Recaps

Namikaze Minato began training Namikawa Yū in the Flying Thunder God Technique, explaining that mastering it required exceptional reflexes and large chakra reserves as well as space-time ninjutsu aptitude. He judged Yū a promising successor, while concluding that Kakashi was poorly suited to the technique.

• Namikaze Minato explained that Namikawa Yū had the space-time ninjutsu aptitude needed to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Namikaze Minato warned that the technique demanded quick reactions because teleporting to moving or dangerous locations could leave its user vulnerable.
• Namikaze Minato said Yū needed targeted reaction training before he could use the technique safely and effectively.
• Namikawa Yū realized that frequent teleportation consumed so much chakra that even his substantial reserves only barely met the technique's demands.
• Namikaze Minato reflected that Kakashi lacked the reflexes and chakra reserves to benefit much from the technique, while Yū seemed well suited to inherit his legacy.

Namikaze Minato told Namikawa Yū that the war was nearing its end and that they would soon return to Konoha. Kurenai Yuhi visited Yū, and the two went for a walk while Minato watched approvingly before leaving.

• Namikaze Minato told Namikawa Yū that the nations were discussing a definite end to the war and that they would soon return to Konoha.
• Namikawa Yū thought about his family in a distant parallel spacetime and resolved to keep working toward seeing them again.
• Kurenai Yuhi arrived with flowers, and Minato tactfully vanished to leave the two alone.
• Kurenai Yuhi said she preferred to take the initiative and find Yū, who invited her to stroll with him.
• Namikaze Minato watched Yū and Kurenai walk together, decided that Yū reminded him of himself, and left to return to work.

After the Shinobi World War ended, Namikawa Yū considered leaving Konoha Hospital to focus on training, while Kakashi prepared to join the Anbu. As the friends faced an uncertain parting, Kakashi gave Namikawa Yū a valuable Ninja Blade for his upcoming tenth birthday.

• Namikawa Yū discussed focusing on his Flying Thunder God Technique training after the war, and Kurenai Yuhi invited him to visit her home.
• Kakashi said he might join the Anbu on Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, which would protect him from pressure by the Uchiha Clan over his Sharingan.
• Kakashi gave Namikawa Yū a golden Ninja Blade, the Blade of the Sky-Cutting Ninja, as an early birthday gift.
• Namikawa Yū accepted the blade and realized its Chakra Metal could serve as an effective chakra storage device.
• Kurenai Yuhi realized she had forgotten Namikawa Yū's birthday and felt annoyed with herself.

After returning to Konoha, Namikawa Yū visited the orphanage and met Kabuto Yakushi, whom Nonō had taken in after the war. Nonō explained her bond with Kabuto and praised his talent for Medical Ninjutsu, while Namikawa Yū recognized that the boy had greater potential than that.

• Namikawa Yū saw Kakashi off, then left with Kurenai Yuhi.
• A month later, Namikawa Yū returned to Konoha, cleaned his long-neglected home, and went to the orphanage.
• Namikawa Yū met Kabuto, who recognized him as Big Brother Yū and led him to Nonō.
• Nonō told Namikawa Yū that Kabuto was a war orphan who had lost his memories, and that she had brought him to the orphanage to give him a fresh start.
• Nonō said Kabuto reminded her of her younger self and had strong talent for Medical Ninjutsu.

Namikawa Yū visited Namikaze Minato and Kushina, where he impressed them with his cooking and agreed to teach Kushina. The visit ended with Minato and Kushina discussing the Uchiha Clan’s demand that Kakashi surrender Obito Uchiha’s Sharingan, a dispute they still had no clear way to resolve.

• Namikawa Yū met Kushina at Namikaze Minato’s home, and she warmly welcomed him and praised his appearance.
• Namikawa Yū helped prepare dinner, and Kushina asked him to teach her to cook after tasting his food.
• Kushina’s attempt to cook went badly, while Namikawa Yū and Namikaze Minato watched helplessly.
• Kushina asked whether the Uchiha Clan had stopped pressuring Kakashi to hand over his Sharingan, and Minato said they were still making a fuss.
• Kushina considered asking Mikoto to intervene, but Namikaze Minato warned that recovering the Uchiha Clan’s lost Kekkei Genkai was the clan’s will.

Namikawa Yū proposed negotiating with the Uchiha Clan by offering a compelling reason and future compensation, with Namikaze Minato's support. Yū formally visited the clan and impressed its members with his noble bearing and impeccable etiquette.

• Namikawa Yū told Namikaze Minato and Kushina that the Uchiha Clan might be persuaded if they received a compelling reason and suitable compensation.
• Minato authorized Yū to negotiate and promised to support him, while Kushina questioned their plans.
• Yū sent the Uchiha Clan a formal invitation and arrived to negotiate.
• Fugaku Uchiha welcomed Yū with the highest honors after learning he was Minato's disciple.
• Uchiha Setsuna and other clan members watched Yū approach and marveled at his bearing and flawless etiquette.

Namikawa Yū visited Fugaku Uchiha and shifted their discussion from Kakashi’s Sharingan to the coming Hokage election. He argued that the Uchiha Clan lacked the strength needed to put Fugaku forward, leaving the conversation focused on the clan’s prospects.

• Fugaku initially dismissed the meeting but grew serious after seeing Namikawa Yū’s bearing and hearing that Kakashi’s situation was not his main concern.
• Namikawa Yū asked Fugaku how he viewed Konoha’s situation and raised the upcoming Hokage election.
• The Uchiha elders said the clan supported Fugaku, and Namikawa Yū questioned their chances of winning.
• Namikawa Yū said a Hokage candidate needed strength and asked Fugaku to compare himself with Minato and Orochimaru.
• Fugaku admitted that he was not their equal in strength.

Namikawa Yū explained why the Uchiha Clan could not realistically compete for Hokage, citing its lack of a top-tier fighter, weak support in Konoha, and opposition from the Hokage’s faction. He then told Fugaku that although the clan could not claim the position, it could decide who became Hokage, leaving the Uchiha stunned.

• Namikawa Yū argued that the Uchiha Clan lacked the strength and Konoha-wide support needed to win the Hokage position.
• He explained that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō would oppose an Uchiha candidate, regardless of their differences.
• Fugaku and the other clan members fell silent as Namikawa Yū laid out how hopeless a direct bid would be.
• Uchiha Setsuna challenged Namikawa Yū, warning that the clan could not simply accept being ostracized and destroyed.
• Namikawa Yū said the Uchiha could not become Hokage at present, but could decide who would take the position, shocking everyone present.

Namikawa Yū explained to Fugaku Uchiha that the Uchiha Clan could influence the Hokage election by choosing a candidate to support. He asked them to back his teacher, Namikaze Minato, against Orochimaru, leaving the clan to consider the benefits of siding with him.

• Namikawa Yū told Fugaku Uchiha that the current Hokage selection differed from earlier successions because the Third Hokage had not publicly named a successor.
• Namikawa Yū argued that the Uchiha Clan's strength and reputation could help decide who became Hokage.
• The Uchiha present were stunned by Namikawa Yū's claim, while a Clan Elder disparaged the Hyuga Clan.
• Namikawa Yū cautioned himself that the Uchiha's influence mattered only if the Third Hokage did not intervene.
• Namikawa Yū asked the Uchiha Clan to support his teacher, Namikaze Minato, against Orochimaru, promising that the alliance would benefit them.

Namikawa Yū persuaded Fugaku Uchiha and the Uchiha elders to support Namikaze Minato in the Hokage election by promising them an alliance and a place in Konoha’s inner circle. After they set aside the Sharingan dispute, Fugaku introduced his young son Itachi and asked Yū what he thought of him.

• Namikawa Yū argued that backing Namikaze Minato would let the Uchiha Clan join the Hokage’s faction and gain influence in Konoha.
• When an Uchiha questioned why they should not support the stronger Orochimaru, Yū said their support could help Minato overcome the odds and demonstrate the clan’s strength.
• The Uchiha elders urged Fugaku to support Minato, but Fugaku asked Yū what concrete benefits the clan would receive.
• Yū promised that the Uchiha would become Minato’s only ally within Konoha and would gain greater freedom and a chance to help change the village if Minato became Hokage.
• Fugaku and the others accepted the alliance, and they let the matter of Kakashi’s Sharingan drop.
• Fugaku brought in his young son Itachi and asked Namikawa Yū what he thought of him.

Namikawa Yū agreed to take Uchiha Itachi as his disciple, strengthening the alliance between Fugaku Uchiha’s clan and Namikaze Minato’s Hokage faction. After You left, the Uchiha elders supported cooperation, but Uchiha Setsuna warned that Itachi alone could not secure the clan’s influence.

• Fugaku Uchiha asked Namikawa Yū to take Itachi as his disciple, and You accepted.
• Itachi respectfully called Namikawa Yū his teacher, then escorted him out of the Uchiha compound.
• After You left, Fugaku asked the clan elders for their views on supporting Namikaze Minato.
• An elder supported the alliance, and Fugaku assured Uchiha Setsuna that Minato would honor his promises.
• Setsuna agreed that cooperation benefited the clan but argued that Itachi alone was not enough to protect its influence.

After Namikawa Yū secured the Uchiha Clan’s support for Namikaze Minato, the clan chose Uchiha Shisui as an additional link to Minato’s circle. Yū began teaching Itachi Uchiha with the aim of understanding him and raising him differently, then introduced lessons beyond physical training and techniques.

• Uchiha Setsuna and the clan elders agreed that Itachi alone was too fragile a connection to Namikawa Yū, so they selected Kagami Uchiha’s grandson, Uchiha Shisui, as a guard and attendant.
• Namikawa Yū returned to Namikaze Minato’s home and told him how he had persuaded the Uchiha Clan to drop the matter of Kakashi and support Minato.
• Namikawa Yū warned Minato that Shimura Danzō’s group might turn hostile over the Uchiha Clan’s support, but Minato welcomed the clan’s willingness to integrate into Konoha.
• Namikawa Yū began taking Itachi around Konoha to learn his personality before starting his instruction.
• Namikawa Yū told Itachi that his young body should not undergo intense physical training yet and said he had designed other lessons for him.

Namikawa Yū explained to Itachi Uchiha how improving people's lives could reduce needless wars, and Itachi resolved to grow up and help his teacher. At the Konoha Orphanage, Itachi met Kabuto Yakushi, while Namikawa Yū went to see Nonō.

• Namikawa Yū took Itachi Uchiha to the Konoha Orphanage, where Itachi saw injured children and asked why people had to fight.
• Namikawa Yū explained that conflicts arose from competing desires and that making people's lives better could prevent many wars.
• Itachi Uchiha decided he needed to grow up and become strong so he could help Namikawa Yū find a way to improve people's lives.
• Kabuto Yakushi approached Itachi Uchiha at the orphanage and introduced himself.
• Namikawa Yū entered Nonō's office.

Namikawa Yū learns that Nonō is leaving on a Root mission and asks her to stay safe, then takes Kabuto Yakushi home after finding him befriending Itachi Uchiha. He proposes selling portable prepared foods to support the Orphanage and explains to Namikaze Minato that his connections can help him launch the business.

• Nonō asks Namikawa Yū to look after Kabuto Yakushi while she leaves the village on a mission to earn funds for the Orphanage.
• Namikawa Yū warns Nonō to be careful and says things may change after Namikaze Minato becomes Hokage, but Nonō treats his words as comfort.
• Namikawa Yū finds Itachi Uchiha and Kabuto Yakushi helping clean the Orphanage together and learns they have become friends.
• Namikawa Yū joins the cleanup, then takes Kabuto Yakushi home with him after Nonō entrusts the boy to his care.
• Namikawa Yū tells Namikaze Minato he plans to sell instant noodles and cup noodles for ninja on missions.
• Namikawa Yū explains that Namikaze Minato's relationships with clan ninja can give him the customers and support needed to sell his products.

Namikawa Yū secured startup money and support from Minato and several major clans, then launched Nanchuan Food Stores and a food factory. The business quickly drew customers and employed more than a thousand people, including orphans and clan civilians.

• Namikawa Yū asked Namikaze Minato for startup money, and Minato gave him his savings as an equity investment.
• Namikawa Yū persuaded Fugaku to provide funds and factory land, then secured investments from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clans.
• Namikawa Yū acquired an enterprise outside Konoha, began production, and opened Nanchuan Food Stores stocked with portable foods.
• Namikawa Yū issued shopping vouchers to members of the investing clans, and the crowded stores attracted customers and sold well.
• Namikawa Yū outsourced packaging work to the Orphanage, where Kabuto Yakushi directed the children, and his enterprise hired over a thousand workers from ninja clans.

Namikawa Yū distributed impressive business dividends to his investors, then used his accumulated reincarnation points to choose the Uchiha Clan as his next identity. He was reborn in Konoha during the Second Hokage’s era as a baby named Tsugi, born with the Sharingan, drawing the attention of the Uchiha clan head and Senju Tobirama.

• Namikawa Yū paid dividends to Namikaze Minato and the other investors, who were surprised by the businesses’ returns.
• Namikawa Yū checked his panel, found he had accumulated 2,730 reincarnation points, and began another reincarnation.
• Namikawa Yū unlocked more identity options and chose the Uchiha Clan over the Gekko Clan and Taketori Clan.
• Namikawa Yū was born in the Uchiha ancestral grounds with a one-tomoe Sharingan, astonishing the birth attendants.
• The Uchiha clan head named the baby Tsugi and declared that he would carry the clan forward.
• Senju Tobirama learned of Tsugi’s birth and considered him a promising candidate if properly nurtured.

Namikawa Yū discovered that reincarnating into an Uchiha body accelerated Karma’s transformation toward an Otsutsuki body, so he set his sights on becoming Hokage to gather bloodline descendants in Konoha. After distinguishing himself at the Ninja Academy, he met young Tsunade, who tried to recruit him with promises of future rewards.

• Namikawa Yū realized the Uchiha bloodline had accelerated Karma’s transformation and decided to collect bloodline fragments by becoming Hokage.
• Namikawa Yū began befriending people across clan lines and joined the Ninja Academy at seven, earning Senju Tobirama’s approval.
• Namikawa Yū graduated from the Ninja Academy with top results, and his Sharingan reached three tomoe by the time he was twelve.
• Young Tsunade introduced herself to Namikawa Yū, who recognized her as a Senju gambling prodigy.
• Tsunade urged Namikawa Yū to support her future bid for Hokage, but he pointed out that Senju Tobirama held the office now.

Namikawa Yū discussed Tsunade’s gambling with Senju Tobirama, then accepted responsibility for Konoha’s newly established medical department. He later warned the Uchiha Clan Head that Tobirama was preparing for war, leaving the clan head concerned that a conflict between villages would be far larger than past clan wars.

• Tsunade complained about Tobirama’s rules and gambling restrictions until Tobirama appeared and reprimanded her.
• Tobirama asked Namikawa Yū to befriend Tsunade and keep an eye on her, then offered him leadership of a professional medical unit.
• Namikawa Yū accepted the role, and Konoha formally established its medical department with him as its first head.
• After a Uchiha Clan meeting, the Uchiha Clan Head asked Namikawa Yū why Tobirama had appointed him.
• Namikawa Yū said Tobirama was preparing for war, and the Uchiha Clan Head feared that a village conflict would exceed the scale of earlier clan wars.

Namikawa Yū established Konoha’s medical department and chose to study the Yin Seal, while Senju Tobirama proposed that he become Hiruzen Sarutobi’s student. Yū accepted, and he and Hiruzen began building a friendly relationship before Tsunade interrupted them.

• Namikawa Yū told the Uchiha Clan Head he would rely on the clan’s support, then began organizing Konoha’s medical department and training commoner ninjas.
• Tsunade regularly attended Yū’s medical lessons and proved exceptionally talented at medical ninjutsu.
• Yū chose the Yin Seal from the medical techniques available to him, and Senju Tobirama gave him its scroll.
• Senju Tobirama asked Yū to become Hiruzen Sarutobi’s student, and Yū accepted the proposal.
• Yū and Hiruzen met at a training ground, discussed Tsunade, and got along well until Tsunade accused Hiruzen of leading Yū astray.

Namikawa Yū built his influence and prepared to research the First Hokage's Cells while waiting for an opportunity. When the First Shinobi World War turned against Konoha, Senju Tobirama chose Hiruzen Sarutobi as his successor, and the retreating group struggled to reach the Land of Fire.

• Tsunade struck Hiruzen Sarutobi for showing Namikawa Yū a suggestive book, and Namikawa Yū restrained her from chasing him.
• Namikawa Yū developed Konoha's medical infrastructure, established a laboratory, and met Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and the Ino-Shika-Cho Clan Heads.
• The First Shinobi World War broke out, and Senju Tobirama traveled to peace talks with the Raikage in the Land of Lightning.
• The Kinkaku Brothers staged a coup, killing the Raikage and forcing Senju Tobirama and his guards to flee.
• Shimura Danzō hesitated to volunteer as a rearguard, while Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward and accepted the mission.
• Senju Tobirama named Hiruzen Sarutobi Hokage, then stayed behind as Hiruzen and the others retreated toward the Land of Fire.

Namikawa Yū ambushed Hiruzen Sarutobi in the forest and admitted that he sought the Hokage position to achieve other goals before his time in this world ran out. Their battle left Hiruzen wounded but apparently able to ensnare Namikawa Yū in a prepared genjutsu.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi went alone to find water and prey while Utatane Koharu watched over Kagami and the other injured ninja.
• Namikawa Yū appeared before Hiruzen using a Flying Thunder God mark and explained that he wanted the Hokage position for reasons beyond power.
• Hiruzen rejected Namikawa Yū’s plan and attacked him, but Namikawa Yū used an improved Flying Thunder God Technique to evade him and redirect his Fire Dragon Bullet.
• Hiruzen summoned Enma and fought with his Adamantine Staff, then tried to stop Namikawa Yū’s teleportation with a sealing technique, but Namikawa Yū vanished again.
• Namikawa Yū pierced Hiruzen with a kunai, and Hiruzen grabbed his hand and activated the Nightfall Technique genjutsu.

Namikawa Yū trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi in a genjutsu that showed him a tragic future for Konoha, then sealed him in a coffin and sent him away to sleep for several years. Utatane Koharu and the newly awakened Shimura Danzō waited for Hiruzen, until a huge explosion sounded nearby.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi tried to cast a genjutsu on Namikawa Yū, but Namikawa Yū reflected it and trapped him in an illusion of Konoha's troubled future.
• Hiruzen awoke from the genjutsu and asked Namikawa Yū whether he had acted to save the Uchiha Clan, but Namikawa Yū said he was pursuing his own goals.
• Hiruzen asked Namikawa Yū to protect Konoha, and Namikawa Yū agreed before piercing Hiruzen's heart with a kunai.
• Namikawa Yū sealed the still-living Hiruzen in a prepared coffin and used the Reverse Summoning Technique to send him away.
• Utatane Koharu worried about Hiruzen's absence while Shimura Danzō said he would be fine, then a tremendous explosion rang out.

After Senju Tobirama died and Hiruzen Sarutobi vanished, Konoha struggled to choose a new Hokage as rival candidates sought power. With Shimura Danzō and the Uchiha clan leader both drawing opposition, Namikawa Yū emerged as another possible choice.

• Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu found the site of an explosion and bloodied remains bearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's chakra, then fled toward Konoha as Cloud shinobi pursued them.
• Shimura Danzō and his companions reported Senju Tobirama's death and Hiruzen Sarutobi's disappearance to Konoha, while Utatane Koharu revealed that Tobirama had named Hiruzen as his successor.
• After seven days without Hiruzen returning, Konoha began treating him as dead and the Third Hokage position as vacant.
• Shimura Danzō and several others declared they would contest the Hokage position, while the Uchiha clan leader also put himself forward.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura resisted supporting Shimura Danzō, and Namikawa Yū emerged as a candidate amid the contest.

Namikawa Yū considered joining the race for Hokage as Uchiha Clan Head and Danzo damaged their standing with political blunders. He agreed to run after Kagami Uchiha promised substantial clan support and said he would help secure Torifu’s backing.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura urged Namikawa Yū to become a Hokage candidate, and he said he would think it over.
• The Uchiha Clan Head entered the race conspicuously and threatened smaller clans, increasing opposition to the Uchiha Clan taking power.
• Kagami Uchiha told Namikawa Yū that Danzo was also using distasteful tactics to pursue the Hokage Position.
• Kagami Uchiha said at least thirty percent of the Uchiha Clan would support Namikawa Yū if he ran, while Kagami and Mitokado Homura would seek Torifu’s support.
• Namikawa Yū agreed to enter the Hokage race.

Shimura Danzō learned that Namikawa Yū had entered the Hokage race and was drawing broad support across Konoha. After his old allies refused to back him, Danzō looked to the rivalry between Namikawa Yū and the Uchiha Clan Head as a way to regain his chances.

• Shimura Danzō heard that Namikawa Yū had announced his candidacy and that many people already supported him.
• Medical Ninja rallied behind Namikawa Yū, and their influence caused villagers, shinobi, and some of Danzō's potential supporters to turn toward him.
• Shimura Danzō recalled that Namikawa Yū's support had originally been intended for Hiruzen Sarutobi and resolved not to give up.
• Shimura Danzō approached Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Akimichi Torifu, and Kagami Uchiha, but Homura and Koharu backed Namikawa Yū, Torifu stayed neutral, and Kagami was expected to support Namikawa Yū.
• Shimura Danzō realized his support was weaker than he had thought and considered stirring up conflict between Namikawa Yū and the Uchiha Clan Head.