Recaps

Hyuga Aya resisted the Hyuga Main Family with Uchiha Jin’s support, killing Hyuga Yu and forcing Hyuga Hiashi to confront the clan’s abuses. Jin then led his allies away from a direct Hokage bid and toward building influence behind Minato Namikaze, while Nara Koji sought a private discussion with him.

• Hyuga Aya rejected the Hyuga Main Family’s attempt to make her Hyuga Yu’s maid, killed Yu after resisting the Caged Bird, and survived the Mangekyo technique that devastated the hall when Hyuga Hiashi attacked her.
• Uchiha Jin arrived with allied clans, shielded Hyuga Aya, and challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi’s accusations, while Hyuga Hiashi called the killings an internal dispute and refused to accuse the Uchiha.
• Uchiha Jin left the Hyuga compound with Neji Hyuga, and Hyuga Hiashi forced the Main Family Elders to accept his terms before learning that Hizashi Hyuga had willingly sent Neji away.
• At the Uchiha gathering, Uchiha Jin explained that he wanted to protect the allied clans rather than become Hokage, and persuaded them to build influence through village institutions and control of businesses.
• Nara Koji and the allied clans backed Jin’s plan, while Fugaku accepted that the Uchiha would conceal their real strategy and publicly continue appearing to compete for Fifth Hokage.
• Uchiha Jin warned the gathering against provoking powerful enemies, urged the clans to advance cautiously, and left the banquet with Hyuga Aya and Neji.
• Nara Koji stopped Uchiha Jin for a private conversation, and Jin sent Hyuga Aya to put Neji to sleep before inviting Koji inside.

Uchiha Jin killed the Third Raikage, then protected the Cloud Village squad in exchange for the Raikage’s soul, forcing Ōnoki to abandon his pursuit. Back in Leaf Village, Jin’s growing reputation fueled political maneuvering and rumors as Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared for a Kage Summit and Danzo secretly plotted against the Uchiha.

• Uchiha Jin warned Nara Koji that powerful figures beyond Leaf Village made dangerous secrets best left alone, then directed him to expand trade with Stone Village and acquire business in the Land of Iron.
• Uchiha Jin reassured Hyuga Aya about Neji’s safety and the Caged Bird seal, while Hizashi Hyuga secretly visited his son and promised to bring Branch Family members to the Uchiha over time.
• Minato Namikaze brought Uchiha Jin to a trap where Leaf and Stone forces were fighting the Third Raikage, and Jin joined the battle after Minato failed to penetrate the Raikage’s defense.
• Uchiha Jin defeated the Third Raikage with Mangekyo: Void, then agreed to spare the Cloud ninja in exchange for the Raikage’s soul.
• Uchiha Jin and Minato Namikaze stood against Ōnoki’s attempt to capture the Cloud forces, and Ōnoki withdrew after Minato backed Jin’s decision.
• Uchiha Jin returned to Leaf Village and prepared with Fugaku and Nara Koji for possible backlash, while Hiruzen Sarutobi learned of Jin’s strength and considered how to deal with him.
• Shikaku Nara persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to convene the Five Kage in the Land of Iron and postpone action against Jin, while Hiruzen secretly planned to have Danzo move against the Uchiha.
• Danzo ordered Katsu to spread rumors that Uchiha Jin was a Cloud Village spy, but villagers rejected the claims and the rumors faded as the Kage Summit convened.