Recaps

Simu and the Akatsuki began extracting Shukaku from Gaara with the Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals. Simu arranged to save Gaara by transferring his soul into a suitable body, while the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path absorbed Shukaku’s Chakra and opened one of its eyes.

• Pain explained that seven Akatsuki members could perform the Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals, though it would take seven days instead of three.
• Simu asked Pain how Gaara could survive having Shukaku extracted, and Pain said Gaara’s soul could be transferred into another body.
• Simu agreed to find a body for Gaara, and Pain led the Akatsuki in beginning the sealing technique.
• The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path released nine Chakra dragons that seized Gaara and began absorbing Shukaku from him.
• Simu watched the Demonic Statue absorb Shukaku’s Chakra and concluded that it was the Divine Tree, though he did not know how it would transform into one.

After the Akatsuki sealed Shukaku, Simu used a cloned body and Pain’s Rinnegan-powered technique to restore Gaara. Gaara woke three days later, learned that his father and uncle had truly tried to kill him, and recognized Simu as the shopkeeper.

• The Akatsuki completed the seven-day sealing of Shukaku, and Simu sensed that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had gained some vitality.
• Simu produced a body cloned from Gaara’s genes, and Pain used his Rinnegan clone to transfer Gaara’s soul into it.
• Simu took Gaara home and placed him in the Blood Pool while he recovered.
• Gaara woke three days later and asked Simu who he was.
• Simu told Gaara that Rasa and Yashamaru had truly tried to kill him, and Gaara recognized Simu as the shopkeeper.

Simu removed Shukaku from Gaara and placed his soul in a newly created body, revealing that Karura’s chakra had been controlling the sand that protected him. After learning that Rasa arranged Yashamaru’s assassination attempt, Gaara asked Simu to help him become strong enough to destroy Sunagakure and everything Rasa protected.

• Simu told Gaara that Shukaku was gone and showed him the sand gourd, whose sand still responded to him.
• Simu explained that Gaara’s new body contained chakra left by Karura, and that her chakra had protected him through the sand.
• Gaara realized the sand was his mother’s legacy and held it as he mourned her.
• Gaara asked Simu about Yashamaru, and Simu revealed that Rasa had arranged the assassination attempt to test Gaara as a Jinchuriki.
• Gaara asked Simu to help him become strong enough to destroy Sunagakure and everything Rasa protected, and Simu agreed.

Simu offered Gaara ways to grow stronger, and Gaara chose to pursue Magnet Release and Sand Manipulation so he could defeat the man who had wronged him. Meanwhile, Nagato ordered Akatsuki to keep recruiting after sealing the One-Tail, and Orochimaru learned that Danzo had arrived at his base.

• Simu offered Gaara the options of becoming a Jinchuriki again, gaining Magnet Release, or training in Sand Manipulation, and Gaara chose the latter two.
• Simu agreed to implant Magnet Release genes after Gaara's soul had adapted to his body and gave him a scroll on controlling sand.
• Nagato told Konan to continue recruiting Akatsuki members and begin capturing the remaining Tailed Beasts once the organization had ten members.
• Konan said Madara Uchiha planned to recruit Itachi Uchiha, while Nagato doubted Itachi would leave Konoha but agreed to wait and see.
• Nagato authorized Konan to target nobles in the Land of Rain to address Akatsuki's shortage of funds.
• Orochimaru returned to his base near the Land of Fire and was told that Danzo had arrived.

Orochimaru delivered Danzo an arm implanted with Wood Release cells and ten Sharingan in exchange for test subjects and increased funding. His later experiments showed that Sharingan could partially restrain Hashirama Cells, but he continued seeking a powerful body for his research.

• Orochimaru met Danzo and exchanged the promised arm for one hundred test subjects and increased Root funding.
• Aburame Ryoma inspected the bandage-wrapped arm and confirmed it was safe before Danzo took it.
• Orochimaru began experimenting on Danzo's test subjects, but Hashirama Cells overwhelmed and killed nearly all of them.
• Orochimaru found that Sharingan could partially suppress the cells' growth, while Danzo refused to provide Uchiha test subjects.
• Orochimaru continued pursuing Wood Release experiments, caring only that he obtain a sufficiently powerful body.

Orochimaru suspended his Hashirama Cell experiments after losing more test subjects, then considered cooperating with Simu. Simu awakened Gaara’s Magnet Release gene and gave Sasori a Flesh Core that let him control dozens of puppets, leaving Sasori eager to modify his body further.

• Orochimaru’s Hashirama Cells consumed another test subject, and he learned that thirty-six of Danzo’s one hundred test subjects remained.
• Orochimaru found no way to make the test subjects merge with the Hashirama Cells, suspended the experiment, and considered cooperating with Simu.
• Simu activated Gaara’s Magnet Release gene and explained that Gaara would need to learn Magnet Release ninjutsu after waking.
• Simu showed Sasori a Flesh Core, which Sasori implanted into his chest and used to control forty-six puppets.
• Sasori decided that he wanted to modify his body further after seeing the Flesh Core’s capabilities.

Simu received Orochimaru’s invitation to join research on Hashirama Cells and traveled to one of his hideouts. The chapter ended as Simu met Orochimaru and shook his cold hand.

• Simu welcomed Uzumaki Rii, Xianai, and Jugo back from their mission in the Land of Wind, where they had helped spread the Jashin Cult among the poor.
• Simu sent Uzumaki Rii and Xianai into the Blood Pool, then Jugo showed him a message delivered by Orochimaru’s snake.
• Simu read Orochimaru’s invitation to collaborate on research into Hashirama Cells and left Jugo in charge of the base, asking him to guide Gaara’s training.
• Simu flew to Orochimaru’s hideout in the Land of Fire, where two shinobi escorted him to meet Orochimaru.
• Simu greeted Orochimaru and clasped his cold hand.

Simu and Orochimaru agreed to cooperate on research into Hashirama Cells in exchange for Orochimaru arranging Simu’s entry into Konoha. The deal left Orochimaru seeking two Wood Release bodies and Simu requesting cells from Hashirama’s original body.

• Orochimaru asked Simu to help prevent test subjects from dying after being implanted with Hashirama Cells, and Simu agreed to investigate.
• Simu asked Orochimaru to get him into Konoha through suitable channels.
• Orochimaru agreed, on the condition that Simu create a Wood Release ninja for Danzo’s task and a Wood Release clone capable of carrying Orochimaru’s soul.
• Simu accepted the conditions and requested Hashirama Cells taken from the original body for analysis.
• Orochimaru said original cells were precious but agreed to discuss obtaining them with Danzo, and Simu noted the name Shimura Danzō.

Simu tested Hashirama Cells and discovered their rapid growth, Chakra absorption, and ability to suppress Tailed Beast Chakra, while confirming they could still be damaged by ninjutsu. Danzo sent Orochimaru a sample of Hashirama’s cells and, hoping to gain Wood Release forces and the Hokage position, attended Konoha’s upper-rank meeting while concealing his new powers.

• Simu studied Hashirama Cells in his Blood Pool and found that they rapidly proliferated by consuming nutrients and Chakra, suppressed Tailed Beast Chakra, and could be injured by ninjutsu.
• Danzo agreed to send Orochimaru a sample of Hashirama’s cells, warning that he would reconsider their cooperation if Orochimaru failed again.
• Danzo anticipated that Orochimaru’s success would give him an army of Wood Release ninja and bring the Hokage position within reach.
• At Konoha’s upper-rank meeting, Utatane Koharu asked about Danzo’s bandages, and Danzo dismissed his injuries as the result of an insignificant battle.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked if Danzo was all right, and Danzo claimed that overconfident assassins had tried to undermine Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gathered Konoha’s leaders to address Sunagakure’s advances in the Land of Rivers and revealed Quinque, weapons made from Ghoul tissue, as Konoha’s new secret art. The leaders went to a training ground to test the weapons against Kakashi.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi warned that Konoha needed a decisive victory over Sunagakure without escalating the conflict into another war.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi introduced Dr. Fang Zhu and Arima, a Yugakure survivor, and presented their new weapons to Konoha’s leaders.
• Arima produced a silver-blue electric lance, while Fang Zhu revealed a crimson whip that moved around him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that the weapons, called Quinque, had been made from the tissues and organs of the Ghouls that destroyed Yugakure.
• Danzo said the Quinque needed real combat testing, so the leaders went to a training ground near the Forest of Death with Kakashi as the opponent.

Arima and Fang Zhu demonstrated the combat abilities of their [Quinque] weapons to Konoha’s leaders, who recognized their potential. Hiruzen promoted Fang Zhu to Special Jonin and appointed Itachi Uchiha to teach Arima ninjutsu.

• Arima used his [Quinque] to defend against Kakashi’s attacks and counter with powerful strikes, demonstrating the weapon’s adaptability and strength.
• Kakashi and Arima continued testing Arima’s [Quinque], then Fang Zhu demonstrated the flexibility of his whip-type weapon.
• Fang Zhu explained that [Quinque] were made from Ghoul Kakuhou and required no Chakra, though wielders needed compatibility with each weapon.
• Hiruzen promoted Fang Zhu to Special Jonin after the advisors voiced no objections.
• Hiruzen agreed to arrange ninjutsu lessons for Arima, and Kakashi recommended Itachi Uchiha as his teacher.

After Kakashi introduced Arima to Itachi for ninjutsu training and protection, Simu completed his analysis of Hashirama Cells and prepared three bodies, including one capable of Wood Release. The chapter ended with Simu’s experiments producing an unexpectedly resilient test subject.

• Arima thanked Kakashi, who recommended Itachi as his ninjutsu teacher and protector.
• Itachi arrived, met Arima, and took him to try tricolor dango and coffee before beginning training at the lakeside.
• Simu completed a sixty-percent analysis of Hashirama Cells, enough to reproduce Wood Release.
• Simu prepared Orochimaru’s body with Wood Release genes and made himself a body for infiltrating Konoha.
• Simu discovered that one of Danzo’s test subjects had withstood Hashirama Cells and helped him create Wood Release clones.

Simu gave the nameless Wood Release boy the choice to leave or return to Konoha, and the boy chose to go back. Simu delivered the research results and two boys to Orochimaru, who arranged for Danzo to retrieve them, while the boys remained unable to imagine a life beyond Root.

• The Wood Release boy woke in Simu's care, remembered his painful past, and learned that he could choose his own path.
• The boy chose to return to Konoha despite Simu warning that Danzo might reclaim him for Root.
• Simu gave Orochimaru a scroll containing the boy's body and reported that the Wood Release experiment had succeeded.
• Orochimaru agreed to contact Danzo and keep the two boys overnight until Danzo came to retrieve them.
• The Wood Release boy asked the other boy why he wanted to return, and they realized they could think of nowhere else to go beyond Konoha and Danzo.

Danzo accepted Orochimaru’s two Wood Release subjects, Kinoe and Simu, and brought them to Konoha to join Root. He assigned them codenames and put them under Ryoma’s month-long training.

• Danzo met Orochimaru in a valley, verified that Simu and the other boy possessed Wood Release, and agreed to increase Orochimaru’s funding.
• Danzo took Simu and the other Wood Release boy safely to Konoha and brought them into Root’s underground base.
• Danzo told the boys they had no names or pasts and assigned the other boy the codename Kinoe and Simu the codename B.
• Danzo assigned Ryoma to train Kinoe and B for the next month.

Aburame Ryoma put Simu and Kinoe through Root’s deadly kunai-dodging training, intending to test their abilities. Simu evaded and deflected the barrage without a scratch, leaving Ryoma stunned by his talent.

• Aburame Ryoma introduced himself as commander and began training Simu and Kinoe after Danzo authorized it.
• Simu teased Aburame Ryoma about having a name, irritating him, while Kinoe warned Simu not to anger a Root commander.
• Aburame Ryoma ordered the pair to undergo a lethal kunai-dodging test and forbade them from cooperating.
• Simu volunteered to face the test alone, and Kinoe left the training area as the kunai began firing.
• Simu predicted the kunai’s paths, evaded the initial barrage, then caught and threw a kunai to deflect the denser attack without being hit.

Simu used Wood Release to survive Aburame Ryoma’s intensified training, wrecking the training ground and drawing Danzo’s attention. He accused Ryoma of betraying Root’s principles, and Danzo ordered Ryoma to use his codename again, leaving him worried that Danzo had begun to suspect him.

• Aburame Ryoma ordered the Root ninja to fire more than a hundred Kunai at Simu, telling them to avoid his vital points.
• Simu unleashed Wood Release, raising trees and roots that blocked every Kunai and destroyed the training ground’s walls and launchers.
• Root ninja gathered at the ruined training ground, and Danzo arrived to demand an explanation.
• Simu accused Aburame Ryoma of violating Root’s rules and betraying his beliefs, then declared that such traitors should be killed.
• Danzo stopped Simu and ordered Ryoma to use his codename, leaving Ryoma regretting that he had used his real name.

Danzo took over Simu and Kinoe’s training after Simu claimed he had invented his Wood Release technique himself. He challenged Simu to learn a Wood Release jutsu from a scroll, and Simu mastered it in a minute.

• Danzo questioned Simu about his Wood Release, and Simu said he had created it himself after panicking when kunai flew at him.
• Danzo decided to personally train Kinoe and B, and Aburame Ryoma accepted the change while worrying that Simu’s talent might make him replaceable.
• Danzo brought Simu and Kinoe to an outdoor training ground and laid out a schedule covering ninjutsu, combat, intelligence gathering, and Shinobi World culture.
• Simu argued that learning other skills would ultimately help him kill enemies and learn stronger ninjutsu, leaving Danzo unable to follow his reasoning.
• Danzo gave Simu a scroll of Senju Hashirama’s Wood Release techniques to discourage his ambitions, but Simu understood the jutsu and performed Wood Release: Violent Spear Tree after one minute.

Simu learned and demonstrated two Wood Release techniques almost immediately, astonishing Danzo and Kinoe. Danzo halted Simu’s training and turned his attention to Kinoe, challenging him to match Simu’s ability.

• Simu used Wood Release: Violent Spear Tree to pierce through the training-ground wall, shocking Danzo and Kinoe.
• Simu studied a scroll for a minute and used Wood Release: Four Pillars House Technique to build a wooden house, then dismissed it at Danzo’s request.
• Danzo realized Simu could use Wood Release with only one hand seal and decided to limit his training while seeking a way to control him.
• Danzo gave the scrolls to Kinoe and asked whether he could learn the techniques too.

Simu mastered two ninjutsu quickly, then offered to teach Kinoe Wood Release despite Danzo’s plans to make them compete. Danzo watched their growing bond and tasked Kabuto with preparing a critical Illusion Drug to help turn a talented new subject into an emotionless weapon.

• Kinoe admitted he could not learn the ninjutsu as quickly as Simu, and Danzo warned him not to fall behind.
• Kinoe questioned Simu about seeking Danzo’s approval, and Simu said people gave their own lives meaning.
• Simu punched Kinoe twice to snap him out of his hesitation and offered to teach him Wood Release; Kinoe accepted his hand.
• Danzo secretly watched the boys bond and decided their connection had to be severed to forge emotionless weapons.
• Danzo gave Kabuto a letter from Nonō, then ordered him to prepare an Illusion Drug to use with Genjutsu.

Simu and Kinoe joined Root and were given drugged medicinal meals, after which Danzo tried to reshape Simu’s memories with Genjutsu. The Genjutsu turned against Danzo and forced him to relive Tobirama’s appointment of Hiruzen as the Third Hokage, leaving Danzo furious as his arm erupted into grotesque tentacles.

• Simu and Kinoe trained together, then met Kabuto Yakushi, who delivered Danzo’s medicinal meals and showed them to their rooms.
• Simu ate both portions of the drugged food, and Danzo entered his room to use his Sharingan and Genjutsu on him.
• Danzo’s Genjutsu shifted into a scene from the First Shinobi World War, where Tobirama Senju named Hiruzen Sarutobi his successor before sacrificing himself.
• Danzo relived his hesitation and Hiruzen’s appointment, then roared that he had wanted to become Hokage too.
• Danzo’s arm exploded in a spray of blood, releasing thick, grotesque tentacles.

Danzo imagined killing his rivals, becoming Hokage, destroying the Uchiha Clan, and uniting the Shinobi World before realizing it was an illusion. Simu revealed that he had invaded Danzo’s inner world and stirred his desires and fears.

• In Danzo’s fantasy, he killed Hiruzen Sarutobi and his other companions with overwhelming power and claimed the Hokage position.
• Danzo used Wood Release, political bargains, and a story about inheriting Tobirama Senju’s will to secure his appointment as Third Hokage.
• Danzo imagined leading Konoha to exterminate the Uchiha Clan, win the Second Shinobi World War, and unify the Shinobi World.
• Danzo woke in a dim room, recognized that his right arm and Sharingan had not changed, and concluded he had suffered backlash from Genjutsu.
• After Danzo left, Simu opened his eyes and explained that he had invaded Danzo’s inner world through their connection to awaken his desire and fear.

Danzo reflected on his dream of becoming the God of Shinobi and blamed Hiruzen for Konoha’s growing troubles. Meanwhile, Simu established a network of beetles to spy on Konoha and considered how to weaken the village for the Jashin Cult.

• Danzo examined his Hashirama-cell arm and eleven Sharingan, then concealed them again beneath bandages.
• Danzo blamed Hiruzen for Konoha’s loss of strength, the Uchiha tensions, and the village’s other problems, and believed Wood Release could make Kinoe and B powerful weapons.
• Simu planted insect eggs throughout Konoha, creating a beetle network to monitor Danzo, the major clans, and the village’s personnel.
• Simu considered exploiting the Jashin Cult’s name to stir up trouble in Konoha and gain reputation points.

Simu displayed his Wood Release skills to Danzo and flattered him into considering himself Konoha’s true Shadow. Danzo praised Simu’s talent and gave him the First’s Wood Human Technique scroll, while Simu planned to use Root’s resources to grow stronger.

• Simu called Danzo Konoha’s true Shadow and urged him to take the Hokage seat, while Danzo warned him not to act without orders.
• Simu demonstrated Wood Clones, Tree World Wall, Giant Wood Technique, Silent Killing Binding Technique, and Great Forest Technique, impressing Danzo.
• Simu argued that he needed to become stronger before he could kill the Third Hokage for Danzo, and Danzo stopped him from saying more.
• Danzo gave Simu a scroll containing the First’s Wood Human Technique, pleased by Simu’s loyalty and performance.
• Simu accepted the scroll and resolved to keep demonstrating his talent so Danzo would invest more resources in him.

Arima trained with Itachi and revealed a new Swordsman form for his Quinque, but Itachi’s Sharingan genjutsu showed how much stronger he still needed to become. Arima resumed his demanding training, having developed three Quinque forms while seeking a way to combine ninjutsu with them.

• Arima used his Quinque’s Swordsman form to break Itachi’s shuriken trap and sever the control threads, then countered Itachi’s Fireball Jutsu with an Earth Wall.
• Itachi caught Arima in a genjutsu with his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, and Kakashi woke Arima from the illusion.
• Kakashi praised Arima’s progress but recognized that his current strength was nowhere near enough to face the Jashin Cult.
• Itachi told Arima that he might need to use his full strength in their next spar, and Arima challenged him to be careful.
• Arima returned to training, developing the Knight, Swordsman, and Shield Soldier forms while working to combine ninjutsu with his Quinque.

Arima and Itachi ate three-color dango and discovered that Itachi’s greatest joy was his little brother, Sasuke. On their way back, they encountered a crowd accusing the Red Spider Lily Merchant Guild of selling ineffective Military Ration Pills, and the Konoha Military Police Force began investigating.

• Arima bathed after training, then went with Itachi to buy and eat three-color dango.
• Itachi told Arima that spending time with his little brother, Sasuke, made him happier than eating dango.
• Arima and Itachi found a crowd accusing the Red Spider Lily Merchant Guild of selling Military Ration Pills that had failed on the battlefield and led to ninja deaths.
• Itachi used a crow to observe the dispute and spotted an Arms Hall employee among the crowd, raising the possibility of merchant competition behind the incident.
• Uchiha Inabi and the Konoha Military Police Force arrived and questioned the crowd and Duo Mu, the guild’s Konoha representative.
• Duo Mu agreed to let the Konoha Military Police Force inspect the Red Spider Lily Merchant Guild.