Chapter Summaries

After two and a half years of sealed-off training in Shikkotsu Forest, Shuji's Byakugan began its third awakening, and he reviewed how much stronger he had become. He planned to return to Konoha before intensifying his physical training to endure the Eight Inner Gates.

• After nearly two and a half years of training, Shuji's Byakugan underwent its third fetal movement, so he took a rare day off to await its new ocular jutsu.
• Shuji assessed his gains: his Chakra had nearly tripled, his Nen Energy had almost doubled, and he had learned to use outside nen aura with Chakra to create senjutsu Chakra.
• Shuji noted that he could maintain the seventh gate for ten minutes and decided to strengthen his body through external tempering, possibly using Katsuyu Sage's acid.
• Before raising the intensity of his training, Shuji decided to return to Konoha.

Tsunade argued against recalling Shuji from Shikkotsu Forest while he could still improve, and Danzō unexpectedly agreed that he should keep training. Shuji discussed crystallizing Nen Energy with Katsuyu Sage but remained reluctant to leave before mastering the Cloud-Piercing Nen Magnetic Field.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō asked Tsunade to check how Shuji's Sage Mode training had progressed after two and a half years.
• Tsunade argued that Shuji should continue training and suggested recalling Jiraiya from the Land of Rain instead.
• Shimura Danzō agreed with Tsunade that Shuji should keep training, despite Sarutobi Hiruzen's surprise at his change of position.
• Shuji asked Katsuyu Sage whether Nen Energy could crystallize and explained that he wanted to master the Cloud-Piercing Nen Magnetic Field.
• Katsuyu Sage reminded Shuji that he should return to Konoha, but Shuji said he wanted to save Sage Mode for last and continue training in Shikkotsu Forest.

Shuji returned to Konoha after training in Shikkotsu Forest, having mastered Sage Mode and begun working toward permanent senjutsu. He planned to visit Kushina and stay in the village while his eyes stabilized before continuing his training.

• Shuji asked Sarutobi Hiruzen about his mission pay, then greeted Danzo and told him he had learned Sage Mode.
• Shuji said he had clues for developing permanent senjutsu and would return to Shikkotsu Forest later to study senjutsu techniques.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo discussed how Shuji's Sage Mode had strengthened Konoha's position in the event of war.
• Danzo told Shuji that Kushina had become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and was being kept behind a barrier at Training Ground 5.
• Shuji explained that his eyes might evolve again, so he would stay in Konoha until they stabilized; Sarutobi Hiruzen invited him to dinner the following night.
• Shuji accepted the invitation and left to visit Kushina.

Shuji returned and reunited with Kushina and the others, finding Nawaki serving as an Anbu squad leader and already able to sense Natural Energy. He explained how to enter Sage Mode and warned Nawaki that an imbalanced mix of chakra and Natural Energy could naturalize his body.

• Nawaki confronted Hyuga Hiashi near Training Ground 5 while his Anbu subordinates faced Hizashi Hyuga, Hyuga Hinagiku, and Namikaze Minato.
• Shuji arrived, gave Nawaki's scroll to Minato, and walked over to Kushina with Nawaki beside him.
• Hiashi mocked Nawaki for not mastering Wood Release, and Nawaki retorted that he was still better than a Chunin.
• Nawaki asked Shuji about Sage Mode and revealed that he had sensed Natural Energy; Shuji praised his progress as an Anbu squad leader.
• Shuji told Nawaki to balance Natural Energy and chakra at a one-to-one ratio to enter Sage Mode, then warned that an imbalance could naturalize his body.

Shuji offered to help Nawaki train in Sage Mode while remaining in Konoha, then entered Kushina’s mind to confront the Nine-Tails after its chakra began surfacing. He asked Kurama to become Kushina’s ally and proposed making a deal, leaving the Nine-Tails wary and angry.

• Nawaki hesitated to leave the Anbu for Sage Mode training, and Shuji offered to train him while staying in Konoha.
• Shuji revealed that his Byakugan was close to evolving again and told Nawaki to protect Kushina.
• Kushina’s Nine-Tails chakra surfaced, and Shuji used his gaze to enter her inner world.
• Shuji called the Nine-Tails Kurama and asked it to become friends with Kushina and fight alongside her.
• Kurama attacked Shuji, but Shuji blocked the chakra tentacles with his golden Nen Guard and proposed a deal.

Shuji offered the Nine-Tails a taste of Nen Energy and proposed that it befriend Kushina in exchange for a chance to learn senjutsu and eventual freedom. The Nine-Tails agreed to give Kushina a chance, while Shuji left without teaching it the technique.

• Shuji infused the Nine-Tails with Nen Energy, temporarily strengthening it and letting it experience Sage Mode.
• The Nine-Tails said it could now break through its seal, but Shuji warned that he would stop it and threatened to send it into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Shuji asked the Nine-Tails to cooperate with Kushina, promising to help it learn senjutsu and free it after Kushina died naturally.
• The Nine-Tails agreed to give Kushina a chance to become its friend, accepting that their Jinchuriki bond could not be ended without someone dying.
• When the Nine-Tails demanded to know how to master the technique, Shuji said Kushina would teach it after they became friends and disappeared.
• The Nine-Tails raised its paw to strike the cage, then stopped because it feared the consequences of breaking free.

Shuji negotiated with the Nine-Tails and gave Kushina a way to bargain for its continued cooperation, but the fox demanded a fight with him. As Konoha prepared to contain the confrontation, Shuji entered Sage Mode and raised a golden barrier around Training Ground 5.

• Inside Kushina's mental space, Shuji told her that mastering Natural Energy could serve as a bargaining chip with the Nine-Tails, then disappeared.
• The Nine-Tails asked Kushina whether she wanted to defeat Shuji, and she later told Shuji that it wanted to fight him.
• Shuji agreed to face the Nine-Tails and asked Nawaki to have the Hokage and Danzō seal off the area around Training Ground 5.
• Danzō ordered the Anbu, Root, and village jonin to establish security perimeters while Nawaki reported what had happened to Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Shuji taunted the Nine-Tails as its Nen Energy faded, then stood up, entered Sage Mode, and enclosed Training Ground 5 in a golden barrier.

Shuji entered Sage Mode and fought Kushina’s Nine-Tails using his Sage Art: Judgment Golden Thunder Tiger. After their first clash, Shuji pressed the weakened Nine-Tails with another attack, determined to force it back into Kushina.

• Hiruzen and Danzo compared Shuji’s rapid Sage Mode entry to Jiraiya’s and Hashirama’s.
• Kushina’s Nine-Tails emerged as Shuji formed a massive golden-blue Judgment Golden Thunder Tiger inside his Nen Guard.
• The Nine-Tails attacked Shuji, and Shuji countered with Sage Art: Lion’s Roar, sending nine Nen Beads against its tails.
• The Nine-Tails bit the tiger’s neck, but Shuji had shifted the Sage Chakra there, while the clash stripped Nen from the beast’s wounded body.
• Shuji launched another attack on the Nine-Tails, intending to force it back into Kushina.

Shuji used Sage Mode and genjutsu to defeat the Nine-Tails and return it to Kushina, then explained his power to the gathered shinobi. The chapter ended with Danzo asking why Shuji had helped the Nine-Tails enter Sage Mode, while Hyuga Kiyosada and Hyuga Chinatsu watched their son proudly.

• Shuji struck the Nine-Tails with the Judgment Golden Thunder Tiger as Sarutobi Hiruzen raised Earth Walls around the battle.
• Shuji pinned the Nine-Tails' tails with golden-blue cones, controlled it with genjutsu, and redirected its Tailed Beast Bomb into the sky, where a Nen Bead detonated it.
• The Nine-Tails returned to Kushina, and Tsunade's medical ninja took the unconscious Kushina to Konoha Hospital as Nawaki followed with his subordinates.
• Shuji told Tsunade that her Sage Mode training would progress once she had more time, and explained to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru that he had used Nen Energy to help the Nine-Tails enter Sage Mode.
• Danzo asked Shuji why he had helped the Nine-Tails enter Sage Mode as Hyuga Kiyosada and Hyuga Chinatsu watched him with pride.

Shuji explained that he wanted Kushina to use the Nine-Tails’ desire for Sage Mode as leverage, then reunited with Chinatsu and his family before leaving with them. The village leaders planned to meet with Shuji again, while Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen bickered after he regretted Shuji was not part of the Shimura family.

• Shuji told Danzō and Orochimaru that showing the Nine-Tails its strength in Sage Mode would make it seek the method from Kushina, giving her leverage over it.
• Chinatsu asked Shuji why he had returned and learned that he would soon go back to Shikkotsu Forest to continue training after his Byakugan stabilized.
• Shuji joked with Chinatsu about his absence and his Byakugan’s fetal movements, and she scolded him before telling him to go home with his family.
• Shuji said goodbye to Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, who accepted Kiyosada’s invitation to a family banquet.
• Danzō regretted that Shuji was not from the Shimura family, and Sarutobi Hiruzen’s reply left him speechless.

Shuji returned home exhausted after helping the Nine-Tails enter Sage Mode, then considered ways to improve his Nen Energy and techniques while his Byakugan remained unstable. Meanwhile, the Nine-Tails tried to persuade Kushina to share the Sage Mode training method in exchange for cooperation, but she remained wary of it.

• Chinatsu asked Shuji about starting a family, then discussed his Senjutsu-based lifespan technique and Nen Energy training with him.
• Shuji arrived home exhausted, and Chinatsu arranged food, a bath, fresh clothes, and rest for him.
• While bathing, Shuji used Nen Energy to soothe his unstable Byakugan and considered crystallizing Nen Energy and developing a humanoid version of the Judgment Golden Thunder Tiger.
• The Nine-Tails offered to cooperate with Kushina if she taught it how to cultivate Sage Mode.
• Kushina questioned whether the Nine-Tails would keep its promise, noting that it had tried to control her body the previous day.

Shuji woke up to visitors at his home and explained senjutsu training to Orochimaru. He arranged to help Nawaki master senjutsu while Nawaki protected Kushina, and the chapter ended with Konoha’s leaders discussing the young ninja’s progress and the future of the war.

• The Nine-Tails admitted that Kushina was right and held back from threatening her, wary of facing Shuji if she did not wake up.
• Hinagiku tried to startle Shuji with her cold hand, but he woke and splashed water on her, prompting her to attack him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō visited Shuji with Orochimaru, Sakumo, and others, and Shuji explained how to cultivate senjutsu by balancing Nen Energy and Chakra.
• Shuji said Nawaki had sensed Natural Energy and offered to train him at Training Ground 5 while he continued protecting Kushina; Sarutobi Hiruzen approved.
• Tsunade said Nawaki had grasped the basics of the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Sakumo looked forward to restoring Anbu’s Fifth Squad once Nawaki mastered it.

Shuji trained Nawaki to combine Nen Energy with chakra while nurturing his Byakugan. In the Land of Water, Mikoto demonstrated her newly mastered Lightning Release Chakra Mode, reunited with Shuji, and told him she had missed him.

• Shuji sent a shadow clone to help Nawaki begin training with Nen Energy and chakra while he nurtured his Byakugan.
• Mikoto ordered her three subordinates to rest overnight before returning to Konoha, with the possibility of leaving early if needed.
• Mikoto chose her black training outfit, went to a secluded place near Kirigakure, and used Shuji’s Flying Thunder God-marked kunai to summon him.
• Mikoto charged at Shuji with her sword, but he dodged and struck her in the chest, knocking her down.
• Mikoto embraced Shuji after he lifted her to her feet, and she told him she had missed him.

Shuji and Mikoto shared an intimate reunion after she gave him blessed prayer beads, then walked together while discussing his Sage Mode training and his return to Konoha. Mikoto remained torn between her feelings for Shuji and the pressure to keep her Anbu position, which Uchiha Fugaku wanted to use to strengthen his clan leadership and access intelligence.

• Mikoto gave Shuji a set of blessed prayer beads, and Shuji kissed her after she asked him to go shopping.
• Shuji told Mikoto that he had Flying Thunder God Marks in Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure, so they decided to walk in a nearby town instead.
• Mikoto concealed Shuji's Byakugan with sunglasses, and Shuji told her he had learned Sage Mode and returned to Konoha to rest while his Byakugan approached another evolution.
• Mikoto agreed to visit Shuji in Konoha when she could, but she knew she could not leave Anbu because she needed to grow strong enough to choose her own future.
• Mikoto thought that Uchiha Fugaku wanted her to become his wife so he could secure his position as clan head and gain early access to Anbu intelligence, while Uchiha Chisaku increased the pressure on her.

Shuji and Mikoto shopped for an outfit and stopped at an inn, where Mikoto hoped to spend time with him but Shuji focused on her training. He urged her to concentrate on sensing Nen Energy so she could pursue Sage Mode and eventually train as a Nen Master.

• Mikoto tried on a pale blue kimono, and Shuji praised it before paying for it.
• Mikoto thanked Shuji and linked arms with him as they left the shop.
• Mikoto declined to return to Konoha and asked to rest at an inn with Shuji.
• Shuji booked two rooms, and Mikoto sat in his room while wondering whether he was uninterested in her.
• Shuji asked whether Mikoto had sensed Natural Energy and told her to focus on sensing it, now calling it Nen Energy.

Shuji taught Mikoto how to calm her heart to sense Nen Energy and showed her the golden energy in his palm. Mikoto then sat on Shuji, kissed him, and quietly asked him to love her.

• Mikoto asked Shuji for advice on comprehending Nen Energy, and he told her to calm her heart.
• Shuji explained that Mikoto should let stray thoughts run their course until she understood she could not change the past, control every future outcome, or always obtain what she wanted.
• Shuji advised Mikoto to practice outdoors and said she would sense Nen Energy in nature once her heart was calm.
• Shuji formed golden Nen Energy in his palm and let its particles linger around Mikoto before they vanished.
• Mikoto promised to sense Nen Energy within three years, sat on Shuji, kissed him, and whispered, "Love me."

Mikoto and Shuji discussed their future after spending the night together, and Mikoto resolved to master Sage Mode and strengthen her standing in the Uchiha clan before having children. Shuji promised support while continuing his training, and Mikoto prepared to follow his instructions as he returned to Shikkotsu Forest.

• Mikoto woke beside Shuji and used a Shadow Clone to leave and buy breakfast.
• Mikoto asked Shuji about having children, and they agreed to wait while she focused on Sage Mode and her place in the Uchiha clan.
• Shuji promised to take responsibility and offered help, but Mikoto asked him to trust her until she truly needed it.
• Shuji told Mikoto to master Sage Mode before his Shikkotsu Forest training ended and reminded her that the Eight Inner Gates were crucial.
• Mikoto asked whether she could summon Shuji when she missed him, and he said he might send a Shadow Clone if he was busy.
• Shuji instructed Mikoto to sense Nen Energy and practice the Eight Inner Gates and Spirit Transformation Technique.

Shuji told Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō that he and Mikoto were a couple and explained her plan to win over the Uchiha through the Anbu and become clan head. Hiruzen and Danzō considered how to help her while addressing their concerns about the Uchiha.

• After spending the morning with Mikoto, Shuji returned to Konoha with her and her three subordinates in the afternoon.
• Shuji went to the Hokage's office and found Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō already in a tense discussion.
• Shuji said he was dating Mikoto and asked about the village's attitude toward the Uchiha.
• Shuji explained that Mikoto wanted to use her Anbu position to win over Uchiha talent and become clan head without his interference.
• Danzō suggested Shuji could change girlfriends and marry into the Shimura family, but Hiruzen immediately stopped him.
• Hiruzen asked Shuji to share any ideas for helping Mikoto, while expressing his reluctance to see an Uchiha become Hokage.

Shuji proposed building trust between the village and the Uchiha by helping Mikoto become clan head and opening village roles to Uchiha members. Sarutobi Hiruzen accepted Shuji’s assurance that he could stop an Uchiha uprising, but warned that Mikoto’s leadership might make the clan even less willing to let her marry into the Hyuga clan.

• Shuji proposed helping Mikoto become head of the Uchiha clan, and Danzo agreed to help after teasing him about his feelings for her.
• Shuji suggested admitting qualified Uchiha into the Anbu and opening village management positions to them, while Danzo questioned the risk of strengthening the clan.
• Shuji said the village should enforce its rules and promised to make the Uchiha disappear if they used force; Sarutobi Hiruzen asked whether he could do it.
• Shuji confidently answered yes, and Sarutobi Hiruzen accepted his assurance that he stood with the village.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen warned that Mikoto becoming clan head could make the Uchiha less willing to let her marry into the Hyuga clan and could cost her the position if she chose Shuji over the clan.

Shuji proposed using his overwhelming strength to prevent the Uchiha Clan from rebelling while letting them blame the Hyuga Clan, and Sarutobi Hiruzen approved the plan. The Uchiha would be free to grow stronger and serve the village, while Shuji expected Uchiha Mikoto to become clan head.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen argued that the village held enough power to bring the Uchiha Clan into its upper ranks and manage the risks.
• Shuji said he still wanted Uchiha Mikoto to become clan head, but would let her pursue it as she wished.
• Shuji explained that the Uchiha and Hyuga bloodline limits made compromise difficult, then proposed letting the Hyuga Clan play the villain.
• Shuji said he would defeat the Uchiha Clan and take Uchiha Mikoto away openly, making clear that the Uchiha could not rely on force to rebel.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen approved the plan, expecting the Uchiha to quietly grow stronger and create value for the village.