Recaps

Madara learned that the Grass Ninja Leader had welcomed more Uzumaki and Chinoike Clan members, then heard that the Akatsuki Organization was targeting them and dismissed it as a group of schoolchildren. As the Land of Grass prepared for its first New Year since reconstruction, Jiraiya arrived at its border, seeking Teacher Ooki.

• Madara asked Spiral White Zetsu what the Grass Ninja had been doing and learned that the Grass Ninja Leader had taken in more Uzumaki Clan members and the exiled Chinoike Clan.
• Spiral White Zetsu told Madara that the Akatsuki Organization had targeted them, and Madara dismissed it after learning its members were children who had not become genin.
• Spiral White Zetsu asked Madara for leave to attend the Land of Grass's New Year's temple fair, and Madara drove him away in anger.
• Jiraiya arrived at the border of the Land of Grass, admired the scenery, and vowed to find Teacher Ooki.

Kusana toured the Land of Grass and saw how its clans and citizens had settled into peaceful lives under his leadership. The visit ended when Fusang revealed that Yahiko had taken Nagato to a painting stall, alarming Kusana that their secret mission might be exposed.

• Kusana teased Mujie, who praised him and was ordered to copy the Spirit of Grass a thousand times.
• Kusana visited Oyakamon and Longzhi and reflected on how the Chinoike Clan had joined the Land of Grass security force.
• Kusana met Uzumaki Clan elders Yang Zheng and Yang Ren, who were advancing their research into Chakra Capacitors and ninjutsu scrolls.
• Kana admired how happily everyone was living, and Kusana and Kana greeted Fusang at the temple fair.
• Fusang told Kusana that Yahiko had taken Nagato to a painting stall, and Kusana worried that the boys were neglecting their mission and might be discovered.

Yahiko and Nagato followed Father Mujitsu into an alley, where they mistook his secret meeting with Jiraiya for treason. The ninjas arrested Mujie after a book fell from his robes, and he insisted he had only come to trade for it.

• Yahiko accused Spiral White Zetsu of being the Ghost Student Who Draws Poop, but Nagato distracted him and led him away before Spiral White Zetsu left to buy dango for Lord Madara.
• Nagato and Yahiko secretly followed Father Mujitsu into a secluded alley, where Yahiko feared his father was selling Land of Grass intelligence.
• Yahiko confronted Father Mujitsu and Jiraiya, and Mujie admitted they had been discovered before trying to make the children fall asleep.
• Oyakamon and other ninjas surrounded the alley and arrested Mujie on suspicion of treason.
• A colorful book fell from Mujie's robes, and he protested that he had only come to trade for it.

Spiral White Zetsu returned to Madara with dango and reported that a Land of Grass official had betrayed the village, while Madara secretly ate the treat and choked. Meanwhile, Kusana confronted Mujie about the Land of Grass, leaving Mujie frightened by how suspicious the question sounded.

• Spiral White Zetsu came back to the cavern with tri-colored dango, and Madara remembered Hashirama giving him dango at Konoha's first festival.
• Madara scolded Spiral White Zetsu for sneaking out, then asked whether he had learned anything useful.
• Spiral White Zetsu reported that a high-ranking Land of Grass official had betrayed the village, and Madara condemned ninjas as the root of chaos.
• Madara told Spiral White Zetsu to leave the dango behind, then ate it after he was alone and choked when Spiral White Zetsu returned unexpectedly.
• Kusana asked Mujie whether the Land of Grass had treated him well, and Mujie said he was scared because the question made him sound like a traitor.

Kusana had Mujie detained after he proposed finding Teacher Ooki and forcing him to produce stories for the Land of Grass. Jiraiya later visited the imprisoned Mujie, apologized for the trouble, and asked whether he was still selling books.

• Mujie told Kusana that Jiraiya had bought a signed book from him and had come seeking advice about writing from Teacher Ooki.
• Mujie urged Kusana to find Teacher Ooki so the Land of Grass could have him write stories to adapt into films.
• Kusana ordered Oyakamon to detain Mujie and make him copy the 'New Spirit of Grass' one thousand times a day.
• Jiraiya obtained permission to visit Mujie and found him staring numbly in his cell.
• Jiraiya apologized to Mujie for the Land of Grass's strict laws and asked if he was still selling books.

Jiraiya mistook Grass ninja helping civilians till fields for an attack and interrupted their spring-plowing work, prompting the villagers to surround him. Kusana rejected Jiraiya’s request for early release and learned that the Konoha Sannin was the one obstructing preparations.

• Jiraiya walked through the Land of Grass, reflected on its rebuilding, and planned to resume his book trade with a recently imprisoned acquaintance.
• Jiraiya saw a Grass ninja form hand seals near civilians and interrupted what he thought was an attack, but the ninja had been using Earth Release to till fields.
• The civilians and Grass ninja accused Jiraiya of disrupting spring plowing, and they surrounded him as he tried to explain himself.
• Kusana denied a request to release Jiraiya early and ordered him kept in prison for a full month.
• Oyakamon told Kusana that civilians had reported someone obstructing spring-plowing preparations, and Kusana was stunned to hear that the culprit was Jiraiya.

Jiraiya was detained in Kusagakure after disrupting spring-plowing preparations, where he met Mujie and arranged to smuggle books. Kusana decided Jiraiya would serve a week of community service, but Jiraiya asked to stay in prison longer so he could criticize the village’s lenient punishment.

• Jiraiya was held in Kusagakure for interrupting spring-plowing preparations and was placed in a cell beside Mujie.
• Mujie offered to smuggle Jiraiya books, and the two began planning the secret exchange.
• After hearing Oyakamon's report, Kusana declared the incident a grave threat to the Land of Grass and assigned Jiraiya to help with spring plowing.
• Jiraiya and Mujie discussed a plan to evade punishment for their book dealings.
• A Kusagakure ninja released Jiraiya with a week of community service, but Jiraiya asked to remain locked up for another day and was asked if he had a mental problem.

Jiraiya was ordered to finish plowing a huge field in the Land of Grass and summoned Bunta to help. Meanwhile, Kusana learned that the Research Institute and academy had run out of funds and told Elder Yangzheng that the country had no money.

• Jiraiya accepted that he could not leave until he finished the land-reclamation task and summoned Bunta to help him turn over the soil.
• Kusana told Kana to keep someone watching Jiraiya while he handled official documents.
• Uzumaki Yangzheng brought Kusana funding requests because the Research Institute and academy had run out of money for the quarter.
• Kusana realized the Land of Grass was short on funds and told Elder Yangzheng that the country had no money.

Kusana inspected the newly opened Land of Grass academy and praised its curriculum, while Uzumaki Yangzheng explained the school’s ideals and its gifted students. Kusana ordered more homework and approved the funding, as Madara listened underground and went back to sleep.

• Kusana visited the academy and Uzumaki Yangzheng reported that its curriculum followed the Leader’s orders and taught ninjutsu alongside broader subjects.
• Uzumaki Yangzheng praised Kusana’s vision for educating children, and Kusana noticed the academy’s slogans on its walls.
• Kusana saw Yahiko urging Nagato to join the Akatsuki Organization and investigate the Ghost Student Who Draws Poop, while Konan folded paper nearby.
• Uzumaki Yangzheng introduced Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, then explained that the academy assigned little homework to its lower-grade students.
• Kusana ordered the academy to add more homework and approved the funding.
• Madara heard morning reading end underground, yawned, and went back to sleep.

Madara heard that war still plagued smaller countries and took it as proof that Hashirama’s peace through compromise had failed, while he reviewed a report on Nagato’s school progress. In the Land of Grass, Kusana announced that the country was running out of money, and the officials once again proposed selling intelligence.

• A White Zetsu body reported that Iwagakure and Kumogakure were making unusual preparations and that warfare continued in smaller countries.
• Madara declared that compromise could not bring lasting peace and reaffirmed his belief that strength was necessary.
• The White Zetsu body showed Madara Nagato Uzumaki’s excellent academic report and noted the bonds Nagato had formed in the Land of Grass.
• Kusana attended the Land of Grass’s first spring meeting and announced that the country was running out of money.
• An old Grass ninja proposed selling intelligence, and the other officials supported the idea, leaving Kusana exasperated.

Kusana considered ways to raise money for the Land of Grass and proposed selling blind boxes, buying copyrights, and producing a film. The meeting ended with news that Jiraiya’s summoned beast had gone berserk.

• Oyakamon suggested accepting missions, but the Grass ninja said Kusagakure’s reputation made clients unlikely to hire them.
• Uzumaki Yangzheng defended the village’s practice of learning other countries’ techniques, earning the Grass ninja’s admiration.
• Kusana presented plans for Ninja World blind boxes and the film “Sannin Wreak Havoc in Grasswood,” and assigned Mujie to open foreign markets and purchase copyrights.
• Longzhi recommended Mujie for the foreign mission, and Kusana agreed to release him from prison.
• A Grass ninja reported that Jiraiya’s summoned beast had gone berserk while working with the land-tilling team.

Jiraiya was detained after Bunta accidentally wrecked farmland and homes in the Land of Grass, and Kusana confronted him over the damage. Kusana dismissed compensation in favor of a mysterious favor, leaving Jiraiya bewildered as he urged him to sign up for Grasswood.

• Jiraiya explained that Bunta had accidentally caused destruction while clearing land, but Kusana listed his suspicious actions in the Land of Grass.
• Jiraiya recognized Kusana as the leader who had rebuilt Kusagakure and suspected the Uzumaki Clan might be living there, but chose to keep quiet.
• Kusana declared that Jiraiya needed to be punished to give the people an explanation, then described the close bond between Kusagakure and Konoha.
• Jiraiya praised Kusana’s honesty after Kusana claimed he would not demand compensation, and Kusana presented him with a document requesting a small favor.
• Kusana promoted Grasswood as a chance for Jiraiya to become famous and told him to sign the document, leaving Jiraiya confused.

Kusana secured Jiraiya’s signature for a film contract, then directed him in Sannin Wreak Havoc in Grasswood. After Mujie reported that the ninja licensing deals were complete and the blind boxes were ready, Kusana prepared to launch his plan.

• Kusana persuaded Jiraiya to sign the film contract and arranged for him to sign on behalf of Orochimaru and Tsunade.
• Kusana released Mujie, who left to secure rights to ninjas from the villages and wondered whether Kusana knew Teacher Ooki.
• Kusana began filming Sannin Wreak Havoc in Grasswood, repeatedly correcting Jiraiya’s lecherous performance in a kissing scene.
• Jiraiya continued filming, then set off on his journey while wondering how Tsunade would react to the movie.
• Kusana received Mujie’s report that the licensing deals, including Madara Uchiha’s, had gone smoothly.
• Kusana told the Land of Grass officials that the movie and blind boxes were ready and that it was time to begin the plan.

Tsunade and Shizune found a new Land of Grass movie starring Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, and went to watch it. The screening began with Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru listed as the stars.

• Shizune worried that Tsunade's endless gambling would eventually exhaust their money, but Tsunade insisted the Senju Clan's fortune would last and refused to return to Konoha.
• Tsunade noticed a crowd outside a theater and went with Shizune to see a new movie advertisement featuring her, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.
• Shizune read the title, “Sannin Wreak Havoc in Grasswood,” and Tsunade protested that she had never been to the Land of Grass.
• Tsunade decided to skip gambling and watch the movie, warning that she would beat Jiraiya if he was fooling around.
• Shizune bought two tickets and snacks, and she and Tsunade took their seats as the movie began with Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru named as its stars.

Tsunade and Shizune watched a movie based on the Sannin’s past, and Tsunade grew furious at its fictional romance before smashing the theater and paying for the damage. As they left, they encountered Kusa Kusa Blind Boxes, and Tsunade eagerly bought a hundred despite Shizune’s protests.

• Tsunade and Shizune watched a movie depicting the Sannin’s childhood and a romance between Tsunade and Jiraiya, which made Tsunade increasingly angry.
• Tsunade smashed the theater after the movie ended, and Shizune paid the compensation before hurrying her away.
• Shizune told Tsunade that Jiraiya had authorized the film and had taken the job because he owed money in the Land of Grass.
• Tsunade decided to gamble to vent her frustration, but a crowd promoting Kusa Kusa Blind Boxes caught her attention.
• The shop owner described the figurines as works of art, and Tsunade ordered a hundred boxes while Shizune reluctantly paid.

Tsunade repeatedly bought blind boxes hoping to get a figurine of her grandfather, but every box she opened contained the same Jiraiya figurine. Meanwhile, Orochimaru watched a movie about the Sannin and was shocked by its portrayal, while Kusana saw the Land of Grass’s revenue rise.

• Tsunade opened hundreds of blind boxes, all containing identical Jiraiya figurines, while the shop owner confirmed that other customers could pull rare ones.
• Tsunade refused to stop and bought more boxes, continuing to find only Jiraiya figurines as other customers pulled rarer figures.
• Orochimaru stopped in a city in the Land of Fire to watch a movie titled “Sannin Wreak Havoc in Grasswood.”
• Orochimaru watched the film portray Jiraiya and Tsunade together and was left utterly shaken.
• Kusana reviewed revenue figures from across the Land of Grass and concluded they would not be short of money soon.

Kusana discovered that Mujie and Jiraiya had spent days competing to collect blind-box figures in the Land of Grass. When Kusana learned Mujie wanted to design a revealing figure, he had him taken away to copy a book as punishment, while Jiraiya fled without paying for his boxes.

• Kusana learned that Mujie and Jiraiya’s blind-box purchases had made the Land of Grass’s sales unusually high.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan watched the pair compete over boxes, and Yahiko worried that his father would find out about his plan to involve Teacher Amang.
• Kusana confronted Mujie at the shop and offered to give him the figures, but Mujie admitted he wanted to design a revealing one for himself.
• Kusana ordered the guards to take Mujie away and make him copy a book a thousand times.
• Jiraiya mistook Mujie’s arrest for a sign that their book purchases had been discovered, then ran off without paying for a hundred boxes.

Kusana resumed funding the Land of Grass’s reconstruction before meeting with Jiraiya, who asked him to keep Nagato’s eyes secret and deliver a letter to Teacher Ooki. After Jiraiya left, Nagato questioned whether the Child of Destiny existed, and Kusana urged him to rely on himself.

• Kusana approved funding for the Academy, Research Institute, Military Police Force, Medical Department, and other projects.
• Jiraiya visited Kusana, praised the Land of Grass’s progress, and asked him to keep Nagato’s eyes secret.
• Jiraiya asked Kusana to deliver a letter to Teacher Ooki, whom he had failed to find, and pawned his Three Great Sage Princesses figurines for travel money.
• Kusana brought the three children to see Jiraiya off and promised to take good care of the figurines.
• Nagato asked Kusana whether the ninja world had a Child of Destiny, and Kusana said people had to create their own happiness.

Nagato’s essay taught the Land of Grass that everyone could shape their own fate, inspiring the country’s people to rebuild together. After years of peace and rapid development, Kusana saw a breakthrough at the Research Institute: the Chakra Capacitor.

• Nagato won praise for his essay arguing that everyone was a Child of Destiny, and Teacher Jiang Yi connected its message to the Uzumaki Clan’s rescue by the Leader.
• Teacher Jiang Yi urged his students to rely on themselves and work together to strengthen the Land of Grass; Elder Yang Zheng listened and applauded from outside the classroom.
• Jiraiya quietly left, reflecting that the Leader understood the ninja world better than he did and resolving to report a research breakthrough.
• After three years of peace, Nagato’s essay spread throughout the Land of Grass and inspired its people to contribute to the country’s rapid development.
• Elder Yang Zheng showed Kusana a cylindrical device, and Kusana excitedly recognized it as the Chakra Capacitor.

Kusana and the researchers celebrated the successful development of a Chakra Capacitor and a Wind Release-powered harvester that could ease the Land of Grass’s labor shortage. Their celebration ended when Mujie reported that Hatake Sakumo had committed suicide out of guilt.

• Kusana reflected on how Chakra Capacitors and miniature scrolls could power Scientific Ninja Tools and support technological development.
• Uzumaki Yangzheng showed Kusana the completed Chakra Capacitor and miniature-scroll-powered harvester, explaining how its Wind Release blades could help with the harvest.
• Kusana praised the researchers’ success and congratulated them on their first major achievement.
• Mujie rushed in and told Kusana that Hatake Sakumo had committed suicide out of guilt.

Kusana and the Grass ninja leaders discussed rising tensions and prepared the Land of Grass for a possible Third Shinobi World War while maintaining neutrality. As their meeting ended, Iwagakure ninja arrived to request an audience, and they were astonished by the Land of Grass’s bustling appearance.

• Mujie and Uzumaki Yangzheng lamented Konoha White Fang’s death and discussed reports of rising tensions in the ninja world.
• Kusana ordered the Land of Grass to develop its industry, education, economy, and technology while avoiding alliances with either side.
• Kusana told the Grass ninja leaders to prepare for war by securing the autumn harvest and stockpiling food and weapons.
• A Grass ninja announced that visitors from Iwagakure had arrived to see Kusana.
• Iwagakure ninja looked over the bustling Land of Grass in shock.

Kusana received an Iwagakure delegation led by Kitsuchi, but avoided hearing its urgent proposal and left Mujie to entertain the visitors. Kusana then reviewed information about the delegation and instructed Oyakamon to help Mujie handle his operation.

• Kitsuchi introduced himself as the leader of Iwagakure’s delegation and said the Third Tsuchikage had sent them to discuss an important matter.
• Kusana praised Iwagakure and the Third Tsuchikage, then sent Kitsuchi and his group to look around the Land of Grass with Mujie.
• Kitsuchi suspected Kusana knew Iwagakure’s purpose, while Mujie agreed to show the delegation the Land of Grass’s Ninja Academy.
• Kusana reviewed information about the Iwagakure ninja and told Oyakamon to warn Mujie to be careful and have the departments cooperate with his operation.

Kitsuchi and the Iwagakure delegation toured Kusagakure while Mujie repeatedly diverted them from their diplomatic mission. After learning Mujie may be a disgruntled traditionalist with ties to Konoha, Kitsuchi decided to approach him, while Kusana examined the visitors’ intelligence and focused on the Jōshūryū Clan.

• Mujie showed Kitsuchi and the Iwagakure ninja Kusagakure’s academy, where students studied broad subjects and recited the new Spirit of Grass.
• Mujie led the delegation through the Land of Grass’s harvest fields, showing them farming machines and Grasswood while deflecting questions about their mission.
• The Iwagakure ninja discussed their findings and learned that Mujie was suspected of opposing the Grass Ninja Leader, associating with Konoha, and conducting secret dealings.
• Kitsuchi decided to use Mujie as an opening for Iwagakure’s mission after concluding that Kusagakure’s leader would not cooperate directly.
• Kusana reviewed the intelligence on the Iwagakure delegation and singled out Jōshūryū Maruhachi and his clan.

Kusana secretly ordered Mujie to recruit the Jōshūryū Clan from Iwagakure, while Mujie doubted the plan and tried to disguise his criticism when a Grass ninja recorded their conversation. Kitsuchi then visited Kusagakure to propose an alliance, but Mujie reaffirmed neutrality and loyalty to Konoha, leaving Kitsuchi to claim that Mujie secretly resented Kusana.

• Kusana secretly assigned Mujie the task of recruiting the Jōshūryū Clan from Iwagakure.
• Mujie criticized Kusana’s plan, then praised it after learning a Grass ninja was recording their conversation.
• Mujie learned that Kitsuchi had arrived from Iwagakure and went to meet him.
• Kitsuchi asked Kusagakure to form an alliance, but Mujie said the Land of Grass would remain neutral in a war between major powers and would not betray its Konoha allies.
• Kitsuchi told Mujie that he knew Mujie was deeply dissatisfied with Kusana, and Mujie denied it in shock.

Mujie negotiated with Iwagakure’s Kitsuchi, selling the village ten harvesters in exchange for an alliance and safe passage while Kusagakure stayed out of the war. At the Research Institute, Kusana learned that production equipment and a patented Sealing Jutsu were ready, and guessed that Mujie had made his first sale.

• Kitsuchi accused Mujie of opposing Leader Mang and offered Iwagakure’s help, but Mujie insisted that foreign ninja could not interfere in Kusagakure’s affairs.
• Mujie asked Iwagakure to buy harvesters, setting the price at three million per unit and requesting an order of ten.
• Mujie promised Iwagakure an alliance and guidance through Kusagakure while refusing to join the war, and Kitsuchi agreed to report the deal to the Tsuchikage.
• At the Research Institute, Uzumaki Yangzheng told Kusana that some equipment could be mass-produced and that the patented Sealing Jutsu was complete.
• Mujie arrived excitedly, and Kusana smiled, realizing that he had made his first sale.