Recaps

Naruto gathered Neji, Sasuke, and Shino to sneak into the practical Chunin Ninja Exam, claiming he had a pass that would let them through. The pass turned out to be the rare Senju of the Forest Honor Medal, which Naruto had borrowed, leaving his friends to weigh the danger of helping him.

• Naruto, Neji, Sasuke, and Shino met at the Three-Way River and discussed how to get past the exam grounds' barrier and guards.
• Naruto proposed using Transformation Jutsu to pose as medal holders and their subordinates, and Neji agreed to join him.
• Naruto revealed that he had a special pass and pulled out the Senju of the Forest Honor Medal.
• Shino asked if the medal was forged, but Naruto admitted that he had borrowed it.
• The children hid in a lumber warehouse to plan their attempt to enter the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Naruto and his friends impersonated Yuhara to enter the Chunin Ninja Exams, only to realize they had no idea how to pass the assessment. As a Sand Village squad attacked, Uchiha moved to protect the children while Yuhara arranged to intervene.

• Naruto transformed into Yuhara and led Neji, Sasuke Kakashi, and Shino past the exam guards using Yuhara’s medal, while Yexuejuan followed them into the forest as their bodyguard.
• Yuhara learned that Naruto’s group had entered the venue and told Uchiha to watch over them; Konoha’s intelligence staff discovered the impersonation and began responding.
• Shino pointed out that the children did not know what counted as passing the assessment, so Neji proposed capturing ninjas from another village for information.
• The group encountered a Sand Village squad led by Mori, who ordered Shima to attack despite their mission to earn Chunin qualifications without provoking Konoha.
• Mori’s poisoned needles curved toward Naruto, but Naruto blocked them with iron armor, and Uchiha prepared to take the children out of danger.

Naruto and the other children defeated a Sunagakure squad during the exam, and Naruto unexpectedly manifested the Nine-Tails’ Magnet Release. After Kushina ordered Naruto to become Yuhara’s disciple, Yuhara took Neji aside to discuss the Caged Bird and the Hyuga Branch Family’s future.

• Naruto’s Nine-Tails used Yuhara’s chakra to gain a more efficient form of Magnet Release, while Yuhara explained that the exchange had weakened both himself and the Nine-Tails in some ways and strengthened them in others.
• A Sunagakure squad ambushed Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, and Shino, but Naruto’s new iron-sand defense and the children’s attacks helped them defeat the attackers.
• Uchiha brought the unconscious Sunagakure ninja and the four children to Kushina and Yuhara, who discussed Naruto’s unusual power and the possible use of the Human Cursed Seal.
• Kushina declared Naruto Yuhara’s disciple to prevent gossip about his inherited ability, then ordered Naruto dealt with separately and the other children locked up.
• Yuhara asked Neji to accompany him and warned that Neji would need to surpass the Hyuga Clan to gain the Hokage’s support against the Caged Bird.
• Yuhara told Neji that Naruto’s sudden increase in strength could change their standing, then urged Neji to hone his abilities and decide the fate of himself and the Branch Family.

Yuhara met with Shijo, Miyano, and Shimizutani, who asked him to arrange for Tsunade to become pregnant so her rule would have an heir. Unable to solve the problem, he postponed a detailed discussion until after his mission and prepared to leave Shadow Leaf City.

• Hyuga Neji responded to Yuhara's criticism by training relentlessly and resolved to refuse Naruto's reckless invitations.
• Konoha's joint Chunin Ninja Exams with the Sand Village weakened the isolation of the Land of Fire and secured Tsunade's position as ruler.
• Shijo, Miyano, and Shimizutani approached Yuhara because they feared their influence and families would be at risk without a successor to Tsunade.
• The three men asked Yuhara to arrange for Tsunade to become pregnant, and he said he would discuss their difficulties after returning from his mission.
• Yuhara admitted he could not solve the problem, then set out from Shadow Leaf City to handle his other affairs.

Kakashi brought Tsunade’s experimental spatial-transfer technique to a training ground while Yuhara was away on a mission, and Tenzo became its first test subject. The technique worked, but it also exposed Tenzo’s back and left him desperately trying to keep the rest of his clothes on.

• The Land of Fire’s leaders worried that Tsunade’s lack of an heir could undo the political unity between the country and Konoha.
• Kakashi arrived at Yuhara’s office to find Tenzo filling in, then explained that the experimental technique was ready for testing and Tsunade wanted to see it that day.
• Tsunade and Kushina watched as Tenzo activated the metal card’s formula and was instantly transferred a short distance across the training ground.
• Kakashi judged the fixed-direction technique limited in combat, while Tenzo realized the transfer had left his back completely bare.
• Tenzo tried to keep his remaining clothes from slipping away as Tsunade and Kushina struggled to suppress their laughter.

Yuhara approached Doctor Shennong in a border town, disguising himself as a patient with an arm corroded by Nine-Tails Chakra. Shennong became eager to investigate the supposed Amber Purifying Pot and agreed to accompany Yuhara to it.

• Shennong treated a poor snakebite victim and prepared to continue his rounds after the locals thanked him.
• Yuhara waited until Shennong was alone, introduced himself as a patient, and showed him a badly corroded arm.
• Yuhara told Shennong a story about the Gold and Silver Brothers, the Nine-Tails, and a pot that had supposedly injured him.
• Shennong recognized the traces of Nine-Tails Chakra and decided the pot might be a powerful artifact worth obtaining.
• Shennong offered to examine the pot with Yuhara and set off toward the next town with him.

Yuhara used Shennong’s doctor disguise to locate the Sky Ninja’s island base and steal their research on artificial tailed beasts. When Shennong realized his barrier had been breached, he rushed back to find Yuhara already inside the secret chamber with the documents.

• Yuhara traveled with Doctor Shennong, secretly stole his scrolls, and followed a contact to discover the Sky Ninja’s hidden island base.
• While Shennong slept, Yuhara infiltrated the underground lair and searched its concealed rooms for research documents.
• Yuhara found the artificial-tailed-beast research, studied its techniques, and stored the scrolls in his Ninja Tool Bag.
• Shennong’s barrier alerted him to the intrusion, and he rushed back to the lair with his subordinates.
• Yuhara confronted Shennong and the Sky Ninja inside the secret chamber, declaring himself the Land of Fire Police and ordering them to surrender.

Yuhara confronted Shennong and his Sky Ninja forces beneath the complex, then revealed his true form and overwhelmed the artificial tailed beast, Zero-Tails. After its charge failed, Yuhara sensed a sinister surge of Chakra and unleashed flames through the underground passages.

• Yuhara tried to persuade Shennong and his armed subordinates to surrender, but they refused and prepared to fight.
• Yuhara attacked the Sky Ninja forces and swept through their ranks with a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Shennong recognized Yuhara's nine tails as the artificial tailed beast Zero-Tails emerged from the lava.
• Zero-Tails charged Yuhara, but he braced against its head and stopped it after sliding only a few meters.
• Yuhara sensed a sinister Chakra signature intensifying and sent thick crimson flames surging through the underground complex.

Yuhara destroyed the Sky Ninja’s underground facility and recovered its technology, then used the prospect of a Chakra-powered air force to negotiate military reforms with the Land of Fire’s shogunate. The officials also pressed him to solve the problem of Tsunade’s eventual successor, and he left that issue unresolved while promising to report back later.

• Yuhara escaped the island after destroying the Sky Ninja’s underground facility and took its valuable data with him.
• Yuhara returned to Konoha and gave some recovered materials to Kushina Uzumaki for research.
• Yuhara met Shijo, Miyano, and Shimizutani, who raised concerns about Tsunade’s future successor.
• Yuhara proposed a shogunate-controlled air force using Sky Ninja aircraft, Chakra receivers, and technology from the Land of Iron, and suggested an eventual force of ten thousand.
• Yuhara argued that Tsunade had ample time to live and proposed artificial humans or clones as a possible way to provide a successor, but promised only that he would bring good news sooner or later.

Konan and Nagato examined a corpse Orochimaru had arranged to have delivered, while Orochimaru secretly watched through it and learned more about Nagato’s condition. Yuhara consulted Kushina about finding a large chakra-using Summoning Beast to help Tigo materialize, and the chapter left him weighing that requirement.

• Two Amegakure ninjas carried Orochimaru’s corpse-filled body bag to the tower, while a black snake-like shadow entered the younger ninja’s eye and hid inside the corpse.
• Konan brought the corpse to Nagato’s dissection room, where Nagato pierced its forehead with an iron rod and sent chakra into it.
• Orochimaru watched through the corpse’s eyes, glimpsed Nagato in his wheelchair, and recognized the figures’ shared traits as clues to their identities.
• The corpse’s eyes ruptured during Nagato’s procedure, and the hidden shadow escaped back into the body bag without being discovered.
• Yuhara asked Kushina how to help Tigo become a living being, and Kushina advised using a large Summoning Beast capable of controlling chakra as a biological template.
• Yuhara considered Kushina’s advice, while Tsunade continued struggling with Konoha’s resources and the Land of Fire Flying Corps proposal.

Yuhara and Kushina used Orochimaru’s blood to summon Manda and began transforming Tigo into an artificial tailed beast, hoping to give her greater freedom outside her cave. The procedure succeeded, though Tigo remained tied to Konoha and her new body still required testing.

• Yuhara and Kushina discussed using Orochimaru’s blood to force a summoning from Ryūchi Cave, and Kushina warned that the plan might antagonize the snakes.
• Kushina explained that Tigo’s transformation would not give her Yuhara’s combat strength, power to resurrect, or freedom from her role as a Konoha core node.
• Yuhara used Orochimaru’s blood to summon Manda, and Kushina appeared in the center of the technique after responding to the summoning herself.
• Kushina’s body dissolved into chakra lines, and Tigo’s chakra covered her to form a new snake body with small horns.
• Tigo reported feeling chilly after the transformation, while the Summoning Beast said the procedure was essentially complete but still needed testing.
• Three days later, Orochimaru stood before two open coffins in a secret cavern in the Land of Rain.

Orochimaru decided to use Impure World Reincarnation to summon the First and Second Hokage, hoping their minds and strength could help face the Rinnegan. After moving to a remote plateau in the Land of Earth, he revived them, and Tobirama recognized the technique while Hashirama began to recover from the stiff body.

• Orochimaru weighed how much of the First Hokage's mind to preserve, fearing either weakness or a loss of control.
• Orochimaru interrupted Hashirama and Tobirama's conversation and told them that Sarutobi had died and Konoha had entered a new era.
• Orochimaru left Amegakure and prepared a hideout on a deserted plateau in the Land of Earth.
• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama and Tobirama with Impure World Reincarnation.
• Tobirama recognized the technique and explained to Hashirama that they had died and been summoned back.
• Hashirama struggled to move his stiff body and stared at his raised arm.

Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with Impure World Reincarnation and told them about the Rinnegan user’s plan to destroy the shinobi world. Hashirama agreed to help investigate and destroy the Rinnegan when Orochimaru summoned them again.

• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju questioned Orochimaru, who revealed he was a former Konoha ninja and Hiruzen’s disciple, responsible for Hiruzen’s death.
• Orochimaru explained that Madara had obtained the Rinnegan and that its power might be part of a hidden plan; Hashirama recalled Madara’s strange behavior in their final battle.
• Orochimaru said the Rinnegan’s owner intended to gather the tailed beasts, revive the Ten-Tails, and destroy the shinobi world.
• Hashirama concluded that the Rinnegan had to be destroyed and asked Orochimaru when he would deal with it.
• Orochimaru said he would summon Hashirama and Tobirama again, and Hashirama agreed to wait.

Orochimaru prepared enhanced Impure World Reincarnations of the First Hokage and the Seventh Hokage to fight Nagato, while gambling that the First Hokage would cooperate against the Rinnegan. He confronted Konan and exposed Nagato’s identity, then summoned both Hokage as the Six Paths gathered to battle him.

• Orochimaru decided to persuade the First Hokage to help stop Nagato, though he still intended to seize the Rinnegan and knew the deal could end in betrayal.
• Orochimaru modified a living ninja into a mass of proliferated First Hokage's Cells, then used Impure World Reincarnation to summon a more powerful First Hokage.
• Orochimaru entered the Rain Village tower, where Konan confronted him and he demanded to speak with Nagato.
• Orochimaru revealed that the Six Paths were puppets controlled by Nagato and exposed Nagato's identity as Yahiko, provoking him to attack.
• Orochimaru summoned the First Hokage and the Seventh Hokage, and the two emerged from their coffins ready to fight.

Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation brought Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju into the battle against the Six Paths of Pain, disrupting Nagato’s plans. Hashirama overwhelmed the Paths but lost a hand when Yuhara’s corpse intervened, and the fight continued.

• Nagato identified Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju and warned the Six Paths of Pain to be careful, while Orochimaru prepared to flee.
• Tobirama charged the Six Paths as Orochimaru ran and Konan pursued him to protect Nagato’s true body.
• Yuhara’s corpse trapped Tobirama in Mercury Dandelion, but Tobirama escaped with Flying Thunder God and realized the puppets shared vision.
• Hashirama charged through the Paths of Pain, forcing the Deva Path to use Shinra Tensei and blast him away.
• Hashirama unleashed Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence and struck the Deva Path after being pulled toward it with Banshō Ten'in.
• Yuhara’s corpse cut off Hashirama’s hand with a sword as Hashirama prepared to finish the Deva Path.

Yuhara (Naraka Path) and Nagato’s Six Paths fought First Uchiha and Second Uchiha in the Land of Rain, as the Hokage pressed to destroy Nagato’s Rinnegan. The battle escalated when First Uchiha entered Sage Mode and the two sides unleashed powerful techniques.

• First Uchiha sensed that Yuhara (Naraka Path) was gathering Nature Energy, and Second Uchiha warned him to be careful.
• Yuhara (Naraka Path) used an invisible head to swallow Deva Path, while Second Uchiha fought the other Paths and tried to reach Nagato.
• First Uchiha used a genjutsu that stripped Nagato of his senses, but Black Zetsu’s spiritual mark broke the technique and restored Nagato’s awareness.
• Second Uchiha attacked Yuhara (Naraka Path) and tried to destroy Nagato’s eyes as the Hokage rushed to finish their mission.
• First Uchiha entered Sage Mode and unleashed a massive water technique, while Yuhara (Naraka Path) raised an iron wall to split the torrent.