Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Isshin dismissed Fugaku’s concerns about a rescued boy who resembled Izuna, until Uzumaki Shio revealed the boy had the Ancestors’ Blessing and drew Danzo’s suspicion. Isshin then ordered the Uchiha to bring the boy into their protection.

• Fugaku told Isshin that the rescued Uchiha boy refused to join the clan despite awakening a Two-Tomoe Sharingan and showing exceptional combat skill.
• Isshin argued that the Uchiha should let the boy go, even after Fugaku said he looked just like Young Clan Leader Izuna.
• Uzumaki Shio arrived and pleaded with Fugaku and Isshin to protect the boy, explaining that he wanted to join but was too proud to ask.
• Shio revealed that people spoke inside the boy’s head, that he possessed the Blessing of the Ancestors, and that Danzo seemed hostile toward him.
• Isshin ordered Fugaku to gather all the Three-Tomoe users so they could go pick up the boy.

Uchiha Isshin organized a group to bring the orphan back to the Uchiha, while Danzo decided the boy resembled Tobirama and demanded to make him his disciple. The boy refused Danzo just as Isshin arrived with the Uchiha.

• Isshin rebuked Fugaku for mistaking his intentions, then gathered the Three-Tomoe to retrieve the orphan and told them to act according to the Will of Fire.
• Tobirama criticized Danzo’s bandages and obsession with becoming Hokage, while Hiruzen defended the orphan’s vigilance and kept Danzo focused on him.
• Danzo told Hiruzen that the orphan resembled Tobirama and insisted that he should take the boy as his disciple.
• Hiruzen warned Danzo to follow proper procedures and get the boy’s consent, and Danzo swaggered over to offer to teach him ninjutsu and the Will of Fire.
• The orphan refused Danzo, saying he disliked people who wore bandages around their heads, as Isshin arrived with a group of Uchiha.

Senju Tobirama provoked Shimura Danzō while Uchiha Isshin confronted him over Tobirama’s refusal to join the clan. Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped the dispute with a display of Chakra, settled the Uchiha’s duty issue, and offered to make arrangements for Tobirama.

• Senju Tobirama insulted Shimura Danzō, who explained that he was Konoha’s Hokage Advisor and Anbu Chief.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi defended Tobirama as an uninformed child and invoked the First Hokage’s patience to curb Danzō’s anger.
• Uchiha Isshin defended the Uchiha Clan’s conduct, but Danzō threatened to inspect the Military Police Force’s posts.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi unleashed a powerful burst of Chakra, then gave Isshin a way to return to duty and treated the incident as a first offense.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Danzō why he still wore bandages, and Danzō admitted it had become a habit.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi offered to make arrangements for Tobirama, who agreed while inwardly struggling with being addressed as a young man.

Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for the Uchiha boy calling himself Senju Tobirama to live with Shisui, offering village support and presenting the arrangement as a chance for the boys to become brothers. Shisui eagerly accepted, while Obito Uchiha also asked for an older brother.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Senju Tobirama back with Uchiha Isshin and proposed that Shisui live with him so he could learn about Konoha.
• Uchiha Isshin reluctantly agreed to ask Shisui, while Danzo resented the arrangement and Hiruzen Sarutobi privately hoped Senju Tobirama would benefit from Shisui's resources.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Senju Tobirama annual funds and asked whether he wanted Shisui as an older brother; Senju Tobirama agreed and said he could not remember his parents or his name.
• Hizashi Hyuga brought Shisui to meet Senju Tobirama, and Shisui excitedly accepted the idea of gaining an older brother.
• Obito Uchiha also asked Hizashi Hyuga to find him an older brother, while Shisui immediately felt that Senju Tobirama was the brother he had wanted.

Senju Tobirama bonded with Shisui, chose the new identity Uchiha Aosui, and was accepted into the Uchiha Clan. After Uchiha Isshin became the boys’ guardian, Hiruzen Sarutobi privately revealed that he knew Aosui resembled Izuna Uchiha and had allowed him to return to the clan anyway.

• Senju Tobirama welcomed Shisui as his younger brother, and Shisui eagerly agreed.
• Senju Tobirama chose the name Uchiha Aosui, which Uchiha Isshin praised and interpreted as complementing Shisui’s name.
• Uchiha Isshin asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to make him guardian of Aosui and Shisui, and Hiruzen agreed before asking Isshin to stay behind.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Uchiha Isshin that he knew Aosui resembled Izuna Uchiha and said he had let Aosui join the clan because he belonged there.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Uchiha Isshin not to disappoint the Will of Fire, leaving Isshin impressed by the Hokage’s intelligence network and convictions.

Senju Tobirama, posing as Uchiha Aosui, settled into Shisui’s home and impressed the Uchiha with his political insight. As he prepared to attend the Ninja Academy, Shisui told him about a powerful yellow-haired student who used the Flying Thunder God Technique, prompting Tobirama to look forward to meeting him.

• Fugaku brought Senju Tobirama and Shisui to Shisui’s spacious home, where Shisui eagerly welcomed Aosui as his older brother.
• Uchiha elders cursed Tobirama’s past treatment of the Uchiha, while Uchiha Isshin discussed his theories about Tobirama’s policies.
• Aosui suggested that the Uchiha could have pressured Tobirama by threatening broad intermarriage, impressing Isshin and the gathered Uchiha.
• Isshin arranged a room and books for Aosui, then planned to send him to the Ninja Academy and advised him not to become hostile toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Shisui invited Aosui to attend school with him and warned him about a yellow-haired student who used the Flying Thunder God Technique, making Tobirama eager to meet him.

After Konoha conquered Kusagakure and returned captured ninjas with compensation, the Five Great Hidden Villages’ leaders debated Hiruzen Sarutobi’s motives and prepared their own responses. Hanzo chose to pursue closer ties with Konoha, while the other villages’ leaders emphasized Konoha’s threat and strengthened their military plans.

• Hanzo of the Salamander ordered Amegakure to stop its anti-Konoha propaganda and promote reconciliation and cooperation with Konoha.
• The Third Raikage called Konoha’s actions a strategic retreat, ordered more training for Yugito Nii and Killer B, and told Dodai to link Blue B’s death to Konoha while comforting captured Kumogakure ninjas.
• Ōnoki warned Iwagakure’s leaders about Konoha and the Uchiha, ordered Roshi and Han to improve their control of the Tailed Beasts, and backed down when Roshi demonstrated his Four-Tails power.
• The Third Kazekage rebuked Pakura for expressing goodwill toward Konoha, while Rasa proposed using his Kekkei Genkai to dig gold and his unborn son as a future One-Tail Jinchuriki candidate.
• The Third Mizukage ordered Kirigakure to retrieve its captured ninjas from Konoha, with instructions to execute those he considered useless.

Senju Tobirama, living as Uchiha Aosui, attended the Ninja Academy and met Shisui’s friends, including Obito, whom he identified as a potentially dangerous but promising Uchiha. He decided to observe and help the students train while experiencing school life for the first time.

• Senju Tobirama considered how to adapt his fighting style to his new body and Sharingan while attending the Ninja Academy.
• Shisui introduced Senju Tobirama, known as Uchiha Aosui, to Kakashi, Obito, Might Guy, Asuma, Nohara Rin, and the others.
• Obito tripped while boasting about his Sharingan and Fire Release, and Senju Tobirama judged him to be an Uchiha worth watching closely.
• Senju Tobirama helped Obito up, accepted his request to call him brother, and listened as Shisui asked about ninjas from other villages.
• Senju Tobirama recognized that Konoha’s students were training under a more organized system and resolved to help them build stronger foundations.

Senju Tobirama tested the Ninja Academy students in combat and impressed them with his Sharingan, speed, and ninjutsu. A White Zetsu reported his resemblance to Izuna to Uchiha Madara, who reacted with sudden interest.

• Senju Tobirama praised the village-funded academy meal system, then agreed to test Shisui, Obito, Kakashi, Asuma, and the other students after lunch.
• Senju Tobirama used his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and swift swordsmanship to defeat the young ninjas, then demonstrated powerful Fire and Water Release techniques.
• Shisui told Senju Tobirama that a red-haired Uzumaki girl had been watching him and relayed Clan Leader Isshin's advice that he should find an Uchiha woman.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Senju Tobirama through a Crystal Ball and experimented with combining different Chakra natures.
• A White Zetsu observed Senju Tobirama, decided he resembled Izuna, and traveled to report the discovery to Uchiha Madara.
• Uchiha Madara dismissed the candidate until White Zetsu mentioned his resemblance to Izuna, then demanded to hear more.

Uchiha Madara learned about Uchiha Aosui and ordered White Zetsu to gather information, then decided to monitor him personally. He also ordered Black Zetsu to watch Nagato and protect the Rinnegan as Konoha searched for surviving Uzumaki.

• Madara demanded every detail about the new Uchiha candidate after White Zetsu said Aosui resembled Izuna.
• White Zetsu explained that Mito Uzumaki’s walks had made surveillance difficult, while Madara dismissed her Yin Seal and considered how Nagato might restore his vitality.
• Black Zetsu warned Madara that Hanzo sought an alliance with Konoha and that Konoha’s Anbu were searching for surviving Uzumaki.
• Madara ordered Black Zetsu to intensify surveillance on Nagato and gave it the ability to resonate with Nagato’s Rinnegan so it could protect him in an emergency.
• Madara learned the candidate’s name was Uchiha Aosui and decided to monitor him personally, then connected to a White Zetsu in Konoha.

Jiraiya returned from Mount Myoboku with the truth about the Box of Ultimate Bliss: it absorbed negative emotions, while the demon Goku used rumors about wish-granting to lure people. He then revealed a changed prophecy that might involve Hiruzen Sarutobi and confessed that one of his secret disciples was an Uzumaki suspected of possessing the Rinnegan.

• Orochimaru and Hiruko reported that the Box of Ultimate Bliss absorbed nearby Chakra and other unidentified energy, while they waited for Jiraiya’s intelligence.
• Jiraiya told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Sage of Six Paths had made the box to absorb negative emotions, but people stripped of those emotions became like walking corpses and the plan was abandoned.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reasoned that negative emotions could not simply be removed without also erasing human motivation, and he connected the box’s purpose to the Second’s Zero-Tails.
• Jiraiya said the Great Toad Sage had given a changed prophecy that might concern Hiruzen Sarutobi, then admitted he had secretly taken three disciples outside the village, including an Uzumaki suspected of having the Rinnegan.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Jiraiya to rise and explain the prophecy and his disciples clearly.

Jiraiya told Hiruzen Sarutobi about Nagato, a former Amegakure student with possible Rinnegan, and relayed the Great Toad Sage’s changed prophecy. Hiruzen reframed the prophecy as one of many possible futures, ordered new reporting regulations, and left Jiraiya chastened but convinced that Hiruzen was the prophesied master.

• Jiraiya recounted how he, Orochimaru, and Tsunade had met Nagato and two other Amegakure war orphans, and explained that he suspected Nagato’s eyes might have been the Rinnegan.
• Jiraiya described the Great Toad Sage’s new visions of a giant ape connected to Hiko, the Rinnegan, and a future that could bring either peace or destruction.
• Hiruzen told Jiraiya that prophecy reflected possible futures shaped by changing factors, then identified why Jiraiya had kept Nagato’s identity and eyes secret.
• Hiruzen ordered Hiruko to draft regulations requiring shinobi to report private ties to shinobi from other villages and intelligence about rare resources.
• Hiruzen warned Jiraiya against repeating the concealment, and Jiraiya declared that Hiruzen was the prophesied master before Hiruzen struck him and redirected the conversation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Jiraiya to train in Sage Mode while discussing whether the Box of Ultimate Bliss could help stabilize the Uchiha by absorbing harmful Chakra. Meanwhile, Isshin arranged a combat lesson for Senju Tobirama, now posing as Uchiha Aosui, as Uchiha Madara watched from afar.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Jiraiya to pursue Sage Mode, investigate Nagato, and contribute more to the village, while Jiraiya promised to train and finish his Sage Land Pill.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru discussed the difficulty of learning Sage Mode, and Hiruzen Sarutobi encouraged them to master it in his place.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Orochimaru whether the Box of Ultimate Bliss could absorb the negative-emotion Chakra left in Uchiha brainstems, and Orochimaru identified research and trust as major obstacles.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru sealed the Box of Ultimate Bliss while Hiruzen considered whether Senju Tobirama might eventually control its power.
• Isshin gathered Uchiha elites to test Senju Tobirama's knowledge and fighting ability under his assumed identity, Uchiha Aosui, while Uchiha Madara watched.

Senju Tobirama, posing as Aosui, defeated Uchiha Yashiro with Izuna’s aggressive sword style and impressed the Uchiha clan. Fugaku then challenged him to a spar using Madara’s fighting style, and Aosui eagerly praised Madara’s spirit.

• After two months in the Uchiha compound, Aosui had gained the clansmen’s goodwill by befriending children, visiting elders, and listening to Uchiha history.
• Uchiha Yashiro sparred with Aosui, who overwhelmed him with Izuna’s close-quarters style and disarmed him despite Yashiro’s Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Yashiro accepted the loss and praised Aosui for capturing the essence of Izuna’s fighting style, while Isshin saw hope for change in the clan.
• Aosui reflected that the Uchiha’s fighting strength had weakened and considered reorganizing the Military Police Force to earn influence and restore their combat ability.
• Madara watched Aosui’s performance and was moved by the young man’s resemblance to Izuna, while regretting that he had failed his brother’s final request.
• Fugaku challenged Aosui to test Madara’s fighting style, and Aosui said he admired Madara’s spirit.

Senju Tobirama, posing as Aosui, argued that Madara’s legacy could be reconciled with the Will of Fire and declared his loyalty to both Konoha and the Uchiha. After winning Isshin’s permission to speak at the clan meeting if he defeated Fugaku, he prepared to use the duel to establish his authority over Madara’s legacy.

• Uchiha Isshin warned Aosui that invoking Madara’s will could draw Danzo’s attention and endanger him.
• Senju Tobirama insisted that the Uchiha should recognize Madara’s contributions while correcting past misinterpretations and bringing any beneficial ideas into the Will of Fire.
• Shisui and Obito were moved by Aosui’s devotion to both the village and clan, while Uchiha Madara grew curious about him.
• Senju Tobirama asked Isshin for a chance to address the clan meeting if he defeated Fugaku, and Isshin agreed.
• Senju Tobirama prepared to defeat Fugaku and use Madara’s legacy to reshape the Uchiha Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to use the Ninja Academy exams and Danzo’s reputation to amplify Senju Tobirama’s influence among the Uchiha and across Konoha. In the clan’s duel, Tobirama used Water Release, genjutsu, and smoke to trap Fugaku and demanded his surrender.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Senju Tobirama promote the Will of Madara and decided to steer village attention toward him through the Ninja Academy exams and a possible clash with Danzo.
• Fugaku fought Senju Tobirama with his sword and Sharingan, then used Great Fire Annihilation to overwhelm the younger fighter with Fire Release.
• Senju Tobirama countered Fugaku’s flames with Water Dragon Bullet Technique, filling the arena with mist and surprising the watching Uchiha.
• Senju Tobirama used the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique to impair Fugaku’s senses, then replaced the mist with smoke using Hiding in Ash Technique.
• Senju Tobirama threatened to ignite Fugaku if he moved and told him to surrender.

After defeating Fugaku, Senju Tobirama, posing as Aosui, persuaded him to let Itachi grow up under his guidance and urged him to refine his skills instead of imitating Madara. He then explained to the Uchiha why he studied Senju Tobirama’s techniques, while privately maneuvering to win their trust and Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to support his effort.

• Fugaku admitted defeat and thanked Aosui for warning him about the danger of using Fire Release to dispel the mist.
• Fugaku told Aosui that he planned to send the one-year-old Itachi to the battlefield when he was a few years older, and Aosui offered to guide Itachi instead.
• Aosui rebuked Fugaku’s plans for Itachi as contrary to the Will of Fire, and Fugaku agreed to listen to him.
• Aosui advised Fugaku to refine his skills rather than imitate Madara’s fighting style, while Madara privately approved of Aosui’s praise for his hard work.
• Aosui told the Uchiha that he studied Senju Tobirama’s techniques to understand and draw lessons from the clan’s former enemy, then criticized Tobirama’s Police Force policy and Will of Fire.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized his teacher’s effort to win the Uchiha over and resolved to cooperate with him.

Senju Tobirama, posing as Aosui, urged the Uchiha to learn from his techniques while distinguishing Hiruzen Sarutobi from Tobirama’s anti-Uchiha policies, and the clan largely accepted his argument. Uchiha Madara decided to undermine the Will of Fire by forcing Aosui to confront a conflict between saving a comrade and following a mission, while Isshin prepared for Kirigakure’s visit and a clan meeting.

• Senju Tobirama criticized his former policies toward the Uchiha and urged the clan to innovate by studying his ninjutsu, while praising Hiruzen Sarutobi as a different kind of Hokage.
• Uchiha Isshin and Uchiha Hono supported Aosui’s position, and the Uchiha agreed that Hiruzen had treated the clan fairly.
• Uchiha Madara decided that Aosui’s loyalty to Konoha made him difficult to sway and resolved to stage a crisis that pitted the Will of Fire against the Ninja Code.
• Uchiha Isshin told Aosui that Kirigakure’s Elder Genji would visit with an apology and a treasured item for the Hokage, then announced a clan meeting at Naka Shrine seven days later.

Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to extract Yakushi Nonō from Iwagakure and support her orphanage, rejecting Danzo’s suspicion of her loyalties. He then considered Kirigakure’s proposed peace agreement and planned to counter its delegation by exposing its young visitors to Konoha’s culture.

• Danzo reported that Yakushi Nonō had requested extraction from Iwagakure after stealing a prototype of Earth Release: Super Lightweight Rock Technique, and Hiruzen ordered Konoha to bring her home.
• After reviewing Nonō’s records, Hiruzen learned that she had funded her orphanage with her mission rewards and trained several people in medical ninjutsu, so he approved further support and asked to meet her when she returned.
• Hiruzen instructed Danzo to arrange a reliable escort for Nonō and explained that Konoha should respect shinobi’s personal convictions while aligning them with the village’s interests.
• Danzo described Kirigakure’s delayed delegation, proposed treasure, peace agreement, and visiting students as a likely deception, while Hiruzen resolved to let the visitors experience Konoha’s culture.

Kirigakure’s delegation entered Konoha to apologize and arrange an exchange, while its leaders assessed the village and its young prodigies reacted to Konoha’s prosperity. After Kaguya Kimimaro attacked Asuma and Kurenai, Uchiha Hono subdued and threatened him, and Hizashi Hyuga sent the delegation’s young ninja to the Academy to await Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Genji urged Terumi Mei, Kisame, Yuki, and Kaguya Kimimaro to display their talents and support the Bloody Mist Village, while Yuki privately resented the Third Mizukage’s purges and Kimimaro praised the policy.
• Hizashi Hyuga met the Kirigakure delegation outside Konoha, explained that Konoha’s patrols had detected them, and led them into the village after Genji offered an apology and compensation for the prisoners.
• Genji observed Konoha’s defenses and prosperity as Terumi Mei saw its shops and leisure facilities, including Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai spending time together.
• Kaguya Kimimaro moved to attack Asuma, but Uchiha Hono trapped him in a genjutsu and threatened to kill him, forcing Genji to apologize.
• Hizashi called Anbu to escort the Kirigakure youths to the Ninja Academy to await Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Karatachi Yagura protested when Hizashi mistakenly called him a kid.