Chapter Summaries

Shuji told Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō that his Byakugan might evolve again, making high-intensity combat inconvenient, while Nawaki and Hiashi's argument nearly damaged Hiruzen's office. After Shuji stopped the fight and saved the window, Danzo discussed safe travel plans with him.

• Shuji said his Byakugan was stirring and he should avoid intense combat for now, prompting Hiashi to boast about the Byakugan and Shuji to tease him.
• Hiashi grabbed Nawaki, who escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Hiashi fired an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm as Shuji encouraged the quarrel.
• Nawaki redirected his attack toward Shuji, who caught his punch, while a Chakra Nen Bead blocked the Vacuum Palm from hitting Sarutobi Hiruzen's window.
• Hiashi told Nawaki that Shuji could currently match the Senju family's forbidden-technique expertise, and Sarutobi Hiruzen scolded both boys for their reckless behavior.
• Danzo had Nawaki and Hiashi thank Shuji for preventing damage, then advised Shuji to avoid certain countries on his trip; Shuji agreed and sat back down.

Shuji returned to Konoha and agreed to stay for a few days, while Nawaki and Hiashi took him out to celebrate. In the meantime, Zetsu proposed a revised plan to Uchiha Madara that involved allying with Iwagakure and preparing Nagato to become the Ten-Tails’ Jinchuriki.

• Nawaki demanded that Shuji treat him and Hiashi to sukiyaki, and Shuji agreed while warning them he would visit their teachers the next day.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō persuaded Shuji to stay in Konoha for a few days, and Danzō gave Hinagiku time off as well.
• Nawaki led Shuji out of the Hokage’s office with Hiashi following, while Danzō stole the permanent Sage Mode scroll from Sarutobi Hiruzen and provoked a fight.
• Zetsu warned Uchiha Madara that Konoha had four known Sage Mode users and had nearly located Nagato, making Konoha a major threat to the Akatsuki.
• Zetsu proposed seeking an alliance with Iwagakure, moving Uchiha Madara’s body near Nagato, and teaching Nagato to become the Ten-Tails’ Jinchuriki so he could be controlled to revive Madara if needed.

Uchiha Madara explained his plans to Black Zetsu, while Shuji taught Konoha’s sage-mode masters how to cultivate permanent Sage Mode and described the links between sage arts, the Spirit Transformation Technique, and the Eight Inner Gates. The gathering learned that Nen Energy could remove the body’s gates and permanently raise chakra capacity, but Shuji warned them about the dangers of fighting without those protections.

• Uchiha Madara began explaining his thoughts to Black Zetsu after Black Zetsu asked for instructions.
• Shuji gathered Konoha’s seventeen Sage Mode users at Sarutobi Hiruzen’s home and explained how spiritual-body cultivation could strengthen spiritual energy and affect ocular Kekkei Genkai.
• Shuji told Jiraiya and the others that Nen Energy could break through the body’s Eight Inner Gates, allowing freer Nen flow and chakra reserves comparable to the Seventh Gate.
• Shuji warned the ninja that removing their gates also removed bodily protections, and advised them to study Medical Ninjutsu and monitor their condition.
• Mikoto watched Shuji affectionately, and the two quietly touched hands as the lesson continued.

At a gathering of Konoha leaders and shinobi, Shuji’s relationship with Mikoto became apparent, and the group discussed his new training system. The chapter ended with Shuji proposing names for the system: Mad Tiger Emperor, then Bloodia.

• Mikoto secretly showed affection for Shuji under the table, while the others noticed and reacted quietly.
• Danzō urged Orochimaru to study Sage Mode before continuing work on the New Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Hiruzen asked Shuji to name the new training system he had developed.
• Shuji named the system Mad Tiger Emperor, prompting Jian, Red Fox, and Sakumo to spray their tea and draw Danzō’s suspicious attention.
• Shuji offered Bloodia as an alternative name if women disliked Mad Tiger Emperor.

Jian explained his past with Shuji to Danzō, who defended Shuji’s right to name the techniques he had developed. Shuji demonstrated the basis for the titles Mad Tiger Emperor and Bloodia in Hiruzen’s dojo, leaving the gathered shinobi amazed by his power.

• Jian explained to Danzō how he had first met Shuji during the Second Shinobi World War, easing Danzō’s icy stare.
• Hiruzen, Sakumo, Red Fox, Nawaki, Hiashi, and Hinagiku reacted to Shuji’s proposed technique titles, while Danzō insisted Shuji had the right to name them.
• Shuji asked Hiruzen for a dojo, and Hiruzen led the gathered shinobi to his home.
• Shuji combined Chakra and Nen Energy to create golden-blue lotuses with Thousand Lotus Bloom.
• Shuji transformed the lotuses into the Nen Beast: Judgment Golden Thunder Tiger, and Orochimaru wondered if this was Bloodia and the Mad Tiger Emperor.

Shuji demonstrated his Dharma Image: God of War and discussed Konoha’s plans for Sage Mode training with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō. He declined to lecture immediately or take a regular job, but agreed to mentor a few disciples.

• Shuji formed Dharma Image: God of War from his golden-blue chakra and asked the gathered ninjas if they wanted to learn it.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Shuji that he and Shimura Danzō would select Sage Mode trainees within three days and asked him to teach them later; Shuji declined the first lesson but agreed to explain permanent Sage Mode training in the future.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said the village planned to honor Shuji with a statue on Hokage Rock, and Shuji accepted.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed that Might Duy train in Sage Mode, and Shuji agreed to visit him the next evening.
• Shuji asked whether he could avoid working, and Shimura Danzō assured him the village would support him for life if he took a few disciples; Shuji agreed to mentor some.

Shuji enjoyed a quiet morning with Mikoto, then taught Might Duy and Might Guy how to train in Sage Mode. Hatake Sakumo asked Shuji to take Kakashi as a disciple, and Shuji agreed to consider it after he returned from leaving the village.

• Shuji woke beside Mikoto and spent the morning with her.
• Shuji visited Might Duy and Might Guy at the training ground and taught them the method for training in Sage Mode.
• Hatake Sakumo invited Shuji to eat and told him that his son Kakashi was a talented Chunin and Anbu member.
• Shuji agreed to take Kakashi as a disciple if Kakashi still lacked a teacher and wanted to join after Shuji returned to the village.

Shuji agreed to consider taking Kakashi as his disciple and planned a training path to address the Chidori’s weakness. He left Sakumo to prepare Kakashi in the Eight Inner Gates and Spirit Transformation Technique, and promised to teach him Lightning Release Chakra Mode when he returned.

• Sakumo told Shuji that Kakashi had sensed Nen Energy after training in senjutsu, and Shuji asked him to have Kakashi learn the Eight Inner Gates and Spirit Transformation Technique.
• Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen joined Shuji and Sakumo, and they discussed Kakashi’s talent and the flaws of his A-rank Chidori.
• Sakumo explained that Chidori’s speed outstripped most ninja’s reaction time, while Danzo compared it to the Raikage’s Hell Stab.
• Shuji suggested Lightning Release Chakra Mode and spiritual-body training as ways to improve Kakashi’s reaction speed.
• Shuji promised to teach Kakashi Lightning Release Chakra Mode after he returned.

Shuji explained that he planned to travel to rest, study Nen, and search for useful materials, while keeping his focus on gaining the Tenseigan. He said he would leave the next day, and Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō immediately tried to arrange for him to teach their sons and nephew.

• Shuji told Sarutobi Hiruzen that he wanted to travel to gain insight into Nen and look for materials, while continuing to pursue the Tenseigan as his priority.
• Shuji said he would set out tomorrow, and Danzō advised him not to put too much pressure on himself.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a toast to Shuji and asked him to teach his second son, Sarutobi Asuma.
• Danzō recommended his nephew as a student, prompting Sarutobi Hiruzen to shout, "Shimura Danzō!"

Shuji met his three new disciples and watched Sarutobi Asuma and Shimura Satoru fight. He told Kakashi that the Eight Inner Gates and Spirit Transformation Technique would form the foundation of his training, then sent him to challenge the other two using Sage Mode.

• Shuji met Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, and Shimura Satoru at Konoha's Third Training Ground and provoked Asuma and Satoru into sparring.
• Asuma and Satoru began exchanging taijutsu blows while Shuji asked Kakashi whether he regretted leaving the Anbu to train under him.
• Kakashi said he believed Shuji could teach him more than the Root Division or Anbu, and explained that he could already enter Sage Mode.
• Shuji named the Eight Inner Gates and Spirit Transformation Technique as foundational training for Kakashi.
• Shuji told Kakashi to defeat Asuma and Satoru using Sage Mode.

Shuji watched Sarutobi Asuma and Shimura Satoru fight Kakashi, then obtained a scroll on Lightning Release Chakra Mode to teach him. After the battle, Shuji assessed his disciples and set their next training priorities.

• Sarutobi Asuma and Shimura Satoru coordinated a fire-and-wind attack against Kakashi, but he defeated them.
• Mikoto, Nawaki, Hiashi, Minato, Kushina, and the others arrived to watch the fight.
• Shuji asked for a Lightning Release Chakra Mode training scroll, and Nawaki teased him before Mikoto offered one in exchange for spending the night together.
• Hiashi offered Shuji another scroll without conditions, but Shuji chose Mikoto's scroll and accepted her condition.
• Shuji praised Asuma and Shimura Satoru's teamwork, identified their need for taijutsu and Chakra control training, and urged them to master the Spirit Transformation Technique and Sage Mode.

Shuji gave Kakashi three technique scrolls and assigned him to train with Asuma and Shimura Satoru while he was away. He then encouraged Mikoto to spar with Hiashi and agreed to give Minato guidance.

• Shuji advised Kakashi to improve his chakra and Nen Energy control and gave him scrolls for Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Spirit Transformation Technique, and Eight Inner Gates.
• Shuji asked Kakashi to guide Asuma and Shimura Satoru during their training in the Root Division, and the three accepted his test.
• Mikoto asked Hiashi to spar with her, while Nawaki teased her about having once defeated Shuji at the Ninja Academy.
• Shuji challenged Nawaki to spar, but Nawaki backed down, and Mikoto kissed Shuji on the cheek.
• Hiashi agreed to spar with Mikoto, and Shuji told them to use every method and promised to stop them if needed.
• Minato asked Shuji for guidance, and Shuji agreed to train with him.

Shuji explained how Nawaki could counter Mikoto’s speed and Sharingan by using his chakra reserves defensively and choosing tactics suited to his strengths. As Mikoto and Hiashi began their battle with Sharingan, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Sage Mode in play, the fight remained underway.

• Mikoto drew her sword, activated her Sharingan, and enveloped herself in purple lightning, surprising Kakashi.
• Shuji explained purple lightning and discussed how Mikoto’s speed and genjutsu could overcome Nawaki’s chakra advantage.
• Nawaki asked Shuji for advice, and Shuji recommended Chakra Surround: Defense, a chakra shield, and Chakra Cloak: Assault.
• Nawaki accepted Shuji’s tactics, while Kakashi listened to Shuji’s lesson about adapting strategies to each opponent.
• Hiashi entered Sage Mode and Lightning Release Chakra Mode as the battle began.

Mikoto and Hiashi fought with their distinct styles until Mikoto gained the upper hand, then Shuji intercepted her strongest blade technique with two fingers. The clash left Shuji with a small cut and a pink bow tied around his hand, while he admitted he had chosen the more dangerous catch because it looked cooler.

• Mikoto's relentless attacks pressured Hiashi, but his Byakugan and Gentle Fist kept him in the fight.
• Shuji told Nawaki that Hiashi's improvement was only the first step and that the next part would be his responsibility.
• Hiashi used Sage Art: Hard Vortex Water Blade against Mikoto, but she dodged and charged him with her Ultra-Vibration Lightning Release Blade.
• Shuji caught Mikoto's blade between two fingers, taking a small cut as his chakra-enhanced defenses stopped the strike.
• Mikoto tied a pink bow around Shuji's hand, and Shuji explained that he had caught the blade that way because it looked cooler.

Shuji discussed Mikoto’s high-frequency lightning slash and its limits after she demonstrated it, while Mikoto’s broken blade revealed that her weapon could not withstand the technique. He then critiqued Hiashi’s and Mikoto’s technique timing as the group considered their strengths.

• Mikoto explained that her self-developed sword technique gained destructive power from high-frequency blade vibrations, and Shuji said Sage Mode chakra and his physical training helped him withstand it.
• Minato asked Nawaki whether he could block Mikoto’s slash, and Nawaki suggested Minato might try dodging it with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Shuji asked whether Mikoto’s slash was limited by her control or her weapon, and Mikoto snapped her blade to show it could not bear the strain.
• Shuji suggested Mikoto could take Kirigakure’s Lightning Blade: Kiba when the war began, then criticized the timing of Hiashi’s Hard Vortex Water Blade.
• Hiashi admitted he had used the technique before he ran out of strength so Shuji could see his progress, and Shuji sarcastically praised him.
• Shuji turned to Mikoto and asked whether her slash could settle a fight whenever she used it.

Shuji agreed to spar against Minato, Kushina, Nawaki, and Hinagiku at once, while Mikoto watched with confidence. Their battle began as Kakashi realized how formidable Jonin could be, and Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō headed toward the disturbance after the area was secured.

• Mikoto explained that she had given Hiashi a chance to show off, and Shuji told her to leave herself an escape route in future fights before offering to ask his teacher about teaching her the Flying Thunder God Technique and Yin Seal.
• Minato told Shuji that the Nine-Tails wanted to fight him, and Shuji invited Minato, Kushina, Nawaki, and Hinagiku to attack him together.
• Mikoto spoke with Kakashi about his team training in the Root Division, while Kakashi watched the fighters prepare for the match.
• Shuji declined to enter Sage Mode and invited Nawaki to strike first; Nawaki, Kushina, Minato, and Hinagiku launched their attacks.
• Kakashi watched the opening assault and reconsidered how strong Jonin were, while Sarutobi Hiruzen confirmed the lockdown was complete and went with Shimura Danzō toward the fight.

Kushina, Nawaki, and Hinagiku launched a concentrated assault on Shuji, who strengthened his Chakra barrier with Sage Mode. A Tailed Beast Bomb struck his defense, while the blast alarmed people in Konoha’s shelter.

• Hinagiku spotted Shuji holding off Kushina’s Shadow Clones and urged Kushina to use the Nine-Tails’ power.
• Kushina entered a golden fox form and formed a Tailed Beast Bomb as Nawaki prepared water spears and Minato watched for an opening.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō discussed delaying war while Konoha trained more Sage Mode users, and considered whether Kushina was ready for the battlefield.
• Shuji merged Chakra with Nen and used Sage Art: Sage’s Protection to reinforce his barrier.
• Kushina’s Tailed Beast Bomb struck toward Shuji, shaking Konoha and prompting people in a shelter to fear that the Nine-Tails had gone berserk.

Shuji survived the combined Tailed Beast Bomb and water jutsu, then used his Byakugan and taijutsu to subdue the Nine-Tails and turn his opponents’ attacks against them. He left Kushina carried away to safety, while Minato was badly injured and the onlookers recognized how much Shuji had improved.

• Shuji emerged unharmed in a golden-blue giant, seized the Nine-Tails, and incapacitated it with his Byakugan.
• Hinagiku and Minato attacked Shuji, but their strikes failed to penetrate his defense, and Hinagiku was thrown back.
• Shuji knocked Nawaki off balance, then redirected Hinagiku’s palm strike into Minato and prevented Minato from using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Hinagiku’s palm struck Minato in the chest, sending him flying and causing him to cough blood.
• Shuji sent the unconscious Kushina away in a Nen Bead as Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō discussed his formidable abilities.

Shuji treated Minato after their spar and advised him to strengthen his reaction speed by combining Rasengan with a Chakra nature transformation. He demonstrated Sage Art: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, then discussed Sage Mode training and future techniques with the others.

• Danzo urged Nawaki to check on Minato, so Nawaki stopped attacking Shuji and withdrew from Sage Mode.
• Shuji treated Minato and advised him to add a Chakra nature transformation, such as Wind Release, to the Rasengan.
• Shuji demonstrated Wind Style: Rasenshuriken enhanced with Nen energy, while Mikoto tried and failed to add Lightning Release to her Rasengan.
• Shuji told Hinagiku to cultivate Sage Mode Chakra control before he taught her a difficult technique, and told Nawaki that Sage Mode Chakra control was essential to forming his giant.
• Shuji said Kushina should focus on Sage Mode and that genjutsu was her main weakness.

Shuji visited Konoha Casino to find his teacher, Tsunade, after discussing mental training with Danzō and Hiruzen. After Tsunade left the casino in a foul mood from losing, Shuji suggested they visit the bathhouse and sacrifice half of Jiraiya’s life to change her luck.

• Shuji decided that training the spirit body could strengthen mental power and resistance to genjutsu, then told Danzō and Hiruzen he would leave the village the next day.
• Shuji went to Konoha Casino to find Tsunade, and the attendant warned him that she was in a bad mood.
• Tsunade smashed a gambling table after losing, and the casino owner tried to calm her down.
• Shuji invited Tsunade to eat with him, and she left the casino after losing the money she had earned that year.
• Shuji told Tsunade he had seen Jiraiya doing something improper at the bathhouse and suggested sacrificing half of Jiraiya’s life to improve her luck.
• Tsunade admitted she did not know if it would work, but said it was worth a try.