Recaps

The Hyuga Clan leaders discussed how conservative Main Family policies had left the clan’s Branch Family increasingly resentful and the clan excluded from Konoha’s expanding power structure. The Hyuga Clan Head called for reforms and a closer relationship with Lord Hokage, while an elder urged them to secure an Advisor position.

• The Hyuga Clan Head warned that Branch Family members might slip out of the Main Family’s control as resentment over the clan’s lack of prosperity grew.
• The elders recognized that the Caged Bird and shared clan interests could not guarantee the Main Family’s rule if Branch Family members chose to leave.
• A Hyuga Clan Elder warned that the Hyuga Clan was being pushed out of Konoha’s circle of power and had gained no influence from the reformation.
• The Hyuga Clan Head said the clan must ease its restrictions and stop shutting itself away to avoid growing resentment and becoming marginal in Konoha.
• A Clan Elder urged the Hyuga Clan to build a good relationship with Lord Hokage and secure an Advisor position.

The Hyuga Clan discussed gaining influence with Hokage Namikawa Yū and decided to prepare an impressive wedding gift. After returning, Namikawa Yū reunited with Tsunade and heard about Orochimaru and Hiruko's research before Hiruko asked why Namikawa Yū's Wood Release was stronger than his.

• The Hyuga Clan Head and elders agreed to prepare an impressive gift for Namikawa Yū and Tsunade's wedding to demonstrate their sincerity.
• Namikawa Yū returned to the laboratory, where Tsunade hugged him and checked him for injuries after his fight with the Third Raikage.
• Orochimaru and Hiruko reported their ongoing work refining forbidden techniques, including Impure World Reincarnation.
• Namikawa Yū encouraged Orochimaru and Hiruko to keep improving the techniques even if results took time.
• Hiruko asked Namikawa Yū why his absorbed Wood Release was much stronger than Hiruko's, and Orochimaru listened with interest.

Namikawa Yū warned Hiruko that absorbing the Nine-Tails’ flesh and blood could overwhelm him with the Tailed Beast’s instincts, but planned to provide a diluted sample so he could test it more safely. Hiruko secretly stole a vial from the laboratory, and Namikawa Yū appeared just after he left.

• Namikawa Yū explained to Hiruko and Orochimaru that the Nine-Tails’ chakra strengthened his Wood Release and warned Hiruko against trying to absorb the Nine-Tails’ flesh and blood.
• Namikawa Yū persuaded Hiruko to postpone the attempt and told Orochimaru to watch him, while planning to leave Hiruko a safely diluted sample.
• Namikawa Yū encouraged Orochimaru to rest and visit Jiraiya, who was waiting outside the laboratory.
• Late at night, Hiruko sneaked into the laboratory and stole a vial of solution infused with the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
• Namikawa Yū appeared in the laboratory moments after Hiruko left.

Namikawa Yū let Hiruko attempt to absorb the Nine-Tails' cells, but Hiruko failed and nearly died. With his wedding to Tsunade approaching, Namikawa Yū released Hiruzen Sarutobi from the coffin where he had been sealed and welcomed him back to Konoha.

• Namikawa Yū explained to the Nine-Tails that he had tampered with the cells Hiruko took and expected Hiruko to fail.
• Hiruko returned to the laboratory pale and exhausted, admitting that his attempt to tame the Nine-Tails' cells had failed.
• Namikawa Yū warned Hiruko that another attempt could kill him, and Hiruko thanked his teacher for protecting him over the years.
• Namikawa Yū summoned a coffin at his residence and released Hiruzen Sarutobi from the sealing technique.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi awoke, mistook Namikawa Yū for Tsugi, and was welcomed back to Konoha.

Namikawa Yū released Hiruzen Sarutobi and told him he could return to his family after years listed as missing. As Hiruzen toured Konoha, he discovered the city’s vast growth and learned how much Konoha’s power had expanded under Yū’s leadership.

• Namikawa Yū told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he was free to return home and could seek him out in a few days.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi entered Konoha and was stunned by its tall buildings, streetlights, construction, and bustling streets.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Konoha had grown to nearly a million residents as people arrived for work and new opportunities.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi heard that the Land of Lightning had signed an armistice, the Raikage had submitted, and the Uzumaki Clan had agreed to join Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Konoha controlled transportation across the Land of Fire and had established military bases throughout the country.

Hiruzen Sarutobi toured a Konoha transformed under Namikawa Yū, accepted that the village had prospered, and resolved not to oppose its leadership. When Root mistook him for an impostor, he reunited with Shimura Danzō, who took him to Konoha’s lavishest hotel.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that Konoha controlled most of the Land of Fire and had stripped the Daimyo of real authority.
• Hiruzen recognized that Namikawa Yū had made Konoha stronger and more prosperous, and decided to keep his return secret and avoid obstructing him.
• A Root ninja confronted Hiruzen, believing he had impersonated the deceased former Hokage.
• Shimura Danzō arrived, recognized Hiruzen, and was delighted to learn his friend was alive.
• Shimura Danzō brought Hiruzen to Konoha’s finest hotel, where Hiruzen felt uneasy amid its lavish surroundings and performers.

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to Konoha and saw how wealth and power had changed the village and his old friend Shimura Danzō. He resolved to protect Konoha and warn Namikawa Yū about corruption, then went home to reunite with the Sarutobi Clan.

• Shimura Danzō brought Hiruzen Sarutobi to a luxury hotel and explained that Konoha's ninja now held power over the Land of Fire's nobles and merchants.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi warned Shimura Danzō that luxury could weaken a ninja, but Shimura Danzō tried to recruit him as an ally in Konoha's complicated politics.
• Shimura Danzō told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Mitokado Homura managed diplomacy and Utatane Koharu led the Department of Industry and Trade, while both had clashed with him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi spent two days at the hotel as merchants and nobles tried to win his favor, then left to avoid being corrupted by their offers.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to return to active duty, protect Konoha, and eventually warn Namikawa Yū about the danger of corruption among the ninja.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi returned home, where the Sarutobi Clan welcomed him with joy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to Konoha after three years away and found his family wealthy and the village transformed, leaving him concerned that prosperity had weakened its supply of ninja. Namikawa Yū brought him to the Ninja Academy to answer his doubts, and Hiruzen looked down at its many students.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reunited with Biwako Sarutobi and his young son Asuma, then learned that Tsugi had greatly increased the family’s wealth during his absence.
• Biwako said she was considering keeping Asuma out of the Ninja Academy, but Hiruzen argued that Konoha would always need ninja to protect it.
• The Sarutobi Clan Head and representatives of Konoha’s other clans visited Hiruzen with gifts and requests, surprising him with their changed attitudes.
• After spending about half a month adjusting to life in Konoha, Hiruzen visited Namikawa Yū and praised the village’s prosperity while voicing concerns about its military strength.
• Namikawa Yū used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Hiruzen to the Ninja Academy and asked him to guess how many students it had.

Namikawa Yū showed Hiruzen Sarutobi how Konoha’s free Ninja Academy had grown to over ten thousand students and explained that industrial development would be needed to employ the coming surplus of ninja. Hiruzen accepted Namikawa Yū’s plans, then brought up Shimura Danzō’s recent changes, which Namikawa Yū said he already knew about.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi was astonished to learn that Konoha’s Junior Ninja Academy had over ten thousand students, and Namikawa Yū explained that enrollment was free and open to children across the village.
• Namikawa Yū argued that children should be free to choose their futures rather than be forced into ninja service, and Hiruzen Sarutobi rediscovered his belief in Konoha’s founding purpose.
• Namikawa Yū warned that too many ninja could drive down pay and create unrest, so Konoha’s growing industries would need to employ them beyond combat and missions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Namikawa Yū’s preparations and said he would not interfere with the transformation plans.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Namikawa Yū about Shimura Danzō and the others, noting that Danzō had changed, and Namikawa Yū confirmed that he knew.

Namikawa Yū appointed the returning Hiruzen Sarutobi as Konoha Deputy Hokage, giving him authority over internal affairs and succession if the Hokage was killed. After the appointment stirred Konoha and drew Shimura Danzō’s envy, Namikawa Yū held a modest wedding for himself and Tsunade, where the Senju and Uchiha clan heads met as guests.

• Namikawa Yū explained that he kept Shimura Danzō under close watch because Danzō could serve as a ruthless tool against the Daimyo and nobles during Konoha’s reforms.
• Namikawa Yū offered Hiruzen Sarutobi the newly created position of Konoha Deputy Hokage, and Hiruzen accepted.
• Shimura Danzō grew jealous of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s appointment and set out to visit him, while other Konoha residents also flocked to congratulate him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received congratulations, including a letter from the Daimyo, then handed his visitors’ cards to the Sarutobi Clan Head and left to avoid the crowd.
• Namikawa Yū held a modest wedding with Tsunade, attended by Konoha elites and distinguished guests, including the heads of the Senju and Uchiha Clans.

Namikawa Yū and Tsunade celebrated their wedding as guests reflected on their future and Konoha’s next generation. Black Zetsu infiltrated the banquet, sensed Kaguya’s aura on Namikawa Yū, and spotted a tiny Nine-Tails before slipping away.

• Guests discussed the powerful bloodlines and potential children Namikawa Yū and Tsunade might have, while the Senju Clan Head considered whether their child could inherit Wood Release.
• Jiraiya bragged to Orochimaru and Hiruko about his academy prospects, unaware that both were already Elite Jonin.
• Namikawa Yū and Tsunade exchanged affectionate words on the dais as their guests watched the wedding.
• Black Zetsu infiltrated the banquet disguised as a guard and wondered why Namikawa Yū carried Otsutsuki Kaguya’s aura.
• A tiny Nine-Tails noticed Black Zetsu, who was confused because Uzumaki Mito still held the Nine-Tails and then quietly left.
• The Nine-Tails told Namikawa Yū that someone had just been there.

After his wedding, Namikawa Yū learned that Black Zetsu was spying on him but chose not to act until the celebration was over. A month later, Konoha offered the Second Kazekage food aid and cheap supplies to secure a deeper alliance with Sunagakure, and the Kazekage became interested in the proposal.

• Namikawa Yū decided not to confront Black Zetsu during his wedding to Tsunade, while Nine-Tails went to enjoy pastries.
• A month after the wedding, Sand Village envoys arrived in Konoha seeking an alliance amid drought and economic hardship.
• Mitokado Homura gave the Second Kazekage a list of food and daily necessities Konoha would provide as aid.
• Mitokado Homura proposed deeper cooperation and showed the Kazekage a list of supplies priced at half the market rate or less.
• The Second Kazekage grew interested when Mitokado Homura offered to supply as much of the listed goods as Sunagakure needed.

The Second Kazekage agreed to a Konoha alliance that opened Sunagakure to Konoha’s employment, banking, currency, and industrial trade. Namikawa Yū then sought out Black Zetsu and challenged his claim that he was Uchiha Madara’s will.

• Mitokado Homura negotiated with the Second Kazekage, who accepted Konoha’s trade terms and a hiring arrangement for Sand Village ninja.
• The Second Kazekage signed an alliance agreement that also allowed Konoha Bank branches, Ninja Coins, and Konoha goods into Sunagakure.
• Namikawa Yū instructed Mitokado Homura to fund aid and publicity in the Land of Wind, then considered approaching other hidden villages.
• Namikawa Yū visited the Uchiha Clan’s secret chamber and examined the stone tablet with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, but could read only part of it.
• Black Zetsu appeared and claimed to be the manifestation of Uchiha Madara’s will, but Namikawa Yū said he believed Black Zetsu belonged to someone else.

Namikawa Yū convinced Black Zetsu that he carried Otsutsuki Kaguya's Karma and had become her willing vessel, then learned the history and requirements of Black Zetsu's resurrection plan. The chapter left Namikawa Yū considering whether he could awaken the Rinnegan, though Black Zetsu said he lacked Indra's fully developed Sage's Eye.

• Black Zetsu questioned Namikawa Yū's claim to represent Uchiha Madara, but Namikawa Yū revealed that he knew Otsutsuki Kaguya's history and Black Zetsu's origins.
• Namikawa Yū activated his Karma, transformed toward the Otsutsuki Clan, and persuaded Black Zetsu that Kaguya had chosen him as a new vessel for her revival.
• Black Zetsu probed Namikawa Yū about their relationship with Kaguya and accepted his claim that they were partners, believing him to be an ideal pawn.
• Black Zetsu explained that he had manipulated the reincarnations of Indra and Asura while staying hidden from Hagoromo Otsutsuki, and that the Rinnegan was essential to reviving Kaguya.
• Namikawa Yū asked whether he could awaken the Rinnegan, but Black Zetsu said he lacked Indra's Sage's Eye and would need both powers developed to their utmost limits.

Namikawa Yū deceived Black Zetsu about his allegiance and learned that Uchiha Madara’s Rinnegan was still unstable. After absorbing an Eight-Tails tentacle, he tested his enhanced Tailed Beast powers and Wood Release against Nine-Tails, then decided his strengthened body and chakra were ready for him to begin practicing Senjutsu.

• Namikawa Yū persuaded Black Zetsu that he supported the plan to resurrect Otsutsuki Kaguya, and Black Zetsu revealed that Uchiha Madara had only begun forming the Rinnegan.
• After Black Zetsu left, Namikawa Yū reflected on the deception and resolved to grow stronger.
• Namikawa Yū absorbed an Eight-Tails tentacle with the Chimera Technique and Karma, then tested his changed Tailed Beast Cloak and Wood Release against Nine-Tails.
• Namikawa Yū used Wood Dragon Technique to pin down Nine-Tails, who judged his Wood Release close to Senju Hashirama’s level.
• Namikawa Yū recognized that Hashirama’s Senjutsu was still an advantage and decided to start practicing Senjutsu himself.

Namikawa Yū advanced his Senjutsu training while Uchiha Madara visited the Land of Fire to see how the Hokage had transformed it. Madara admired Konoha’s peaceful development and its growing influence over Sunagakure, then wondered whether his conflict with Senju Hashirama might have ended differently if he had used similar methods.

• Namikawa Yū quickly made progress in Senjutsu and began recovering while preparing to develop the world.
• Black Zetsu told Uchiha Madara that Namikawa Yū admired him and shared some of his ideals, prompting Madara to visit the Land of Fire.
• Uchiha Madara saw Konoha’s road-building and work-relief projects, which provided jobs and attracted civilians and foreign ninja.
• Black Zetsu described how Konoha’s aid, employment, currency, and publicity had made Sunagakure increasingly dependent on Konoha.
• Uchiha Madara admired Namikawa Yū’s peaceful methods and reflected that he and Senju Hashirama might not have fallen out if he had acted similarly.

Uchiha Madara toured the Land of Fire and Konoha, finding that its reforms had brought people from former enemy nations together and made the village resemble his vision of peace. After overpowering the Police Force members who confronted him, he entered the Uchiha Clan grounds and met his old follower Uchiha Setsuna, rejecting the suggestion that he had returned to Konoha.

• Uchiha Madara watched ninja from different countries work together on construction projects and considered the Land of Fire’s reforms closer to his ideal of peace than Senju Hashirama’s approach.
• Uchiha Madara toured the transformed Konoha and mistook the absence of beggars for a sign of the village’s prosperity.
• Uchiha Yakumi and other Police Force members confronted Uchiha Madara as a suspected spy, but Madara used his Sharingan to knock them unconscious.
• Uchiha Madara considered seeking out Namikawa Yū, then entered the Uchiha Clan grounds and observed its happy children.
• Uchiha Setsuna recognized Uchiha Madara and asked if he intended to return to Konoha, but Madara dismissed the idea.

Uchiha Madara refused Uchiha Setsuna’s offer to return to Konoha, and Namikawa Yū rejected Setsuna’s plan to ambush him. Madara then encountered Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, both revived through Impure World Reincarnation.

• Uchiha Madara told Uchiha Setsuna he had returned only to look around, not to rejoin Konoha.
• Uchiha Setsuna reported Madara’s return to Namikawa Yū and proposed gathering powerful shinobi to kill him, even suggesting poison.
• Namikawa Yū rejected the plan and told Setsuna to leave Madara alone and let the village carry on as usual.
• Senju Momoka confronted Madara, and he reached to attack her when she blocked his path.
• Senju Hashirama stopped Madara and revealed himself as an Impure World Reincarnation; Senju Tobirama then appeared and accused Madara of attacking Toka.

Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara toured Konoha and discussed its prosperity, but Uchiha Madara refused Hashirama’s invitation to return and left to pursue his own plans. Senju Tobirama warned Namikawa Yū that Madara was plotting against Konoha and urged him to stop Madara, though Yū doubted anyone could match his strength.

• Senju Hashirama calmed Uchiha Madara and Senju Tobirama, and the three praised Konoha’s development and debated how to achieve peace.
• Senju Hashirama invited Uchiha Madara to return to Konoha, but Madara refused and hinted that he had his own plans.
• Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama chatted while overlooking the village, discussing Tsunade’s marriage and Konoha’s work and shinobi policies.
• Uchiha Madara quietly left, and Senju Hashirama watched him go without trying to stop him.
• Senju Tobirama warned Namikawa Yū that Madara was likely plotting against Konoha and told him to use any means necessary to stop him.
• Namikawa Yū acknowledged the warning but said few people in the Ninja World could match Madara’s strength.

Namikawa Yū trained with Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama to strengthen his Wood Release and combat skills after Uchiha Madara left Konoha, convinced Yū would never join the Eye of the Moon Plan. Tobirama began an experiment to awaken Yū’s Mangekyō Sharingan by flooding him with negative chakra, but Yū showed almost no reaction.

• Senju Tobirama agreed with Namikawa Yū that perfecting Impure World Reincarnation was too difficult for now, then offered to train him alongside Senju Hashirama.
• Uchiha Madara left Konoha without meeting Namikawa Yū, deciding that Yū would never support the Eye of the Moon Plan, while Black Zetsu resolved to avoid unnecessary interference.
• Senju Hashirama trained Namikawa Yū in Wood Release, and Senju Tobirama guided his Taijutsu as Yū demonstrated his Lightning Release Armor and Spear of the Thunder God.
• Senju Tobirama proposed using powerful negative chakra to stimulate Namikawa Yū’s Sharingan, and Yū agreed to the risky experiment.
• Senju Tobirama channeled negative chakra into Namikawa Yū, but Yū endured the anger, killing intent, and sorrow with barely any visible reaction.

Namikawa Yū endured Senju Tobirama’s negative-chakra experiment with little outward reaction, then received Tobirama’s forbidden jutsu and considered improving it. Six years later, Konoha celebrated Yū’s tenth anniversary as Hokage, while Ōnoki arrived for the Chunin Exams worried about Konoha’s growing influence and strength.

• Senju Tobirama intensified his negative-chakra ninjutsu against Namikawa Yū, but Yū maintained his composure because of his emotional regulation and Otsutsuki body.
• Namikawa Yū noticed that prolonged use of the jutsu was making Senju Tobirama irritable, and the experiment stopped when their stored negative chakra ran out.
• Senju Tobirama gave Namikawa Yū the forbidden jutsu before returning to the Underworld with Senju Hashirama, and Yū planned to have Orochimaru and Hiruko test and improve it.
• Six years later, Konoha held a grand celebration marking the tenth year since Namikawa Yū had become Hokage, showcasing the village’s rapid development.
• The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, visited Konoha for its Chunin Exams and worried that Konoha’s influence over other villages and its growing ninja strength left Iwagakure with few good options.

Namikawa Yū established the Ninja Federation by bringing the Five Great Ninja Villages and most of the Ninja World’s forces under one government, then led a decade of purges and reconstruction. As the Federation prospered, Black Zetsu arrived to tell Namikawa Yū that the time had come for something else.

• Namikawa Yū proposed a parliamentary Ninja Federation to Ōnoki and the Third Raikage, showing them that leaders representing more than half the Ninja World already supported it.
• Namikawa Yū threatened war against those who refused, then defeated Ōnoki and the Third Raikage in a public fight, securing their agreement to join.
• The five great ninja villages joined the Federation, which seized power from the Daimyo, and Namikawa Yū became its first leader before handing the Hokage position to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• The Federation purged rogue ninja and bandit groups, then oversaw ten years of reconstruction as people across the villages increasingly identified with the new government.
• Black Zetsu visited Namikawa Yū in the Federation leader’s office and said that the time had come.

Namikawa Yū rejected Black Zetsu’s Infinite Tsukuyomi plan while waiting for Uchiha Madara to give away his Rinnegan. After seeing the peaceful Ninja Federation, Madara hesitated over the Eye of the Moon Plan, but Black Zetsu persuaded him to continue, prompting Madara to decide to collect the Tailed Beasts himself; Namikawa Yū learned of the plan and prepared to face him.

• Namikawa Yū told Black Zetsu that he wanted to rule a thriving Ninja World rather than destroy it with Infinite Tsukuyomi, and asked to be told when Uchiha Madara gave away his Rinnegan.
• Uchiha Madara left his secret base on the Federation’s tenth anniversary and saw that the Ninja World had become prosperous and peaceful.
• Uchiha Madara questioned whether the Eye of the Moon Plan was necessary, but Black Zetsu argued that the Federation’s peace would not last after its leader died.
• Uchiha Madara reaffirmed his commitment to the Eye of the Moon Plan and decided to collect the Nine Tailed Beasts himself because the Federation controlled them.
• Black Zetsu informed Namikawa Yū of Madara’s decision, and Namikawa Yū said he had been preparing to face Uchiha Madara since arriving in the world.

Namikawa Yū awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan while reliving memories of his previous life, then discovered its two ocular techniques. He tested his new powers on the Nine-Tails, whose reaction to the Mangekyo was left unresolved.

• Namikawa Yū told Black Zetsu to leave and prepared to face Uchiha Madara, while Black Zetsu worried that their coming clash could ruin his plans.
• Namikawa Yū activated his laboratory’s core and used a chakra crystal made from years of collected negative chakra.
• The ritual brought back memories of Namikawa Yū’s previous life, including his mother’s death, his lonely childhood, and his death in a truck accident.
• Namikawa Yū awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and learned that its left-eye technique was Amenotokotachi and its right-eye technique was Amanokunitsu.
• Namikawa Yū visited the Nine-Tails to test his new powers and revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan, startling the Nine-Tails.

Namikawa Yū revealed his newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan to Nine-Tails and demonstrated its three abilities: a permanent, equally powerful clone, a brief time-slowing effect, and Susanoo. The chapter ended with Nine-Tails impressed by the strength of Yū’s Susanoo.

• Nine-Tails recognized Namikawa Yū’s eyes as Mangekyō Sharingan and noticed their chakra felt unusually warm and peaceful.
• Namikawa Yū explained that he awakened his Mangekyō through insight into life and showed Nine-Tails Amanokunitsu, which created a powerful clone that could persist by consuming little of his ocular power.
• Namikawa Yū demonstrated that he could switch places with his clone and change which one was the original.
• Namikawa Yū revealed Amenotokotachi, which slowed time for a brief period, and explained that its effect lasted less than a second against Nine-Tails.
• Namikawa Yū manifested Susanoo, and Nine-Tails marveled at its power.