Recaps

Shin visited Fugaku’s home, where they discussed the war and the Uchiha Police Force before sharing lunch with Mikoto and Itachi. After Shin left, Fugaku concluded that the young Hyuga clan head only pretended to be mature and would be easy to manipulate.

• Fugaku introduced Shin to Mikoto and Itachi, and praised Shin’s abilities while Itachi promised to learn from him.
• Fugaku and Shin discussed the war, and Shin privately anticipated that Konoha would face another major battle after the conflict with the Hidden Mist Village.
• Fugaku told Shin that the Uchiha could no longer fill the Police Force’s vacancies and proposed recruiting capable villagers regardless of their origins.
• Shin offered to pass Fugaku’s proposal to the Hokage, then joined Fugaku’s family for lunch and deflected Mikoto and Fugaku’s questions about marriage.
• After Shin left, Mikoto called him mature beyond his years, but Fugaku judged him to be a childish teenager who could be manipulated.

Kakashi and Hyuga Keiji rescued Nohara Rin from a Mist Ninja cave after learning the Three-Tails had been sealed inside her. As the team headed back, Rin begged them to kill her, but Keiji said reinforcements were already coming.

• A wounded medical squad told Shikaku that Mist Ninjas had killed several of their members and captured Nohara Rin, prompting Kakashi to rush out after her.
• Hayama Shirakumo and Hyuga Keiji caught up with Kakashi, and Keiji led a team to locate Rin while Hayama staged a diversion.
• Kakashi and Keiji infiltrated the cave, found Rin tied up near a ritual platform, and freed her.
• Keiji received a message revealing that Kirigakure had sealed the Three-Tails inside Rin and planned to unleash it when she returned to Konoha.
• Rin urged Kakashi, Keiji, and Hayama to kill her, but Keiji assured them that reinforcements were on the way.

Orochimaru captured Obito and the White Zetsu hiding in the forest while Konoha's reinforcements rescued Rin and Kakashi. After learning that Orochimaru was the Fourth Hokage and that a White Zetsu had attacked Rin, Obito was drawn into Orochimaru's plans.

• Orochimaru ambushed Obito, drugged him, and removed the White Zetsu attached to his body.
• Orochimaru and the Hyuga Anbu captured the White Zetsu hidden in the forest, and Orochimaru examined Obito's patched-together body.
• Obito woke and learned from Orochimaru and the Hyuga Anbu that Rin and Kakashi had been rescued.
• Obito discovered that his right arm and the White Zetsu attached to him were gone, and learned that Orochimaru was Konoha's Fourth Hokage.
• Orochimaru told Obito that a White Zetsu had infiltrated Konoha and attacked Rin, then asked Obito to help with something very big.

Orochimaru and Obito found Madara’s hideout abandoned, though Orochimaru recovered valuable materials before bringing Obito to the eastern camp. There, Obito reunited with Minato and Kakashi and learned that Rin was a Three-Tails Jinchuriki marked by a curse seal Orochimaru promised to investigate.

• Orochimaru found Madara’s hideout empty and discovered blood, drained White Zetsu husks, Hashirama’s cells, and ruined Sharingan eyes.
• Orochimaru ordered the Anbu to transport the recovered materials to the village and changed course for the eastern camp after Obito insisted on seeing Rin and Kakashi.
• Obito reunited with Minato and Kakashi at the camp, and Kakashi embraced him despite his injuries.
• Kakashi explained that the Mist Ninjas had made Rin the Three-Tails’ Jinchuriki, and Minato described the curse mark he had been unable to remove.
• Orochimaru ordered Rin sent back to the village and promised Obito that he would find a way to deal with the curse mark.

After returning to Konoha, Obito and Rin faced uncertain futures as Obito’s injuries left him unable to continue as a ninja and the Sealing Squad failed to remove Rin’s curse mark. Shin told Kakashi he could help Rin, then made Kakashi’s service in the Anbu a condition.

• Fugaku welcomed Obito back but considered using his survival and sacrifice to improve the Uchiha Clan’s image and reclaim Kakashi’s Sharingan.
• Shin arranged a hospital examination for Obito and a Sealing Squad attempt to remove Rin’s curse mark.
• The hospital found Obito’s body severely weakened and concluded he might never be able to remain a ninja, but Obito insisted he would recover.
• Kushina and the Sealing Squad failed to remove Rin’s curse mark because it lay on her heart and was strengthened by the leaking Tailed Beast Chakra.
• Two days later, Shin told Kakashi he had found a way to help Rin, then asked whether Kakashi would serve in the Anbu.

Shin removed the curse mark and the Hidden Mist sealing jutsu from Rin, then visited Konoha’s orphanage to discuss its funding and recruit children for ninja training. He recognized Yakushi Nonō as the “Wandering Miko” and offered her terms to manage the orphanage and train the children.

• Shin used his chakra to remove the mark on Rin’s heart and the Hidden Mist sealing jutsu, leaving Minato’s Double Four Symbols Seal intact.
• Rin said she felt better, and Kakashi and Obito thanked Shin; Shin asked Obito to treat him to ramen sometime.
• Shin visited the orphanage with Kamado and an Anbu from the Hyuga Clan and met its director, Yakushi Nonō.
• Shin promised to seek funding from the daimyo so the orphanage could continue operating, but said he planned to train selected children as ninjas outside the Ninja Academy.
• Shin told Yakushi Nonō that she would be responsible for teaching the children and addressed her as the “Wandering Miko.”

Shin visited Ayari late at night, but his teasing made her cry and reminded him that he had changed. After leaving, he encountered Harucha and turned toward Ayano’s residence when he realized she was still awake.

• Shin left his empty home and went to Ayari’s residence, where she made him instant noodles.
• Shin asked Ayari whether she had decided about what he had told her, but she said she still needed time.
• Shin pulled Ayari onto his lap, then stopped when she pleaded with him and saw that she was crying.
• Shin left after asking Ayari whether Sibi felt lonely, and Ayari blushed and angrily shut the door when he asked her to kiss him.
• Shin met Harucha on the covered corridor and learned she was still serving Ayano.
• Shin changed course and headed to Ayano’s residence, where the lights were still on.

Makoto visited Ayano and told her to leave the Main Branch residence and become his servant, forcing her to accept the loss of her former status. The chapter ended with Ayano closing the door to the cold courtyard after kneeling to massage Makoto’s leg.

• Ayano welcomed Makoto into her residence and nervously asked whether Harucha had said anything to him.
• Makoto told Ayano that Harucha would no longer serve her and that she had to leave the future clan head’s residence.
• Makoto ordered Ayano to move to his home and serve him, and Ayano’s hope that Ayari might intervene was dismissed.
• Ayano reluctantly knelt and massaged Makoto’s leg while he watched her.
• Makoto asked whether Hiashi had ever told Ayano she was beautiful, and Ayano rose and closed the living-room door.

Makoto managed Konoha’s response to Kirigakure’s peace offer and deflected criticism from the Hokage advisors by blaming Orochimaru’s orders. Ayano came to work at Makoto’s household, where her clumsy chores and lack of cooking skills quickly became apparent.

• Makoto sent Kirigakure’s peace proposal to the daimyo, who approved additional rewards for Konoha, and authorized Minato and Shikaku to negotiate.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu confronted Makoto about the peace proposal and his assignment of Hyuga Clan members to the Anbu, but he blamed Orochimaru and talked them into leaving.
• Ayano arrived at Makoto’s home and struggled with her assigned housework, drawing criticism from Makoto and help from the other maids.
• Makoto asked Ayano to prepare pastries, and she admitted that Harucha had made the food she previously brought him, so he told her to ask Akisato instead.

Shin explained that he kept Ayano in his residence to protect her from the clan’s hostility after Hiashi’s death, while Ayari struggled with her feelings about Shin and Natsu. He also managed Konoha’s resources and pressed Yakushi Nonō to reveal the secrets protected by her Root seal, making clear that he held power in the village.

• Ayari confronted Shin about Ayano doing housework, but Ayano insisted she wanted to stay with him; Shin explained that this arrangement protected her from the clan’s suspicion.
• Ayari warned Shin not to bully Ayano, then left after promising to visit often and wondering whether accepting Shin’s proposal could change her sister’s status.
• Ayari ran into Natsu, who said she had come to speak with Shin, and felt troubled by rumors that Natsu was well suited to him.
• Shin reviewed the daimyo’s money and supplies, then sent a secret letter to Sunagakure reporting that Sasori’s puppet resembled the missing Third Kazekage.
• Shin funded the orphanage and arranged new management, housing, and teachers for its children before asking Yakushi Nonō about her Root seal.
• Shin demanded to know what the seal protected and warned Nonō that he could protect or defeat anyone who tried to influence her.

Shin removed the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal from Yakushi Nonō and told her to prepare records, while she reassured Kabuto that she would not leave the orphanage. Danzo confronted Orochimaru about Shin’s influence in village affairs, but Orochimaru unexpectedly offered him responsibility for expanding the Konoha Police Force.

• Shin removed Nonō’s cursed seal, and she confirmed she could speak about Danzo without being harmed.
• Nonō met the orphanage’s new director and reassured Kabuto that she would not leave him.
• Danzo questioned Orochimaru about sending Shin as an envoy to Sunagakure and letting him handle matters in the Hokage’s Office.
• Orochimaru offered Danzo responsibility for supplementing the Konoha Police Force after the Uchiha Clan suffered casualties.
• Danzo accepted the offer and praised Shin as a promising young man.

Hizashi reported on Akatsuki’s growing influence in the Land of Rain, while Shin reassured him about Ayano and promised him an important post. At the Hokage’s Office, Fugaku failed to persuade Orochimaru to withdraw Root members from the Police Force and asked Shin to help, offering him anything he wanted in return.

• Hizashi gave Shin a report on Akatsuki’s growth and Yahiko’s leadership, and Shin asked him to consider Amegakure’s attitude toward the organization.
• Shin told Hizashi that Ayano was now his servant, promised to arrange an important post for him, and asked about his plans for marriage.
• Fugaku questioned Shin about Root members joining the Police Force, then went to meet Orochimaru and failed to change the order.
• Fugaku returned to Shin and offered to jointly lead Konoha’s Police Force with the Hyuga, but Shin declined on their behalf.
• Fugaku asked Shin to name his terms and said he could have anything Fugaku was able to provide.

Fugaku accepted the Hokage’s decision to bring Root personnel into the Uchiha Police Force and urged his clan to improve its conduct and standing with villagers. Shin arranged training for orphanage children, pushed Hidden Mist to pay more for its ninja swords, and learned that Orochimaru planned to test a White Zetsu and Hashirama-cell arm on Obito.

• Fugaku returned home and told the Uchiha clansmen that they had to accept outsiders in the Police Force, then ordered them to patrol without violence, wear Uchiha armbands, and help villagers.
• Shin met the orphanage children selected for training and reassured Nonō that he would not turn them into Root-like tools; he had also specifically requested Kabuto’s inclusion.
• Shin rejected Hidden Mist Village’s initial offer for the seven ninja swords and instructed Shikaku and Minato to demand a higher price in a second negotiation.
• Orochimaru showed Shin an arm made from White Zetsu and Hashirama cells and said he planned to use Obito as the first human test subject.

Shin continued training with high-frequency Chakra and worked through his strained relationship with Ayano, who tried to please him by cooking. Ayano later urged Ayari to accept Shin’s request, leaving Ayari silent and conflicted about her feelings.

• Shin used Chakra to stimulate his muscles during a painful training session, then noticed that his chest scar had faded and his expression had grown colder.
• Ayano brought Shin a towel and told him dinner was ready, then served him a fish dish she had tried to cook; Shin spat it out and asked for it to be taken away.
• Ayano apologized and resolved to keep serving Shin, while enduring the servants’ contempt and hoping she could eventually regain her former position.
• Ayano and Ayari spoke privately, and Ayari admitted that Shin felt special to her in a way Hizashi did not.
• Ayano seriously told Ayari to agree to Shin’s request, and Ayari fell silent.

After Orochimaru restored Obito’s right arm and gave him secret Wood Release techniques, Obito reunited with Rin and Kakashi, only to learn Kakashi was joining the Anbu. Kakashi began serving in a special Hyuga clan squad assigned to guard Shin and the Hokage, where he was told that following the Hokage would bring the danger he sought.

• Orochimaru restored Obito’s right arm, gave him a potion and secret Wood Release techniques, and told him to make good use of his new strength.
• Obito celebrated his recovery with Rin and Kakashi at Ichiraku Ramen and learned from Rin that the front-line war had ended.
• Kakashi told Obito and Rin he was joining the Anbu to become stronger, then left after arguing with Obito and refusing Rin’s concern.
• Obito reflected on Kakashi’s words and resolved to become stronger so he could protect Rin.
• Kakashi reported to Shin’s office and joined Kamado’s special Anbu squad, made up entirely of Hyuga clan members.
• Kamado explained that the squad guarded Shin and the Hokage between missions and warned Kakashi that assignments with the Hokage would be dangerous.

Minato and Shikaku returned to Konoha with the victorious ninja, and Orochimaru welcomed them as Hokage before hosting a village-wide victory banquet. Shin attended the celebration and stayed alone above Hokage Rock after it ended, watching the quiet village under the moon.

• Minato and Shikaku returned with several hundred ninja and Kirigakure's war reparations, and Orochimaru welcomed them and rewarded them at the Hokage's Office.
• Minato learned that Obito had received a reattached arm and that Kakashi had joined the Anbu, then went home with Rin, Obito, and Kushina.
• Shin arrived at the victory banquet and joined Orochimaru, Shikaku, Fugaku, Minato, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and other village leaders.
• Shin declined Obito's invitation to sit with the younger ninja, and Kakashi identified him as the Hyuga Clan head and Hokage's assistant.
• The banquet continued late into the night, and Shin stayed alone on Orochimaru's stone monument after the villagers went home.

Shin assigned Might Duy a B-rank mission with Maruboshi Kosuke and rejected Might Guy’s request to join the Anbu unless he could defeat Kakashi. After Guy lost their duel, Kakashi praised his perseverance, and Shin said he would consider him.

• Shin paired Might Duy with Maruboshi Kosuke for an intelligence-gathering mission after Duy failed to find teammates.
• Might Guy asked Shin to let him join the Anbu because Kakashi had joined, but Shin told him to defeat Kakashi first.
• Kakashi and Guy left the office to duel, stopping to eat before their match.
• Kakashi returned that evening and told Shin that Guy had won, but admitted he had actually beaten him repeatedly and praised Guy’s character.
• Shin said he would consider Guy for the Anbu, and Kakashi wondered whether Shin had stayed late waiting for him.

Shin visited Ayari at night, then handled Root’s conflict with the Uchiha Clan by letting Fugaku settle it. Kakashi introduced Might Guy to his Anbu squad, and Guy joined his first mission guarding the Hokage.

• Shin visited Ayari, chatted with her, and left after teasing her about a goodbye kiss.
• Shin learned that Root and the Uchiha Clan had fought, but continued his official work after sensing that Fugaku had arrived.
• Fugaku apologized to Aburame Ryoma and told the Uchiha clansmen to avoid conflicts with Root.
• Kakashi brought Might Guy to meet Hyuga Kamado and Hyuga Kiyomi, who were surprised by Guy’s green jumpsuit and eccentric greeting.
• Guy put on his Anbu uniform over his jumpsuit and left with Kakashi to guard the Hokage.

Shin joined Anko and the younger generation for a barbecue, where the group learned he was Kakashi and Guy’s superior and Orochimaru’s assistant. After returning to the Hokage’s office, Shin learned Kakashi had been meeting with Uchiha Clan members and decided to visit Orochimaru about the possibility they would seek to reclaim Kakashi’s Sharingan.

• Shin ran into Anko at Yakiniku Q, and she invited him and Kamado to join a gathering with Kakashi, Guy, Obito, Rin, Asuma, Kurenai, Shizune, and others.
• The group discussed Guy’s Anbu work, and Shin defended him while Obito talked about his Hokage ambitions and secret training.
• After Shin and Kamado left, Anko told the others that Shin was Orochimaru’s assistant and handled village affairs, surprising them and making Obito reconsider joining the Anbu.
• Shin received a report that Kakashi had recently been in close contact with Uchiha Clan members.
• Shin suspected the Uchiha Clan might want Kakashi to return his Sharingan and decided to visit Orochimaru.

Shin learned that Orochimaru planned to begin human experiments using Hashirama Cells and White Zetsu cells, and accepted responsibility for finding child subjects. He also intervened in the Uchiha Clan’s effort to reclaim Kakashi’s Sharingan, then returned home thinking about Ayari.

• Orochimaru explained that White Zetsu cells could suppress Hashirama Cells and told Shin he planned to experiment on human bodies.
• Orochimaru suggested using children from the village orphanage, and Shin accepted the task after warning him about his position.
• Shin asked Kakashi about the Uchiha Clan’s request to reclaim his Sharingan and offered to make the clan abandon it.
• Kakashi agreed he would not resist if the Uchiha Clan insisted on taking the Sharingan, and Shin dismissed him.
• Shin checked on the children at Yakushi Nonō’s care, then went home, where Ayano hinted that Ayari cared for him.

Shin practiced manipulating objects and people with an unseen force, then noticed that Fugaku’s stricter Police Force recruits seemed to be making an impression. In the Land of Rain, Akatsuki received a Konoha proposal that left Yahiko weighing whether to accept help despite Nagato’s distrust.

• Shin lifted the study’s contents and Ayano with his power, then restored everything and wondered about safely using Natural Energy.
• Shin ate, spoke briefly with Ayari, and left home.
• Shin saw Police Force members arresting two drunkards and learned that the strict officers were new recruits, suggesting Fugaku’s methods were working.
• Yahiko rejected Iwagakure’s requests for military expansion and reaffirmed Akatsuki’s principles to Konan.
• Hyuga Homura delivered the Hokage’s proposal to Yahiko, who said he would consider it despite Nagato’s objections and Konan’s concern about Hanzo.

Hanzo agreed to cooperate with Danzō against the Akatsuki while Black Zetsu secretly urged him to pursue the Rinnegan. In Konoha, Shin refused Fugaku’s request to rein in Root but hinted that Fugaku should seek someone capable of checking Danzō.

• Hanzo accepted the black-robed figure’s advice to work with Danzō against the Akatsuki, while White Zetsu and Black Zetsu discussed Hanzo’s ambitions after he left.
• Danzō proposed taking property from the Uchiha clan grounds, and Orochimaru refused to decide the matter himself, directing Danzō to work with Shin.
• Fugaku told Shin that Root’s conduct in the Police Force was provoking growing opposition within the Uchiha Clan.
• Shin declined to promise action against Root and suggested that the Uchiha withdraw from the Police Force, which Fugaku knew his clan would not accept.
• Shin advised Fugaku to seek someone who could keep Danzō in check, and Fugaku bowed before leaving.

Fugaku visited Sarutobi to ask him to intervene against Root members joining the Police Force, arguing that their methods were damaging the Uchiha Clan's standing and dishonoring its wartime dead. Sarutobi agreed to act to protect the innocent and urged Fugaku to keep leading the Police Force.

• Fugaku told Sarutobi that Orochimaru had added Danzo's Root personnel to the Police Force and asked him to challenge the decision.
• Sarutobi suspected Orochimaru was using the dispute to weaken Danzo and centralize power, but hesitated to interfere in village affairs.
• Fugaku threatened that the Uchiha Clan would leave the Police Force and he would resign if the situation did not change.
• Fugaku reminded Sarutobi that more than two hundred Uchiha had gone to fight Iwagakure and only thirty-six had returned, then asked how they could face their fallen comrades if their families were hated.
• Sarutobi told Fugaku that the village would remember the Uchiha Clan's sacrifices, asked him to continue leading the Police Force, and promised not to let innocent people suffer injustice.

Danzo challenged Hiruzen over his commitment to Konoha and urged him to pursue a stronger vision than keeping the village stable. After Danzo left, Hiruzen reconsidered giving up influence and decided he could not yet relinquish power.

• Hiruzen hosted Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Torifu Akimichi for shogi, dinner, and drinks.
• Danzo told Hiruzen that they were different, describing Hiruzen as the village’s admired light and himself as its shunned darkness.
• Danzo questioned whether Hiruzen had forgotten the ninja’s true purpose and criticized him for accepting humiliation and focusing on stability.
• After the guests departed, Hiruzen pretended to be asleep until Biwako called him out.
• Hiruzen asked Asuma to fetch an invitation from the Land of Fire’s royal nobility, then decided he should not give up power yet.

Shinichi prepared for the upcoming Chunin Exam while arranging support for Akatsuki and coordinating security with Fugaku and Danzo. Danzo raised the matter of the Uchiha Clan's estate and properties, which Shinichi postponed until after the exam as he contemplated whether trouble would erupt during it.

• Shinichi read Akatsuki's letter, then sent Yahiko a reply and blue toxin-sealing vials through Kamado.
• Anko told her friends that she and two classmates would take part in the large Chunin Exam planned for about a week later.
• Shinichi met with Fugaku and assured him that Root would cooperate with the Police Force on exam security.
• Danzo agreed to let Root assist with security, then brought up the Uchiha Clan's estate and properties; Shinichi asked to discuss it after the exam.
• After Danzo left, Shinichi looked at the letter on his desk and wondered whether something would happen during the Chunin Exam.