Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Jin taught Fugaku about Yin Style and the Meditation Method, then warned him to protect the Uchiha and their allies while Jin was away. At the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi smeared Jin to Minato Namikaze, but Minato remained unconvinced.

• Uchiha Jin taught Fugaku the Spirit Transformation Technique and Meditation Method, explaining that Sharingan power might be a form of Yin Style.
• Uchiha Jin warned Fugaku that the village would make a move after Jin left and told him to keep the Uchiha and Aburame clans safe and stall for time.
• Fugaku pledged to watch over the Uchiha and their allies, keep Uchiha Setsuna under guard, and contact Jin if trouble arose.
• Uchiha Jin left to visit Hiruzen Sarutobi and demand the release of the Aburame clan members held by the village.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi warned Minato Namikaze that Jin and the Uchiha were destabilizing forces, but Minato did not believe the accusations.

Minato Namikaze questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s claims about Uchiha Jin, explaining that he knew Jin from Ichiraku Ramen and believed him to be lazy rather than ambitious. Hiruzen remained wary and warned Minato to be careful, then received Jin for an audience.

• Minato Namikaze challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi’s portrayal of Uchiha Jin, saying Jin was too lazy to be an ambitious schemer.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Minato how he knew Jin, and Minato explained that they had met at Ichiraku Ramen, where Teuchi had more or less raised Jin.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi considered using Teuchi and his daughter to pressure Jin, then told Minato that people changed and warned him to be careful.
• An Anbu reported that Uchiha Jin had requested an audience, and Hiruzen Sarutobi let him in.
• Uchiha Jin entered the Hokage’s office with narrowed eyes and a false smile.

Uchiha Jin appealed to Hiruzen Sarutobi to secure Aburame Ryoma’s release, arguing that Root lacked legal authority to requisition him. Minato Namikaze backed Jin, leaving Hiruzen in a difficult position.

• Uchiha Jin greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze before Hiruzen interrupted their conversation to ask why Jin had come.
• Uchiha Jin explained that Root had taken Aburame Ryoma without proper authorization and asked Hiruzen to investigate and release him to the Frontline Command Camp.
• Minato Namikaze agreed with Jin and condemned Root’s forced recruitment of Ryoma.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi was left struggling to respond to Jin’s legal challenge and Minato’s support.

Hiruzen Sarutobi reluctantly ordered Danzo to bring Aburame Ryoma to his office after Uchiha Jin challenged Root’s authority. Danzo arrived furious and berated Jin and Hiruzen, while Jin ignored him and Minato Namikaze watched in bewilderment.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Danzo and ordered him to bring Aburame Ryoma to the office.
• Hiruzen worried that the Aburame clan was aligning with Uchiha Jin after the clan meeting.
• Danzo stormed into the office with Aburame Ryoma and accused Uchiha Jin of rebellion.
• Danzo cursed Uchiha Jin and Hiruzen Sarutobi, complaining that Jin kept striking before Danzo could act.
• Uchiha Jin ignored Danzo, and Minato Namikaze watched Danzo in bewilderment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi overruled Danzo and released Aburame Ryoma from Root, ordering Minato Namikaze to rest before returning to the Frontline with Uchiha Jin. After Ryoma left for his clan, Minato invited Jin to talk about what had happened in the village, and Jin agreed.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi rebuked Danzo, declared Root had no authority to recruit ninja, and ordered Aburame Ryoma released.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze to rest for two days before going to the Frontline with Uchiha Jin.
• Uchiha Jin checked Aburame Ryoma for the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, and Ryoma confirmed he had not been branded.
• Uchiha Jin told Aburame Ryoma that his clan had wanted him to join Jin, then sent him back to the Aburame clan compound.
• Minato Namikaze invited Uchiha Jin to talk about the village, and Jin accepted.

Uchiha Jin and Minato Namikaze shared an expensive meal at the Akimichi Barbecue Restaurant and talked about Jin’s lack of money. Afterward, Minato turned to the serious reason for inviting Jin: he wanted to understand how Jin had become so strong.

• Minato Namikaze took Uchiha Jin to the Akimichi Barbecue Restaurant for lunch.
• Minato complained that the meal cost more than half a month’s allowance, and Jin teased him about flaunting his relationship with Kushina.
• Jin enjoyed the barbecue and explained that his Uchiha Elder and war bonuses had not yet been paid, leaving him short of money.
• After the meal, Minato asked why Jin, who was the same age as Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, had surpassed Kakashi in strength.

Uchiha Jin explained to Minato Namikaze why he was trying to protect the Uchiha Clan, then challenged Minato’s beliefs about the clan’s reputation and the Senju’s integration into the village. Minato could not answer Jin’s questions about the Police Force or deny that he would give his own children advantages, leaving him questioning why the Senju should have been expected to do otherwise.

• Minato Namikaze demanded to know why Uchiha Jin was fighting the Hokage for power and profit, and Jin admitted he had become involved because Uchiha had treated him well and he could not stand by while they faced destruction.
• Minato argued that some Uchiha enforced the law unreasonably and doubted that the village intended to exterminate the clan.
• Jin asked Minato to name a specific case of the Police Force taking bribes, abusing the law, or neglecting an investigation, but Minato could recall none.
• Jin challenged Minato’s claim that the Senju Clan had voluntarily integrated into the village and asked whether he would send his own future children into battle with only basic Academy training.
• Minato realized he would give his children more than the Academy’s basic techniques and could not explain why the Senju should have been expected to do less.

Uchiha Jin challenged Minato Namikaze’s faith in Leaf Village by pointing to its failures toward the Senju and Uzumaki clans and the suspicious leak of Sakumo Hatake’s mission. He argued that the Uchiha only wanted to protect themselves, then left Minato wondering why he had been told all this.

• Uchiha Jin questioned why Leaf Village failed to protect the Senju and Uzumaki clans, and Minato Namikaze could not refute his arguments.
• Jin pointed out that Sakumo Hatake’s confidential S-rank mission had spread through the village without anyone being held responsible for the leak, making Minato reconsider what he knew about the village.
• Jin said Jiraiya and other disciples of Hiruzen Sarutobi had left because they could not fix the village’s problems without breaking with their teacher, and he urged Minato to speak with Jiraiya.
• Minato admitted that Jin’s words troubled him, though he still felt something was wrong.
• Jin said the Uchiha he led only wanted to protect themselves, and Minato asked why Jin was telling him all this if he did not need to recruit him.
• Jin pondered Minato’s question.

Uchiha Jin tried to persuade Minato Namikaze to stay neutral in the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership, then wagered that Minato would become the Fourth Hokage instead of Orochimaru. Minato remained doubtful about his own chances, and Jin's bet left their discussion poised to continue.

• Uchiha Jin told Minato Namikaze he trusted him and believed his open, righteous tactics gave him nothing to fear.
• Uchiha Jin pointed out that few Sarutobi ninja fought on the battlefield, prompting Minato Namikaze to question what he knew about Konoha's power structure and his teacher, Jiraiya.
• Minato Namikaze refused to take sides in the conflict between the Uchiha and the higher-ups, saying he would remain neutral.
• Uchiha Jin said he was certain Minato Namikaze would become the Fourth Hokage and asked him not to be hostile toward the Uchiha.
• Minato Namikaze said Orochimaru was more likely to become Hokage, so Uchiha Jin wagered that Orochimaru would never get the position in exchange for Minato's neutrality in the future struggle.

Uchiha Jin explained to Minato Namikaze that Hiruzen Sarutobi could manipulate the Hokage election and leave Minato as a powerless puppet. Minato was shaken by the argument but said he needed time to consider it.

• Minato questioned why Jin only wanted him to remain neutral in the wager and asked to hear his reasoning.
• Jin argued that Orochimaru was too powerful and independent for Hiruzen and the Elders to control if he became Hokage.
• Jin warned that Minato lacked a faction and reliable subordinates, so Hiruzen and the Elders could block his authority and continue ruling through him.
• Jin described how Hiruzen could secure votes through allied clans, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and civilian Jonin while keeping Orochimaru's supporters away from the election.
• Minato recalled that Hiruzen had already promised to support his candidacy, felt Jin's warning might be true, and admitted he needed time to think.

Uchiha Jin warned Minato Namikaze that Hiruzen Sarutobi might exploit Kushina Uzumaki’s childbirth to eliminate him if he refused to be controlled. Minato took the warning seriously and left unsettled, while Jin considered the doubt he had planted a useful move against Hiruzen.

• Uchiha Jin told Minato Namikaze he would remain neutral in the Uchiha’s struggle with Hiruzen Sarutobi and warned him not to seek power or challenge Hiruzen.
• Uchiha Jin cautioned Minato that Hiruzen could leak the timing and location of Kushina Uzumaki’s childbirth to hostile forces, then return as Hokage if Minato died.
• Minato Namikaze thanked Jin, promised to be more careful, and left for the night, troubled by the warning.
• Uchiha Jin reflected that he had planted doubt in Minato and could use Minato’s will against Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Uchiha Jin reflected on how he planned to change Minato Namikaze’s worldview, then heard Shibi Aburame’s fears that the Hokage faction would target the Aburame clan while Jin was away. Shibi asked Jin to take Aburame Ryoma to the Frontline, leaving Jin unsure how to protect the clan.

• Uchiha Jin admitted to himself that he concealed his ulterior motive beneath genuine concern for Minato Namikaze.
• Uchiha Jin returned home and welcomed Shibi Aburame and Aburame Ryoma into his courtyard.
• Shibi Aburame asked Uchiha Jin to take Aburame Ryoma to the Frontline because he feared the Hokage faction would attack the Aburame clan after Jin left.
• Uchiha Jin considered Shibi Aburame’s concerns but could not think of a good way to defend the clan.

Uchiha Jin agreed to take Aburame Ryoma with him and urged Shibi Aburame to move the entire Aburame clan into the Uchiha compound. He reassured them by revealing that Fugaku was another hidden Mangekyo user and that he would arrange for a Nara to advise the clan.

• Uchiha Jin agreed that Aburame Ryoma could accompany him and serve under his command.
• Aburame Ryoma knelt to pledge his loyalty to Uchiha Jin, who promised to protect him on the battlefield.
• Uchiha Jin told Shibi Aburame to relocate the entire Aburame clan to the Uchiha compound.
• Uchiha Jin revealed that Fugaku was another hidden Mangekyo expert, shocking Shibi Aburame and Ryoma.
• Uchiha Jin said he would secretly arrange for a Nara to advise the Aburame clan on defense.

Uchiha Jin reassured Shibi Aburame that a faction of the Nara Clan supported him and arranged for the Aburame clan to relocate to the Uchiha compound. He then told Fugaku about the Nara, clarifying that the faction valued Jin personally and that Shikaku Nara did not think highly of him.

• Uchiha Jin confirmed to Shibi Aburame that the Nara Clan was involved and warned him to keep it secret.
• Shibi Aburame gained confidence in Uchiha Jin and agreed to move the Aburame clan, nearly a thousand people, to the Uchiha compound.
• Uchiha Jin told Shibi to take Aburame Ryoma and make the relocation arrangements while Jin notified Fugaku.
• Fugaku was surprised that the Nara Clan had joined Uchiha Jin and wondered what it meant for the Uchiha.
• Uchiha Jin explained that the Nara faction valued him personally, that its members had been pushed aside, and that Shikaku Nara thought little of him.

Minato Namikaze told Uzumaki Kushina about Uchiha Jin’s suspicion that Konoha’s leaders had targeted her, then asked her to help assess whether it made sense. Kushina learned the details, and the two faced the possibility that Jin’s theory might be true.

• Fugaku said the Uchiha Clan could easily accommodate the Aburame clan, which moved into the Uchiha district in less than half a day.
• Danzo wanted to exploit the Aburame clan’s move to stir up trouble, but Hiruzen Sarutobi told him to wait until Uchiha Jin left the village.
• Minato Namikaze sat at home brooding over his conversation with Uchiha Jin, while Kushina asked what was troubling him.
• Minato hesitated to tell Kushina because he feared her temper and worried that the Hokage’s higher-ups might act against her if Jin’s suspicion was true.
• Minato recounted his entire conversation with Uchiha Jin and asked Kushina to help analyze whether Jin’s theory made sense.

Kushina told Minato about the strange decisions surrounding the Uzumaki and Senju clans, deepening his doubts about Konoha's leadership and his future as Hokage. As Minato became despondent, Kushina encouraged him to build alliances and use his connections to pursue his goals.

• Kushina admitted she did not know why Konoha had failed to help the Land of Whirlpools, but recalled Uzumaki elders secretly sending clan members away and forbidding them from going to the Land of Fire.
• Kushina described how Mito had tried to persuade Tsunade to lead the Senju Clan before suddenly announcing the clan's disbandment and attributing it to Tobirama's decision.
• Minato reconsidered Jin's claims and worried that becoming Hokage would leave him a powerless puppet, making his lifelong ambition seem meaningless.
• Minato told Kushina about Jin's prediction and confessed that he felt like giving up on becoming Hokage.
• Kushina urged Minato to strengthen his relationships, make use of Jin's conflict with the village leadership, and seek help from Jiraiya and his other allies.

Minato Namikaze promised Kushina to investigate the truth behind the Uzumaki Clan's destruction, while avoiding the question of becoming Hokage. In her dream, Kushina forced the Nine-Tails to reveal the Leaf Village's secrets, confirming that Uchiha Jin had told the truth.

• Minato Namikaze agreed to help Kushina investigate what happened to the Uzumaki Clan.
• Kushina entered the Nine-Tails' prison in her sleep, where it urged her to release it and seek revenge on the Leaf Village.
• Kushina demanded that the Nine-Tails tell her what it knew before she would consider releasing it.
• The Nine-Tails revealed the schemes of the Hokage, Danzo, and others in the Leaf Village.
• Kushina was stunned to learn that Uchiha Jin had not lied to Minato Namikaze.

Kushina confronted the Nine-Tails after learning that Konoha had manipulated her life to secure her as its vessel and obtain the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing techniques. She decided her love for Minato was genuine, resealed the Nine-Tails, and left the sealed space as Minato called for her outside.

• Kushina realized that Konoha’s higher-ups had exploited her relationship with Minato to keep her in the village and acquire the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing techniques.
• Kushina recognized that her feelings for Minato were real despite the village’s manipulation.
• Kushina refused to release the Nine-Tails and used Adamantine Sealing Chains to bind it more tightly and seal its mouth.
• Kushina left the Nine-Tails’ sealed space while Minato Namikaze called to her outside with a worried expression.

After Kushina escaped the Nine-Tails’ sealing space, she shared the village’s darkest secrets with Minato, leaving him furious and disillusioned. Kushina urged him to contain his anger, build allies, and work with Uchiha Jin so he could change Konoha once he became Hokage.

• Minato repeatedly called to Kushina until she woke and threw herself into his arms.
• Kushina explained that the Nine-Tails had exploited her relaxed guard, but she had learned secret information through its perception of events across the village.
• Kushina told Minato about the destruction of the Senju and Uzumaki, Sakumo Hatake’s suicide, Kagami Uchiha’s death, Root’s training, embezzled village funds, and Hashirama Cells experiments.
• Minato realized that the village’s leaders had manipulated his relationship with Kushina and condemned their treatment of children and ninja clans.
• Kushina urged Minato to hide his anger until he became Hokage, gather and train loyal allies, and work with Jin against the village higher-ups.

Minato Namikaze resolved to change Konoha after learning how Hiruzen Sarutobi had distorted the village, and he sought Uchiha Jin’s help in learning political maneuvering. Jin and Aburame Ryoma set out for the front line with Minato, who used Flying Thunder God to transport them to an unfamiliar forest.

• Minato Namikaze agreed with his wife that they would have to plan carefully, then vowed to become Hokage and change the village despite the risks.
• Minato arrived at the village gates at six to meet Uchiha Jin and ask him to teach him political maneuvering.
• Jin explained that Aburame Ryoma was accompanying him because the Aburame clan feared a purge while Jin was away.
• Minato accepted Ryoma’s presence and, after asking whether Jin was ready, placed his hands on Jin and Ryoma’s shoulders and used Flying Thunder God to take them to a forest.