Recaps

Uzumaki Jiuming gave Nagato and the others a scroll teaching a rare sensory barrier technique, then secretly tried to place a seal on Nagato’s Rinnegan. Jiraiya stopped him, and Jiuming agreed to leave Nagato unsealed while warning Jiraiya that he would be responsible if the Rinnegan became an enemy; a strange watcher then recognized the Uzumaki barrier technique.

• Jiuming demonstrated a sensory barrier and gave Nagato a scroll so he, Yahiko, and Konan could study it.
• Jiraiya explained the technique’s strategic value, and Minato studied the barrier while the others rested.
• Jiuming used a seal to try to enter Nagato’s eyes, but Jiraiya grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
• Jiuming told Jiraiya he wanted to safeguard against the Rinnegan falling into enemy hands, while Jiraiya insisted Nagato was the Child of Prophecy.
• Jiuming agreed not to seal Nagato and told Jiraiya he would have to stop the Rinnegan if they became an enemy.
• A strange figure watched Jiuming and Jiraiya leave, recognized the Uzumaki Clan barrier technique, and sank into the earth.

Uzumaki Jiuming joined Jiraiya's training session and easily exposed Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan's weaknesses in an ambush exercise. After Jiraiya promised to intensify their training, Jiuming announced that he would show them what real combat training felt like.

• Jiuming learned that Jiraiya had taken Nagato and the others to train, then agreed to join them as a sparring partner.
• Yahiko and Nagato ambushed Jiuming in the woods, but he caught their Kunai and threw Yahiko to the ground.
• Jiuming threw Yahiko toward Nagato's fireball and used the Body Flicker Technique to reach Konan, forcing Jiraiya to save Yahiko with a Water Formation Wall.
• Jiraiya scolded Yahiko for attacking carelessly and promised to make the group's training ten times stricter.
• Jiuming challenged Jiraiya's gentle approach and said he would teach the students to develop proper battle instincts.

Uzumaki Kuming began training Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan after Jiraiya agreed to watch over them. While Nagato practiced Fuinjutsu with Kuming, Yahiko faced a stranger threatening Konan and demanding that he choose who would die.

• Jiraiya agreed to let Kuming train the three children while he watched from nearby.
• Kuming tested the children, praised their teamwork, and assigned Nagato Chakra-control training while his Shadow Clones taught Yahiko and Konan Taijutsu.
• Kuming introduced Nagato to Storage Scrolls, but Nagato struggled to control his Chakra and accidentally set a scroll on fire.
• Jiraiya saw that Kuming and Nagato were training without trouble, then went to a shelter in the forest and began writing in a book.
• A middle-aged man pinned Konan beneath his foot, held a Kunai to her throat, and demanded that Yahiko choose between his own life and hers.

Uzumaki Kuming tested Yahiko’s resolve and taught him to fight back rather than surrender to threats, while the group discovered signs that the Land of Wind might enter the war. The next morning, Kuming learned that Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi had been sent on a separate mission and that he was expected to remain with Jiraiya for his own protection.

• Uzumaki Kuming used an illusion in which Konan was threatened to test Yahiko, then criticized Yahiko for offering his life instead of fighting back.
• Uzumaki Kuming reflected that protecting Yahiko could keep Nagato from being led astray by Madara Uchiha’s plans.
• Minato reported that merchants from the Land of Wind had been appearing in town, and Jiraiya warned that the Land of Wind might be preparing to join the war.
• Nagato grew despondent over the possibility of renewed fighting, and the group ate dinner in a troubled silence.
• Kuming saw Minato, Uchiha Fugaku, and Hiashi leave on a separate mission and realized the Third had sent him to stay with Jiraiya for his protection.
• Jiraiya told Kuming to remain with him until the Third sent new orders, and Kuming left the wooden house with the Heavenly Feather Blade.

Over a year and a half, Uzumaki Kuming sharpened his swordsmanship while continuing to train Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, but he made little progress learning the Flying Thunder God Technique. Jiraiya then revealed that the Great Toad Sage wanted to meet Kuming, and Kuming agreed to go to Mount Myoboku.

• Kuming completed the integration of Chakra nature and form transformations into his swordsmanship and continued struggling to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kuming encouraged Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan to work together if they wanted to change the Land of Rain, while warning them that ideals and strength were both necessary.
• Jiraiya told Kuming that the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku wanted to meet him.
• Kuming pretended he could not move unless he was taught Senjutsu, then agreed to meet the Great Toad Sage when Jiraiya suggested asking it for help.
• Jiraiya performed the Reverse Summoning Technique, taking himself and Kuming away from the snowy Land of Rain.

Jiraiya brought Uzumaki Kuming to Mount Myoboku, where the Great Toad Sage revealed a prophecy about Kuming shaping the Shinobi World's future. Kuming understood that his influence would affect future figures and asked Fukasaku to teach him Senjutsu.

• Jiraiya reverse-summoned Uzumaki Kuming to Mount Myoboku and pulled him away from the dangerous oil waterfall.
• Kuming met Gamabunta and asked him to become his summon, but Jiraiya hurried Kuming away to see Sage Fukasaku.
• Jiraiya introduced Kuming to the Great Toad Sage, Sage Fukasaku, and Sage Shima, who recognized Kuming as someone from the Great Sage's dream.
• The Great Toad Sage prophesied that Kuming would become a powerful ninja whose decision could steer the Shinobi World toward peace or destruction.
• Kuming interpreted the prophecy as meaning he would influence Nagato, Minato, and Naruto, then asked Sage Fukasaku to teach him Senjutsu.

Uzumaki Kuming persuaded Sage Fukasaku to let him learn Senjutsu and stayed at Mount Myoboku rather than return to the Land of Rain with Jiraiya. While Kuming trained, the Second Shinobi World War unfolded and ended in a hard-won victory for the Land of Fire.

• Kuming asked Sage Fukasaku to teach him Senjutsu, and Fukasaku refused because Kuming was too young and lacked the Chakra and physical strength to withstand the risks.
• Kuming revealed his enormous Chakra, convincing Fukasaku to approve his training, and signed a Blood Contract with the toads of Mount Myoboku.
• Kuming told Jiraiya he would remain at Mount Myoboku, asked him to pass messages to his sister and Tsunade, and sent Nawaki a scroll as a gift.
• Jiraiya left Mount Myoboku, and Fukasaku took Kuming to find a place for him to stay.
• The Land of Wind joined the Second Shinobi World War, and the Land of Rain sided with the Land of Fire against the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
• After Hatake Sakumo killed the Land of Wind's commander and Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and others reinforced the front, and the war eventually ended with the Land of Fire's victory.

Uzumaki Kuming reached a bottleneck in his Mount Myoboku training and devised ways to enter Sage Mode quickly before returning to Konoha. He arrived at his home and confronted Anbu who had entered without permission, but they did not recognize him at first.

• Kuming asked Kurama to help gather Senjutsu Chakra in exchange for freedom after his death, but Kurama refused.
• Kuming demonstrated his Senjutsu-enhanced Flatland Thunder to Sage Fukasaku and said he was returning to Konoha.
• Kuming used Shadow Clones to gather Senjutsu Chakra and prepared an oil-filled gourd weapon that could turn an enemy who lacked Senjutsu into a frog.
• Kuming thanked Fukasaku, said goodbye, and vanished from Mount Myoboku.
• Kuming returned to his home near Konoha, where four Anbu entered his courtyard and he challenged them for trespassing.

Uzumaki Kuming returned to Konoha after five years away, showed his strength to the Anbu, and learned that his residence had been maintained but his sister was not there. After reconnecting with Jiraiya at a bathhouse, Kuming left for Konoha Hospital while Hiruzen decided to make him his bodyguard.

• Uzumaki Kuming knocked out three Anbu and threw them out of his residence, then told them to inform Hiruzen that the house belonged to him.
• Uzumaki Kuming searched Konoha for Kushina Uzumaki, while Hiruzen sensed his probing and learned that he had returned.
• Uzumaki Kuming entered Konoha, bought clothes, and met Jiraiya at a bathhouse, where he said he had mastered Senjutsu and had returned to check on his sister.
• Hiruzen watched Kuming and Jiraiya through a Crystal Ball and decided to appoint Kuming as his bodyguard.
• Uzumaki Kuming heard Jiraiya's news about the village and its residents, then left the bathhouse and headed to Konoha Hospital.

Uzumaki Kuming returned to Konoha after years away and reunited with his sister Kushina, who welcomed him with anger and tears. After a gathering with Konoha’s leaders and friends, Kuming went home and decided to meet the Third Hokage the next day.

• Kushina received herbs from her students at Konoha Hospital and asked whether they planned to take the Chunin exams.
• Uzumaki Kuming arrived at the hospital, and Kushina punched him into a wall before recognizing him as her younger brother.
• Minato Namikaze arrived to check on Kushina, recognized Kuming, and explained to her students that he was thirteen and exceptionally talented.
• Kushina embraced Kuming and cried with relief, while Minato sent the onlookers away.
• Kushina hosted a dinner at the Senju Clan estate with Kuming, Nawaki, Tsunade, Minato, Jiraiya, Might Duy, Fugaku, Hiashi, and others.
• Kuming returned to his home beside the waterfall, considered his plans, and decided to visit the Third Hokage the next day.

Uzumaki Kuming returned to Konoha and reunited with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who assigned him as Hatake Kakashi’s Jonin instructor. After discussing Kuming’s control over the Nine-Tails, Kuming found Kakashi training and demonstrated his skill by catching the shuriken Kakashi threw at him.

• Uzumaki Kuming visited Hiruzen Sarutobi with fruit and met five-year-old Hatake Kakashi, who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy.
• Kuming teased Kakashi by patting his head, then declined Hiruzen’s offers to take the Chunin Exams or serve as his bodyguard.
• Kuming asked to become Kakashi’s Jonin instructor and receive the rank of Special Jōnin, and Hiruzen agreed to arrange it.
• Kakashi objected to Kuming’s appointment, but Hiruzen assured him that Kuming was strong enough to teach him.
• After Kakashi left, Hiruzen asked Kuming how much control he had over the Nine-Tails’ power.
• Kuming tracked Kakashi to a Training Ground, where Kakashi threw shuriken at him and Kuming caught them; Kakashi then greeted him as his teacher.

Uzumaki Kuming began training five-year-old Kakashi Hatake, challenging his ideas about what it meant to be a ninja and testing his abilities. After easily countering Kakashi’s attacks, Kuming told him that two teammates would arrive the next day to form a squad.

• Kakashi told Kuming that Hatake Sakumo had praised Kuming’s talent and encouraged him to become Kuming’s student.
• Kuming asked Kakashi to consider what being a ninja meant and taught him that a ninja’s most important duty was protecting the people he cared about.
• Kakashi demonstrated his swordsmanship, Lightning Snake technique, and coordinated attacks, but Kuming blocked and endured them with ease.
• Kakashi used a stronger Lightning Snake, which Kuming scattered with a flick of his finger, leaving Kakashi stunned.
• Kuming told Kakashi that two teammates would arrive the next day, then left him to train alone.

Uzumaki Kuming accepted Hatake Sakumo's invitation to dinner and accompanied Kakashi to the Hatake home. The chapter ended with Sakumo and his wife waiting at the gate to welcome him.

• Uzumaki Kuming returned to his secluded residence, secured his study with Fuinjutsu, and answered Kakashi's call at the gate.
• Kakashi said Hatake Sakumo had invited Kuming to dinner and led him toward the Hatake home.
• Kakashi asked about Kuming's Heavenly Feather Blade, and Kuming explained it was a keepsake from an elder.
• Kuming praised Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship as he and Kakashi walked through Konoha to the Hatake Clan grounds.
• Hatake Sakumo and his wife waited at the gate as Kuming and Kakashi arrived.

Uzumaki Kuming visited the Hatake home, where Hatake Sakumo questioned whether someone as young as him could teach Kakashi. Kuming took the remark as a rejection and left, while Kakashi angrily insisted his father had been wrong.

• Uzumaki Kuming entered the Hatake compound and met Hatake Sakumo and his wife, Delia.
• Hatake Sakumo welcomed Kuming into the reception room, where Kakashi served tea.
• Hatake Sakumo explained that he had wanted Minato Namikaze to teach Kakashi and said Kuming was too young to be a teacher.
• Uzumaki Kuming accepted Hatake Sakumo's concern, said he would discuss Kakashi with the Hokage, and left the Hatake home.
• Kakashi failed to stop Kuming and returned to confront Hatake Sakumo, insisting Kuming was strong enough to teach him.

Hatake Sakumo tried to convince Kakashi that Minato Namikaze was a better teacher than Uzumaki Kuming, while Kuming left to speak with the Third Hokage after dinner. At Ichiraku Ramen, Danzo’s men ambushed Kuming and attacked him, and he prepared to fight back.

• Hatake Sakumo told Kakashi that Minato Namikaze’s experience made him a better teacher than Uzumaki Kuming, leaving Kakashi silent.
• Uzumaki Kuming left the Hatake compound and decided to speak with the Third Hokage after dinner.
• Uzumaki Kuming ate at Ichiraku Ramen, where a young man accused him of taking peace for granted and revealed that Danzo wanted to see him.
• The young man led Kuming outside, where eight masked Anbu had surrounded him and blocked his senses.
• An Anbu used Lightning Binding on Kuming, but Kuming broke free, wounded one attacker with his sword, and charged lightning into the Heavenly Feather Blade.

Uzumaki Kuming was caught in an illusion barrier at Ichiraku Ramen, but Kurama helped him break free. He confronted Yuhi Shinku, who revealed that the Third Hokage had assigned Kuming to serve under him.

• Kuming fought the Anbu surrounding him and realized their attack was an illusion when the buildings around him remained untouched.
• The Anbu appeared to seize Kuming and attack, but Kurama disrupted his Chakra flow and freed him from the illusion.
• Kuming found himself back inside Ichiraku Ramen with his blade at Yuhi Shinku’s neck, and Shinku identified himself as the Hokage’s bodyguard.
• Kuming questioned Shinku about the illusion barrier, verified his identity, then knocked him down with a light blow.
• Shinku told Kuming that, by the Third Hokage’s order, Kuming would be his subordinate starting that day.

Uzumaki Kuming learned that the Third Hokage had assigned him to Yuhi Shinku’s personal guard unit, but changed his mind about the job after hearing its benefits. The next morning, he reported for duty at the Hokage Building and waited as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished briefing Minato Namikaze’s team.

• Yuhi Shinku told Kuming that the Third Hokage had ordered him to join the Hokage’s personal guard unit as Shinku’s subordinate.
• Kuming objected to becoming the Third’s guard until Shinku explained the rotating schedule and million-ryō monthly salary, after which Kuming eagerly agreed to start.
• Shinku explained the guard unit’s rules and planned to show Kuming around the next morning.
• Kuming arrived at the Hokage Building, greeted Minato Namikaze, and teased Kakashi before reporting to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen assigned Minato and his newly graduated Genin team a cat-catching mission, then told Kuming to come with him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took Uzumaki Kuming to Kage Rock and assigned Yuhi Shinku to bring him into the Shadow Guard. After Kuming registered and received his gear, he accidentally cracked his new armor and accused the staff of giving him a defective one.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi showed Uzumaki Kuming the view from Kage Rock and asked him to give the guard job a chance.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Yuhi Shinku to take Kuming to the Shadow Guard base, register him, and issue his equipment.
• Yuhi Shinku led Kuming through a secret tunnel and explained the base's security procedures.
• Kuming registered at the base and received standard half-armor and a long sword.
• Kuming tapped the armor with his sword, cracked it, and demanded to know why he had been given a defective one.

Uzumaki Kuming confronted Yabuki Shingo after a damaged suit of armor sparked an argument at the Guard Corps. Kuming knocked Shingo into a wall with one strike, but Shingo recovered and launched a counterattack as Yuhi Shinku warned Kuming to dodge.

• Uzumaki Kuming cracked the armor with a light tap, then realized his Heavenly Feather Blade had pierced its Cursed Seal defensive barrier.
• Yabuki Shingo arrived, identified himself as the Guard Corps deputy captain, and insulted Kuming and Yuhi Shinku.
• Shingo shoved Shinku to the ground, prompting Kuming to strike Shingo in the chest and send him crashing into a wall.
• Shingo pulled himself free and taunted Kuming, who was surprised by how easily Shingo withstood his half-strength blow.
• Shingo raised his hands and swung them down at Kuming, while Yuhi Shinku shouted a warning.

Uzumaki Kuming defeated Yabuki Shingo after Shingo attacked him, then completed his Shadow Guard registration. After sharing the news with Kushina, Kuming headed to Training Ground 1 for a meeting.

• Yabuki Shingo attacked Kuming, but Kuming stopped his punch, struck him in the abdomen, and pinned him with a Cursed Seal.
• Hatake Sakumo arrived and questioned Kuming, but Shingo and Yuhi Shinku called the fight a joke, so Sakumo warned them and left.
• Kuming released Shingo, who praised his strength and offered his help, while Kuming found Shingo’s sudden friendliness strange.
• Kuming finished registering with the Shadow Guard and declined its protective armor.
• Kuming told Kushina about his new guard duty, ate lunch with her, and then went to Training Ground 1 for a meeting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi assembled the Guard Squad for a strength assessment, using the gathering to give Uzumaki Kuming a chance to prove himself and silence rumors about his abilities. Kuming drew first blood against Orochimaru, who prepared to fight in earnest.

• Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade greeted Uzumaki Kuming at Training Ground 1, where the Guard Squad had gathered.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that his three students would spar with the Guard Squad, then called Orochimaru to the center.
• Kuming stepped forward as Orochimaru's first opponent, and Hiruzen introduced him as a new Guard Corps member.
• Kuming launched a swift sword thrust that Orochimaru dodged, but Heavenly Feather Blade cut off a lock of Orochimaru's hair.
• Orochimaru acknowledged Kuming's strength, drew a Kunai, and took a fighting stance.

Uzumaki Kuming fought Orochimaru in a sword battle, gradually adapting to his attacks and gaining the upper hand. The chapter ended with Orochimaru retreating as his strength and the Kusanagi Sword’s glow faltered, while Kuming remained steady and claimed he had greater stamina.

• Orochimaru attacked Uzumaki Kuming with Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands and shuriken, but Kuming’s lightning killed the snakes and he charged in.
• Kuming cut the tip from Orochimaru’s Kunai and slashed his shirt, prompting Orochimaru to summon the Kusanagi Sword.
• Kuming coated the Heavenly Feather Blade with lightning, and he and Orochimaru clashed with their chakra-enhanced swords.
• Kuming adapted to Orochimaru’s fighting rhythm, took the initiative, and inflicted repeated shallow cuts on him.
• Orochimaru’s strength and the Kusanagi Sword’s glow waned, so he retreated from Kuming’s attack as both fighters showed their wounds.
• Kuming kept his breathing even and told Orochimaru that he had the stamina advantage.

Uzumaki Kuming fought Orochimaru and was briefly incapacitated by a poisonous Wind Release attack before recovering. Impressed by Kuming’s strength, the Third Hokage appointed him an Anbu squad captain and transferred him to Uchiha Seishin’s unit.

• Uzumaki Kuming and Orochimaru clashed with chakra-coated swords until Orochimaru used snakes and poisonous smoke to catch Kuming off guard.
• Orochimaru’s poisonous Wind Release struck Kuming and several Guard Corps shinobi, prompting the Third Hokage to stop the match.
• Tsunade examined Kuming and explained that the poison was a temporary paralytic, while Orochimaru treated the other poisoned shinobi.
• Orochimaru and the Third Hokage recognized Kuming’s growing strength and potential.
• The Third Hokage appointed Uzumaki Kuming Anbu squad captain and transferred him from the Guard Squad to Uchiha Seishin’s unit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Uzumaki Kuming an Anbu squad leader, drawing criticism over his rapid promotion. After recovering from Orochimaru’s poison, Kuming discussed the lessons of their battle with him, then joined Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya for dinner beneath the stars.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced Uzumaki Kuming’s appointment as an Anbu squad leader, prompting the shinobi present to question his rapid promotion.
• Hatake Sakumo urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to reconsider, but Hiruzen stood by his decision and expressed confidence in Kuming.
• Kuming slept for hours while recovering from Orochimaru’s poison, then woke at dusk to find Orochimaru watching over him.
• Kuming asked about Orochimaru’s wounds and the whereabouts of Tsunade and Jiraiya, then complained that Orochimaru had withheld the antidote.
• Orochimaru and Kuming discussed their battle and the dangers of relying on strength alone.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya returned with dinner, and the four ate and drank together beneath the stars.

Uzumaki Kuming learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had appointed him an Anbu squad leader, then interrupted a council meeting to ask about it. As Sunagakure moved troops toward the Land of Fire, Hiruzen considered Kuming for a reconnaissance mission.

• Uzumaki Kuming discovered that three Anbu had been assigned as his subordinates and learned he had been appointed an Anbu squad leader.
• An Anbu reported that Sunagakure had sent many troops toward the Land of Fire border, dividing them into small squads to search for something.
• Shimura Danzō urged a preemptive strike, while Mitokado Homura advised sending forces to the border and investigating Sunagakure's plans.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Hatake Sakumo to investigate the Sand Shinobi, and Sakumo accepted the mission.
• Uzumaki Kuming barged into Hiruzen Sarutobi's meeting to ask about his appointment, and Hiruzen suggested assigning him the reconnaissance mission.