Recaps

Tamura Hiroshi passed the Chunin exam’s written round, entered the Forest of Death, and defeated Izumi Shimura after she ambushed him. He bound and humiliated her, then gave her a laxative and prepared to photograph what he called their “Social Death Technique.”

• Tamura Hiroshi used the Byakugan to copy answers during the written exam, while Yakushi Nonō solved the questions herself and observed the other examinees.
• Kurenai Yuhi explained the Forest of Death survival test, and nine teams from smaller villages withdrew before the others signed consent forms and entered.
• Tamura Hiroshi hunted a black tiger for food, but Izumi Shimura soon found him and attacked with Wind Release techniques and a double-ended glaive.
• Tamura Hiroshi broke Izumi Shimura’s weapon, paralyzed her, anesthetized her, and bound her after stripping away her equipment.
• Tamura Hiroshi photographed Izumi Shimura in humiliating poses, then gave her a powerful laxative and readied the camera for another shot.

Tamura Hiroshi reunited with Yakushi Nonō, won Shimura Danzō’s approval with intelligence from Kumogakure, and received missions targeting Minato Namikaze and Mikoto Uchiha. After leaving Root, he discovered Orochimaru was tracking him and waited to meet him.

• Tamura Hiroshi stopped tormenting Izumi Shimura when Yakushi Nonō approached, then embraced Nonō and told her about his rise in Kumogakure and his efforts to protect her.
• Tamura Hiroshi gave Nonō a scroll containing the Uzumaki clan’s Yin Seal, promised they would marry and have children, and kissed her while a hidden Root ninja watched.
• Yakushi Nonō brought Tamura Hiroshi to Shimura Danzō, who praised his ambition and reviewed his intelligence about Kumogakure’s alliance with the Uchiha and schemes against Kirigakure.
• Shimura Danzō ordered Tamura Hiroshi to kill Minato Namikaze during the Chunin Ninja Exams and take Mikoto Uchiha away from Konoha; Shin supplied blood and chakra for summoning.
• Tamura Hiroshi left with Nonō, decided to fulfill the Mikoto mission without disrupting the Uchiha–Kumogakure alliance, and found and killed a chakra-bearing snake sent to watch him.
• Tamura Hiroshi cooked the snake while waiting, and Orochimaru emerged from the forest.

Tamura Hiroshi traded intelligence with Orochimaru for a Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu Cursed Seal and discussed giant combat puppets with Scorpion. The chapter ended with Orochimaru attacking Uchiha Hikari after noticing her unusually powerful Sharingan.

• Orochimaru recognized Tamura Hiroshi as Danzo’s planted agent in Kumogakure and offered him the Senjutsu Cursed Seal technique in exchange for intelligence.
• Tamura Hiroshi told Orochimaru about the moon-dwelling Otsutsuki attackers and a mysterious, technologically advanced force in Kumogakure, then received the Cursed Seal and basic Flying Thunder God scrolls.
• Tamura Hiroshi read the scrolls and considered using Manda’s flesh and the Little Ten-Tails’ power to develop a Senjutsu Cursed Seal for himself.
• Tamura Hiroshi met Scorpion in the Forest of Death and proposed giant steel puppets capable of fighting Tailed Beasts, drawing Scorpion into a lively design discussion.
• Orochimaru spied on Uchiha Hikari, recognized her powerful Sharingan, and attacked her with giant snakes; Hikari cut them down and prepared to fight.

Tamura Hiroshi and Might Duy clashed during the Chunin exam’s final battle as Uchiha Hikari attacked Minato Namikaze and the other Konoha examinees. Hiroshi blocked Duy’s Morning Peacock with his Seven Day Breathing Method, while Hikari’s assault left several examinees dead or wounded and ended with her charging Minato.

• Hiroshi and Scorpion completed and tested their first jet-powered flying puppet, then headed to the exam’s central meeting point.
• Hiroshi and Hikari chose Minato and Duy as opponents; Hikari’s genjutsu briefly caught Duy, but Minato freed him and Duy opened five of the Eight Inner Gates.
• Hikari’s fire techniques forced the other examinees back, while Hiroshi fought Minato and cut his arm before shifting to face Duy.
• Duy used Morning Peacock, injuring Hikari, and Hiroshi switched opponents with her before activating the Seven Day Breathing Method to its fourth level.
• Hiroshi met Duy’s Morning Peacock head-on and shattered its air punches as Hikari attacked the crowd with fire techniques, killing three examinees and injuring others.
• Hikari used Chidori Godspeed and Chidori Blade to charge at Minato.

Tamura Hiroshi ended the Forest of Death battle and then tried to reshape Minato Namikaze’s views on Konoha’s politics and the burden of becoming Hokage. Hiruzen Sarutobi challenged Minato to consider whether he could bear that burden, while Tamura placed the Hokage’s hat on his head.

• Tamura Hiroshi stopped fighting Uchiha Hikari when Tsunade and Jiraiya arrived, then scolded and beat Nawaki for his recklessness.
• Tamura Hiroshi introduced himself to Minato Namikaze and accused Hiruzen Sarutobi of grooming him as a controllable successor, prompting Jiraiya to carry Tamura to Ichiraku Ramen.
• At Ichiraku Ramen, Tamura Hiroshi lectured Minato about Konoha’s factions, the Hokage succession, and Minato’s relationship with Kuuhina, while Hiruzen Sarutobi listened.
• Tamura Hiroshi told Minato to learn wisdom from Hiruzen, then revealed that Dodai wanted to see whether Minato could shoulder Konoha’s Dark Side and that Kumogakure would benefit from his becoming Hokage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Minato whether he could bear the Hokage’s burden, and Tamura Hiroshi set the Hokage’s hat on Minato’s head.

Minato Namikaze accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s offer to join ANBU and learn the Hokage’s duties, while Tamura Hiroshi recruited Scorpion to Kumogakure’s new Puppet Technique project. The chapter ended with the great villages confronting Konoha over their alliance and territorial ambitions, as Tamura warned them about Minato’s future Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Minato Namikaze to ANBU and offered to teach him about becoming Hokage, while Minato resolved to surpass Tamura Hiroshi.
• Tamura Hiroshi encouraged Scorpion’s Puppet Technique ambitions and persuaded him to join Kumogakure with promises of materials, a laboratory, and support for his research.
• Tamura Hiroshi explained the Eight Inner Gates to Scorpion as Might Duy fought in the preliminaries, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade joined their conversation.
• Yozuki A, Kitsuchi, Rasa, and Jinin Akebino confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over their alliance and plans to seize territory, while Tamura Hiroshi accused Konoha of taking mission commissions from other nations.
• Tamura Hiroshi warned the representatives that Minato Namikaze could master the Flying Thunder God Technique and become a deadly opponent, then gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a storage scroll containing Izumi Shimura’s belongings.

After losing to Tamura Hiroshi, Izumi Shimura sought power from her father, Shimura Danzō, and agreed to become the host of a dangerous Three-Tails split-off body. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s leaders planned the Chunin Exam finals and discussed the growing threat of an alliance among the Four Great Shinobi Villages.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen returned Izumi Shimura’s sealing scroll, and she found her clothes and a forbidden photograph inside before vowing to kill Tamura Hiroshi.
• Izumi Shimura went to Shimura Danzō and demanded power, then agreed to take in the Three-Tails split-off body despite the danger.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s leaders discussed arranging the final exam matches to protect Might Duy and help him defeat Tamura Hiroshi.
• The leaders discussed the Four Great Shinobi Villages’ alliance against Konoha and admitted they had no clear response to the looming war.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen advised Minato Namikaze about the choices a Hokage must make, then wondered what the Uchiha were planning.

Tamura Hiroshi tried to persuade Mikoto Uchiha to leave Konoha for Kumogakure by promising that Fugaku Uchiha could gain the Seven-Tails’ power and help the Uchiha Clan escape its growing dangers. Mikoto considered the plan but remained wary of Tamura, while Fugaku and Uchiha Retsuyō prepared to transplant a powerful arm and pursue Senjutsu.

• Tamura Hiroshi returned to the Uchiha mansion with groceries and learned that the Chunin Ninja Exams’ final round had been delayed for a month.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Uchiha Retsuyō about Hikari, and Retsuyō explained that she was an ancient Uchiha with eyes beyond the Three Tomoe Sharingan whom the Senju and Sarutobi had once sealed away.
• After dinner, Tamura Hiroshi warned Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Retsuyō about Might Duy’s Eight Inner Gates and exaggerated the threat posed by the Gate of Death.
• Uchiha Retsuyō decided that Fugaku should receive the valuable arm they had recovered, and the two discussed pursuing Senjutsu and improving the transplant.
• Tamura Hiroshi privately planned to perfect the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark and use it to tempt the Uchiha, then urged Mikoto Uchiha to leave with him for Kumogakure.
• Tamura Hiroshi proposed that Fugaku gain the Seven-Tails’ power through an Uzumaki sealing technique, and Mikoto began weighing the offer as a way to protect Fugaku and the Uchiha Clan.

Tamura Hiroshi trained his Spiritual Power while his allies developed a Sage Jutsu Curse Mark and prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams. After manipulating Pakura into believing Scorpion needed guidance, he challenged Tsunade to a spar, leaving their fight about to begin.

• Tamura Hiroshi practiced combining his Spiritual Space with Princess Kaguya's Tsukuyomi as Uchiha Hikari and Uzumaki Tamayou studied the Flying Thunder God Technique and Sage Jutsu Curse Mark.
• Uzumaki Tamayou concluded that Manda's corrosive flesh required special chakra to withstand and planned to refine the curse mark within half a month.
• Konoha prepared Might Duy for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams while Rasa worried that Uchiha Hikari might learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Tamura Hiroshi convinced Pakura that Scorpion had dangerous thoughts and needed to pursue steel-puppet research in Kumogakure, then flustered her with talk of making her his wife.
• Tamura Hiroshi used his sword intent to frighten Nawaki and cut away his clothes, prompting Tsunade to confront him.
• Tamura Hiroshi challenged Tsunade to a spar so he could test his improved Seven Day Breathing Method and work on combining it with Chidori.

Tamura Hiroshi fought Tsunade, then studied medical knowledge and chakra control under her while pursuing ways to strengthen his techniques. After half a month, he underwent the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark ritual, gained two serpents growing from his back, and began working out how to control its dangerous erosion.

• Tamura Hiroshi used the Seven Day Breathing Method to battle Tsunade, but withdrew when his oxygen ran out and Small Meow broke.
• Mito Uzumaki heard Tamura Hiroshi explain Kumogakure's war aims, and Tsunade agreed to teach him medical knowledge and chakra-control techniques on the condition that he not attack Senju ninja.
• Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō planned to create a stronger Jinchuriki by combining the Three-Tails fragment with a Sharingan, Shikotsumyaku, First Hokage's cells, Uzumaki blood, and Senjutsu.
• After studying under Tsunade for half a month, Tamura Hiroshi underwent the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark ritual using Manda's heart as its medium.
• The ritual gave Tamura Hiroshi purple scales and two Manda-like serpents on his back, but he discovered that the Senjutsu Chakra threatened to erode and transform his body.

Tamura Hiroshi traded a Seven-Tails sealing technique to the Uchiha for Uchiha Retsuyō’s Mangekyo Sharingan, whose ability was to open spatial portals. He also used the deal and his secret relationship with Mikoto Uchiha to persuade Retsuyō that the Uchiha needed an escape route, then offered a Mangekyo cultivation method when Retsuyō confronted him.

• Tamura Hiroshi trained with the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark, stored blood in Manda’s heart to extend the Seven Day Breathing Method, and studied the Flying Thunder God Technique with Uchiha Hikari.
• Tamura Hiroshi brought a Seven-Tails sealing technique to the Uchiha and argued that empowering the clan could complicate Konoha’s politics while giving the Uchiha leverage and a possible escape route.
• Uchiha Retsuyō and Fugaku Uchiha verified the sealing technique and gave Tamura Hiroshi Retsuyō’s preserved Mangekyo Sharingan in exchange.
• Uchiha Retsuyō revealed that the eyes’ technique, Heavenly Stone Gate, opened spatial portals, and Tamura Hiroshi accepted the eyes.
• Mikoto Uchiha secretly visited Tamura Hiroshi’s room, where Uchiha Retsuyō followed and overheard them discussing her leaving Konoha with him.
• Uchiha Retsuyō confronted Tamura Hiroshi about his relationship with Mikoto and Fugaku’s engagement, and Tamura offered a Cursed Seal and secret method for cultivating Mangekyo.

Tamura Hiroshi explained his Senjutsu Curse Mark to Uchiha Retsuyō and sought his approval to pursue Mikoto before joining the tournament. After Uzumaki Kousou won her match with Chūryōmaru, Hiroshi began the second round against Might Duy, and their clash left the spectators stunned by their explosive power.

• Tamura Hiroshi told Uchiha Retsuyō that he had developed a Senjutsu training medium from Manda's remains and asked about Mikoto, but Retsuyō said he would decide after watching Hiroshi perform.
• At the tournament, Uzumaki Kousou summoned Chūryōmaru, who drove away the Hidden Mist and knocked her Kirigakure opponent out of the arena.
• Tamura Hiroshi gave Minato Namikaze an inappropriate book, blamed Jiraiya when Tsunade destroyed it, and slipped a Sealing Scroll into Minato's pouch.
• Jiraiya called Might Duy and Tamura Hiroshi for the second round, and the contestants prepared to fight as spectators discussed Duy's recovery and Hiroshi's Senjutsu.
• Might Duy opened the Sixth Gate and used Morning Peacock while Tamura Hiroshi activated the Seven Day Breathing Method and countered with Unrivaled Dance, matching Duy's attacks with rapid sword slashes.

Tamura Hiroshi defeated Might Duy by countering his Seventh Gate Daytime Tiger with Senjutsu-enhanced sword strikes, then withdrew from the remaining matches due to his injuries. He left Uzumaki Kushina to continue competing so the Uzumaki clan could make its presence known and bring Mito Uzumaki some joy.

• Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo watched Might Duy open the Sixth Gate and wondered how many other fighters Hiruzen had trained in secret.
• Tamura Hiroshi endured Duy's Morning Peacock barrage with the Seven Day Breathing Method, while Duy realized he could not wear him down without opening the Seventh Gate.
• Hiroshi activated his Senjutsu Curse Mark and revealed a transformed purple, dragon-headed form as Duy opened the Seventh Gate and unleashed the Daytime Tiger.
• Hiroshi cut the Daytime Tiger apart with thirteen waves of Three Sword Flashes, then pointed his sword at Duy and won the match.
• Hiroshi took a commemorative photograph with Duy, while Shimura Izumi reacted to the camera with renewed murderous excitement.
• Hiroshi and Uchiha Hikari withdrew from the remaining matches, and he asked Uzumaki Kushina to keep competing for the Uzumaki clan and Mito Uzumaki.

Tamura Hiroshi’s group exposed and stopped Dan Katō’s attempt to possess Yozuki A and frame them for kidnapping Uzumaki Kuhina. Tamura Hiroshi turned the plot into an opportunity to raid Konoha, and the group reached the Senju Clan Land to begin their plan.

• Fugaku Uchiha received a Cursed Seal of Senjutsu from Uzumaki Tamayou, and Tamura Hiroshi gave him Ryūchi Cave training materials.
• Minato Namikaze regained his determination to surpass Tamura Hiroshi, while Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Gray Crow to carry out a plan against the Kumogakure group.
• Gray Crow used the Spirit Transformation Technique to possess Yozuki A, but Tamura Hiroshi and Uchiha Hikari exposed and restrained Dan Katō’s spirit.
• Uchiha Hikari revealed that Dan Katō had been sent to make Yozuki A kidnap Uzumaki Kuhina and provide Konoha with an excuse to attack the group.
• Tamura Hiroshi ordered his allies to exploit the scheme by planning a raid on the Senju Clan Land and Hokage Building, and they sent intelligence to Kumogakure.
• Uzumaki Tamayou led the group past Konoha surveillance, and they arrived at the Senju Clan Land.

Tamura Hiroshi and his allies stole the Senju clan’s Scroll of Seals and Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God kunai before Kumogakure’s raid on Konoha exposed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s plot against them. Mito Uzumaki ended the attack after learning what had happened, while Uchiha Fugaku awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, gained Wood Release, and prepared to seize the Seven-Tails.

• Tamura Hiroshi used Uchiha Hikari’s chakra to enter the barrier around the Scroll of Seals with the Flying Thunder God Technique, stole the scroll, and left a letter.
• Tamura Hiroshi dug up Senju Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God kunai, then the Third Raikage led Kumogakure’s forces into Konoha and raided the Hokage Building and Hokage Cliff.
• Uchiha Hikari showed Mito Uzumaki memories implicating Dan Katō in a plot against Kumogakure, and Mito Uzumaki stopped the fighting after the Hokage Building and Hokage Cliff were destroyed.
• Tsunade escorted the Cloud ninja out of Konoha, while Tamura Hiroshi told Might Duy that Hiruzen Sarutobi had tried to kill them and gave him photographs and tonfas.
• Uchiha Retsuyō told Uchiha Fugaku that Mikoto had chosen to leave with Kumogakure, provoking Fugaku to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Uchiha Fugaku transplanted an arm containing the First Hokage’s cells, gained Wood Release, and set out for Takigakure to obtain the Seven-Tails.

Mito Uzumaki accepted the invitation in the stolen library letter as a possible escape route for the Senju clan, while Tamura Hiroshi’s group defeated Jiraiya, captured three giant toads, and returned to Kumogakure with Mikoto Uchiha. There, Tamura revealed to the Third Raikage that chakra could be purified, but their discussion left him wary of hidden powers and Tamura’s plans for Konoha.

• Mito Uzumaki read the letter offering the Senju clan an escape route and decided it was worth preparing for, despite doubting the clan would be destroyed.
• Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru discussed the failed plan involving Mikoto Uchiha, while Jiraiya confronted Tamura Hiroshi’s group on the road.
• The Third Raikage defeated Gamabunta and two other giant toads, and Tamura Hiroshi sealed them away for Little Ten-Tails to devour and probe for memories.
• Tamura Hiroshi threatened Mikoto Uchiha with the prospect of leaked photographs, then his group continued to Kumogakure; Tsunade arrived too late to stop them and learned Jiraiya had escaped.
• Tamura Hiroshi used the Yachihoko Seal to extract and purify the Third Raikage’s chakra, revealing that something had resisted the process before Little Ten-Tails consumed it.
• The Third Raikage questioned Tamura Hiroshi about Mikoto Uchiha, heard the full account of his actions in Konoha, and suspected he had manipulated Lord Dodai as well.

Tamura Hiroshi purified Kumogakure shinobi and gave the Third Raikage a Sage Jutsu Curse Mark that strengthened him but caused a toad-like mutation. In Konoha, Orochimaru and Tsunade transplanted a Lava Release shinobi’s leg onto Jiraiya, while Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly ordered Orochimaru to resume research on a forbidden jutsu.

• Dodai confronted Tamura Hiroshi over his soaring bounty, then let him purify and mark Dodai and other trusted Kumogakure shinobi.
• Tamura Hiroshi implanted Gama Ken’s heart in the Third Raikage, whose new Sage Jutsu Curse Mark boosted his physical power and grew toad arms across his back.
• The Third Raikage urged Yozuki A and Fukai to train in Lightning Release so they could develop Black Lightning.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha grieving Gamabunta’s death, and Tsunade and Orochimaru transplanted a Lava Release shinobi’s leg onto him without anesthesia.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade that enemies had learned about his Sage Jutsu Curse Mark research and that Uchiha Hikari’s Sharingan had nearly killed him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Orochimaru and gave him a scroll ordering him to resume secret research on a forbidden jutsu.

Fugaku Uchiha destroyed Takigakure, took the Seven-Tails and Hero Water, and returned to his experiments with the power of his Mangekyo. Tamura Hiroshi took the Box of Paradise and arranged to conceal its use while the shinobi villages investigated Takigakure’s fall, leaving him among the teams searching for the culprit.

• Fugaku Uchiha slaughtered Takigakure, absorbed the Seven-Tails’ chakra, and used it to strengthen his Susanoo before leaving with the Hero Water.
• Black Zetsu brought Tamura Hiroshi to Takigakure, where Tamura examined the Sacred Tree and devised a plan to move it to Kumogakure for research.
• Tamura Hiroshi infiltrated Hozuki Castle, sealed away the Box of Paradise, and had the Little Ten-Tails devour Gū, gaining a more precise perception of emotions.
• Tamura Hiroshi filled the Box of Paradise with negative power and planned to gather more, while he and Black Zetsu agreed to disguise their actions as Onmyoji work.
• The destruction of Takigakure and the loss of the Seven-Tails drew investigation teams from the Five Great Shinobi Villages, including one led by Tamura Hiroshi.
• Rasa, Kitsuchi, and Tamura Hiroshi shared what they had learned, while Rasa suspected Kumogakure because it possessed the Uzumaki Sealing Technique.

Tamura Hiroshi awakened the Sacred Tree in Takigakure and brought it to Kumogakure, where it became the World Tree and the foundation for a village-wide barrier. As Kumogakure developed its defenses, Tamura Hiroshi began planning a future Genjutsu World but learned that it would require a powerful Genjutsu specialist and a Mangekyō Sharingan with Tsukuyomi.

• Tamura Hiroshi and the other village representatives found the Konoha squad dead from gaseous poison, with one member missing, and suspected Konoha had stolen information from Takigakure.
• Shimura Danzō ordered Yi to investigate Hozuki Castle and retrieve the rumored weapon linked to the Sage of Six Paths.
• Tamura Hiroshi used the Little Ten-Tails' chakra to awaken the Sacred Tree, and the Third Raikage brought reinforcements to help move it to Kumogakure.
• Tamura Hiroshi signed a Summoning Contract with the Sacred Tree and summoned it to Kumogakure, where its roots spread across the village and the Uzumaki Ninja began building a barrier around it.
• Tamura Hiroshi and his allies completed a Sage Jutsu Curse Mark using Katsuyu, transforming the Sacred Tree into the World Tree and filling Kumogakure with Natural Energy.
• Uchiha Hikari said a Genjutsu World would need a Mangekyō Sharingan with Tsukuyomi, and Tamura Hiroshi planned to approach Miss Mikoto about helping.

Tamura Hiroshi helped Kumogakure use the World Tree for defense and sought permission to train at Turtle Island’s True Waterfall. After returning home, he awakened Sharingan in Uzumaki Kousou and spent a relaxing day discovering that several of his fellow Kumogakure ninjas had begun dating.

• The Third Raikage praised the World Tree, and Tamura Hiroshi explained that he could use its chakra for Wood Dragon Jutsu and Wood Golem Jutsu but could not control them freely or leave the roots’ reach.
• Dodai reported that other villages had noticed the World Tree, but their reactions remained limited while Kumogakure used it only for defense and the war continued.
• The Third Raikage approved Tamura Hiroshi’s request to train at Turtle Island’s True Waterfall after a few days of rest.
• Tamura Hiroshi returned home, invited the women there to join him at Turtle Island, and answered Mikoto Uchiha’s threat to kill him by encouraging her to awaken a genjutsu-type Mangekyo ability.
• Tamura Hiroshi used chakra and the Little Ten-Tails’ and Princess Kaguya’s power to awaken a basic Sharingan in Uzumaki Kousou, then explained how training could develop her awakened abilities.
• Tamura Hiroshi and Uzumaki Kousou strolled through Kumogakure, where he spotted Teacher Fukai, Yozuki A, and Dodai dating, while the village promoted clan integration and intermarriage.

Tsunade and Konoha's leaders learned that Kumogakure's giant tree barrier might be connected to an Ōtsutsuki threat, while Tamura Hiroshi empowered the Island Turtle and uncovered clues about its ancient past. The chapter left Tamura intent on finding the Gelel Stone and Book of Gelel after learning of the turtle's vanished homeland and the ruins on its shell.

• Tsunade concluded that Kumogakure's sacred tree was not true Wood Release but could absorb chakra and power a vast defensive barrier.
• Shimura Danzō revealed that Kumogakure had fought five flying Byakugan wielders from the Ōtsutsuki Clan, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to classify the intelligence as top secret.
• Tamura Hiroshi traveled to Turtle Island with Kumo shinobi and his companions, then gave the Island Turtle chakra and taught it to refine more.
• Tamura Hiroshi formed a chakra link with the Island Turtle, named it a friend, and learned that it predated the moon and had survived the destruction of its homeland.
• The Island Turtle told Tamura Hiroshi that life-energy-rich material had once helped it and its companions grow, leading him to suspect the Gelel Ore Vein and plan to seek the Gelel Stone and Book of Gelel.
• The Island Turtle recalled that monks had settled on its back after the moon appeared, built structures, and left ruins before Kumogakure later discovered the island.

Tamura Hiroshi studied ancient monk and Onmyoji teachings at the True Waterfall while the others trained against their Dark Sides and awakened new powers. He entered his own Spiritual Space to face a Dark Side that challenged him to a decisive sword battle atop Hokage Cliff, where Tamura sought to reach Unity of Man and Sword.

• Tamura Hiroshi explored the True Waterfall’s hidden chamber and spent three days reading scrolls about Sage’s Talent, Natural Energy, and the monks’ methods of training the mind.
• Uchiha Hikari and the others repeatedly fought their Dark Sides, refining their Spiritual Power and swordsmanship; Uchiha Hikari’s Dark Side urged her to pursue revenge, but she rejected it.
• After nearly a month of studying the statue heads, Tamura Hiroshi advised the others to practice Sword Zen and pursue true Senjutsu after reaching Unity of Man and Sword.
• Mikoto Uchiha awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan and tried Tsukuyomi on Tamura Hiroshi, but he resisted and paralyzed and spanked her; Uchiha Hikari challenged him to a spar, but he refused.
• Tamura Hiroshi entered his Spiritual Space and met a Dark Side resembling Sephiroth, who transformed their surroundings into Hokage Cliff and attacked with an oversized saber and stacked combat enhancements.
• Tamura Hiroshi fought his Dark Side on the virtual Hokage Cliff, seeking a breakthrough to Unity of Man and Sword while refining his swordsmanship.

Mito Uzumaki transferred the Nine-Tails into Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kuuhina before dying, while the Third Raikage stole its severed tails and Black Zetsu took the bodies of Mito Uzumaki, Hashirama Senju, and his brother. Hiroshi Tamura awoke from his long training having comprehended the Unity of Man and Sword, then learned that Uchiha Hikari had awakened the Ōkuninushi Dōjutsu.

• Black Zetsu sent news of Mito Uzumaki's impending Nine-Tails transfer to Uchiha Retsuyō, who relayed it to Kumogakure, and the Third Raikage set out alone to seize the Nine-Tails' tails.
• Mito Uzumaki released the Nine-Tails, lectured Tsunade, and prepared to split its power between Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kuuhina using the Reaper Death Seal.
• The Third Raikage severed and took the Nine-Tails' nine tails, but Mito Uzumaki and the others subdued the beast, sealed its soul into Minato Namikaze and its remaining body into Uzumaki Kuuhina, and Mito died after strengthening both seals.
• After Mito Uzumaki was buried beside Hashirama Senju and his brother, Black Zetsu stole all three bodies and the Death God masks.
• Hiroshi Tamura awoke after thirty-six days of training, announced that he had comprehended the Unity of Man and Sword, and agreed to spar with Uchiha Hikari after she revealed her Ōkuninushi Dōjutsu.

Tamura Hiroshi explained his sword intent and planned to use Uchiha Mikoto’s ocular technique to help his allies cultivate it, while the Nine-Tails’ tail strengthened the Little Ten-Tails and expanded his perception. After learning of Mito Uzumaki’s death and the divided Nine-Tails, he prepared schemes involving the Death Gods, the Sky Ninja Village, and the search for an ancient source of powerful life energy.

• Uchiha Mikoto revealed that Subtle Hands could manipulate one person’s perceptions, and Tamura Hiroshi considered forging a legendary blade to enhance it.
• Tamura Hiroshi explained how he had gained sword intent through years of combat in Spiritual Space and proposed using Mikoto’s time-altering ocular technique to help the others train.
• Yozuki A brought the Amber Purifying Pot containing a severed Nine-Tails tail, which Tamura Hiroshi fed to the Little Ten-Tails, expanding its size and his perception across Turtle Island.
• Tamura Hiroshi learned that Mito Uzumaki had died after splitting the Nine-Tails between Uzumaki Kuuhina and Minato Namikaze, and he planned to spread the news to provoke the other ninja villages.
• Tamura Hiroshi told Black Zetsu to search for the isolated survivors of an ancient empire that had possessed powerful life energy, then discussed using Death God materials to forge weapons against Impure World Reincarnation.
• Tamura Hiroshi chose the Sky Ninja Village as a candidate for his Death God scheme, intending to use its ambition to help conceal the operation and seize its chakra technology.

Tamura Hiroshi repaired the paired Meow blades, then forged a new Lightning Release legendary sword using a dark-side sword spirit and rare alloys. As Kumogakure celebrated the success, the Third Raikage ordered Yozuki A and Fukai to lead its forces into the escalating war while Tamura coordinated with the Uchiha.

• Tamura Hiroshi reforged little Meow and big Meow, improving both blades, then gave little Meow to Uzumaki Kousou and big Meow to Uzumaki Kushina.
• Tamura Hiroshi told Yozuki A that he could not upgrade the tri-affinity Kubikiribōchō, and Yozuki A chose to keep using it.
• Tamura Hiroshi used rare conductive alloys, Amaterasu flames, and a dark-side sword spirit to forge a Lightning Release legendary sword; the Third Raikage and Dodai watched as it succeeded.
• Tamura Hiroshi explained that the sword spirit would bind the blade to a compatible wielder, but he had not yet found a way to pass the sword on after its owner died.
• The Third Raikage said the war was escalating after the Tsuchikage demanded greater frontline deployments, and assigned Yozuki A and Fukai to lead Kumogakure's forces while he stayed behind.
• The Third Raikage told Tamura Hiroshi to coordinate secretly with the Uchiha and help draw Konoha's army into the fighting; Mikoto Uchiha and Karura worried about their former kin.