Recaps

Tsunade agreed to take Kurama Yakumo as her disciple after the Third Hokage revealed Yakumo's talent and possible ocular Kekkei Genkai. Shinji learned of the arrangement at the Ninja Academy and saw it as an opportunity to gain information and learn Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu.

• The Third Hokage explained to Tsunade and Jiraiya why Yakumo's talent could help keep Sasuke in check, and Tsunade agreed to ask Yakumo what she wanted.
• The Third Hokage brought Tsunade and Jiraiya to the Kurama Clan estate, where he told Kurama Murakumo and Kurama Ryō that Yakumo might have awakened a new ocular Kekkei Genkai and that Tsunade wanted to train her.
• Kurama Murakumo and Kurama Ryō agreed to let Tsunade take Yakumo as her disciple, and the Third Hokage ordered them to keep her Kekkei Genkai secret.
• Shinji heard his classmates say that Tsunade would take Yakumo as her disciple and concluded that the village had discovered the Red Dragon Eye.
• Shinji considered how Yakumo's apprenticeship could give him access to information from Konoha's leadership and a chance to learn Tsunade's techniques, including the Yin Seal.

Shinji made Yakumo’s apprenticeship under Tsunade her first mission after joining the Akatsuki Organization, directing her to use Tsunade’s expertise to develop the Red Dragon Eye and learn her techniques. Yakumo accepted the assignment while remaining wary of Danzo.

• Shion told Shinji that Naruto was training a secret technique with Jiraiya, and Sasuke overheard the news about the Sannin taking students.
• Sasuke grew angry that Yakumo had become Tsunade’s student and Naruto might become Jiraiya’s, believing he was no worse than either of them.
• At Konoha Hospital, Yakumo worried that Tsunade wanted her as a student because of the Red Dragon Eye and feared she might expose the leader’s secret.
• Shinji contacted Yakumo through Naobi and reassured her that Tsunade was not after the eye, warning her to watch out for Danzo.
• Shinji ordered Yakumo to become Tsunade’s student, cooperate with her to develop the Red Dragon Eye, and learn the Yin Seal and Superhuman Strength Punch.

Tsunade examined Yakumo’s newly awakened Red Dragon Eye and found that its perception and copying abilities surpassed those of the Byakugan and Tomoe Sharingan. The chapter ended with Yakumo demonstrating that she could seize control of Tsunade’s blood from a distance, prompting Tsunade to warn her about the danger.

• Tsunade brought Yakumo to a secluded training ground and asked her to activate the Red Dragon Eye.
• Yakumo activated the Red Dragon Eye, and Tsunade recognized it as an entirely new dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai.
• Tsunade tested the Red Dragon Eye’s observation, X-ray, chakra-sight, blood-perception, and copying abilities, finding them stronger than comparable Sharingan and Byakugan abilities.
• Yakumo told Tsunade that the Red Dragon Eye could control blood and increase her speed and strength.
• At Tsunade’s request, Yakumo used the Red Dragon Eye on her and briefly controlled her blood, but Tsunade broke free with Chakra and warned Yakumo to use the ability carefully.

Yakumo shared the Red Dragon Eye test results with Shinji while Tsunade and the Third assessed the eye’s power and classified its details as top secret. The chapter ends with Karin telling Shinji that both of her damaged eyes can now sense faint light.

• Yakumo coughed up blood but promised Tsunade she would not use the Red Dragon Eye recklessly, and Tsunade urged her to rest while promising to treat her.
• Yakumo returned to Konoha Hospital with a copy of the Red Dragon Eye test results, which Shinji viewed by connecting to her optic nerves with Magatsu.
• Shinji told Yakumo to accept Tsunade’s treatment plan, acknowledging that Tsunade might treat her more safely than he could.
• Tsunade gave the test results to the Third and Jiraiya, described the Red Dragon Eye’s power and hidden Dojutsu, and the Third ordered its details classified as top secret.
• After infusing Yakumo with Yang Release Chakra, Shinji asked Karin about her recovery, and Karin reported that both eyes could sense faint spots of light.

Karin’s damaged Mangekyō Sharingan showed its first sign of recovery, while Naruto challenged Sasuke at the Ninja Academy with a massive number of Shadow Clones. Naruto revealed the Rasengan during their fight, leaving Sasuke stunned as it reached him.

• Shinji found Karin testing her eyes in the sunlight and saw that her damaged Mangekyō Sharingan had regained a trace of light sensitivity.
• Naruto returned to the Ninja Academy and challenged Sasuke, announcing that he had learned a secret technique.
• Naruto created around a hundred Shadow Clones, shocking the students and teachers who watched.
• Sasuke used his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and Taijutsu to fight off Naruto’s clones while Naruto secretly formed a Rasengan.
• Kakashi prepared to stop Naruto, but Jiraiya assured him that Naruto’s Rasengan was too weak to fatally injure Sasuke.
• Naruto charged Sasuke with the Rasengan, and Sasuke froze when he noticed the glowing sphere in Naruto’s hand.

Naruto defeated Sasuke with the Rasengan after a week of training with Jiraiya, leaving Sasuke injured and humiliated. At Konoha Hospital, Shinji provoked Sasuke about his loss and the Sannin, hoping to push him to grow stronger.

• Naruto pinned Sasuke with Shadow Clones and struck him in the chest with the Rasengan, knocking him unconscious.
• The students and teachers reacted to Naruto's victory, while Neji watched him warily and Tenten worried about the changing balance among the academy's prodigies.
• Sasuke woke at Konoha Hospital, where Kakashi explained that the Rasengan was an A-rank ninjutsu and warned him that one mistake could be fatal.
• Shinji visited Sasuke, acknowledged Naruto's new strength, and provoked Sasuke by telling him he did not understand how strong the Sannin were.
• Shinji left after deliberately stoking Sasuke's anger to encourage him to grow stronger and awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Shinji learned that Tsunade planned to transplant First Hokage cells into Yakumo to save her failing body and studied Tsunade’s surgical plan. He realized his earlier operation on Karin had been dangerously crude and considered using Tsunade’s approach to improve Karin’s constitution.

• Shinji left Sasuke’s hospital room, while Kakashi told Jiraiya that Sasuke was physically fine but emotionally troubled.
• Tsunade examined Yamato’s transplant data and told Shizune that Yakumo might not survive three months without a First Hokage cell transplant.
• Tsunade concluded that Orochimaru’s excessive use of suppressants had helped Yamato resist the cells and decided to seek additional data from Danzo.
• Shizune agreed to prepare the Fusion Agent, and Tsunade went to meet Danzo.
• Shinji learned of Tsunade’s surgical plan through Yakumo and studied it, realizing his previous White Zetsu cell transplant on Karin had relied on her strong constitution.
• Shinji considered following Tsunade’s method to replace Karin’s diluted White Zetsu cells with First Hokage cells.

Shinji saw Tsunade’s planned First Hokage cell transplant for Yakumo as a chance to advance his Rinnegan Plan, while promising to protect Yakumo during the dangerous surgery. As the operation approached, Yakumo spent time with her family and friends, and Tsunade prepared herself to make it succeed.

• Shinji reviewed Tsunade’s surgical plan and reassured Yakumo that he would watch over her during the operation.
• News of the transplant alarmed the Kurama Clan, but Yakumo’s father approved it after learning her condition could not wait.
• The Third questioned Tsunade about the risks and the Red Dragon Eyes, while Danzo secretly ordered Root shinobi to investigate why she had chosen Yakumo as her student.
• Yakumo spent the day with her parents and then met Sasuke, Neji, Kimimaro, and Shinji at their usual barbecue restaurant, where she vowed to challenge them after recovering.
• Tsunade watched Yakumo confidently talk with her friends, then told Shizune they had to prepare and succeed.

Yakumo underwent Tsunade’s First Hokage cell transplant while Shinji and others waited anxiously for the results. After the cells’ Yang Release Chakra overwhelmed her, Tsunade injected a Fusion Agent that let Yakumo awaken her Red Dragon Eye and resist the surge.

• The night before the surgery, Yakumo reassured Ido that she trusted Tsunade, and they agreed to show the Ninja Academy geniuses what they could do afterward.
• Shinji took the day off as Konoha’s clan, officials, and Yakumo’s classmates watched the surgery’s progress with concern.
• Tsunade began the transplant with Yakumo conscious and implanted activated First Hokage cells into her arm.
• The cells’ Yang Release Chakra overwhelmed Yakumo, so Tsunade ordered Shizune to inject a suppressant, which failed to fully revive her.
• Tsunade ordered Shizune to inject the Fusion Agent, and Yakumo regained consciousness, activated the Red Dragon Eye, and fought the Yang Release Chakra with her Yin Release Chakra.

Yakumo endured the First Hokage cell transplant as her Red Dragon Eye fought the resulting Wood Release, but during fusion the eye began consuming the power meant to help her. As Tsunade and Shizune struggled to contain both threats, Yakumo’s Chakra suddenly weakened and both the cells and eye were suppressed by an unknown force.

• Yakumo resisted the First Hokage cells’ Yang Release Chakra while Tsunade and Shizune monitored the dangerous transplant.
• The Red Dragon Eye acted to protect Yakumo, using her blood to fight the Wood Release growing from the transplant site.
• Tsunade concluded Yakumo could withstand the cells, and Yakumo entered the fusion stage after the initial rampage subsided.
• The Red Dragon Eye absorbed the Power of All Things instead of helping the fusion, leaving Yakumo’s body unable to balance it with the First Hokage cells.
• Tsunade injected an inhibitor, but it failed to suppress either threat, and Yakumo’s Chakra then began weakening as both the eye and cells rapidly lost power.

Shinji used Magatsu to drain the Red Dragon Eye and First Hokage cells from Yakumo when they threatened to overwhelm her during surgery, sending their Chakra to Karin. Yakumo’s fusion resumed and the operation succeeded, leaving the Kurama Clan celebrating her recovery.

• Shinji suppressed the Red Dragon Eye and First Hokage cells in Yakumo with Magatsu and drained their Chakra to save her surgery.
• Shinji sent the drained Chakra to Karin, whose damaged Mangekyō Sharingan began to stir as she regained patches of vision.
• Tsunade and Shizune saw Yakumo regain control as her rejection subsided and the stalled fusion progressed.
• Jiraiya told the Third and the Kurama Clan members that Yakumo’s surgery had succeeded, and they celebrated her survival.
• The Third asked Jiraiya whether the surgery had gone smoothly and whether the procedure could be replicated.

Yakumo woke after successfully surviving surgery to implant First Hokage cells, while the Third Hokage ordered the procedure kept secret and documented. At the Ninja Academy, Sasuke defeated Naruto in a rematch, and their classmates worried that the growing strength of Naruto and Yakumo gave Sasuke and Kimimaro’s teams an advantage over Shinji and Neji’s.

• The Third Hokage told Jiraiya to have Tsunade keep Yakumo’s successful surgery quiet and submit a written report.
• Yakumo awoke, learned the surgery had succeeded, and thanked her lord inwardly for saving her; Ido admitted that she had been wrong to doubt him.
• Sasuke used his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to evade Naruto’s Shadow Clones, find the real Naruto, and win their sparring match.
• Naruto asked whether Sasuke would accept him as a teammate, and Sasuke agreed that Naruto was just barely good enough.
• Kiba, Shikamaru, Ino, and Shino discussed how Naruto and Yakumo’s progress strengthened Sasuke and Kimimaro’s teams compared with Shinji and Neji’s.
• Tenten and Rock Lee promised to work harder for Neji, while Haku and Karin apologized to Shinji and he reassured them.

After Yakumo recovered from her surgery, Tsunade examined her and confirmed that the First Hokage cells and Red Dragon Eye had given her a Sage Body and exceptional physical strength. Tsunade recognized Yakumo as a potential successor and offered to teach her a secret Taijutsu technique.

• Yakumo recovered from the cell-fusion surgery, and Shizune took her to meet Tsunade at the training ground.
• Tsunade explained that Yakumo's fusion with the First Hokage cells would deepen over time and warned her not to let her Chakra become depleted.
• Tsunade's tests showed that Yakumo had gained a Sage Body and far greater physical strength than expected.
• Tsunade decided Yakumo could train in her techniques and advised her to focus on Taijutsu.
• Tsunade punched through a massive tree to demonstrate her secret Taijutsu technique, leaving Yakumo stunned.

Yakumo mastered Tsunade’s Superhuman Strength Punch after several days of intense training and returned to the Ninja Academy with newfound confidence. She challenged Sasuke, and their fight left him unconscious after he was sent flying from the forest.

• Tsunade taught Yakumo the techniques and Chakra control behind the Superhuman Strength Punch, and Yakumo trained relentlessly.
• Yakumo used the Superhuman Strength Punch in a spar with Tsunade, who confirmed that she had mastered it.
• Yakumo returned to the Ninja Academy, where Shion noticed her increased confidence.
• Sasuke challenged Yakumo over their agreement, and Yakumo led him to a nearby forest to fight.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi watched from a tree as Sasuke flew out of the forest and fainted after hitting a tree.

Yakumo defeated Sasuke with a single blow and challenged Neji next, drawing the academy’s attention. Neji accepted, but their fight ended with Yakumo striking him with Superhuman Strength Punch and sending him flying.

• Yakumo returned to the academy after defeating Sasuke, then challenged Neji to fight after school.
• Neji accepted because refusing would make him look weaker than Yakumo’s other intended opponents, Shinji and Kimimaro.
• Haku warned Shinji that Yakumo had grown stronger after surgery, and Karin said her Chakra had increased dozens of times.
• Yakumo and Neji moved their fight to a grove to keep her abilities from being exposed to the watching students.
• Neji activated his Byakugan and attacked with Gentle Fist, but Yakumo took a hit and used Superhuman Strength Punch to send him flying.

Yakumo defeated Neji after beating Sasuke, leaving both prodigies recovering in the hospital and Sasuke brooding over the Sannin’s influence. Though Shinji expected to be Yakumo’s next challenger, Yakumo chose Kimimaro and declared she was saving Shinji for last.

• Yakumo emerged after knocking Neji unconscious, and Tenten led the students in carrying him to Konoha Hospital.
• Sasuke learned that Neji had also lost to Yakumo’s superhuman strength, and the two prodigies admitted they had both been defeated by it.
• Neji reflected on his failure to stop the Otsutsuki Branch Family, while Sasuke blamed the Sannin’s training for Naruto and Yakumo’s strength.
• Shinji told Haku and Karin that he would probably challenge Yakumo next, but declined their suggestion to visit Neji in the hospital.
• Yakumo told Kurama Murakumo that she would challenge Kimimaro the next day and save Shinji for last.

Yakumo challenged Kimimaro at the Ninja Academy and used her Red Dragon Eye in their fierce match. Kimimaro conceded defeat, while Shinji remained the next opponent Yakumo was expected to face.

• The students and several Konoha shinobi gathered to see whom Yakumo would challenge, and she chose Kimimaro instead of Shinji.
• Yakumo and Kimimaro left the training field for a secluded grove, while Shinji stayed behind and told Shion to focus on training.
• Yakumo revealed that she had permission to use the Red Dragon Eye, and she and Kimimaro began fighting at close range.
• Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade watched the match, and Tsunade judged that Yakumo would win if Kimimaro could not finish quickly.
• Yakumo and Kimimaro struck each other and crashed through trees; Kimimaro got back up and admitted defeat.

After defeating Kimimaro, Yakumo became the village’s rising star as word spread about her victories over the heirs of the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Kaguya clans. With her expected to challenge Shinji next, Sasuke, Neji, and Orochimaru considered what the match could mean.

• Kimimaro conceded to Yakumo, and Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade discussed the trump cards both fighters had held back.
• Sasuke and Neji learned Kimimaro had lost, while Root shinobi decided to report Yakumo’s eye mutation to Danzo.
• News of Yakumo’s victories spread throughout Konoha, and villagers anticipated her challenge against Shinji Uchiha.
• Sasuke worried about the Uchiha clan’s reputation, while Neji apologized to Hiashi, who praised Yakumo’s father, Kurama Murakumo.
• Orochimaru questioned Kimimaro about his loss and grew interested when he heard Yakumo might challenge Shinji.

Shinji brought Yakumo to the Forest of Death for their long-awaited fight so he could assess the effects of her surgery. Yakumo attacked after telling him that his talk of them being equals felt like he was looking down on her.

• Shinji wondered whether Yakumo's post-surgery strength was being limited by an incomplete fusion or Tsunade's suppressant.
• Students and instructors gathered at the Academy, where Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura discussed Yakumo's challenge to Shinji.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi arrived to watch the anticipated fight.
• Shinji and Yakumo met at the Academy gate and agreed to fight somewhere away from the crowd.
• Shinji raced to the Forest of Death using the Body Flicker Technique and Breathing Technique, with Yakumo keeping pace and Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Tsunade following.
• Yakumo accused Shinji of not taking her seriously and lunged at him.

Jiraiya, Kakashi, Tsunade, and the Ninja Academy students arrived at the Forest of Death and watched Yakumo and Shinji’s fierce fight. Shinji continued to evade Yakumo’s strongest punches, leaving her puzzled about how he anticipated them.

• Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Tsunade reached the Forest of Death and heard explosions from Yakumo and Shinji’s match.
• The Ninja Academy students arrived, and Hinata and Neji used their Byakugan to follow the fighters while Karin sensed Yakumo’s overwhelming chakra.
• Shinji threw Explosive Tags at Yakumo, but she charged through the blasts and punched a hole through a massive tree to reach him.
• Yakumo and Shinji exchanged Taijutsu blows, but Shinji precisely dodged each Superhuman Strength Punch.
• Yakumo wondered how Shinji could read her attacks without a Sharingan, while he used Killing Intent Perception to anticipate them.

Shinji and Yakumo fought as Kakashi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Danzo, and Orochimaru watched. When Yakumo unleashed Wood Release, the spectators were stunned, and the match’s outcome appeared to turn against Shinji.

• Shinji evaded Yakumo’s attacks and assessed her strength, chakra control, and growing perceptiveness during their fight.
• Danzo watched Yakumo’s Red Dragon Eye and Shinji’s skill, while Orochimaru enjoyed the clash.
• Shinji broke away when Yakumo neared her limit and challenged her to stop hesitating and fight seriously.
• Yakumo decided to go all out and unleashed Wood Release, sending countless vines surging toward Shinji.
• Kakashi, Haku, Karin, Sasuke, Neji, and the other spectators reacted with shock as Yakumo’s Wood Release overwhelmed the scene.

Shinji assessed Yakumo’s immense but imperfect Wood Release while evading her, then prepared a combined Fire and Wind Release attack against her sea of trees. As Danzo, Orochimaru, and the spectators watched, the chapter ended with Shinji and Princess Fuki launching their jutsu toward Yakumo.

• Shinji evaded Yakumo’s Wood Release and judged that its power came from her vast Chakra reserves, though it fell short of the First Hokage’s.
• Danzo watched Yakumo’s Wood Release and grew eager to use First Hokage cells to alter his own constitution.
• Orochimaru and the spectators wondered how Shinji would respond, while Haku left the crowd ready to intervene if Shinji faced mortal danger.
• Shinji summoned Princess Fuki and told her they had one chance to combine their Fire and Wind Release.
• Shinji and Fuki unleashed a massive wave of fire, amplified by Fuki’s gale, toward Yakumo’s sea of trees.

Shinji and Fuki countered Yakumo’s Wood Release with a Wind-and-Fire Compound Ninjutsu, then Shinji used the smoke to knock Yakumo unconscious. He left the battlefield as the onlookers watched in stunned silence, while the Third observed from the Hokage Office.

• Shinji and Fuki unleashed a Wind-and-Fire Compound Ninjutsu that halted Yakumo’s advancing sea of trees.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, Sasuke, Neji, and Haku watched Shinji’s counterattack with astonishment.
• As Shinji’s jutsu began to falter, he vanished into the smoke and Fuki distracted Yakumo from behind.
• Shinji struck Yakumo’s neck and knocked her unconscious, causing her Wood Release to stop.
• Shinji assessed Yakumo’s abilities, then walked away with Fuki as the onlookers fell silent.
• The Third watched the fight through a crystal ball and remarked that another Uchiha with a Ninja Cat had gone to battle.

Shinji defeated Yakumo after she unleashed Wood Release, stunning the gathered students and making Danzo wary while Orochimaru grew interested in him. Yakumo accepted the loss and left with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi as Shinji reunited with Haku and Karin.

• Shinji's victory over Yakumo made Danzo fear his future potential, while Orochimaru watched him with covetous interest.
• Sasuke announced that Shinji had beaten Wood Release, and the crowd reacted with shock and disbelief.
• Yakumo woke and accepted her defeat, feeling relieved of the pressure her recent victories had brought.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi arrived, and Yakumo told them she was glad Shinji had beaten her so her time at the Academy would not be boring.
• Kakashi reflected on how exceptional the Academy students were, and Shinji waved to Haku and Karin before leaving with them.

After Shinji defeated Yakumo, Konoha’s leaders discussed how to explain her Wood Release and conceal the true abilities of her Red Dragon Eye. At Root Base, Orochimaru asked Danzo to obtain Tsunade’s surgical records and the eyes of a child from the Kurama Clan.

• Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura decided to train, while Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee took inspiration from Shinji’s composure.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi reported the match to the Third Hokage, who ordered them to prepare an explanation for Yakumo’s public use of Wood Release.
• Tsunade proposed claiming Yakumo gained Wood Release accidentally during life-saving surgery and arranged to obscure the Red Dragon Eye’s abilities.
• The Third Hokage agreed that Yakumo should remain at the Ninja Academy, and Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade endorsed Shinji as a talent worth cultivating.
• At Root Base, Danzo confronted Orochimaru over Yakumo’s superior Wood Release, and Orochimaru asked Danzo for Tsunade’s latest surgical records and the eyes of a Kurama Clan child.