Recaps

Shimura Danzō defended the Root Daily’s attacks on Kusagakure while Hiruzen warned that they could provoke a war and harm Konoha’s interests. As other ninja villages began founding newspapers, Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to keep Iwagakure out of the dispute and hoped Konoha and Kusagakure would weaken each other.

• Danzo ordered Root’s reporter ninjas to blacken Kusagakure while praising Konoha in the Root Daily.
• Hiruzen warned Danzo that his articles risked war, threatened Konoha’s trade with Kusagakure, and angered the Feudal Lord’s Mansion.
• Danzo insisted that Konoha should make its own goods instead of relying on Kusagakure and refused to give the newspaper’s earnings to the village.
• Hiruzen told Danzo that Kumogakure and Iwagakure had also founded newspapers, then left after warning him not to provoke a major war.
• Danzo wondered about the other newspapers, while Ōnoki assigned Kitsuchi to start Iwagakure’s paper and keep the village out of the conflict.

Kusana and Mujie responded to rival ninja newspapers by focusing BBC Daily’s attacks on Konoha, but their long-running insult war reached a stalemate. Ace White Zetsu proposed a new approach, and the next day Konoha’s Root Daily headquarters erupted in anger over Kusagakure’s latest move.

• Kusana dismissed the rival villages’ newspapers and told Mujie that BBC Daily should insult Konoha rather than the other villages.
• BBC Daily and Root Daily traded increasingly popular insults, but neither side gained an advantage.
• Mujie asked the White Zetsu reporters for fresh ideas, and they admitted they had exhausted their usual tactics.
• Ace White Zetsu suggested narrowing the scope of their coverage, and Mujie praised him as a future vice president.
• The next day, someone at Konoha’s Root Daily headquarters roared in fury over Kusagakure’s latest attack.

At a routine Konoha meeting, Mitokado Homura tried to show Hiruzen Sarutobi the BBC Daily, but Hiruzen dismissed his warnings until he saw its headline about himself and Danzo. Hiruzen collapsed, while Danzo ordered Root to strike back at Kusagakure.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi ended the meeting and brushed off Mitokado Homura's concerns about the BBC Daily and Root Daily.
• Homura urged Hiruzen to read the newspaper, explaining that the BBC Daily was attacking both him and Danzo.
• Hiruzen read the headline, “Men Fall Silent, Women Shed Tears! The Story Two Men Had to Tell!” and collapsed in his chair.
• Danzo slammed down his newspaper and ordered Root to attack the Grass Ninja Leader without mercy.

Shimura Danzō reacted to a scandalous BBC Daily article by ordering Root to smear the Grass Ninja Leader, escalating the newspaper feud with Konoha. Ōnoki hoped the conflict would help Stone Daily gain ground, but Kitsuchi arrived with news that the paper was going bankrupt.

• Shimura Danzō dismissed Hiruzen’s request to visit the medical department and ordered Root to invent a scandal claiming the Grass Ninja Leader coveted the Uchiha Clan Head’s wife.
• BBC Daily and Root Daily published fresh attacks on each other, reviving the newspaper war and raising tensions between ninja along the border.
• Ōnoki laughed at the escalating feud and decided Stone Daily would avoid the conflict while capturing the market.
• Kitsuchi rushed in and told Ōnoki that Stone Daily was going bankrupt.

The BBC Daily and Root Daily’s feud spread rumors about Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kusana, leaving both leaders scrambling to deny them. Naruto and Sasuke discussed becoming stronger before Jiraiya appeared and offered to train them.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kusana separately demanded that Danzo and Mujie stop the newspaper attacks, then insisted their rumored relationships were fabricated.
• Kusana told Naruto and Sasuke that the rumors were a Konoha conspiracy, while Madam Mikoto said she would explain the matter to Sasuke.
• Naruto and Sasuke left together, and Naruto speculated that Kusana might make him Little Xiang’s big brother.
• Sasuke said he wanted to grow stronger so he could settle the score with that man, and Naruto said he wanted revenge on Black Egg too.
• Naruto suggested that he and Sasuke train with Gaara and Jugō, but Jiraiya appeared and invited them to come to him to become stronger.
• Naruto and Sasuke recognized Jiraiya and called him a lecherous uncle who kidnapped children.

Jiraiya offered to train Naruto and Sasuke, but the two young students had already learned the basic exercises and techniques he tried to teach them. He learned that Kusagakure’s academy gave its first-year students eight classes a day and left impressed by their diligence.

• Jiraiya visited Naruto and Sasuke and offered to teach them how to become stronger.
• Jiraiya led the boys to a grove to test their chakra control, but they had already learned tree climbing at school.
• Naruto and Sasuke told Jiraiya they had already mastered water walking and basic academy techniques.
• Jiraiya asked what they studied at their academy and learned they attended eight classes each day.
• Jiraiya remarked that Kusagakure’s children were remarkably diligent.

Jiraiya tried to impress Naruto and Sasuke but discovered Kusagakure’s children already learned powerful Ninjutsu and advanced lessons that he could not answer. The next day, he declined Kusana’s offer to teach, declaring himself unworthy and leaving Kusana baffled.

• Jiraiya showed Naruto and Sasuke the Rasengan, but Naruto said it was taught at the academy and that Uncle Amang had offered to teach him.
• Naruto proudly explained that Kusagakure’s academy made many powerful Ninjutsu available to students, leaving Jiraiya astonished.
• Jiraiya offered to answer the boys’ questions, but Naruto’s complex problems stumped him, and Jiraiya departed in despair.
• The next day, Kusana offered Jiraiya a job teaching Naruto and other children, but Jiraiya sighed that he was unworthy.

Jiraiya left Kusagakure to continue searching for the Child of Destiny, while Kusana used his departure to teach Naruto and Sasuke that people had to change the world through their own efforts. Kusana returned to work and learned that Sunagakure’s academy was ready, while Chiyo’s visit to Amegakure had sparked Hanzō’s competitive antics.

• Jiraiya departed after Kusana brought Naruto and Sasuke to see him off and taught them to rely on their own hard work rather than a Child of Destiny.
• Kushina scolded Naruto for learning from Jiraiya, and Naruto declared that he wanted to become a great ninja like Kusana; Kusana then assigned the children an eight-thousand-word essay.
• Kushina took the children home to study while Kusana returned to the office, where Mikoto reported that Sunagakure’s academy and teaching materials were ready for next year.
• Mikoto told Kusana that Chiyo was visiting Amegakure and that Hanzō had invited her to show off the village’s development; Kusana dismissed their rivalry and wondered how Scorpion was doing in Sunagakure.

Scorpion tried to escape the Land of Rain, but learned that Advisor Chiyo was visiting Factory Three. Chiyo discovered that the factory’s productivity-boosting machine had been designed by Scorpion, and reacted with unexpected warmth, leaving Hanzō unnerved.

• Scorpion decided he had to leave the Land of Rain before Chiyo found him, but the factory director told him Hanzō had requested to see him.
• The factory director revealed that an important visitor from Sunagakure was coming, and Scorpion realized it was Chiyo.
• Hanzō took Chiyo on a tour of the Land of Rain and bragged about his close relationship with Amang and the funding he received.
• Hanzō asked the factory director to introduce his god-grandson, but learned that Little Scorpion had stayed away with a stomachache.
• Chiyo recognized a machine at Factory Three and learned that Little Scorpion had designed it to triple production efficiency.
• Chiyo praised Little Scorpion with a loving smile, leaving Hanzō wondering what was wrong with her.

Advisor Chiyo discovered that Scorpion was working at Hanzō’s factory and mistook his withdrawal and resignation plans for signs that he was afraid she would find him. She decided to strengthen the factory’s security to keep him from leaving, while Scorpion, unaware of her intentions, learned she had made escape even harder.

• Chiyo inspected the factory machines and recognized Scorpion’s work, then asked why he had left Sunagakure and whether he planned to stop being a ninja.
• The factory manager told Chiyo and Hanzō that Scorpion had seemed forlorn since Sunagakure joined the Land of Grass, had submitted resignation applications, and was secretly packing to leave.
• Chiyo told the manager not to approve Scorpion’s resignation and offered to raise the factory walls and improve its surveillance so he could not run away.
• After Chiyo left, Scorpion emerged and told the manager he needed to leave, then learned that Chiyo had arranged to strengthen the factory’s security.

Kusana approved Advisor Chiyo’s plan to reinforce Factory Three’s walls, then learned Danzō was trying to establish a factory in Konoha. Rather than block Danzō, Kusana decided to sell him production equipment at a high price, while Danzō’s Root Ninja reported finding a way to buy it.

• Kusana approved Chiyo’s application to raise and reinforce Factory Three’s walls, and told staff to keep a close eye on Little Scorpion.
• Mujie warned Kusana that Danzō planned to build a factory and might be seeking Kusagakure’s Scientific Ninja Tool production equipment.
• Kusana told Mujie not to smear Danzō and decided to sell him the equipment at a high price.
• Danzō considered buying Kusagakure’s equipment because his own factory production costs were too high, but lamented that Hiruzen would not support him.
• A Root Ninja told Danzō that they had found a channel to purchase the equipment.

Danzo learned that the Land of Waves merchant Gato owned equipment from Kusagakure and ordered Root to negotiate a purchase. Meanwhile, Kusana confirmed that Danzo had found Gato and went out on the day Naruto and Sasuke took their final examination.

• A Root ninja told Danzo that Gato was a wealthy Land of Waves merchant whose company had acquired equipment through a Grass merchant named Tobi.
• Danzo learned that Gato had refused to resell the machines, so he ordered Root to keep negotiating and invite Gato to Konoha as his guest.
• Kusana read the intelligence and was pleased that Danzo had found Gato, whom he had arranged to involve in the matter.
• Kusana noted that Naruto and Sasuke were taking their final examination and told Madam Mikoto to celebrate their break with them.
• Madam Mikoto reflected on Sasuke's recent words and blushed as she recalled him saying he would bless her if she was happy.

Naruto argued with Black Zetsu at the academy, while Black Zetsu privately reconsidered his failed plan to recruit Naruto and Sasuke. Back in the cave, Kusana arrived and told Black Zetsu that the organization had an arduous task for him.

• Naruto boasted to Black Zetsu that he would become his senior next year, but Black Zetsu left after showing off his many academy certificates.
• Naruto complained that Black Zetsu must have bought his certificates, while Sasuke and Jugō explained that Black Zetsu helped classmates and had earned them over time.
• Naruto vowed to become the academy's Top Student, and Gaara joined Jugō in confirming that Black Zetsu was helpful to others.
• Black Zetsu returned to the cave and wondered whether apologizing to Naruto next school year might help him win over the young ninja.
• Kusana appeared in the cave, and Black Zetsu nervously asked what he wanted before Kusana announced that the organization had an arduous task for him.

Kusana secretly assigned Black Zetsu to temper the children, then returned home and learned Naruto, Sasuke, and Jugō planned to visit Sunagakure. He agreed to the trip but required the children to write essays afterward, while Kushina reflected on how well Naruto and the other Jinchuriki were treated.

• Kusana pressured Black Zetsu into arranging a secret round of tempering for the children, and Black Zetsu reluctantly agreed while vowing to get revenge someday.
• Kusana returned home and learned Naruto had angered Kushina by saying she was less ladylike than other women and that he would protect Little Xiang at school.
• Naruto told Kusana that he, Sasuke, and Jugō planned to visit Sunagakure after the break at Gaara's invitation, with Yakura also going.
• Kusana approved the trip but ordered the children to write essays about their visit, prompting Naruto and Sasuke to protest.
• Kushina appreciated how freely Naruto and the other Jinchuriki were treated in the village and joined Kusana in insisting the children complete their assignment.

Pakura shared dinner with Gaara and encouraged him before preparing to return him to Sunagakure. Meanwhile, Danzo pressured Gato into handing over an important batch of equipment, and their dinner ended in forced celebration.

• Pakura fed Gaara, reassured him that his sister cared about him, and said they would return to Sunagakure in a few days.
• Gaara felt grateful to Pakura and his new supporters, packed his belongings, and wondered whether he still had a home in Sunagakure.
• Danzo invited Gato to dinner and asked him to give up a valuable batch of equipment.
• After Konoha shinobi threatened him, Gato agreed to hand the equipment over, and Danzo and Gato toasted as big brother and little brother.

Kusana spent a quiet holiday at home while Naruto, Sasuke, and their families visited Sunagakure, then shared a meal with Kana, Mikoto, and Fusang. At the underground hideout, Black Zetsu tried to make the White Zetsu focus on their mission, but they ignored him and resumed eating.

• Kusana read that Gato had reached an agreement with Danzo and marveled at Gato’s talent for business.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, Pakura, Kushina, and Little Xiang traveled to Sunagakure, while Mikoto stayed home.
• Kusana approached Kana, but a door opened before anything could happen, and he later brought Kana and Mikoto to eat with Fusang.
• Kusana and Fusang lamented that Nagato and Konan would not return for the year because they were training.
• Black Zetsu scolded the White Zetsu for preparing food instead of pursuing their mission, but they defended their right to rest and eat.

Black Zetsu insisted he had a secret plan to rescue his mother while Sunagakure celebrated its first year-end after being rebuilt. A few days later, a blonde woman arrived at the border of the Land of Grass.

• Black Zetsu refused food and claimed he had spent seven years pretending to be stupid to avoid advancing a grade, then kept his rescue plan secret.
• Chiyo and Ebizo watched Sunagakure celebrate and discussed Leader Mang freeing the Jinchuriki, while Pakura said the child did not resent them.
• Chiyo and Ebizo praised the Spirit of Grass to avoid Pakura's teasing about Leader Mang and the Fourth Hokage's wife.
• Ebizo noticed Chiyo wistfully wondering whether Hanzō had eaten and dressed warmly, and whether he missed her.
• A few days later, a blonde woman with large wavy hair looked across the border and asked if this was the Land of Grass.

Tsunade and Shizune visited the prosperous Land of Grass, where Tsunade intended to check on Kushina’s child and meet the Grass Ninja Leader. After Kushina sensed someone thinking of her, she said that she and her family should return to Kusagakure.

• Tsunade explored a border town in the Land of Grass and reflected on Kusagakure’s rise and Sunagakure’s alliance with it.
• Tsunade told Shizune she had come to see how Kushina’s child was doing and to meet the Grass Ninja Leader.
• Tsunade and Shizune watched a Green Train speed past and discussed how the Uzumaki Clan had found a new home in the Land of Grass.
• Tsunade promised Kushina she would take care of the child she had left behind.
• Kushina felt a sudden chill, and Naruto joked that someone must be thinking of her before she told him to stop fighting.
• Kushina wistfully said that she and her family should go back.

Kusana welcomed Kushina and the children home from their trip, then learned that Tsunade had been arrested in Kusagakure for eating without paying. Kushina was surprised to hear that Tsunade had arrived and recognized her as Sister Tsunade.

• Kusana heard that Tsunade had entered the Land of Grass and told the Military Police Force to watch her.
• Kusana ate breakfast alone while reading the newspaper and thinking about Kusagakure's business and technological developments.
• Kushina returned with Naruto, Sasuke, and Little Xiang, who excitedly described their trip to the Land of Wind.
• Kusana reminded Naruto and Sasuke to write reflections about the trip, prompting them to complain.
• A Grass ninja reported that Tsunade had been arrested for eating without paying at the Grass Ninja International Hotel and insisting that she knew Kusana.
• Kushina exclaimed that Sister Tsunade had arrived.

Tsunade was released from Kusagakure after Tekka Uchiha said someone had paid her hotel debt. Outside, she tried to thank Leader Mang, only to discover that Kushina had paid and had come to meet her.

• Tsunade argued that the International Hotel had overcharged her for its 28-Year Grass Ninja Jade Liquor, but a guard insisted she pay the bill or be taken into custody.
• The guard revealed that Jiraiya was already in prison in Kusagakure, leaving Tsunade and Shizune stunned.
• Tekka Uchiha arrived and said someone had posted bail for Tsunade, then warned her not to cause trouble or interfere with official duties.
• Tsunade left with Shizune and said she wanted to thank the Grass Ninja Leader, whom she recognized from the Land of Rain.
• Tsunade went to hug Leader Mang, but a voice told her to hug Kushina instead because Kushina had paid her bill.
• Tsunade turned and saw Kushina approaching with papers, and Kushina greeted her warmly.

Tsunade reunited with Kushina in Kusagakure and learned that Kushina was alive and had been secretly raising Naruto there. Kushina hurried away before Tsunade could discover more about her home, leaving Tsunade to suspect that Kushina and the Grass Ninja Leader had an unusual relationship.

• Kushina told Tsunade how Kusagakure had rescued her after the Nine-Tails Rebellion and kept her alive in secret.
• Kushina assured Tsunade that Naruto was doing well but complained about his fighting, poor grades, and rude behavior.
• Kushina and Tsunade agreed that the Third Hokage deserved blame for Naruto being mistreated in Konoha.
• Tsunade asked to stay with Kushina, but Kushina insisted she had booked her a hotel room and rushed out with Kusana.
• Tsunade and Shizune misunderstood each other while discussing what they had noticed, then Tsunade wondered whether rumors about the Grass Ninja Leader and other men's wives were true.

Tsunade woke with a hangover and realized that the rumors about Kushina and the Grass Ninja Leader might be true, then wondered whether BBC Daily’s reports about Hiruzen and Danzo were true as well. Meanwhile, Kusana disapproved of Danzo’s small factory plans and ordered Gato to teach him how to do business properly.

• Tsunade asked Shizune whether her memories of Kushina and the Grass Ninja Leader together the night before had been real, and Shizune confirmed that their relationship seemed unusual.
• Tsunade recalled Hiruzen’s unusual tolerance of Danzo and wondered whether BBC Daily’s reports about them had been true.
• Hiruzen felt a chill, worried about Konoha’s position, and hoped Danzo’s factory project would succeed.
• Kusana read Gato’s report about Danzo preparing to open a factory and criticized his limited investment and preparations.
• Leader Mang ordered Mujie to tell Gato to teach Danzo how business was supposed to be done.

Danzo prepared to challenge Kusagakure’s manufacturing monopoly but lacked confidence that his factory could compete on price and quality. Gato offered to cooperate, revealing that he had a way into Kusagakure.

• Danzo ordered Root to pressure raw-material suppliers and prepared to open a factory on the former Uchiha Clan compound.
• Danzo reflected on his plans to defeat Kusagakure and met Gato at a banquet.
• Gato served Danzo expensive Grass Ninja Jade Liquor and asked whether he was confident his factory could compete with Grass Ninja Manufacturing.
• Danzo admitted the challenge was difficult, and Gato warned that they would have only one chance before Kusagakure retaliated.
• Gato proposed cooperating with Danzo and whispered that he had a way into Kusagakure.

Gato persuaded Danzo to fund a joint raw-materials deal, and Danzo agreed to contribute far more money than he could afford. Kusana learned Danzo was inspecting clan fire safety to raise funds, while Hiruzen ordered Danzo to meet him at the medical department after hearing the news.

• Gato offered to use his Kusagakure connections to obtain cheap raw materials, and Danzo demanded a larger investment while cutting Gato's share to thirty percent.
• Gato warned that Danzo lacked the money for the deal, but Danzo insisted he would secure the funds and accepted the arrangement.
• After Gato's secret letter arrived, Kusana learned Danzo was inspecting fire safety in the Ninja Clans and reacted with approval.
• Hiruzen heard that Danzo was inspecting clan fire safety because he lacked factory funds, became short of breath, and ordered Danzo to meet him in the medical department.

Danzo sought 15 billion for a risky opportunity to challenge Kusagakure's manufacturing, and Hiruzen agreed to help fund it and bring the clans into the discussion. Kusana did not yet know Danzo was seeking investment as the new semester began.

• Hiruzen met Danzo at the medical department, and the two argued over Danzo's investigation and plans for Kusagakure.
• Danzo told Hiruzen he needed 15 billion to pursue an unverified opportunity that could give him an advantage over Grass Ninja Manufacturing.
• Hiruzen warned Danzo that failure could bring more turmoil to Konoha, but Danzo insisted the venture was for the village.
• Hiruzen offered 500 million from his and Biwako's savings, and Danzo accepted.
• Hiruzen proposed gathering the clan heads to discuss shares, and Danzo agreed to give up 20 percent while retaining 50 percent.
• Kusana remained unaware that Danzo was seeking investment, and the new semester began.