Recaps

Naruto and Gaara underwent Tailed Beast transformations and fought fiercely in a hidden valley while Konoha and Sunagakure shinobi watched. Tsunade explained that Konoha could give Gaara the chance to confront the One-Tail, but whether he could control it was up to him.

• While Shinji performed a First Hokage cells transplant on Karin, Naruto and Gaara battled in a hidden valley as Konoha and Sunagakure shinobi observed.
• As Gaara lost control and began transforming into Shukaku, Yakumo used her Red Dragon Eye to confirm that the One-Tail's Chakra had suppressed Gaara's own.
• Naruto asked the Nine-Tails for power, accepted its Chakra, and transformed into a Tailed Beast Cloak.
• Naruto and Gaara charged at each other as monstrous Jinchuriki, shaking the valley with their clashes.
• Tsunade told Chiyo that Konoha could help Gaara confront the One-Tail but could not guarantee that he would learn to control it.

Naruto helped Gaara regain control during his battle with Shukaku, and Sunagakure’s leaders recognized that Gaara needed support. After several days of training in Konoha, the visiting ninja from the other villages said farewell to the academy students and prepared to return home.

• Naruto called out to Gaara and kept striking him as Shukaku began to take control, while Yakumo rushed in to suppress the rampage.
• Gaara stopped Naruto’s punch and regained control of his body, surprising Yakumo and relieving Temari, Kankuro, Chiyo, and Tsunade.
• Gaara thanked Naruto in his own way, and Chiyo acknowledged that Sunagakure had treated him too harshly.
• Konoha helped Gaara with special training for several days, and Jiraiya warned that the villages needed to protect their Jinchuriki from the Akatsuki Organization.
• Gaara, Kurotsuchi, Darui, Suigetsu, Chojuro, and the other visiting ninja came to the Ninja Academy to say farewell to Naruto, Yakumo, Kimimaro, Shinji, and the other students.

Konoha Academy began teaching its students the basics of ninjutsu, while Iruka encouraged them to work hard by telling Minato Namikaze’s story. Shinji watched Karin, whose appearance had begun changing after her First Hokage cell transplant.

• The other villages’ students departed without causing a stir, and Konoha’s Academy returned to its usual calm.
• Shinji reflected on his growth over the past year and wondered whether taking it easy had strengthened his Dojutsu.
• Iruka began teaching the students hand seals and explained that they needed to master the basics before learning ninjutsu.
• A student asked why Shinji could use one-handed or no-seal ninjutsu, and Iruka explained that Shinji was an exceptional genius.
• Iruka told the class how Minato had risen from an Academy student to become Hokage, inspiring students to challenge themselves against Shinji.
• Shinji noticed that Karin’s hair had grown redder and her skin had become rosy and fair after her First Hokage cell transplant.

Shinji watched Karin’s Power of All Things strengthen her Spirit Body and Dojutsu, while Haku drew attention at the Academy by demonstrating and teaching Water Release. The chapter ended with Shion struggling to learn Hand Seals and Karin reflecting that Shion’s bell talisman suppressed her immense power.

• Shinji noticed that Karin’s Spirit Body and Dojutsu had grown stronger, and that her Naobi link could now sever his connection.
• Haku explained Hand Seals to the students as Kirigakure’s leaders hoped his talent would attract the Akatsuki Organization’s attention.
• Haku demonstrated a Water Release technique at the training ground and taught the students how to perform it.
• Shion failed to master the Hand Seals and complained to Karin that ninjutsu was difficult to learn.
• Karin told Shion she could not perform the technique either, while thinking that Shion’s talisman suppressed her immense Miko power.

Hyuga Hiashi met the Otsutsuki Branch Elder on the moon and learned that the clan demanded Neji be handed over for trespassing. In Konoha, Shinji reconsidered his uncertain Tenseigan plan and questioned whether his proposed method would work.

• Hyuga Hiashi met the Otsutsuki Branch Elder, who showed him a portrait of Neji and accused the Hyuga Clan member of trespassing in the moon clan's castle.
• Hiashi realized Neji might have been taken to the moon during his brief abduction by the Akatsuki Organization.
• The Otsutsuki Branch Elder demanded that Hiashi deliver Neji within ten days or face the consequences of the clan disregarding their blood ties.
• Shinji resumed studying his Tenseigan plan and reviewed his uncertain ideas about using Kimimaro and Neji as the host.
• Shinji suspected that combining Kimimaro's Sage Body with the moon clan's pure Byakugan might not awaken the Tenseigan.

After discovering that Neji’s and Kimimaro’s cells could not be fused, Shinji reconsidered his Tenseigan Plan and devised a biological exoskeleton to combine their abilities. He began planning an exoskeleton made mainly from his own cells, which could also act as a Chakra relay for Magatsu.

• Shinji concluded that Neji’s and Kimimaro’s bloodlines were not compatible enough for the direct fusion his Tenseigan Plan required.
• Shinji crossed Neji’s and Kimimaro’s names off his notebook and worried that he might have to target Otsutsuki Toneri instead.
• Shinji realized he could create a biological exoskeleton to bridge Neji’s and Kimimaro’s powers without directly fusing their cells.
• Shinji decided the exoskeleton should accommodate his own Chakra as well as Neji’s and Kimimaro’s, and planned to make it primarily from his cells.
• Shinji planned for Neji and Kimimaro to wear the exoskeleton until it synchronized with their bodies, then combine their Chakra through channels created by Naobi and Magatsu.

Hiashi confronted Neji about his cooperation with the Akatsuki Organization, but Neji revealed that the Otsutsuki Branch Family on the moon could destroy the Shinobi World. Hiashi struggled to choose between exposing Neji to the village and protecting the Hyuga Clan, while Shinji decided to approach Orochimaru for help with his plan.

• Hiashi questioned Neji about the Otsutsuki Clan's accusations, and Neji admitted cooperating with the Akatsuki Organization but refused to identify his contact.
• Neji told Hiashi that Hagoromo Otsutsuki had entrusted him with a mission and that the Otsutsuki Branch Family planned to destroy the Shinobi World by making the moon crash into it.
• Hiashi realized the Hyuga Clan could not stop the threat alone, but reporting it to the village could expose the clan's past dealings with the Akatsuki Organization.
• Hiashi asked Neji whether he could contact the Akatsuki Organization.
• Shinji studied how to create a biological exoskeleton and concluded that he needed a partner with resources.
• Shinji decided to use Kimimaro's role in his plan to make Orochimaru work for him.

Shinji discovered that Kimimaro had begun coughing up blood from his Bloodline Disease and asked him to arrange a meeting with Orochimaru. He then learned that the Otsutsuki Branch Family had given Hiashi ten days to hand Neji over, and saw a chance to bring the Hyuga Clan into his plans.

• Shinji watched Kimimaro cough up blood, then revealed himself and asked him to tell Orochimaru that Akatsuki's A wanted to discuss Kimimaro's illness.
• Kimimaro relayed Shinji's message, and Orochimaru agreed to a meeting while ordering Kabuto Yakushi to examine Kimimaro.
• Kimimaro left a mark at the training ground for Shinji, while Shinji went to the Hyuga Clan grounds to check on Neji.
• Neji told Shinji that the Otsutsuki Branch Family had given Hiashi ten days to hand him over.
• Shinji learned that Hiashi had hesitated to report the threat because he feared his involvement in Akatsuki's previous test would be exposed, and recognized an opportunity to recruit the Hyuga Clan.

Shinji sought the Hyuga Clan’s help against the Otsutsuki Branch Family, while arranging a meeting with Orochimaru through Kimimaro. Orochimaru suspected Shinji was hiding in Konoha and told Kabuto Yakushi to inform Danzo of the meeting, setting up a possible test or ambush.

• Shinji asked Neji to help persuade the Hyuga Clan to work with the Akatsuki Organization, and Hiashi allowed Neji to cooperate personally while denying any clan involvement.
• Kimimaro told Shinji that Orochimaru had agreed to meet, and Shinji warned him that his Bloodline Disease was serious before learning the meeting’s time and place.
• Shinji checked the meeting location and wondered whether Orochimaru or Kabuto Yakushi was hiding in Konoha.
• Orochimaru concluded that Shinji was likely in Konoha and agreed with Kabuto Yakushi that the meeting probably involved more than Kimimaro’s illness.
• Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to tell Danzo about the meeting, intending to use Kimimaro as bait and test the Akatsuki Organization’s interest in him.
• Kabuto Yakushi informed Danzo, who questioned whether the intelligence about 'A' appearing in three days was reliable.

Danzo deployed Root to ambush the Akatsuki member 'A,' hoping to restore his influence in Konoha. At the meeting, Shinji proposed cooperating with Orochimaru to treat and recruit Kimimaro, while the arrival of 'B' and 'D' revealed that both stood behind 'A.'

• Danzo decided to gather Root and capture an Akatsuki member to strengthen his position among Konoha's leaders.
• Kabuto told Orochimaru that Danzo's men were in position around their meeting place, and Orochimaru sent him away.
• Shinji arrived as 'A' while Danzo's forces fought nearby, and proposed cooperating with Orochimaru to treat Kimimaro and recruit him into the Akatsuki Organization.
• Orochimaru questioned Shinji's motives and identity, but Shinji insisted that Kimimaro was worth the effort.
• After the battle fell silent, 'B' and then 'D' arrived and stood respectfully behind 'A,' alarming Orochimaru.

Shinji intimidated Orochimaru with Karin and Ido, then reached an agreement to help treat Kimimaro in exchange for Orochimaru’s cooperation with experiments. Orochimaru returned to examine Kimimaro, intrigued by the interest Shinji had shown in the boy’s Kekkei Genkai.

• Orochimaru saw how reverently Karin and Ido treated Shinji and felt intimidated by their power.
• Shinji pressured Orochimaru into cooperating, and Orochimaru agreed after learning Shinji wanted Kimimaro kept alive and treated.
• Shinji offered techniques to help treat Kimimaro in exchange for Orochimaru’s cooperation with experiments after Kimimaro recovered.
• Orochimaru asked about Danzo’s nearby forces, but Shinji dismissed the matter and left with Karin and Ido.
• Kabuto returned and told Orochimaru nothing about Danzo’s people, and Orochimaru decided to return and examine Kimimaro himself.

Shinji and his companions returned toward Konoha while Ido and Karin watched each other and grew more determined to serve Shinji. At Orochimaru’s base, Kimimaro’s Bloodline Disease was confirmed, and Shinji realized his condition was worse than he had expected.

• Shinji, Karin, and Ido raced toward Konoha, where Karin’s strength made Ido abandon her attempt to invade Karin’s mind.
• Karin resolved not to fall behind Shinji’s other subordinates, while Ido suppressed her defiance and became more obedient.
• Orochimaru questioned who “A” was and why he had taken an interest in Kimimaro before Kabuto Yakushi brought Kimimaro to the base.
• Orochimaru’s examination revealed that Kimimaro’s Shikotsumyaku was damaging his organs, making him an unsuitable vessel for Living Corpse Reincarnation.
• A few days later, Shinji visited Orochimaru’s base, read Kimimaro’s medical report, and realized Kimimaro’s condition was more severe than he had expected.

Shinji proposed that Orochimaru create a Biological Armor to strengthen Kimimaro's body against the effects of Shikotsumyaku, while Orochimaru mistook the plan for a cover to obtain the First Hokage cell transplant technique. As their experiments failed to stabilize First Hokage cells, Shinji secretly used White Zetsu Cells and his own cells to make a sealed Biological Exoskeleton.

• Shinji rejected Orochimaru's treatment plans and proposed strengthening Kimimaro's physique with Biological Armor rather than removing his Kekkei Genkai.
• Orochimaru tested Shinji's idea and agreed to try it, while concluding that Shinji's real goal was the First Hokage cell transplant technique.
• Shinji privately thought he only needed Orochimaru's equipment and expertise, and continued monitoring the Otsutsuki Branch Family on the moon as they began their research.
• Shinji and Orochimaru found that activated First Hokage cells made the armor unstable and dangerous, so Shinji suggested testing other cellular materials.
• While Orochimaru was away, Shinji used White Zetsu Cells as a framework and his own cells as the core to create a palm-sized Biological Exoskeleton, then sealed it to restrain the cells.

Shinji completed a split biological exoskeleton made from White Zetsu Cells and implanted one half in Kimimaro to supply him with Yang Release Chakra. He implanted the other half in Neji, leaving Neji unconscious after the painful procedure.

• Shinji finished testing the biological exoskeleton, erased evidence from Orochimaru's laboratory, and left.
• Shinji found Kimimaro training and implanted one half of the device into his chest.
• Kimimaro activated the device and discovered it supplied high-purity Yang Release Chakra, though its released form remained sealed.
• Shinji told Kimimaro the device could not be removed and then went to find Neji.
• Neji pressed the other half to his chest and passed out from the pain after the implantation succeeded.

Shinji confirmed that Neji could use the implanted Biological Armor and successfully tested whether Naobi could connect to the armor inside Neji and Kimimaro. As Shinji prepared to use the two halves to cultivate Chakra for awakening the Tenseigan, Orochimaru suspected that Shinji had completed the armor and ordered Kabuto to check on Kimimaro.

• Shinji explained how to use the Biological Armor to Neji, who tested its Chakra supply and strength-enhancing effects.
• Shinji warned Neji not to use the armor's released state recklessly and said the Otsutsuki Branch Family would require careful planning to confront.
• Shinji used Naobi to connect to the Biological Armor implanted in Kimimaro and Neji, confirming that Magatsu could draw Chakra from it.
• Shinji planned to use the two armor halves to collect and cultivate Kimimaro and Neji's cells and Chakra for awakening the Tenseigan.
• Orochimaru returned to his secret base, learned from Kabuto that Shinji had used the lab and destroyed its surveillance, and ordered Kabuto to check on Kimimaro.

Shinji watched his classmates train and monitored the growing bond between the biological exoskeletons implanted in Kimimaro and Neji. Meanwhile, a hidden figure stopped Anko from taking Shinji as her student and spread a rumor that the Hokage Building had forbidden Jonin from mentoring him, leaving Shinji puzzled as his classmates began avoiding him.

• Shinji sensed Karin's Spirit Body growing stronger and observed Kimimaro and Neji feeling an unexplained attraction caused by their linked biological exoskeletons.
• Anko headed to the Ninja Academy to take Shinji as her student, but a mysterious figure persuaded her to leave without doing so.
• The figure ordered an ANBU operative to spread the claim that the Hokage Building did not want any Jonin taking Shinji as a student.
• The rumor spread through the Academy, and some classmates began avoiding Shinji.
• Shinji wondered why the village leaders were quietly targeting him without taking decisive action.

Shinji trained hard while advancing his plans, and he discovered that Kimimaro’s biological exoskeleton was gathering far more chakra than Neji’s, threatening the Tenseigan Plan. After someone in Konoha decided it was time to act, Iruka brought Shinji to meet the person behind the office door.

• Shinji trained Taijutsu daily and gave Orochimaru White Zetsu Cells to distract him from Kimimaro’s biological exoskeleton.
• An ANBU reported that Shinji had shown no reaction to rumors, and the figure behind the desk decided the time had come.
• Shinji observed Karin, Kimimaro, and Neji, noting Karin’s gradual progress toward the Rinnegan and Kimimaro’s much greater growth than Neji.
• Shinji realized the difference in chakra collected by Kimimaro’s and Neji’s exoskeletons could undermine his Tenseigan Plan.
• Iruka led Shinji to an office, where a woman he recognized had asked to see him.

Utatane Koharu revealed that she had helped suppress Shinji’s prospects so she could recruit him as her subordinate. Shinji recognized that Koharu urgently needed a talented ally to counter the Third Hokage’s growing influence, and considered accepting her protection to avoid interference with his plans.

• Utatane Koharu told Shinji that village officials had blocked Jonin from training him and offered to protect him if he became her subordinate.
• Shinji realized Koharu had deliberately limited his options so she could secure his gratitude and recruit him.
• Shinji considered joining Koharu’s faction to avoid unnecessary scrutiny while pursuing his Rinnegan and Tenseigan plans.
• Shinji understood that the Third Hokage’s growing influence and new student recruits had weakened the Advisor Elder Council.
• Utatane Koharu saw Shinji as her best remaining candidate to help the Council preserve its power.

Shinji rejected Utatane Koharu’s offer to become her subordinate, then accepted her generous terms and became her student. At a meeting about the Akatsuki Organization, Sasuke joined Yakumo among Konoha’s leaders and remarked that they were alike.

• Shinji refused Utatane Koharu’s offer, then asked what she could offer him in return for working together.
• Utatane Koharu offered to become Shinji’s Jonin instructor, give him Chunin rights and benefits, and help restore the Uchiha Clan and its property; Shinji accepted and called her “Teacher.”
• The Third convened Konoha’s leaders and other personnel to discuss the Akatsuki Organization, and Tsunade brought Shizune and Yakumo to the meeting.
• Sasuke arrived with Kakashi, greeted Yakumo, and said that the two of them were not so different after all.

Danzo and the Third gathered Konoha's leaders for a meeting, where Utatane Koharu unexpectedly announced she had become Shinji Uchiha's Jonin mentor. The meeting turned to an Akatsuki cleanup plan and the investigation into stolen jutsu scrolls, while Yakumo and Shinji listened from the observers' seats.

• Danzo objected to Sasuke attending the meeting, but Kakashi and the Third defended his presence because he had awakened the Sharingan.
• Utatane Koharu arrived with Shinji and declared that she would mentor him, angering Danzo and surprising the other leaders.
• The Third opened the meeting, and Shikaku Nara presented the Intelligence Squad's plan to search for Akatsuki members hiding in the village.
• Yakumo grew alarmed when the Third approved preparations for the cleanup, while Shinji noted that learning the plan could help him avoid trouble.
• Asuma reported that the archive attack investigation had stalled, and Tsunade directed the investigation to focus on stolen Sealing Techniques and secret techniques.

Konoha's leaders discussed the Akatsuki Organization's threat and the Mangekyo abilities of 'A' and 'B,' while Shinji concealed his connection to the group. After the meeting, an unidentified figure entered Konoha and watched the Hyuga Clan's compound.

• Shikaku Nara identified 'A''s Black Flame as the Uchiha Mangekyo Dojutsu Amaterasu, while Yakumo and Sasuke said 'B' had used Susanoo.
• Sasuke declared that he would awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan and defeat 'A,' 'B,' and Itachi, prompting Danzo to accuse him and Shinji of being Akatsuki spies.
• Danzo demanded Sasuke be removed, but Kakashi and the Third intervened, and Sasuke left the meeting fuming.
• Utatane Koharu praised Shinji for not confronting Danzo and urged him to awaken his Sharingan, promising him support and a chance to rebuild his clan.
• An unidentified figure slipped into Konoha and watched the Hyuga Clan's compound from a tree.

Shinji and Sasuke’s ramen outing was interrupted when Otsutsuki Toneri attacked Konoha and abducted Neji. After Toneri drained Yakumo’s Chakra and caused a massive explosion, Shinji pursued him despite Sasuke’s warning.

• Shinji declined to exploit Sasuke’s concern for him to provoke Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan, while Sasuke reassured him about the rumors.
• Hiashi noticed Neji’s rapid improvement in strength and speed, then urged him to stay inside the village.
• Otsutsuki Toneri ambushed Neji, blasted him through several walls, and carried off the unconscious Hyuga boy.
• Shinji and Sasuke rushed toward explosions in Konoha, where they found Toneri holding Neji and Sasuke badly injured.
• Toneri drained Yakumo’s Chakra and flung it away, triggering a huge explosion before escaping with Neji.
• Shinji pursued Toneri as Sasuke shouted for him not to chase.

A mysterious attacker devastated Konoha, abducted Neji, and seriously injured Yakumo and Sasuke before retreating. Shinji pursued the attacker alone, while Konoha’s leaders learned of the crisis and the other students rushed after him.

• Tsunade organized Konoha’s response, summoned Katsuyu to aid the wounded, and had Shizune treat Yakumo.
• Sasuke told the arriving students that an unknown enemy had abducted Neji and defeated him and Yakumo.
• After learning Shinji had pursued the enemy, Haku and Karin set out to scout and help, followed by Sasuke, Shion, and the other students.
• At the Hokage Office, an ANBU reported that the attackers were not from the Akatsuki Organization and that one seemed to possess the Byakugan.
• The ANBU told the Third that Neji had been abducted, Sasuke was seriously injured, and Yakumo had been knocked unconscious with one blow while Shinji pursued the enemy alone.

After Otsutsuki Toneri abducted Neji and defeated Yakumo, Shinji pursued him alone into the Forest of Death. Konoha’s reinforcements organized a coordinated rescue and entered the forest after Tsunade warned them about the enemy’s chakra-draining ability.

• The Third ordered a full pursuit to rescue Neji Hyuga after learning Yakumo had been defeated and Shinji had gone after the enemy alone.
• Shinji used the Byakugan controlled by the Susanoo Lamp to realize Otsutsuki Toneri was a puppet empowered by the Giant Tenseigan, then charged at him in the Forest of Death.
• Kakashi organized Konoha Ninjas outside the forest into teams and stopped Sasuke from rushing in alone, while explosions and flames erupted from within.
• Jiraiya and other reinforcements arrived, but Jiraiya held back until Tsunade reported that the enemy could drain chakra through an ability resembling Nether Release.
• Jiraiya ordered the prepared squads to pursue the enemy into the Forest of Death.

Shinji fought Otsutsuki Toneri’s powerful puppet in the Forest of Death while the pursuing shinobi approached through the battle’s explosive aftermath. Toneri captured Shinji in midair and moved to drain his chakra as Shinji prepared to counter.

• Shinji was repeatedly driven back by Toneri’s speed and repulsive force, which sent his Fire Release exploding across the night sky.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, Sasuke, and the Ninja Academy students witnessed the battle’s distant shockwaves and continued toward the Forest of Death.
• Kakashi warned Sasuke through a glance to stay back and noticed the Academy students had secretly joined the pursuit.
• Shinji decided he only needed to rescue the unconscious Neji rather than destroy Toneri’s puppet, since Toneri’s spirit could return safely to the moon.
• Toneri used a suction force to pull Shinji toward him and thrust out his hand to drain Shinji’s chakra.