Recaps

After years working in the Land of Rain, Kawaisuke took the Harmony train back to Kusagakure to reunite with his family. He met Shizuko and Ryukako at the factory and walked home with them.

• Kawaisuke rode the Harmony from Amegakure to Kusagakure, watching the peaceful reconstruction in the Land of Rain and the autumn scenery in the Land of Grass before falling asleep.
• After arriving, Kawaisuke showed his identification at the village gate and hurried to his factory, eager to see his family.
• Ryukako recognized Kawaisuke and ran to embrace him, while Shizuko came over to welcome him home.
• Kawaisuke congratulated Ryukako on graduating as a Grass ninja and apologized for missing her graduation.
• Kawaisuke carried the shopping items as he, Shizuko, and Ryukako headed home together.

Madara watched Spiral White Zetsu’s footage of Kusagakure and asked after Obito and the Grass Ninja Leader, while privately writing about peace. After the war’s fallen were buried, Kusana turned his attention back to Grasswood’s development and announced that filmmaking would resume.

• Spiral White Zetsu showed Madara footage of Kusagakure’s Lightning Chariot, and Madara dismissed it while asking how Obito was doing.
• Madara told Spiral White Zetsu to make Obito study, then asked the White Zetsu original body about the Grass Ninja Leader.
• Madara dismissed the White Zetsu original body and wrote the word “peace” on the papers before him.
• Kusana and the Land of Rain held funerals for the fallen ninjas, with Hanzō attending and Amegakure’s dead buried together.
• Kusana told those gathered that Grasswood’s development must continue and prepared to make movies again.

Kusana discussed the Grass Ninja Village Academy’s progress with Pakura and decided to intervene in Obito Uchiha’s poor study habits by speaking with his parents. Meanwhile, Spiral White Zetsu urged Obito to take school seriously, and a blonde woman arrived at the Land of Grass’s border on a spy mission.

• Kusana heard from Pakura that Obito Uchiha was dozing in class, acting as the class boss, and neglecting his homework, while Rin Nohara was keeping up with her studies.
• Kusana told Pakura to monitor Obito closely and suggested Rin could skip a grade if her marks qualified, while Obito should repeat the year if his grades fell short.
• Spiral White Zetsu delivered Madara’s message urging Obito to study, and Obito reluctantly promised to try harder.
• Kusana reviewed Obito’s learning record and reaffirmed that he needed to meet with the boy’s parents.
• A blonde woman with glasses reached the Land of Grass’s border carrying documents for an unusually open spy mission.

Nonō entered the Land of Grass on an intelligence mission and found a peaceful, prosperous country where young ninjas helped farmers harvest crops. After hearing an old farmer praise the Grass Ninja Leader and describe Kusagakure’s services, she continued toward the town, reconsidering what she had heard about the country.

• Nonō observed newly graduated ninjas harvesting fields with a strange machine and asked an old farmer why so many ninjas were helping.
• The old farmer explained that the Grass Ninja Leader had driven away abusive ninjas and nobles, rebuilt roads and houses, and improved ordinary people’s lives.
• The farmer said that young ninjas helped with planting and harvest as training, and recounted how Jiraiya and the Rain Ninja Village Leader had both made disastrous attempts at farming.
• The farmer recommended Kusagakure Harmony as cheap, fast transport and directed Nonō to a nearby town to register.
• Nonō reflected on how different the Land of Grass was from her expectations, touched the document hidden in her clothes, and walked toward the town.

Yakushi Nonō entered the Land of Grass as a Konoha rogue ninja on a spying mission, but Kusagakure welcomed her and treated her recruitment brochure as proof she was a prized talent. She met Kusana, who announced that she had been hired.

• Yakushi Nonō registered as a rogue ninja in Kusagakure and received an Information Registration Certificate and a talent recruitment brochure.
• Nonō boarded the Harmony Express and was impressed by the Land of Grass’s peaceful scenery, clean roads, and prosperous people.
• At Kusagakure’s entrance, Nonō presented her Talent Introduction Plan, prompting Grass ninja to escort her through the Exclusive Talent Channel.
• Nonō met Kusana and began to admit that she had been exposed, but Kusana enthusiastically told her she had been hired.

Yakushi Nonō infiltrated Kusagakure and resolved to earn its trust while reporting back to Danzo. As Kusana prepared to restart Grasswood movie production, Obito entered an audition hoping to make money, only to find the leader he had called a scammer waiting inside.

• Yakushi Nonō suspected Kusagakure might eventually uncover her identity and decided to work hard, earn trust, and report her successful infiltration to Danzo.
• Kusana finished sorting through the postwar paperwork and planned to arrange filming for a new movie before the end of the year.
• Obito, short on money and hoping to treat Rin, Swirl Face, and Teacher Madara, spotted a Grasswood audition advertisement and decided to try out.
• Obito joined the long audition line and imagined how surprised Rin and his former teammates would be if he appeared in a movie.
• When his turn came, Obito recognized Kusana among the audition staff, abruptly apologized, and tried to leave.

Kusana pressured Obito into accepting a new acting job, then arranged for jonin tutors to keep him studying while filming kept him busy. After reading the script, Obito was moved by its message about saving companions, but the surprise tutors enraged him.

• Kusana blocked Obito from leaving and insisted he take a paid acting role, using complaints about his behavior at the academy to pressure him.
• Obito accepted the script for "Saving Jonin Mizuki" after Kusana promised it would not come with practice exercises.
• Kusana praised Nonō’s work and told her to visit the academy, while Nonō remained focused on earning his trust.
• Obito read the script, resolved to make the film, and vowed to show Kakashi and Konoha that companions mattered most.
• A Grass Ninja arrived to tutor Obito, explaining that Kusana had hired several jonin in Obito’s name and would pay with his salary.
• Obito realized Kusana had tricked him again and burst into tears, calling the leader evil.

Obito rushed from school to film a war scene at Kannabi Bridge, where he reflected on Madara saving him and asked Kusana for a movie copy to take to his teacher. As filming resumed, Nonō brought Kusana a year-end celebration request, and he decided to hold a lively celebration with the Land of Rain included.

• Obito declined Rin’s offer to study so he could go to the filming set, and Rin resolved to ask him what was troubling him.
• At the Kannabi Bridge ruins, Obito reflected on Madara saving him and vowed to care for him in his old age.
• Obito evaded Kusana’s playful attempt to hit him, then asked to take a copy of the movie to Madara, and Kusana agreed.
• Nonō told Kusana that people were asking about the year-end celebration, and Kusana decided to make it lively and invite the Land of Rain.

Madara continued writing while Spiral White Zetsu prepared for the New Year, and Scorpion, hiding in the Land of Rain, was asked to organize a factory performance. The chapter left Scorpion stunned by the request to put his puppet skills to use onstage.

• Spiral White Zetsu warmed Madara’s cave with a Chakra-powered heater and learned that Obito’s exams were coming up before leaving to work.
• Spiral White Zetsu spotted a notice announcing a joint Grass and Rain New Year celebration and grew excited about it.
• Scorpion reflected on his hidden identity and his decision to remain in the Land of Rain after its borders closed, then went to the factory director’s office after work.
• The factory director asked Scorpion to create a performance for Factory Three’s New Year celebration, citing his puppet-making skills, and Scorpion stared at him in disbelief.

Scorpion was pushed into accepting a performance at the New Year gala after Hanzo praised him as an outstanding factory worker. Kusana organized preparations for the gala and learned that Obito had cheated on his exams by copying other students’ names as well as their answers.

• The factory director urged Scorpion to perform at the New Year gala and dragged him along to welcome Hanzo.
• The director praised Scorpion’s diligence and factory contributions to Hanzo, who promised to watch his performance and reward him.
• After Hanzo left, the director granted Scorpion paid leave to prepare, leaving Scorpion frustrated that he had never agreed to perform.
• Kusana assigned security and event preparations for the joint Land of Grass and Land of Rain gala.
• Nonō told Kusana that Obito had completed his exams but used his Sharingan to copy other students’ answers and names.

Obito Uchiha received a public reprimand for cheating and decided that getting expelled would free him from studying, while Rin vowed to help him prepare for a retake. Meanwhile, Kusana discussed a film distribution deal with Nonō, who passed the information to Danzo; Danzo planned to use the negotiations to undermine Hiruzen, but Kusagakure’s representatives arrived to discuss business.

• Obito Uchiha was publicly reprimanded for cheating, and Rin promised to study with him so he would not be expelled.
• Obito Uchiha secretly decided to get expelled to escape Teacher Madara’s lessons.
• Kusana asked Nonō whether she knew Shimura Danzō and explained that Kusagakure wanted agents in the Five Great Ninja Villages to distribute its films.
• Nonō wondered whether she should tell Lord Danzō that Kusana wanted to do business with him.
• Danzo received Nonō’s report, rejected the deal at first, then saw a chance to use it to stop Hiruzen and improve his own standing.
• An Anbu ninja told Danzo that the Hokage had summoned him because someone from Kusagakure had arrived to discuss business.

Kusagakure secured Konoha’s cooperation through Shimura Danzō’s opposition, and Grasswood opened cinemas in Konoha with Mitokado Homura as its spokesperson. At the first postwar New Year, Kakashi spotted Obito disguised on a cinema poster.

• Kusana learned that Konoha had appointed Mitokado Homura as an agent after Shimura Danzō called for war and the Third Hokage rejected his proposal.
• Kusana told Mujie to finish the Konoha deal before year’s end and publicize Kusagakure’s cooperation with the Five Great Ninja Villages.
• Kusagakure and the Land of Rain strengthened their ties as Grasswood opened cinemas in Konoha and Mitokado Homura became its movie spokesperson.
• Kakashi noticed a cinema poster featuring a disguised young man and recognized him as Obito.

Kakashi watched Obito’s film, which retold a comrade-rescue mission and ended with the village honoring the team, and resolved to bring Obito and Rin back. Meanwhile, Obito prepared to watch the movie with Madara, who claimed not to care but kept glancing at the screen.

• Kakashi reflected on Obito’s Mangekyo eye, their promise, and his hope that Minato would bring Obito and Rin back to the village.
• Kakashi bought a ticket and watched Obito’s film about a team that abandoned its mission to rescue Jonin Mizuki, endured the village’s condemnation, and was ultimately recognized as heroic by its leader.
• Kakashi recognized Obito’s role in the film’s message about cherishing comrades and left feeling reassured that Obito and Rin were doing well.
• Kakashi watched the snowfall and vowed to bring Obito and Rin back because they were his comrades.
• Obito set up a screen to watch his movie with Madara, who called it foolish while continuing to glance at it.

Obito and Madara watched a movie together, and Madara decided to tutor Obito after learning he had cheated on an exam. Kusana and Hanzo arrived at the Kusagakure gala, where Hanzo revealed that the puppeteer performing for the Land of Rain was Little Scorpion.

• Obito argued with Madara about whether comrades mattered more than missions while they watched a movie.
• After the movie ended, Madara scolded Obito for cheating and promised to tutor him during the holiday.
• Obito left to spend time with Rin, while Spiral White Zetsu kept the projector running for Madara.
• Kusana arrived at the gala with Kana, Fusang, Pakura, and Nonō as the audience gathered at viewing spots around the village.
• Hanzo arrived and told Kusana that Little Scorpion, a Factory Three worker from the Land of Rain, would perform puppetry at the gala.

The Land of Grass and the Land of Rain celebrated their alliance with a gala that reminded the assembled clans how much their lives had improved. The festivities ended with Hanzo of the Salamander deciding to adopt a child, and Kusana suggesting he ask Kakuzu about personal accident insurance.

• Uzumaki Yangzheng and Hyosuke reflected on how the Land of Grass had given their clans safety, prosperity, and a home, then thanked each other as they watched the performances.
• The gala showcased acts by ninja clans, factories, and ordinary people, while Kusana regretted abandoning his plan to have Nagato and the others perform in frog costumes.
• Sasori of the Red Sand appeared in his Kusagakure work uniform to perform the Hundred Puppet Technique, and Hanzo mistakenly praised him as a child from the Land of Rain.
• Hanzo told Kusana he wanted to adopt a war orphan, and Kusana advised him to ask Kakuzu about personal accident insurance.

Scorpion performed a puppet show depicting Kusagakure’s reconstruction and won the evening party’s popular performance award. When Chief Kusana and Hanzo came to present it, Scorpion worried that they might have discovered his identity.

• Scorpion used his puppets to depict Kusagakure being rebuilt, impressing the audience and drawing praise from Hanzo and Pakura.
• After leaving the stage, Scorpion planned to depart through the Land of Grass, but his coworkers and factory director praised him and told him the winning performance would receive one million.
• Scorpion returned to watch the rest of the party after learning about the prize money.
• The audience chose Scorpion’s puppet show as the favorite, and he went on stage to receive the award.
• Scorpion thanked the factory director, then grew wary when Chief Kusana and Hanzo came to present his award.

Scorpion won first place at the factory gala but discovered he could not leave Kusagakure that night, while Kusana and his friends shared a peaceful evening after the celebrations. Obito brought Rin’s food to Madara’s cave to celebrate the New Year.

• Scorpion accepted his million-prize card, then learned the Green Trains had stopped and he had to stay in Kusagakure overnight.
• Kusana and Kana returned home with Fusang, who thanked Kusana before finding Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato waiting in her courtyard.
• Yahiko said he would take Mujitsu’s little brother to school in a few days, and Nagato followed Fusang and Konan inside.
• Rin sent Obito to Madara with food she had prepared, hoping Madara would enjoy it.
• Obito arrived at the cave, found Madara, Swirl Face, and White Zetsu’s main body watching a screen, and wished them a Happy New Year.

Kusana planned to expand Kusagakure’s trade through a new association and cheap goods, then went to Madara’s cave after White Zetsu summoned him. There, he watched Madara tutor Obito and began listening as Madara started a story about the Warring States Period.

• Kusagakure decided to establish a trade association under Kakuzu and use agents, nearby shops, and a price war to enter the Five Great Nations’ markets.
• White Zetsu’s main body told Kusana that Madara wanted to see him, and Kusana hurried to the cave to pay a New Year’s visit.
• Kusana found Madara tutoring Obito because Obito had cheated on his final exams, and he waited nearby with tea and snacks.
• Madara ended the lesson and began telling Obito a story about two powerful ninja clans during the Warring States Period.

Madara told Obito how Konoha was founded and reflected on whether his and Hashirama’s pursuit of peace had been mistaken. He gave Obito his book and asked him to inherit his will before breaking free of White Zetsu IV and dying, while Kusana realized Black Zetsu had not yet appeared.

• Madara recounted the founding of Konoha, the failed peace efforts, and his battle with Hashirama at the Valley of the End.
• Madara explained his changing doubts about the ninja village system and his former plan, then asked Obito to carry on his wish for peace.
• Obito accepted Madara’s book and promised to inherit his will.
• Madara tore free of White Zetsu IV, clasped Obito’s hand over the book, and died in his stone chair.
• Kusana noticed that Black Zetsu was missing and wondered where he was.

Black Zetsu emerged from Obito's book just as the others prepared to burn Madara's body, claiming he was born from Madara's will to supervise Obito's studies. Kusana accepted his explanation, leaving Black Zetsu's plan intact for now.

• Black Zetsu worried that Madara's death and the proposed cremation would ruin his plan to resurrect Kaguya, but he feared revealing himself to Kusana.
• Kusana urged Obito and the White Zetsus to arrange a proper funeral, and Obito resolved to inherit Madara's will and study hard.
• When Obito wondered how to hold the funeral, Kusana proposed burning Madara's body and spreading his ashes across the ninja world so he could witness peace.
• Black Zetsu emerged from Obito's book and objected to the cremation, presenting himself as a being created from Madara's written will to supervise Obito's studies.
• Kusana warmly accepted Black Zetsu's story, declaring that he unmistakably looked like a product of Madara's will.

Obito accepted Kusana’s claim that he was born from Madara’s book and resolved to keep studying. Kusana convinced Black Zetsu to send the hundred thousand sleeping White Zetsu to work in factories, then left Black Zetsu to handle Madara’s funeral and the bill.

• Obito accepted Kusana’s explanation and renewed his resolve to study, while Black Zetsu took charge of Madara’s simple funeral.
• Kusana revealed that he knew about the hundred thousand White Zetsu, and Black Zetsu confirmed they were asleep as tools prepared by Madara.
• Kusana challenged Black Zetsu’s understanding of Madara’s ideas and argued that the White Zetsu should learn about ordinary people by working in factories.
• Black Zetsu agreed with Kusana and praised his interpretation, and Kusana declared him the book’s manifestation and left him to handle the funeral.
• Kusana and Obito departed through Kamui, leaving Black Zetsu to ask how they would settle the bill and conclude that Kusana was a trap.

After Madara died and left his will to Obito, Black Zetsu chose to continue working toward Mother’s return while Kusana found a use for the awakened White Zetsu. The chapter ended with the White Zetsu learning they had been recruited as workers rather than summoned for the final battle.

• Black Zetsu ordered the others to protect Madara’s corpse, hold a meeting, and awaken the White Zetsu so they could keep working toward Mother’s return.
• Kusana considered how to organize the hundred thousand White Zetsu and decided to discuss it with Yōsei and Kakuzu.
• Hanzo of the Salamander asked Kusana to approve funding for the Land of Rain’s sewer project, and Kusana approved it after offering White Zetsu workers for the job.
• The White Zetsu original body awakened more clones, who assumed the final battle was beginning and asked how many Tailed Beasts had been collected.
• The White Zetsu original body told the confused clones that they had a large order to fulfill by working in a factory.

Kusana and Pakura discussed adding Scientific Ninjutsu courses to the academy as Kusagakure expanded its research program. Obito had become a diligent student, but his studies left him disappointed in Black Zetsu.

• Kusana learned that Black Zetsu had quickly buried Madara, while Spiral White Zetsu had stopped sweeping near the village entrance.
• Kusana told Pakura that Kusagakure planned to establish Scientific Ninjutsu classes and a training system, with Elder Yang Zheng preparing the materials.
• Pakura questioned Kusana about Nonō's low salary and whether hiring rogue ninja would provoke the Five Great Ninja Villages; Kusana revealed that Nonō was a Konoha spy he kept because Kusagakure needed staff.
• Pakura reported that Obito had stopped sleeping in class and now actively answered questions, and Kusana said he had simply grown up.
• Obito asked Black Zetsu for help with his studies, then called him Little Black and said he was disappointed in him when it could not answer.

Black Zetsu worried that Madara’s changed plans and his own altered circumstances had endangered the Infinite Tsukuyomi scheme, while White Zetsu urged patience. In the Land of Rain, Ame watched Kusagakure’s engineers rapidly begin sewer construction.

• Black Zetsu lamented that he could no longer easily manipulate the Uchiha youth and feared Madara might suspect him if revived.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu discussed how Madara’s substitute, Madara’s eyes, and a tailed beast were already in place, and White Zetsu advised waiting for another opportunity.
• Black Zetsu asked White Zetsu to summon the other clones, then learned they had all gone to work.
• In the Land of Rain, Ame watched Kusagakure’s helmeted engineers dig sewers quickly and praised their speed.

Hanzo learned that Kusagakure workers had nearly finished the sewer project and vowed to erect a monument for them. Meanwhile, Kusana considered deeper business ties with Konoha, while Danzo struggled to fund Root and noticed Konoha residents seeking Grass Ninja goods.

• Ame reported that Kusagakure workers had rapidly dug the sewer framework, and Hanzo believed his account and promised to erect a monument when the project was complete.
• Kusana learned that Minato Namikaze had become Hokage and received a letter from Mitokado Homura proposing continued cooperation.
• Kusana agreed to deepen the partnership by offering Mitokado Homura household Scientific Ninja Tools at low prices, then asked Mujie what Danzo had been doing.
• Orochimaru told Danzo that his experimental base had run out of funds, and Danzo promised to transfer more money despite Root's financial troubles.
• Danzo heard that Konoha residents were flocking to buy Grass Ninja Manufacturing goods and decided to visit Homura.