Recaps

Simu expanded the Jashin Cult’s influence while manipulating Sunagakure’s research and Gaara’s growing isolation. After Yashamaru’s death drove Gaara to release Shukaku, the beast began destroying the village as Simu confronted Rasa.

• Rasa examined the captured monster while Sasori saw its body and instincts as materials for a new puppet, and Hanzo’s forces faced Pain’s invasion of Amegakure.
• Pain killed Hanzo, took control of Amegakure with Konan and his allies, and Nagato vowed to carry on Yahiko’s dream.
• Simu began recruiting Akatsuki members and trading rain-resistant rice seeds for Nagato’s ninjutsu-absorption principles, while his merchant guild sold Military Ration Pills in Sunagakure.
• Simu suppressed Shukaku inside Gaara and secretly moved its Chakra through his insect network as he introduced dangerous desert creatures and grew the Jashin Cult’s following.
• Kawanishi embraced the Jashin Cult, gained Scorpion Jade abilities, and earned a position in Sunagakure’s research laboratory, while Rasa partnered with Simu’s merchant guild.
• Simu told Gaara that people feared him like sheep feared a tiger, but Rasa arranged for Yashamaru to test Gaara as a weapon, and Yashamaru’s betrayal and death left Gaara declaring his love for himself.
• Simu weakened Rasa’s seal as Gaara released Shukaku, and explosions spread across Sunagakure while the beast began its rampage.
• Simu recorded Shukaku’s destruction as experimental data and faced Rasa’s Gold Dust attack as the Kazekage abandoned his plan to confront the beast first.

Simu captured Gaara and Shukaku, recruited Sasori into the Jashin Cult and Akatsuki, and experimented with separating Shukaku’s chakra and soul. The raid strengthened the cult’s reputation, while Simu prepared new biological weapons and gave Hidan a Tailed Beast Chakra cloak.

• Simu and Rasa battled over Sunagakure until Rasa sealed Simu, but Shukaku devastated the village before Rasa sealed the One-Tail back into Gaara.
• Simu escaped through an explosion that poisoned and destroyed part of Sunagakure, while Hidan kidnapped Gaara and fled with him into the desert.
• Sasori fought Hidan at a hidden base, then joined Simu’s Jashin Cult after Simu stopped Sasori from crushing Hidan with Iron Sand.
• Sasori defeated Youji’s Sand Shinobi with his puppets and the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand, and Simu escaped with Gaara and six captured Jonin.
• Simu studied Shukaku’s chakra and developed a Yin-Yang Seal that separated chakra and soul, then extracted part of Shukaku into himself before sealing Shukaku back inside Gaara.
• Sunagakure adopted Scorpion Jade and Military Ration Pills, while Root investigated the new weapons and Hiruzen ordered an inquiry into the village’s defeat and Shukaku’s disappearance.
• Simu brought Sasori and Gaara to Akatsuki headquarters, where Pain welcomed Sasori and announced that the members would seal the One-Tail in seven days.
• Simu discussed extending life with Orochimaru, developed new combat creatures, and implanted a Tailed Beast · Kara into Hidan, though Little Shukaku’s limited chakra prevented wider use.

Simu helped Gaara recover, collaborated with Orochimaru to create Wood Release users, and entered Root as B, where he manipulated Danzo while showcasing his abilities. Meanwhile, Arima trained with Itachi in Konoha and became caught up in a dispute over the Red Spider Lily Merchant Guild.

• Simu helped Gaara survive Shukaku’s extraction, then revealed the truth about Rasa and Yashamaru and agreed to help Gaara grow strong enough to destroy Sunagakure.
• Simu collaborated with Orochimaru on Hashirama Cells, created Wood Release users, and entered Konoha with Kinoe under Danzo’s protection.
• Danzo assigned Simu the codename B and subjected him and Kinoe to Root training, but Simu’s Wood Release quickly outstripped his expectations.
• Simu used Danzo’s Genjutsu to stir his buried desire to become Hokage, then secretly monitored Konoha and encouraged Danzo to pursue the position.
• Arima trained with Itachi, improved his Quinque combat forms, and learned that Itachi valued time with his younger brother Sasuke.
• Arima and Itachi investigated a crowd accusing the Red Spider Lily Merchant Guild of selling defective Military Ration Pills, and the Konoha Military Police Force agreed to inspect the guild.

Simu backed the Uchiha rebellion while secretly pursuing his own plans, and Danzo’s attempt to seize Shisui’s eye shattered the clan’s fragile hopes for peace. Shisui disappeared, Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, and Hiruzen forced Danzo to transfer Simu and Kinoe to ANBU, leaving Danzo to wonder whether his stolen eye made him strong enough to challenge the Hokage.

• Inabi’s inspection found no problem with the guild’s Military Ration Pills, but Simu attacked the Uchiha Police Force and defeated Inabi with a genjutsu that revealed a dark creature and a many-faceted eye.
• Danzo argued with Hiruzen over the Uchiha and their possible coup, while Simu assessed Konoha’s strength and secretly used his confinement to obtain food and learn Wood Release.
• Itachi warned Fugaku against rebellion, while Shisui revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and promised Hiruzen he would use Kotoamatsukami to stop Fugaku if necessary.
• Simu mastered Wood Release, uncovered the Hyuga Clan’s hidden collection of Byakugan, and secretly taught Neji an advanced Gentle Fist technique.
• Fugaku and Elder Eagle accepted the Red Spider Lily Merchant Guild’s offer of supplies and help moving some Uchiha out of Konoha, while Simu decided to support the rebellion.
• Danzo ambushed Shisui, used Izanagi to take one of his eyes, and sent Root after the other, and Shisui fought back with Susanoo before Simu trapped him with a Wood Dragon and secretly took him for analysis.
• Shisui’s final message warned Itachi not to seek revenge, and Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, and the Uchiha declared Shisui’s disappearance a suicide and Itachi clashed with Fugaku and Inabi.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzo to transfer Simu and Kinoe from Root to ANBU, leaving Danzo furious and increasingly confident in the power of Shisui’s stolen Mangekyō Sharingan.