Recaps

Takenaka Kaguya accepted the Hyuga Clan’s offer of friendship and revealed that he had completed his Yin Seal training ahead of schedule. Mitsuba Hyuga then asked whether Takenaka had fought someone in the Graveyard Mountains about a year and a half earlier.

• Takenaka Kaguya read the Hyuga Family Head’s letter, and Mitsuba Hyuga explained that the clan did not blame him for the Hyuga ninja he had killed in battle.
• Mitsuba Hyuga said the Hyuga Clan recognized Takenaka rather than Motosawa Kaguya and wanted to maintain friendly ties with him; Takenaka agreed to accept their friendship.
• Takenaka told Mitsuba that his training was complete and showed him the diamond-shaped mark of the Yin Seal.
• Mitsuba said Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki were well, and he and Takenaka joked about Hashirama’s gambling.
• Mitsuba asked whether Takenaka had appeared in the Land of Fire and fought someone in the Graveyard Mountains about a year and a half earlier; Takenaka asked why he wanted to know.

Takenaka Kaguya confirmed to Mitsuba Hyuga that Madara Uchiha had fought him, but said he would settle the matter with Madara personally and would not blame Konoha. After more than three years of missions, Takenaka learned that the First Mizukage, Byakuren, was near death and hurried back to Kirigakure.

• Takenaka Kaguya confirmed that Madara Uchiha had fought him at the Graveyard Mountains and reassured Mitsuba Hyuga that he would not hold Konoha responsible.
• Takenaka told Mitsuba that he would settle his personal score with Madara himself.
• Takenaka escorted the Daimyo of the Land of Water back, then spent more than three years carrying out S-rank missions and traveling to Half-Moon Island.
• In Konoha Year 7, a Kirigakure Ninja told Takenaka that Byakuren's health had declined and the First Mizukage was nearing the end of his life.
• Takenaka ordered the ship to speed up so he could reach Kirigakure before sunset.

Takenaka Kaguya returned to Kirigakure as the First Mizukage neared death, and Genji urged him to compete for the position of Second Mizukage. Takenaka questioned the need to take power, while Genji insisted that only he could lead the village to greater strength.

• Takenaka Kaguya arrived at the harbor, where Yuko Kaguya and Akina Nakamori welcomed him and Genji greeted him.
• Takenaka noticed the village's tense atmosphere, and Genji brought him into a carriage to explain the situation privately.
• Genji told Takenaka that the First Mizukage was nearing the end, and Takenaka said he had already heard the news.
• Genji explained that he had summoned Takenaka back to compete for the Second Mizukage position and warned that Hozuki Gengetsu could threaten him and his supporters.
• Takenaka asked why Genji wanted him to take the position despite his lack of ambition for power, and Genji said only Takenaka could make Kirigakure stronger.

Genji urged Takenaka Kaguya to challenge Hozuki Gengetsu for the position of Second Mizukage, offering to persuade the Daimyo to support him. Takenaka reunited with Byakuren, who recognized how much stronger he had become as Byakuren’s life neared its end.

• Genji asked Takenaka Kaguya to contend with Hozuki Gengetsu for the position of Second Mizukage and promised to persuade the Daimyo.
• Takenaka agreed to consider the position after explaining that the Daimyo might oppose him.
• Takenaka and Genji arrived at the Mizukage’s residence, where Hozuki Gengetsu greeted Takenaka with a pointed remark about his return.
• Gengetsu escorted Takenaka inside to meet Byakuren while Genji waited outside with Gengetsu.
• Byakuren welcomed Takenaka and marveled at how powerful and unfathomable he had become.

Takenaka Kaguya returned to Kirigakure as a candidate for Second Mizukage and confronted Byakuren over his opposition. Byakuren revealed he had nominated Hozuki Gengetsu and planned to sacrifice his life to frame Takenaka, but Takenaka discovered the scheme and challenged him over the consequences.

• Byakuren asked Takenaka Kaguya whether he had returned to seek the position of Second Mizukage, and Takenaka confirmed Elder Genji intended to put him forward.
• Takenaka asked Byakuren whether he could become Second Mizukage, and Byakuren admitted he considered him the best candidate but would not support him because of his own interests and the Yuki Clan.
• Byakuren said he had recommended Hozuki Gengetsu to the Daimyo and offered Takenaka an elder's status and the Kaguya Clan leadership if he withdrew.
• Takenaka used his top-tier Observation Haki to discover that Byakuren planned to sacrifice his own life to frame him if he refused to withdraw.
• Takenaka asked Byakuren whether sacrificing himself for Hozuki Gengetsu was worth it and warned him about the disaster of offending someone like him.

Takenaka Kaguya exposed Byakuren’s plan to use his own death to force him out of the Second Mizukage contest. As Takenaka and Genji left, they weighed whether continuing to compete would split Kirigakure, and Takenaka left the decision to Genji.

• Byakuren’s plan to sacrifice himself and put Hozuki Gengetsu in power was revealed when Takenaka Kaguya saw through his thoughts.
• Takenaka warned Byakuren that he did not need Kirigakure and would not tolerate being pushed around, then left the room.
• Hozuki Gengetsu found Byakuren unharmed, while Takenaka warned Gengetsu to stop using underhanded tricks as he departed with Genji.
• Takenaka told Genji that Byakuren had tried to force him out of the contest and that continuing could divide Kirigakure and lead to war.
• Genji asked what they should do, and Takenaka said he would accept whatever Genji decided.

Takenaka Kaguya weighed whether to contest Hozuki Gengetsu for the Second Mizukage position while fearing the conflict could spark war and harm Kirigakure. The next morning, Genji arrived with bad news, leaving the contest’s outcome uncertain.

• Hozuki Gengetsu told Byakuren they had no way out of the struggle for power, and Byakuren urged him to prepare while minimizing conflict within the village.
• Yuko Kaguya told Takenaka Kaguya to follow his heart, and Akina Nakamori promised to support whatever choice he made.
• Takenaka Kaguya reflected that Hozuki Gengetsu could be a capable Second Mizukage but felt trapped by their opposing camps, his supporters’ expectations, and his desire to prevent war.
• The next morning, Takenaka Kaguya sparred with Akina Nakamori as she practiced Rokushiki, and Genji entered the courtyard with a weary expression.
• Genji told Takenaka Kaguya that the news he had brought was not good.

After learning that Hozuki Gengetsu had secured the support to become Second Mizukage, Takenaka Kaguya decided to leave Kirigakure rather than accept a place among its leaders. Yuko Kaguya chose to go with him, while Akina Nakamori stayed behind, and Takenaka sent her back to Genji with a warning.

• Genji told Takenaka Kaguya that Hozuki Gengetsu had won the clans' support with the Daimyo's letter, and that the village would discuss making Takenaka a higher-up after the succession ceremony.
• Takenaka agreed to remain until the ceremony, then told Yuko Kaguya and Akina Nakamori that he was leaving Kirigakure for good.
• Takenaka explained that he had repaid his debts to the village, and Yuko chose to follow him.
• Akina decided to stay in Kirigakure, and Takenaka told her to inform Genji that he owed him nothing and hoped Genji would not regret his choice.

Takenaka Kaguya explained to Yuko Kaguya how Genji had betrayed his trust, then arranged for her to escape to Uzushiogakure with his summoning beast, Lingkong. As Takenaka prepared for a confrontation, Genji learned he was leaving and decided to provoke Hozuki Gengetsu into a clash with him.

• Takenaka Kaguya told Yuko Kaguya that he had discovered Genji was exploiting him and had helped Genji and Hozuki Gengetsu form an alliance to repay his old debt.
• Takenaka Kaguya summoned Lingkong and sent the Golden Eagle to escort Yuko Kaguya to Uzushiogakure, promising to join her after settling matters in Kirigakure.
• Takenaka Kaguya sat in the courtyard and drew Shusui, while Genji celebrated his belief that Takenaka would remain in the village.
• Akina Nakamori told Genji that Takenaka was leaving with Yuko and no longer owed him anything.
• Genji sent a masked Kirigakure Ninja to tell Hozuki Gengetsu that Takenaka opposed his becoming Second Mizukage and planned to leave.
• Genji told Akina Nakamori he expected Hozuki Gengetsu to give Takenaka the chance to teach him a lesson.

Takenaka Kaguya left Kirigakure after the village’s actions made him feel betrayed, while Akina Nakamori worried that they would become enemies. Kurama joined him and warned that Hozuki Gengetsu was gathering clan fighters to intercept them, leaving Takenaka to ask whether Kurama truly meant to abandon his chance of becoming Mizukage.

• Akina Nakamori asked Genji whether Takenaka Kaguya and Kirigakure would become enemies, and Genji said he had no regrets about acting for the village’s strength.
• Takenaka Kaguya left his courtyard and headed for the docks as Kirigakure Ninja watched and reported his departure to Hozuki Gengetsu.
• Eiichiro Hoshigaki asked Takenaka to spare any village companions who tried to stop him, and Takenaka knocked him unconscious with Conqueror’s Haki.
• Kurama knelt before Takenaka and said he wanted to leave Kirigakure with him because he believed Takenaka was the best choice for Mizukage.
• Kurama warned Takenaka that Hozuki Gengetsu was gathering fighters from the Hozuki, Yuki, and Kaguya Clans, and Takenaka asked if Kurama truly wished to leave despite his prospects as Mizukage.

Takenaka Kaguya arranged for Kurama to stay in Kirigakure and pursue the position of Third Mizukage, then continued toward the docks. There, he confronted Motosawa Kaguya and the clan’s Jonin, severely injuring the clan head in their first clash.

• Takenaka Kaguya urged Kurama to remain in Kirigakure and become its Third Mizukage, and Kurama agreed before stabbing himself to make his departure seem genuine.
• Takenaka Kaguya left Kurama unconscious and headed for the docks, vowing to deal with the calamity Madara Uchiha would bring.
• Motosawa Kaguya and the Kaguya Clan Jonin blocked Takenaka Kaguya at the docks and called him a traitor and rogue ninja.
• Takenaka Kaguya cut Motosawa Kaguya’s face with a Flying Slash, then dodged his bone-whip attack and struck him hard enough to break the weapon.
• A clan elder caught Motosawa Kaguya as he flew backward, while the injured clan head coughed up blood and his followers asked if he was alright.

Takenaka Kaguya faced the Kaguya Clan elders and Jonin at the docks, refusing Tetsu Kaguya’s offer to protect him from Lord Gengetsu. He entered their battle formation, dodged their attacks, then shattered their Bone Blades and wounded their arms with Shusui as Hozuki Gengetsu approached.

• Motosawa Kaguya ordered Elder Tetsu and the others to attack Takenaka Kaguya after Takenaka knocked him back and injured him.
• Takenaka Kaguya refused Tetsu Kaguya’s plea to rejoin the clan and said he would fight using only Shusui.
• Tetsu Kaguya and the other elders formed their battle formation, and Takenaka Kaguya entered it willingly.
• Takenaka Kaguya evaded the clan members’ attacks for three minutes, despite their changing formation and increasing speed.
• Takenaka Kaguya blocked the Bone Blades with Shusui, cut through them, and wounded every attacker’s arm as Hozuki Gengetsu neared.

Takenaka Kaguya accepted a system mission to kill the Kaguya Clan experts and defeated them at Kirigakure's docks, earning a Devil Fruit. Hozuki Gengetsu arrived with Kirigakure's leaders and, wary of Takenaka's strength, approached him with unexpected politeness.

• A system mission offered Takenaka Kaguya a Devil Fruit if he fought the Kaguya Clan experts without holding back.
• Takenaka Kaguya used Rokushiki and Conqueror's Haki to kill the Kaguya Clan Jonin, including Tetsu Kaguya, Motosawa Kaguya, and the last Jonin.
• The system announced that Takenaka Kaguya had completed the mission and awarded him a Devil Fruit.
• Hozuki Gengetsu and Kirigakure's notable Jonin and major clan heads arrived and saw the Kaguya Clan corpses.
• Hozuki Gengetsu asked Takenaka Kaguya why he had fought his clan, and Takenaka recognized his political change of manner.

Takenaka Kaguya confronted Hozuki Gengetsu after killing the Kaguya Clan Ninja sent to ambush him. Gengetsu backed down and let him leave Kirigakure, but Takenaka warned he would return to kill him if he failed as Second Mizukage.

• Hozuki Gengetsu slapped a Hozuki Jonin for speaking rudely to Takenaka Kaguya and apologized for the insult.
• Takenaka Kaguya sheathed Shusui and mocked Gengetsu for changing his attitude rather than accusing him of betraying Kirigakure.
• Takenaka Kaguya said the dead Kaguya Clan Ninja had claimed to be acting on Gengetsu's orders, but Gengetsu denied it and said he had only meant to arrange a farewell.
• Gengetsu called the dead Ninja disobedient and said they deserved their fate, while the Kirigakure Ninja behind him agreed with his explanation.
• Takenaka Kaguya tore off his Kirigakure forehead protector, handed it to Gengetsu, and warned him he would return to take his life if he failed as Second Mizukage.

After leaving Kirigakure, Takenaka Kaguya became the focus of the hidden villages, which sought to recruit him. On his way to Konohagakure, he encountered Madara Uchiha and prepared to fight him.

• Hozuki Gengetsu grew furious over criticism of his treatment of Takenaka Kaguya and blamed Genji for helping provoke their earlier confrontation.
• Mu mocked Hozuki Gengetsu and ordered Ōnoki to monitor Uzushiogakure and contact Takenaka Kaguya if he was found.
• The leaders of Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Konohagakure discussed Takenaka Kaguya as he traveled toward Konohagakure.
• Madara Uchiha met Takenaka Kaguya in a forest east of the Land of Fire and again invited him to join his plan for peace.
• Takenaka Kaguya refused Madara Uchiha's offer and challenged him to exchange blows before he continued toward Konoha to challenge Hashirama Senju.

Takenaka Kaguya provoked Madara Uchiha into a fight by taunting him about his brother Izuna and his rivalry with Hashirama. Madara attacked with powerful Fire Release techniques, while Takenaka Kaguya dodged and defended himself, and their clash continued through the mist.

• Takenaka Kaguya challenged Madara Uchiha to spar, but Madara refused and told him to prove himself against Hashirama first.
• Takenaka Kaguya accused Madara of fearing him and taunted him about failing to avenge Izuna Uchiha and defeat Hashirama Senju.
• Madara Uchiha attacked Takenaka Kaguya with his Uchiha Gunbai, but Takenaka evaded the strike and pinned the weapon to the ground.
• Madara Uchiha unleashed the Great Fireball Technique, and Takenaka Kaguya blocked it with a Water Formation Wall.
• Madara Uchiha launched the Great Fire Dragon Technique from within the mist as Takenaka Kaguya retreated.

Takenaka Kaguya and Madara Uchiha resumed their unfinished fight, trading ninjutsu and close-range blows. After Kaguya proved his body could withstand Madara’s attacks, Madara summoned a skeletal Susanoo to keep him at a distance.

• Madara Uchiha’s Great Fire Dragon Technique collided with Takenaka Kaguya’s Water Dragon Bullet, and Kaguya concealed himself with the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Madara activated his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan and spotted Kaguya through the mist, while Kaguya sensed Madara with Observation Haki.
• Kaguya dispelled the mist, blindfolded himself, drew Shusui, and challenged Madara to settle their old fight and the score over his Aunt’s abduction.
• Madara charged Kaguya with his Uchiha Gunbai, but Kaguya endured his kick and drove him back during their exchange of blows.
• Madara backed away from the taijutsu fight and enveloped himself in a white skeleton to keep Kaguya at a distance.

Takenaka Kaguya provoked Madara Uchiha into continuing their fight, and Madara unleashed his Perfect Susanoo and attacked with powerful techniques. As Takenaka Kaguya evaded the attacks, White Zetsu warned Madara that Hashirama Senju was on his way.

• Takenaka Kaguya teased Madara Uchiha about apologizing and compensating him, provoking Madara into summoning his Perfect Susanoo.
• Takenaka Kaguya declared he would keep causing Madara trouble unless Madara killed him, and Madara vowed to eliminate him.
• Madara attacked Takenaka Kaguya with four Susanoo slashes, but Takenaka dodged them and mocked Madara.
• Madara used Yasaka Magatama, but Takenaka used Observation Haki and Geppo to evade the attacks and their explosions.
• White Zetsu appeared on Madara's shoulder and reported that Hashirama Senju would arrive soon.

Madara Uchiha escaped before Hashirama Senju arrived, leaving Takenaka Kaguya to greet Hashirama and explain their history. Hashirama invited Takenaka to Konoha to see Mito before they could fight.

• White Zetsu told Madara Uchiha that Hashirama Senju was coming, so Madara killed him and decided to leave.
• Takenaka Kaguya taunted Madara, but Madara blocked his attacks and vanished underground with the Mayfly Technique.
• Takenaka Kaguya speculated that Madara planned to obtain Hashirama Senju's cells and awaken the Rinnegan.
• Hashirama Senju arrived, embraced Takenaka Kaguya, and lamented that Madara had left without meeting him.
• Takenaka Kaguya explained how his feud with Madara began, then asked Hashirama to fight him.
• Hashirama agreed to fight Takenaka Kaguya after bringing him to Konoha to see Mito.

Takenaka Kaguya traveled with Hashirama Senju to Konohagakure, reflecting on the village’s future generations and the deaths of prominent shinobi. Hashirama welcomed him into Konoha, where they discussed the Will of Fire and the older generation’s legacy.

• Hashirama Senju used Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence to restore the devastated forest, then accompanied Takenaka Kaguya toward Konohagakure to meet Mito.
• Hashirama told Takenaka Kaguya that his son had married and that Mito wanted Lord Ashina's granddaughter to marry him, but Takenaka refused to consider marriage.
• Takenaka Kaguya recalled that Byakuren had died after handing the Mizukage hat to Hozuki Gengetsu, and he and Hashirama reflected on how life and death shaped the shinobi world.
• Hashirama described the Will of Fire, and Takenaka Kaguya offered the saying about fallen flowers nourishing new blossoms; Hashirama agreed that the older generation’s sacrifices strengthened the village.
• Villagers warmly greeted Hashirama as he led Takenaka Kaguya through Konoha, and Hashirama promised that the Will of Fire would continue to be passed down.

Takenaka Kaguya reunited with Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki in Konohagakure, where Tobirama Senju showed hostility toward him. Takenaka said he planned to stay in Uzushiogakure for now, pleasing Hashirama and Mito.

• Hashirama Senju affirmed that the Will of Fire would endure, and Takenaka Kaguya sensed Tobirama Senju's killing intent nearby.
• Hashirama Senju stood between Tobirama Senju and Takenaka Kaguya, then sent Tobirama to handle affairs at the Hokage Building.
• Hashirama Senju brought Takenaka Kaguya to his courtyard, where Mito Uzumaki greeted him warmly and praised his mastery of the Yin Seal.
• Mito Uzumaki asked about Takenaka Kaguya's plans after leaving Kirigakure, and he said he would stay in Uzushiogakure while considering Lord Ashina's offer to make him village leader.
• Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki welcomed Takenaka Kaguya's decision to remain in Uzushiogakure, and Mito said his presence reassured her about the village's safety.

Takenaka Kaguya asked Hashirama Senju for a full-strength battle, and Hashirama agreed to fight him at the Valley of the End. Tobirama Senju and Madara Uchiha learned of the duel and set out with plans to exploit it.

• Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju thanked Takenaka Kaguya for promising to protect Uzushiogakure.
• Takenaka Kaguya told Hashirama Senju that he had come to challenge him, and Hashirama agreed to fight after lunch without holding back.
• Mito Uzumaki accompanied Hashirama Senju and Takenaka Kaguya to make sure they stopped before either was seriously harmed.
• Tobirama Senju learned about the duel and set out intending to kill Takenaka Kaguya.
• Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu headed for the Valley of the End, hoping the fight would leave Hashirama Senju badly wounded.
• At the Valley of the End, Hashirama Senju invited Takenaka Kaguya to show how much he had improved.

Takenaka Kaguya and Hashirama Senju fought at the Valley of the End, testing Takenaka’s swordsmanship before setting aside their weapons for a close-quarters battle. Both entered Sage Mode and clashed at full strength, with Takenaka urging Hashirama not to hold back.

• Takenaka Kaguya attacked Hashirama Senju with a Flying Slash, cutting through four gates of Hashirama’s Fivefold Rashomon.
• Hashirama Senju used Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence, but Takenaka Kaguya destroyed the approaching trees with an Iai slash infused with Haki.
• Takenaka sheathed Shusui and challenged Hashirama to test their taijutsu, and Hashirama agreed while entering Sage Mode.
• Takenaka also entered a different Sage Mode and charged Hashirama, and their colliding fists shattered the surrounding trees.
• Takenaka told Hashirama he wanted to defeat him at his peak and asked him to fight without holding back.

At the Valley of the End, Takenaka Kaguya challenged Hashirama Senju to fight without restraint, and the two exchanged powerful attacks. Hashirama countered Takenaka’s Haki-coated shuriken with a Sage Chakra-enhanced Wood Dragon, leaving the battle poised to intensify.

• Takenaka Kaguya urged Hashirama Senju to fight at full strength, and Hashirama agreed despite the danger.
• Hashirama Senju unleashed a Sage Art shuriken barrage, but Takenaka Kaguya evaded every projectile using Advanced Observation Haki and Kami-e.
• Takenaka Kaguya caught the final shuriken, coated it in Armament Haki, and hurled it back at Hashirama Senju.
• Hashirama Senju summoned a Wood Dragon, which the shuriken partly sliced through before the dragon regenerated with Sage Chakra and crushed it.
• Hashirama Senju acknowledged Takenaka Kaguya’s strength and declared that he could no longer hold back.

Hashirama Senju unleashed his True Several Thousand Hands against Takenaka Kaguya, who shattered the colossal statue and closed in to fight him directly. Madara Uchiha and Tobirama Senju watched from hiding, each realizing how difficult Takenaka would be to defeat.

• Hashirama Senju summoned the True Several Thousand Hands, and Takenaka Kaguya tested its defense with Rankyaku strikes that failed to damage it.
• Takenaka Kaguya approached the statue despite Hashirama Senju's warning, coating himself in black and preparing his fists with Conqueror's Haki.
• Hashirama Senju attacked with the statue's giant hands, but Takenaka Kaguya dodged with Soru and Advanced Observation Haki, then shattered its leg with a coated punch.
• Takenaka Kaguya teleported to Hashirama Senju and exchanged powerful punches with him.
• Madara Uchiha recognized Takenaka Kaguya's strength and considered him a serious obstacle, while Tobirama Senju abandoned his confidence that he could defeat him.