire's daimyo. Nagato discovered a strange scroll in Byakuryu's room, while Orochimaru shed his captured body and escaped.

• Shin exposed Byakuryu as a clone and had Kamado capture the real Byakuryu, who admitted to killing the daimyo.
• Yahiko handed Byakuryu over to Shin, who reassured Rain Village that Konoha's friendship would remain intact and reminded Yahiko about two wanted Konoha criminals.
• After Shin left, Yahiko asked Nagato to investigate Byakuryu's background, and Nagato found syringes and a miniature scroll in Byakuryu's room.
• Nagato opened the scroll, which released a force that struck him and left him unable to move.
• While Shin flew back to Konoha with Byakuryu, the captive's body swelled and died, and Shin realized Orochimaru had escaped by abandoning it.

Nagato investigated Byakuryu but found nothing, then learned Jiraiya planned to visit Rain Village and worried Yahiko would refuse to see him. Meanwhile, Shin weighed the threat of Orochimaru and prepared for Tsunade’s final day as his assistant, only for Samui to assign her one more task.

• Nagato found Byakuryu’s scroll blank, searched his room again without success, and sent subordinates to investigate him.
• Konan told Nagato that Jiraiya planned to visit, and Nagato realized Yahiko feared the visit could draw Konoha’s attention.
• Shin returned to the village with Kamado, worried that Orochimaru could grow as powerful as he did and escape capture again.
• Shin decided to let Tsunade finish her assistant duties the next day and met with Hyuga Clan elders as part of his plans to build political support.
• Tsunade arrived early for her last day, but Samui told her that her new task was to warm Shin’s bed before his afternoon nap.

Tsunade endured her final day of work for Shin, including warming his bed, while Shin handled village expansion plans and his usual duties. After Tsunade accidentally fell asleep and drooled on his pillow, Shin left without scolding her, and she considered taking the pillow home to wash it.

• Tsunade accepted Shin's order to warm his bed, deciding to endure it because it was her last day.
• Shin met with Obito and an architect to discuss village expansion, and promised to recognize Obito's contributions at a ceremony.
• Mabui gave Tsunade pastries as a parting gift, and Tsunade invited her to visit sometime.
• Tsunade lay down to warm Shin's bed and fell asleep while he continued working.
• Tsunade woke to find Shin eating beside her, apologized for drooling on his pillow, and watched him leave without blaming her.
• Tsunade decided she might take the soiled pillow home and ask Shizune to wash it.

Tsunade finished her final day as Shinichi’s assistant and returned his pillow, only to discover that Samui had already replaced it. After leaving the Hokage’s Office, Tsunade wandered into the village and entered the incense shop Samui had mentioned.

• Tsunade told Shinichi her last day had arrived, and he confirmed that her debt was fully repaid.
• Tsunade took the pillow home to wash, then stayed up fanning it dry with Shizune’s help.
• Tsunade brought the pillow back the next morning and found a new one already on the bed; Samui explained where to get the Hokage’s preferred incense.
• Shinichi asked for hot tea, and Tsunade brought him a cup before leaving the Hokage’s Office.
• Tsunade wandered through the village, remembered Samui’s offer of incense, and entered the incense shop.

Tsunade collected the Hokage’s aromatherapy, visited Biwako, and discussed Konoha’s political situation and her uncertain place in the village. After drinking and falling asleep at Biwako’s home, she encountered Shin, who told her she could return to work at Konoha Hospital.

• Tsunade obtained a gift box of the Hokage’s special aromatherapy from the shop owner and brought alcohol and gifts to Biwako.
• Tsunade and Biwako discussed the fallen royal family, Shin’s ambitions, and Tsunade’s grievances about serving as his assistant.
• Biwako urged Tsunade to remain in the village, control her temper, and make friends, while Tsunade thought of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Mabui.
• Tsunade drank with Biwako, fell asleep at the Sarutobi residence, and left after waking in the dark.
• Shin found Tsunade near the Sunlight Tower, asked about her gift box, and told her she could return to work at Konoha Hospital.

Neji discussed his hopes for the future with Toneri and Jugo while the Land of Fire struggled to recover after Konoha subdued the rebels. At the Biotechnology Research Institute, Zhen awakened the Tenseigan through Kabuto’s experiment and ordered him to shift his focus to creating artificial Jinchuriki.

• Neji complained about his lessons and told Toneri and Jugo he wanted to join the Crown Guard like Itachi.
• Neji said he did not want to become Hokage because he wanted to spend more time with his mother, and invited Toneri to join the Crown Guard.
• Konoha subdued the rebels, took control of the capital, and helped officials restore the Land of Fire’s administration as rumors spread that Zhen planned to replace the daimyo.
• Kabuto told Zhen that cloning experiments had produced Byakugan and Tenseigan serum, and Zhen awakened the Tenseigan after receiving an injection.
• Zhen demonstrated the Tenseigan’s power and ordered Kabuto to stop the Tenseigan experiment, continue mass-producing Byakugan, and focus on artificial Jinchuriki.

Zhen explored the Tenseigan’s powers while overseeing Konoha’s expansion and developing an artificial Jinchuriki. He successfully transferred the Two-Tails from Yugito into the prototype and planned to spread his influence across the Shinobi World.

• Zhen returned home with Tenseigan eyes, surprising his family, and spent the following half month overseeing Konoha’s expansion and selecting merchants and new residents.
• Kabuto completed a spherical artificial Jinchuriki made from Hashirama Cells, Uzumaki Clan cells, and a White Zetsu body.
• Zhen arranged a transfer ceremony outside the village and removed the Two-Tails from Yugito, sealing its Chakra into the artificial Jinchuriki.
• Yugito fainted and recovered in the hospital, while Zhen removed the seals on Yugito, Samui, and Mabui as compensation.
• Zhen tested the new container and told Kabuto to continue developing artificial Jinchuriki and other projects, intending to end the thousand-year war and extend the Sunlight Tower’s reach across the Shinobi World.

Rin agreed to have the Three-Tails extracted and was hospitalized after Shin completed the ritual. As Shin visited her, their unresolved attraction culminated in a kiss, and Rin anticipated seeing him again the next day.

• Rin learned Shin planned to extract the Three-Tails and, after talking with Kushina, returned two days later and agreed to the procedure.
• Shin led the transfer ritual, and Rin lost consciousness before waking in the hospital; her friends visited, and Shin came to see her that evening.
• The next day, Shin read a letter from ministers urging him to take further political action, while he considered the risks and investigated Stone Ninja spies in the Land of Fire.
• Shin visited Rin late at night, openly said he wanted to kiss her, and kissed her after she hid beneath the covers.
• Shin promised to visit Rin again the next day, and she spent the night thinking about preparing for his next visit.

Rin struggled with her feelings for Shin and confronted him about their relationship, his family, and his unwillingness to be exclusive. The chapter ended with Rin asking Shin to let her go before he destroyed her.

• Rin learned she could leave the hospital the next day, while Obito visited her with flowers and fruit.
• Shin visited Rin as she showered, teased her, and kissed her after she got dressed.
• Rin asked Shin what their relationship was and said she wanted him to be with only her, but Shin admitted he could not do that.
• Rin and Shin argued over when he would make time for her, and Shin suggested she move into his house with Kushina.
• Rin told Shin he was selfish, kissed him, and asked him to let her go before he destroyed her.