Recaps

Shin advanced Konoha’s transformation by developing a giant Chakra Metal construct, expanding the city, and reorganizing the Land of Fire’s independent shinobi groups into a state-recognized Ninja Guild. As winter continued, Konoha absorbed new residents and wealthy buyers, and Shin predicted that the village would be completely transformed after spring.

• At the Mechanical Science Research Institute, Tonokawa told Shin that the giant’s Chakra Metal skeleton was assembled, while Kabuto’s Flesh Armor and limb-movement experiments remained in progress.
• Shin attended a merchants’ banquet after Konoha completed its new city district and formally awarded Obito a medal for his construction work.
• Shin pushed ahead with plans for a Land of Fire Ninja Guild that would register and manage mercenary groups, shinobi factions, and Rogue Ninja under Konoha’s authority.
• After the rebellion left fields barren and the country short of relief supplies, Shin used gold mined on the moon to buy grain from neighboring countries.
• As Adofuku Street residents moved into Konoha, wealthy buyers drove up housing prices in the new district, prompting Konoha to intervene in the open market.
• During a snowfall, Shin told Samui that Konoha would be completely transformed after spring, then returned to his office.

Rin, Anko, and Obito spent an evening exploring Konoha’s prosperous new district and discussed the village’s changes, Obito’s ambitions, and rising housing prices. Their outing ended when they ran into Zhen, Ayari, and Kushina, leaving Rin awkwardly greeting the Hokage’s family while Anko stayed silent.

• Rin and Anko admired the busy food street with Obito, who proudly said he had helped build the new district.
• They ran into Itachi, Neji, Naruto, and Sasuke, and Rin asked why Obito had not joined the Crown.
• Obito explained that he planned to become Hokage, and Rin teased him about needing to grow strong enough to defeat his guards.
• Rin and Anko learned that houses in the new district cost ten million ryo, while Obito had received five hundred thousand ryo for his S-rank rebuilding mission.
• Anko suggested they head back, but Rin and Obito encountered Zhen, Ayari, and Kushina, and Rin greeted them while Anko remained silent.

Shinichi, Ayari, and Kushina spent the day shopping and encountered Obito, Rin, and Anko, whose cold treatment of Shinichi drew Ayari’s attention. That night, Kushina hinted that she had news about the rogue ninja the village was hunting, then asked Shinichi to let her sleep.

• Ayari greeted Anko, who barely acknowledged her, and Rin explained that Itachi had brought the children to buy snacks.
• After parting from Obito and the others, Ayari asked Shinichi about Anko’s disrespect, and Shinichi told her not to overthink their history.
• Ayari teased Kushina about Rin, Obito, and Kakashi, while Shinichi joked with the women and affectionately greeted Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji at the snack stall.
• Anko said her mood had turned bad and left with Rin, while Obito followed them and tried to keep the outing going.
• At home, Hinata chased and beat Naruto and Sasuke after they teased her, until Hyuga Natsu scolded all three children.
• That night, Kushina told Shinichi she had received news about the rogue ninja the village was searching for, then said she was tired and asked to sleep.

Yahiko hid a letter from Jiraiya, while Shin refused Tsunade’s request to show leniency toward the fugitive. Tsunade realized Rain Village’s participation in the Chunin Exams might give her a way to contact Jiraiya.

• Konan confronted Yahiko about a hidden letter, learned it was from Jiraiya, and urged him to find a way to lift Konoha’s warrant.
• Yahiko admitted he had refused Jiraiya’s request to visit Rain Village and promised Konan he would protect him.
• Shin learned Jiraiya and Minato were in the Land of Hot Water, ordered Jiraiya’s novel banned, and had a copy sent to Tsunade.
• Tsunade asked Shin to be lenient toward Jiraiya, but Shin said the village had already decided how to handle him.
• Tsunade learned Rain Village would participate in the Chunin Exams and realized she might use Jiraiya’s students to contact him.

Konan and Nagato questioned Konoha’s plan to take in Rogue Ninja before Tsunade asked them to help Jiraiya. Meanwhile, Minato warned Jiraiya that his whereabouts had been exposed, then argued with a voice speaking from his shadow about his motives and Jiraiya’s other students.

• The Hokage proposed that small villages help Konoha contact Rogue Ninja and mercenaries about stable work, and their representatives agreed to report the offer to their leaders.
• Konan and Nagato discussed Konoha’s transformation and its plan to take in Rogue Ninja as they headed to their guest residence.
• Tsunade brought Konan and Nagato to her home and said she wanted their help with Jiraiya, while Konan denied that they knew his whereabouts.
• In the Land of Hot Water, Minato visited Jiraiya and warned him that his location had been exposed, prompting Jiraiya to agree to leave the next day.
• After Minato left the inn, a voice from his shadow accused him of fearing that Konoha would capture Jiraiya and questioned why he had not asked about Jiraiya’s other students.

Yahiko warned Jiraiya that the Hokage might target him and offered him a safe place to stay. When a familiar figure appeared at the tavern, Jiraiya vanished, leaving Yahiko face to face with Kamado-kun.

• Shin told Yahiko that Tsunade had helped two S-rank Rogue Ninja escape Konoha and warned Rain Village not to trust her or side against Konoha.
• Yahiko suspected the Hokage planned to target Jiraiya and decided to visit him alone, while Konan and Nagato stayed behind.
• Yahiko met Jiraiya in a Land of Birds tavern and warned him that Konoha might make a move against him.
• Jiraiya sensed that Yahiko had been followed and identified the newcomer as an old acquaintance.
• Jiraiya turned into a puff of smoke and disappeared, while Kamado-kun suddenly appeared before Yahiko.

Kamado captured Yahiko after confronting him about Jiraiya, while Konan and Nagato struggled to contain the fallout from Yahiko’s disappearance. Jiraiya arrived in Rain Village and planned to surrender to Konoha in hopes of securing Yahiko’s release, though he knew escape might be impossible.

• Kamado questioned Yahiko about Jiraiya, left the izakaya, then knocked Yahiko unconscious as he departed.
• Yahiko woke chained to a platform in a dark room, where three captors prepared to torture him.
• Konan and Nagato searched for Yahiko and concealed his disappearance, but the news spread through Rain Village and beyond.
• Shin ignored a note offering surrender in exchange for Yahiko’s release, while Konoha publicly announced a search for the missing Rain Village leader.
• Jiraiya met Konan and Nagato, revealed that Konoha had captured Yahiko, and proposed turning himself in to seek Yahiko’s release.

Jiraiya confronted Shin in Konoha and tried to bargain for Yahiko’s release, but Shin dismissed his threats and had him imprisoned. Kamado returned the wounded Yahiko to Amegakure, where Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan faced the humiliation of Konoha’s control.

• Anbu captured Jiraiya and brought him blindfolded to an interrogation room, where he demanded to see Shin.
• Jiraiya accused Shin of causing the Land of Fire’s chaos and offered Minato’s whereabouts in exchange for Yahiko, but Shin rejected his arguments and ordered Jiraiya imprisoned.
• Shin told Kamado to spread news of Jiraiya’s capture and arranged for Yahiko to be released and escorted back to Amegakure.
• Kamado told Nagato and Konan that Rogue Ninja had captured Yahiko and that Konoha’s men had rescued him.
• Yahiko thanked the Hokage for saving him while Nagato restrained his anger and Konan comforted him.

Tsunade pleaded with Makoto to spare Jiraiya, but learned he would be executed in a week. During her prison visit, she and Jiraiya reflected on their past and his impending death, and Tsunade left resolved that he would not die.

• Tsunade asked Makoto to spare Jiraiya, and he granted Jiraiya a week's reprieve before execution while allowing her one visit.
• Tsunade visited Jiraiya in Konoha Prison and told him that Yahiko had returned to Amegakure.
• Jiraiya realized the execution might be intended to lure Minato back to Konoha and said he could not escape because of the Jutsu Formula and Sunlight Tower.
• Tsunade asked whether she could remove the formula, but Jiraiya refused to let her risk helping him escape.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade spoke about his regrets, their lost friends, and their memories before Tsunade left the prison resolved that Jiraiya would not die.

Tsunade begged Shin to spare Jiraiya, first kneeling in the street and then remaining submissively in his office. The chapter left her humiliating herself further as Shin made her help him dress, while she feared she was losing something precious.

• Tsunade stopped Shin in the street and begged him to spare Jiraiya, kneeling and prostrating herself before him.
• Shin refused to show mercy and left Tsunade kneeling in the street overnight.
• The next day, Samui told Shin that Tsunade had been kneeling in the lounge and had warmed his bed.
• Shin ate lunch and took a nap while Tsunade waited beside the bed without speaking.
• When Shin awoke, Tsunade tried to put on his socks, and he placed his foot on her head before demanding them.
• Tsunade offered him the other sock while lowering herself further, afraid she was losing something she could never regain.

Tsunade returned to serving Zhen as his assistant, hoping to persuade him to spare Jiraiya before the public execution in a week. She arrived at the Hokage's Office ready to please Zhen, where Samui welcomed her as a colleague again.

• Zhen told Tsunade that she could earn his agreement to her request by pleasing him, while setting Jiraiya's execution for a week later.
• Zhen spread news of Jiraiya's coming execution to lure Minato out of hiding.
• Tsunade found her old assistant outfit and prepared to wear it to the Hokage's Office, telling Shizune she was doing it for herself.
• Tsunade woke early, got dressed, and went to the Hokage's Office intending to serve Zhen well and change his mind.
• Samui arrived after Tsunade had cleaned the office and greeted her as a colleague again.

Yahiko struggled to decide whether to rescue Jiraiya from Konoha’s planned execution, while Tsunade tried to advance her negotiations with Shinichi by offering him personal attention. The chapter ended as Shinichi lifted Tsunade’s chin with his foot after she pulled his sock from her blouse to warm it.

• Konan told Yahiko and Nagato that Konoha would publicly execute Jiraiya in six days, and Yahiko realized the execution would also serve as bait for Minato.
• Yahiko wrestled with whether to risk Rain Village and Akatsuki to rescue Jiraiya, while Konan reassured Nagato that Yahiko was weighing his responsibilities.
• Tsunade stayed beside Shinichi during his afternoon nap and contemplated how to use intimacy to secure what she wanted from him.
• After Shinichi woke, Tsunade pulled his sock from inside her blouse and said she had warmed it for him.
• Shinichi lifted Tsunade’s chin with his foot as she knelt beside his bed.

Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, and Minato planned to rescue Jiraiya by exploiting the Sunlight Tower’s vulnerability, while Minato hinted he had another weapon prepared for Konoha. Shin oversaw Byakugan cloning and Flesh Armor research, then learned that Nagato and Konan had arrived in Konoha and ordered them watched.

• Minato warned Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan that the Sunlight Tower could immobilize Konoha’s enemies and prevent them from using Chakra, and said it had to be shut down from inside to rescue Jiraiya.
• Minato proposed drawing Konoha’s attention while Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan entered as guests to investigate and disable the tower; he hinted he would not face the Seven Mianwei alone.
• At the Biological Science Research Institute, Shin learned that cloned Byakugan supplies had reached the required number and ordered Kabuto to store them and continue cloning more.
• Kabuto told Shin that the Flesh Armor would take at least half a year to meet its required standard, with its Jutsu Formulas and testing likely taking longer.
• After learning Nagato and Konan had arrived in Konoha on official business, Shin ordered his subordinates to receive them, monitor their movements, and report back.

Shin learned that the moon’s yellow Tenseigan could move the moon, though he could not yet claim or control it. In Konoha, Nagato discovered that the Sunlight Tower’s restraint could not stop him and planned to disable it during the coming operation, while Konoha learned that Rain Village had tested the tower ahead of Execution Day.

• Shin sensed the yellow Tenseigan’s immense power and learned from ancient records that it could move the moon, but he could not yet use it.
• Konan reported that the Sunlight Tower spread powerful Chakra, and Nagato sensed that its power resonated with his Rinnegan.
• Konan hired a Rogue Ninja to rob a shop, and Nagato confirmed that the tower’s purple light could not restrain him.
• Nagato told Yahiko, Minato, and Konan that he would go alone to shut down the Sunlight Tower during the operation.
• A Yamanaka ninja’s memory search revealed that Konan had hired the robber, and Kamado concluded that Rain Village had tested the tower ahead of Execution Day.
• Kamado warned Kakashi that the Sunlight Tower could become a target, and Kakashi said Konoha would kill any enemies who attacked.

With Jiraiya’s execution one day away, Tsunade failed to persuade Shinichi to spare him, and Shinichi turned to Sarutobi Biwako for help in pressuring her. Shinichi left the negotiations unresolved while continuing to manipulate Tsunade into despair.

• Tsunade pleaded with Shinichi to spare Jiraiya, but he said he would do so only if Namikaze Minato came to Konoha and surrendered.
• Shinichi inspected the completed Execution Platform and met Sarutobi Biwako, who invited him to her home.
• Biwako offered the Sarutobi Clan’s wealth and asked Shinichi to reduce Jiraiya’s punishment, but he refused to be swayed by the offer.
• Shinichi told Biwako that Tsunade had returned to work as his assistant to save Jiraiya and suggested that Biwako advise her.
• After leaving Biwako’s home, Shinichi reflected that he wanted Tsunade to understand the price of asking him for help and to fall deeper into despair.

The day before Jiraiya’s execution, Biwako urged Tsunade to take more direct action, while Naruto revealed he had rejected Biwako’s plea to spare Jiraiya. Tsunade tried to offer herself to Naruto, but he called Samui in to teach her how to look at him.

• Biwako visited Tsunade, discussed Jiraiya’s execution, and suggested Tsunade was pursuing her goal the wrong way.
• Tsunade remained withdrawn after Biwako left, and Shizune covered her with a blanket.
• The next morning, Naruto told Tsunade that Biwako had asked him to spare Jiraiya and offered a valuable bargaining chip, but he had refused.
• Tsunade accidentally spilled tea while attending Naruto, then failed to warm his bed at noon.
• Tsunade locked the door, undressed, and pressed herself against Naruto, claiming she only wanted to serve him.
• Naruto summoned Samui and told her to teach Tsunade how to look at him.

On the day Jiraiya was to be executed, Nagato entered Konoha in disguise while Shin prepared for an attack. A monstrous bird appeared over the village and targeted the Sunlight Tower, revealing that the enemy had arrived.

• Shizune found Tsunade collapsed in the shower with a fever and red marks on her body, cared for her, and suspected she had been coerced to save Jiraiya.
• Nagato entered Konoha disguised as a merchant, passed the guards’ inspection, and surveyed the village ahead of the execution.
• As Jiraiya was escorted toward the Execution Platform, Nagato used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the restaurant.
• Kamado told Shin that no suspicious individuals had entered Konoha, and Shin warned him not to underestimate the enemy.
• A gigantic monstrous bird appeared above Konoha and flew toward the Sunlight Tower, prompting Shin to recognize that the enemy had arrived.

Naruto and Sasuke sneaked to Jiraiya’s public execution, where Naruto called him a bad guy and Jiraiya recognized Naruto before laughing hysterically. A giant monstrous bird appeared overhead, throwing the crowd into chaos as the ninja rushed to respond.

• Naruto and Sasuke slipped through the crowd to watch Jiraiya’s execution, despite villagers urging them to go home.
• Jiraiya, bound on the platform, feared the crowd’s judgment and wondered whether his life had been a failure.
• Naruto threw a stone at Jiraiya and called him a bad guy; when a ninja identified the boys as Naruto and Sasuke, Jiraiya stared at Naruto and broke into hysterical laughter.
• Ninjas pulled Naruto and Sasuke away, and a guard told them Jiraiya was a Rogue Ninja who had opposed the Hokage and was to be executed that day.
• A giant monstrous bird appeared above the platform, and the guard ordered Naruto and Sasuke home before leaping back to raise the alarm.

Hyuga Shimizu and the Barrier Team used the Sunlight Tower to destroy several summoned beasts, but Nagato’s forces proved immune to its restraints and barrier. Kakashi confronted Nagato at the tower, and the chapter ended with Kakashi attacking him again after returning from a deadly fall.

• Hyuga Shimizu ordered the Sunlight Tower to scan Konoha and kill an attacking bird and a giant rhinoceros with its Purification Beam.
• The Tower destroyed several more summoned beasts while Anbu searched for the hidden enemy, but four giant dogs split into more individuals after being struck.
• Hyuga Shimizu switched the Tower to its Restraint Beam, but the dogs ignored it, then rammed the tower despite its Protective Barrier.
• Kakashi ordered the Anbu to capture the dogs without harming them, then burst from the control room and drove a figure through the corridor glass.
• Nagato repelled Kakashi in midair and entered the control room, where he flung an Anbu aside and dodged Kakashi’s sudden attack.

Nagato attacked the Sunlight Tower, absorbed the Tenseigan Weapon’s Purification Beam, and destroyed the control room before Kakashi counterattacked with a surge of power. As the battle continued above the tower, a bloodied man arrived at Konoha’s gate and began transforming into a Jinchuriki.

• Kakashi attacked Nagato, but Nagato repelled him with Shinra Tensei and sent him crashing into the control equipment.
• Hyuga Shimizu fired the Tenseigan Weapon’s Purification Beam at Nagato, who absorbed it with the Preta Path’s Blocking Technique Absorption Seal.
• Nagato destroyed the control room with Shinra Tensei, and Kakashi caught the falling staff while Nagato realized the Light Orb remained intact and could not be controlled.
• Nagato dragged Kakashi toward him with Banshō Ten'in and seized his throat, but Kakashi’s power erupted, forcing Nagato to release him before Kakashi struck him and sent him falling from the tower.
• Nagato blocked Kakashi’s Chidori with Shinra Tensei as they fought above the ground.
• A bloodied man staggered to Konoha’s main gate, vomited blood, and began changing as the guards recognized him as a Jinchuriki.

A giant Seven-Tails Chomei attacked Konoha while Minato arrived to rescue Jiraiya, fighting Shisui and escaping with his teacher. After discovering the barrier blocked their escape route, Minato encountered two children and learned that one was Hyuga Naruto, the son of Hyuga Kushina and Naruto.

• Chomei appeared above Konoha, and Hyuga Kamado and Might Guy went to confront the beast outside the village barrier.
• Minato tried to rescue Jiraiya from Shisui, transported Shisui away, wounded him, and escaped with Jiraiya.
• Minato removed Jiraiya's sealing formulas and explained that Chomei's attack was meant to buy time, but Konoha's barrier prevented them from using Flying Thunder God to escape.
• Minato and Jiraiya encountered two children in an alley, and Minato pressed Jiraiya about why he recognized them.
• Naruto identified himself as Hyuga Naruto, named Hyuga Kushina as his mother, and declared that his dad Naruto would defeat Minato.

Yahiko prepared for the possibility of conflict with Konoha while Minato withdrew with Jiraiya after Anko intervened to protect Naruto and Sasuke. Outside Konoha, Guy and Kamado struggled against Seven-Tails Chomei as Shin calmly prepared to leave his office.

• Yahiko learned that Maruboshi Kosuke had arrived as an envoy from Konoha and ordered him received.
• Anko stopped Minato from approaching Naruto and Sasuke, and Minato took Jiraiya away.
• Anko scolded Naruto and Sasuke for watching the execution and agreed to take them home.
• Guy and Kamado failed to break through Seven-Tails Chomei's shell, then realized its Tailed Beast Bomb was aimed at the ground.
• Shin learned that Kosuke's mission was complete, put on his cloak, and said the farce should be over.

Shin restored Konoha’s barrier, defeated Nagato with a single technique, and ordered Kakashi to take him into custody. He then reached the village outskirts, where Minato and Jiraiya were waiting, and faced Minato as he prepared to capture him.

• Shin dispelled the giant dogs attacking the Anbu and ordered repairs to the Sunlight Tower control rooms.
• Shin activated the Tenseigan Weapon, restoring the barrier over Konoha and allowing the Tailed Beast Energy Base Station to deactivate its backup barrier.
• Shin arrived during Kakashi’s fight with Nagato, recognized Nagato, and immobilized him with a powerful storm until he fainted.
• Shin told Kakashi to take Nagato back, then flew to the outskirts of Konoha to capture Minato.
• Minato and Jiraiya sensed Shin approaching, and Minato clenched his fists in hatred as Shin descended nearby.

After returning Naruto and Sasuke home, Anko left Kushina to learn that Minato had encountered Naruto before Shin defeated Minato and Jiraiya, captured Black Zetsu, and ended the attack on Konoha. Shin returned to the Hokage’s Office unsettled by Minato’s death, but he insisted that everything he had done was right.

• Ayari checked Naruto and Sasuke’s protective necklaces, while Kushina scolded Naruto for going outside and later comforted him after he apologized.
• Naruto told Kushina that a yellow-haired man had asked his name and hers, and Kushina recognized the description as Minato, a prisoner who had escaped.
• Shin defeated Minato and Jiraiya, then captured Black Zetsu as it tried to escape from Minato’s shadow.
• Shin ordered the aftermath handled and used the Sunlight Tower to defeat the Seven-Tails Chomei, leaving its Jinchuriki alive.
• Shin returned to the Hokage’s Office, rested with Samui, and reflected on his unease after killing Minato before declaring that he had done nothing wrong.

Nagato and Jiraiya remained imprisoned after Minato's death, while Yahiko and Konan visited them and said the Hokage would release them. Yahiko had agreed to hand Amegakure over to Konoha to save his companions, and Shin rejected Yahiko's idea that the Shinobi World's fragile balance counted as peace.

• Nagato woke in Konoha Prison and found Jiraiya in the cell opposite, while Jiraiya feared Minato had died.
• Yahiko and Konan visited Nagato and Jiraiya, confirmed Minato was gone, and said the Hokage would release them soon.
• Shin extracted the Seven-Tails from its captured Jinchuriki and made Amegakure's submission the price for sparing Nagato and Jiraiya.
• Yahiko reflected that he had traded Amegakure to save his companions and questioned Shin about his plans for the Shinobi World.
• Shin dismissed the current balance of power as peace and declared that unity was peace.