Recaps

Qingyu helped the Akatsuki defeat Hanzo, exposed Danzō’s role in the attack, and returned to the war with new allies and abilities. On the eastern front, he fought off a Cloud Village invasion, advanced his Wood Release, and left his relationships with Tsunade, Yūhi Kurenai, and Rin Nohara unresolved.

• Qingyu, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Hyuga Ginka rescued Konan from Root operatives, and Tsunade identified them as Danzō’s men.
• Qingyu and the Akatsuki fought Hanzo’s forces, and Qingyu killed Hanzo with the Seventh Gate, prompting the Amegakure ninja to retreat.
• Qingyu returned to Konoha with Hanzo’s body, and Sarutobi Hiruzen demoted Danzō after evidence confirmed Root had acted without authorization.
• As war loomed, Qingyu saved Mei Terumi from Kirigakure attackers and secretly secured her cooperation, then agreed to research Hashirama Cells with Orochimaru.
• Qingyu developed his Flying Thunder God Technique and began producing Wood Release, while the Fourth Raikage led a large Cloud Village force against him.
• Qingyu held off the Cloud Village assault until Tsunade and Minato Namikaze arrived, and the Raikage ordered his forces to withdraw.
• Qingyu showed Tsunade that he had mastered Wood Release, and she agreed to retrieve the Senju Clan’s Wood Release Secret Techniques.
• Qingyu kissed Tsunade before fleeing with the Flying Thunder God Technique, then considered pursuing Yūhi Kurenai and blocking White Zetsu’s surveillance.