Recaps

The BBC Daily’s ominous report about Konoha’s declining clans and allies convinced readers across the ninja world that the village might be cursed, damaging Konoha’s reputation and mission business. Meanwhile, Mikoto Uchiha woke after Kushina’s talk and remained stunned that the Fourth Hokage’s Wife was still alive.

• Ōnoki read the BBC Daily’s report about Konoha’s vanished and declining clans and grew uneasy as their fates seemed connected.
• Ninja villages and clans across the world became alarmed, and some groups friendly with Konoha began limiting contact with it.
• Chiyo and Ebizo concluded that Sunagakure should end its cooperation with Konoha, then felt reassured by their decision.
• Konoha’s reputation worsened, its mission volume plummeted, and the BBC Daily sold even better as readers speculated about the curse.
• Mikoto Uchiha awoke after Kushina had spoken with her and silently struggled to believe that the Fourth Hokage’s Wife was alive.

Mikoto Uchiha settled into Kusagakure with Sasuke and learned that the Uchiha clan had been temporarily housed there. Sasuke asked Kusana to train him so he could confront Itachi and destroy Konoha, and Kusana agreed.

• Mikoto reflected on Kushina’s survival and how well Naruto seemed to be doing in Kusagakure.
• Kushina brought Mikoto to breakfast with Sasuke, Naruto, Kusana, Fusang, and Kana, and promised to show them around.
• Kusana explained that Obito and an elderly Uzumaki man had helped the Uchiha clan settle temporarily in Kusagakure.
• Fusang and Kushina reassured Mikoto that Kusana would guide Sasuke, easing her worries as she watched him approach Kusana.
• Sasuke asked Kusana to teach him to become stronger so he could settle the score with Itachi and destroy Konoha, and Kusana agreed.

Kusana toured Kusagakure with Kushina, Mikoto, and the children before Oyakamon told him that the Military Police Force had detained Jiraiya as a suspected spy. Jiraiya tried to use his connections to secure his release, but the guards revealed he had a criminal record in the Land of Grass and kept him in custody.

• Kusana considered how Kusagakure should regulate access to Forbidden Jutsu and secret techniques as the village continued to develop.
• Kushina showed Mikoto and the children around Kusagakure, and Sasuke reluctantly accepted ice cream after Kusana told him rest was part of training.
• Obito Uchiha told Kusana that the Uchiha Clan was coping, then advised Sasuke to read more, eat fewer snacks, and sleep more.
• Oyakamon informed Kusana that the Military Police Force had detained Jiraiya at the border as a suspected spy who claimed to be Leader Mang's friend.
• Jiraiya invoked his familiarity with Advisor Mujie, but the guard unit ninja said his criminal record in the Land of Grass prevented his release.

Jiraiya visited Kusagakure to investigate recent tensions and redeem Shimura Danzō, but the village first mistook him for a spy before welcoming him with an elaborate public reception. He arrived to find Kusagakure transformed and was immediately surrounded by reporters asking whether he represented Konoha.

• Jiraiya crossed into the Land of Grass and was detained by Kusagakure's Military Police Force, who doubted his identity and said Mujie did not know him.
• Yahiko failed to recognize Jiraiya at first, but Jiraiya mentioned redeeming Shimura Danzō and Yahiko warmly identified him as a friend and led him away.
• Jiraiya rode the Harmony train to Kusagakure and was impressed by the Land of Grass's rapid development.
• Mujie welcomed Jiraiya beneath a banner and started music as Kusagakure reporters asked whether he had come on Konoha's behalf.

Kushina and Mikoto learned that Jiraiya had come to Kusagakure and agreed to follow Kusana’s arrangements, though Kushina planned to confront him. Jiraiya’s interview with White Zetsu ended in a misleading news report, and he discovered that Mujie was the president of BBC Daily.

• Kushina got angry when Kusana told her Jiraiya was in Kusagakure, while Mikoto worried about the Uchiha Clan’s future.
• Mikoto and Kushina offered to stay hidden, but Kusana told them they could live normally and allowed Kushina to pursue her personal grudge against Jiraiya.
• White Zetsu interviewed Jiraiya and recorded his comments about Konoha and Kusagakure in a notebook he refused to show him.
• Mujie arrived to take Jiraiya to a welcome banquet, and Jiraiya learned that Mujie was the president of BBC Daily.
• Jiraiya turned back and shouted after White Zetsu, demanding to see the notebook.

Jiraiya woke after a humiliating night at the Grass Heaven Feast and discovered that his interview had been turned into a BBC Daily article praising the bond between Konoha and Kusagakure. Naruto admitted he wanted to stay with his family in Kusagakure, and Kusana reassured him that the adults would handle Konoha; the chapter ended as Kusagakure ninja arrived with news.

• Jiraiya remembered the bathhouse attendants and worried that his interview might cause trouble for Konoha.
• Jiraiya read the BBC Daily report, which portrayed him as defending Kusagakure-Konoha friendship and criticizing Konoha's treatment of Kusagakure.
• Naruto asked Kusana why Konoha wanted him back if the village hated him, then said he wanted to remain with his family in Kusagakure.
• Kusana reassured Naruto that the adults would handle the situation and promised no one would take him away; Naruto vowed to study hard.
• Kushina watched Naruto regain his smile and turned her anger toward Konoha and Jiraiya.
• Kusagakure ninja arrived, and Kusana asked whether they had come.

Jiraiya was jailed in Kusagakure after Mujie tricked him into dining without paying, and Kusana learned he had come ahead of Konoha’s negotiations without the promised money. Obito arrived to speak for the Uchiha Clan, but his argument with Kusana over skipping school derailed the tense meeting.

• Jiraiya told Kusana that Mujie had left him stuck with the restaurant bill, and Kusana discovered Jiraiya had brought no money because Konoha had not provided it.
• Kusana showed Jiraiya a postcard of Danzo on the Grass and Rain Countries' Supreme Solo Luxury Tour and assured him that Danzo was safe in the Land of Rain.
• Jiraiya began to raise the Uchiha Clan's situation, but Obito appeared and declared that Kusagakure had nothing to do with it and that he would speak as Clan Head.
• Kusana scolded Obito for skipping class before the final exams, and the two argued while Jiraiya waited for them to address his matter.
• Obito reintroduced himself as the current Uchiha Clan Head, and Jiraiya awkwardly introduced himself in return.

Jiraiya learned from Obito that Konoha had driven out the Uchiha and mistreated Minato’s child, then found himself detained in Kusagakure. Kushina appeared and attacked him over Naruto, while Jiraiya desperately told her to take her grievances to the old man.

• Jiraiya accused Obito of betraying Konoha, but Obito explained that Konoha had forced the Uchiha Clan Rebellion and that the clan no longer had ties to the village.
• Obito told Jiraiya that Minato had been branded a rebel and that Naruto had been bullied as a traitor’s son, leaving Jiraiya stunned by what had happened in Konoha.
• The Grass Ninja Leader brought out armed Grass ninja, and Jiraiya promised not to interfere in the Uchiha Clan’s affairs; Obito then left to return to school and discuss the graduation ceremony with Dean Yakura.
• Jiraiya asked Kusana to let him go, but Kusana kept him in a guarded place and summoned Kushina to settle a private matter.
• Kushina revealed herself to Jiraiya and charged at him, accusing him of letting everyone bully Naruto; Jiraiya shouted for her to go find the old man.

Hiruzen Sarutobi decided Konoha would focus on recovery before breaking ties with Kusagakure. Meanwhile, Kushina reunited with Naruto and invited Mikoto and Sasuke to live with her, as Kusagakure prepared for the year-end and graduation ceremony.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected further action over Shisui Uchiha and prioritized Konoha's recovery, Danzo's release, and appeasing the Ninja Clans.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi declared that Konoha would break ties with Kusagakure once the village recovered.
• Kushina thanked Kusana and decided to celebrate with a drink after venting her anger.
• Kusana and Kushina discussed the upcoming year-end and Obito's graduation ceremony before heading to a bar.
• Obito Uchiha led the Uchiha Clan's gradual integration into Kusagakure, while Mikoto and Sasuke moved in with Kushina and Naruto so Sasuke could train with Kusana.
• The ninja world remained at peace, Danzo continued traveling in the Land of Rain because Konoha had not paid his travel fee, and the year came to an end.

Naruto dragged Sasuke out to enjoy Kusagakure’s lively year-end celebrations, hoping to help him relax and feel less alone. After the boys explored the bustling streets, they bumped into Jiraiya, who introduced himself as the Toad Sage.

• Naruto woke Sasuke and insisted they go out, and Sasuke finally agreed so Naruto would stop pestering him.
• Mikoto told Kushina that the Uchiha Clan was recovering and asked for help finding a job; Kushina offered to ask Leader Mang.
• Naruto and Sasuke visited Uncle Amang’s home, received money, and headed into Kusagakure without Little Xiang, who was still asleep.
• Naruto suggested buying Little Xiang a gift and offered to treat Sasuke to bumper cars, while Sasuke complained but admitted Kusagakure was lively.
• Naruto bumped into Jiraiya, who struck a pose and warned the boys that an apology would not settle things.

Kusana spent the snowy holiday with his family and heard that Naruto and Sasuke had encountered a suspected human trafficker who looked strangely familiar. After winter passed and production resumed in the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, Obito reached his graduation ceremony.

• Kusana reunited with Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato at Fusang's home, where the family gathered for the holiday.
• Yahiko complained that Mujitsu kept adopting boys, mentioning the newly welcomed Jugō, while Kusana listened to Yahiko and Nagato talk.
• Naruto and Sasuke returned after reporting a suspected human trafficker to the Military Police Force, and Naruto described the man as white-haired, red-clothed, and lecherous-looking.
• Kusana told Naruto and Sasuke to be wary of strangers and privately wondered why the suspect sounded familiar.
• Winter passed, production resumed in the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, and Obito welcomed his graduation ceremony.

Kusana, Kushina, Mikoto, Naruto, Sasuke, and Jiraiya attended Obito Uchiha’s graduation ceremony in Kusagakure. As Obito thanked the Land of Grass in his speech, Jiraiya watched with complicated feelings and wondered if being a ninja could save Konoha.

• Kusana welcomed Jiraiya, who recounted how he had spent nearly a month imprisoned after being accused of abducting Naruto and Sasuke.
• Jiraiya said Konoha had delayed sending a ransom because the village was short on money, and Kusana denied Kusagakure had taken anything from the Sarutobi Clan treasury.
• Obito Uchiha was named the outstanding graduate and stepped onto the stage to give a speech.
• White Zetsu interviewed Obito for BBC Daily, and Obito thanked the Land of Grass, Kusagakure, and the Grass Ninja Leader.
• Kushina and Mikoto felt proud of Obito, while Jiraiya watched him and said that being a ninja might not save Konoha.

Kusana and Hanzō showed Naruto, Sasuke, and Little Xiang around Amegakure while preparing to send Danzō back to Konoha. When Konoha’s delegation arrived in Kusagakure, Shikaku Nara learned that Jiraiya had left an unpaid hotel bill.

• Kusana and Hanzō toured Amegakure with the children, and Hanzō proudly recounted the village’s transformation while hinting that they should attack Sunagakure.
• Kusana visited Little Scorpion at Factory No. 3, praised his work, and criticized the factory director over the workers’ well-being.
• Danzō met Kusana and insisted that he would never betray Konoha, while Kusana remarked that he had gained weight during his stay.
• A Grass ninja reported that Konoha’s ninjas had arrived in Kusagakure.
• Shikaku Nara asked about Jiraiya, then received a hotel bill and was asked to settle it.

Shikaku Nara arrived in Kusagakure to exchange intelligence with Jiraiya and ransom Danzo, but found himself facing Jiraiya’s enormous bill and delays. Danzo returned to Kusagakure under Kusana’s guidance, where Konoha ninja greeted him.

• Shikaku Nara learned that Konoha owed Kusagakure more than a million for Jiraiya’s bill and decided to pay it so he could pursue Danzo’s return.
• Shikaku Nara’s ninja companion reported that Danzo was touring the Land of Rain and had not yet returned to Kusagakure.
• Shikaku Nara paid the bill and waited for news, hoping to complete the mission and leave Kusagakure quickly.
• A Konoha ninja told Shikaku Nara that Danzo had arrived at the station, and Shikaku set out to welcome him.
• Kusana guided Danzo back to Kusagakure, where more than a dozen Konoha ninja bowed and welcomed him.

Shikaku Nara arrived in Kusagakure to bring Shimura Danzō back to Konoha, while Jiraiya refused to return and urged Hiruzen to develop the village. Danzō set off for Konoha after another costly stay in Kusagakure.

• Shikaku Nara questioned Leader Mang about Kusagakure's fees, but agreed to pay them so he could escort Shimura Danzō home.
• Jiraiya appeared at the station and told Shikaku Nara he could not return to Konoha yet, asking him to tell Hiruzen to develop the village properly.
• Jiraiya and Shimura Danzō argued over Konoha's future until Leader Mang offered to arrange another farewell ceremony.
• Shikaku Nara urged Shimura Danzō to leave, and Danzō set off for Konoha after declaring, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river..."

Kusana expanded Kusagakure’s business and planned its next steps while wondering how Danzo and Homura were weakening Konoha. In Konoha, Danzo presented a “Prosperity and Village Rescue Plan” and promised to restore the village within three years.

• Naruto rejected Jiraiya’s offer to become his student, saying Kushina had warned him to stay away, and left with Kusana.
• Jiraiya realized Kushina was waiting at home with Naruto and wondered about her relationship with Kusana.
• Kusana ordered the village to expand Grass Ninja Manufacturing and strengthen its brands, while leaving changes to the BBC Daily to Mujie.
• Kusana planned for Sasuke and another future village pillar to attend school and noted the need to improve psychological care and ideological education.
• Danzo distributed the Prosperity and Village Rescue Plan to Konoha’s leaders and vowed to restore Konoha within three years.

Danzo presented detailed evidence that Kusagakure’s manufacturing business had made Konoha dangerously dependent on its products, but Hiruzen rejected Danzo’s proposed restrictions and investment. Danzo returned to the Root laboratory convinced that only he could restore Konoha, where a mysterious voice remarked that his plan had been rejected.

• Danzo showed Konoha’s leaders charts documenting Grass Ninja Manufacturing’s growth and warned that the village’s reliance on Kusagakure was dangerous.
• Mitokado Homura argued that Konoha could not afford new investments and that Kusagakure would keep supplying goods as long as it could profit.
• Hiruzen sided with Homura, saying Konoha needed to recover and that Danzo’s proposal was too extreme.
• Danzo accused Hiruzen of choosing Homura over him, then stormed out after Hiruzen reaffirmed his authority as Hokage.
• Danzo returned to the laboratory beside the Root base and declared that only he could guide Konoha back to glory.
• A cold voice told Danzo that his detailed plan had still been rejected.

Danzo returned to Orochimaru’s depleted laboratory and ordered him to resume experiments, while Orochimaru planned a money-making trip to the Land of Wind. In Kusagakure, Kusana and Uzumaki Yangzheng continued researching a village-specific Sage Mode and arranged for Jugō to attend the academy, before Hanzo of the Salamander arrived with news that the Fourth Kazekage had died.

• Danzo found Root’s laboratory nearly empty, blamed Orochimaru for neglecting the experiments, and promised to find money; Orochimaru said he might travel to the Land of Wind to earn some.
• Uzumaki Yangzheng explained to Kusana that research into storing Natural Energy alongside Chakra might create a Kusagakure Sage Mode, though the team still could not safely sense or extract Natural Energy.
• Kusana decided Jugō could attend the academy, and Jugō happily agreed after Kusana and Uzumaki Yangzheng reassured him that they would manage the risk of him losing control.
• Kusana asked whether someone in soul form could sense Natural Energy, and Uzumaki Yangzheng said they could try investigating the idea.
• Hanzo of the Salamander rushed into the laboratory and told Kusana that the Fourth Kazekage was dead.

After Rasa’s mysterious death, Chiyo and Sunagakure’s leaders investigated the killing and uncovered evidence of Rasa’s secret plans against the Land of Wind’s Feudal Lord. As Sunagakure prepared to stabilize the village and choose a successor, Kusagakure sent a mocking offer of Kazekage accident insurance.

• News of the Fourth Kazekage’s mysterious death spread across the ninja world, and Sunagakure feared another war.
• Chiyo and Ebizo examined the investigation report, which suggested Rasa had been killed by someone he knew while off guard; Chiyo suspected Pakura.
• Baki reported that Rasa had secretly transferred a large sum of money and left a plan to assassinate the Land of Wind’s Feudal Lord.
• Chiyo ordered the evidence kept confidential and discussed stabilizing Sunagakure, preparing for war, and selecting a Fifth Kazekage.
• Baki revealed that Kusagakure had sent Sunagakure a sarcastic offer for Kazekage Long-Term Accident Insurance.

Kusana arranged to sell old ninja tools to Sunagakure and hired Mikoto as his assistant, while Hanzō predicted Chiyo would visit Kusagakure. In Konoha, Orochimaru revealed that the Land of Wind had paid him to kill the Fourth Kazekage and destroy Sunagakure, and Danzo decided Root would take the destruction mission Hiruzen rejected.

• Hanzō proposed taking down Sunagakure, but Kusana insisted Kusagakure shared a deep friendship with its ally and chose to sell it old ninja tools while asking to buy its Magnetic Release Secret Technique.
• Hanzō left, predicting Chiyo would come to Kusagakure, and Kusana asked Mikoto how Sasuke was doing.
• Mikoto told Kusana she wanted a job, and he offered her a position as his assistant; she accepted.
• Orochimaru told Danzo that he had accepted payment from both Sunagakure and the Land of Wind, then carried out the Land of Wind feudal lord’s mission to kill the Fourth Kazekage.
• Orochimaru said Hiruzen had rejected the feudal lord’s request to destroy Sunagakure, so Danzo declared that Root would accept the mission.

As the Grass Country's school season began, Mikoto prepared for her first day at work while Sasuke and Naruto set off for the academy together. The chapter ended with Mikoto joining Kusana and the others, ready to start her job as his assistant.

• Mikoto helped Sasuke prepare for school and encouraged him to study, while Sasuke reassured her about starting work.
• Sasuke insisted he could get to school by himself, but Naruto arrived and pulled him along to the academy.
• Naruto greeted Mikoto and said Kushina had gone ahead, then he and Sasuke promised to study hard and become successors of the Grass Ninja Spirit.
• Mikoto went downstairs in her work uniform, and Kana, Fusang, and Kusana told her it suited her.
• Kusana welcomed Mikoto to work, and she formally asked him to take care of her.

Naruto and Sasuke began their first day at the Grass Ninja Academy, where they reunited with Jugō and encountered the self-proclaimed bully Black Zetsu. Naruto recognized Black Zetsu as the idiot Amang had warned him about, leaving Black Zetsu furious.

• Naruto and Sasuke arrived at the crowded academy, and Sasuke teased Naruto after he envied a child being seen off by both parents.
• Sasuke led Naruto to their First Year, Class A classroom, where they met Jugō and talked about the gifts Nagato and Yahiko had promised them.
• Black Zetsu swaggered up with several students and demanded that the new arrivals call him Brother Black.
• Naruto identified Black Zetsu as a six-time grade repeater who always scored zero, called him Black Egg, and repeated Amang's warning not to play with idiots.
• Black Zetsu angrily corrected Naruto, insisting that his name was Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu confronted Naruto, Sasuke, and their classmate at the Grass Ninja Academy, while Kusana and Pakura watched and discussed his reputation as a student. After Madam Mikoto thanked Kusana, he told Pakura he had come to ask her about Sunagakure.

• Black Zetsu challenged the three freshmen to meet him after school, intending to put them in their place.
• Kusana declared that the academy should deal seriously with the bullying, but Pakura explained that staff monitored Black Zetsu and that he had repeatedly earned a Morally Excellent Student certificate.
• Pakura said Black Zetsu usually befriended new students after making a little fuss and never went too far.
• Madam Mikoto thanked Kusana for bringing her to see Sasuke stand by Naruto, relieved that they had become friends.
• Pakura prepared to host the opening ceremony and asked Kusana whether he would address the students.
• Kusana said he had come to ask Pakura about something, and she guessed that it concerned Sunagakure.

Pakura told Kusana she had refused Chiyo’s offer to become the Fifth Kazekage, while Kusana lamented the missed opportunity. After the school opening ceremony, Mujie reported that the Land of Wind’s Feudal Lord had ordered Sunagakure to disband, and Danzo prepared to take action as the ninja world stirred.

• Pakura said she had refused Chiyo’s offer to return to Sunagakure as Fifth Kazekage, citing her unpaid debt and fear of the Kazekage position’s supposed curse.
• Kusana urged Pakura to accept the position, but she sent him away as the academy’s opening ceremony began.
• Kusana and Mikoto watched the ceremony and saw Kushina among the teachers before preparing to leave.
• Mujie told Kusana that the Feudal Lord of the Land of Wind had accused the Fourth Kazekage of assassinating the feudal lord and demanded Sunagakure’s disbandment.
• Danzo read the news in an underground chamber and declared that it was time for him to take the stage.

Fusang took Little Xiang to a Uchiha-run pancake shop in Kusagakure, while Danzo arrived at Sunagakure to seek advantages after its announced disbandment. The chapter left Danzo startled by a banner welcoming visitors from Kusagakure.

• Fusang and Little Xiang bought pancakes and a red bean bun from the elderly Uchiha Kashi and enjoyed them in a grassy spot.
• Fusang recalled that Naruto, Sasuke, and Jugō had been caught by a teacher after their planned fight failed to happen.
• Danzo traveled to Sunagakure hoping to secure resources for Root and Konoha while other villages considered the turmoil.
• A Sand ninja told Danzo that Advisor Chiyo was waiting for him inside Sunagakure.
• Danzo froze when he saw a familiar-looking banner welcoming friends from Kusagakure.