Recaps

Taiichi treated Obito’s severe chest injuries at the Medical Camp, then guarded the camp through the night until Jiraiya and the other commanders returned victorious. At their meeting, Konoha’s losses and Sunagakure’s defeat were reported, and the commanders chose Shikaku to negotiate for food from the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers.

• Taiichi brought Obito to the Medical Camp and warned Rin that her emergency treatment had caused harmful scar tissue.
• Taiichi used precise medical ninjutsu to repair Obito’s chest wound, then told Rin that Obito should wake soon.
• Taiichi sent Yohei, Kakashi, and Saori to patrol before returning to guard the Camp overnight.
• Jiraiya and the other commanders returned, and Shikaku reported five hundred Sunagakure deaths against Konoha’s one hundred and forty-six losses, including the death of Shukaku’s Jinchuriki.
• The departments reported supply shortages, and Taiichi suggested borrowing food from the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers.
• Jiraiya assigned Shikaku to negotiate for food from the Daimyo.

Taiichi visited Obito in the Medical Camp, teased him about his injuries, and learned that Obito had been badly hurt after the team broke formation during the pursuit. He made Obito endure itchy accelerated healing, while the fighting in the Land of Rivers gradually ended.

• Taiichi frightened Obito by claiming he would never be a ninja again, then checked his injuries and confirmed he would recover.
• Yohei explained that the team had abandoned formation during the pursuit, leaving Obito vulnerable to two Sunagakure Chunin who pierced his chest.
• Taiichi warned the team to rely on one another in battle, then accelerated Obito's healing and left him to endure the resulting itch.
• Konoha Ninja eliminated the remaining Sunagakure Ninja in the Land of Rivers and began cleaning up the battlefield as Sunagakure guarded its borders and coast.

Sunagakure struggled to recover from its devastating defeat while Konoha’s leaders debated their next move. Hiruzen chose to pull back and let the Cloud Village confront Sunagakure, while reducing Southern Front support and ordering Taichi Matsushita’s promotion and return to Konoha.

• Kazama reported that 854 Sunagakure shinobi were lost in the battle, leaving fewer than seven hundred fit for duty at the border camp.
• Chiyo proposed transferring troops from the Eastern Front and asking village clans to provide reinforcements, and Rasa resolved to hold onto the Kazekage’s seat.
• Hiruzen told his Advisors that Jiraiya should pull his camp back thirty kilometers after intelligence indicated a Cloud Village force was heading toward the Land of Wind.
• Danzo accepted Hiruzen’s plan, then argued for fewer Southern Front troops and supplies so the Western Front could receive priority.
• Hiruzen approved half of Jiraiya’s requested supplies, granted Danzo his requested supplies but no additional personnel, and ordered Taichi Matsushita promoted to Jonin and sent back to Konoha with the wounded.

After Konoha ordered Taiichi back from the Land of Rivers front, he considered how to develop stronger sealing techniques to restrain Tailed Beasts. He learned that Yohei and Saori were not being recalled with him, leaving him uncertain why the village had singled him out.

• Ōnoki and the Third Raikage reacted to Sunagakure's defeat, while Konoha and Sunagakure refrained from attacking again.
• Jiraiya received orders to reduce support for the Southern Front and noticed that Taiichi alone from his team was listed to return to Konoha.
• Taiichi trained and concluded that he needed stronger Sealing Jutsu or Genjutsu to fight Tailed Beasts without relying on his Yin Seal.
• Yuta delivered Taiichi's transfer orders, directing him to leave for Konoha the next morning.
• Taiichi discovered that Yohei and Saori had received no orders to return, and he wondered why the village had singled him out.
• Taiichi treated Yohei's blurry eyes with medical ninjutsu before leaving the camp.

Taiichi prepared to leave the Southern Front for the village, testing Yohei’s Sharingan Genjutsu before handing over his Medical Camp duties. He left his companions behind and began making arrangements for his return and future Genjutsu training.

• Taiichi reminded Yohei and Saori to keep their Flying Thunder God Kunai and promised to make Saori a replacement Sealing Talisman.
• Taiichi asked Yohei to use his Sharingan Genjutsu on him, then compared the Three-Tomoe technique with Yohei’s Mangekyo Genjutsu and explained why its ocular power made it stronger.
• Taiichi packed his belongings, obtained controlled materials from the Logistics Department, handed over his Medical Camp work, and dismissed his Shadow Clones.
• Taiichi visited Obito, Kakashi, and Rin, told them he was returning to the village alone, and encouraged them to remain together as a squad.
• Obito refused Taiichi’s offer to slow his healing and said he wanted to recover quickly so he could resume training.

Taiichi taught Saori how to make Sealing Talismans before preparing to return to the village. Jiraiya appointed him leader of the returning ninja, who set out to go home as heroes.

• Taiichi gave Yohei his Genjutsu notes, then took Saori to watch him draw and activate a Sealing Talisman formation.
• Taiichi answered Saori’s questions and made two successful talismans out of the three he attempted.
• The next morning, Jiraiya sent Yohei to find Taiichi and proposed that he lead the group returning to the village.
• Taiichi accepted the appointment, and Jiraiya announced him as the leader to the returning ninja.
• Jiraiya told the wounded and long-serving ninja to return home proudly, and they cheered for their journey.

A led a Cloud Ninja force into the Land of Wind, where they destroyed Sunagakure outposts and raided a valuable mine. Pakura learned that the Cloud Village had launched the surprise attack and ordered nearby defenses alerted as A’s force headed for its next target.

• A and Killer B landed with a hundred Cloud Ninjas, split their force, and silently wiped out four Sunagakure outposts.
• Pakura raised the alarm after the outposts stopped reporting, then learned from scouts that Cloud Ninjas had attacked in force.
• Pakura ordered nearby outposts to strengthen their defenses and sent a carrier hawk to inform Sunagakure of the invasion.
• A’s force captured a mine before dawn and used Sealing Scrolls to collect valuable ore before moving on.
• A led the Cloud Ninjas toward another target, about a hundred and fifty kilometers away.

Cloud Village’s raids on the Land of Wind prompted Iwagakure and Sunagakure to declare war on Cloud Village, easing pressure on Konoha. As Konoha’s leaders chose to let the other villages weaken one another, Hiruzen Sarutobi led a public welcome for the victorious and wounded ninja returning from the Southern Front.

• Minato uncovered Cloud Village’s raids in the Land of Wind, and Jiraiya received a detailed report while Konoha’s leadership ordered him to hold position.
• The Third Tsuchikage concluded that Cloud Village might have sent a Jinchuriki with its raiders, then ordered Iwagakure to attack Cloud Village.
• Iwagakure dispatched two thousand ninja toward the Land of Lightning and declared war on Cloud Village; Sunagakure declared war the following day.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisers decided Konoha would let the other villages fight and planned a celebration for the returning Southern Front ninja.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi led villagers and officials to the Konoha Gate, where they welcomed the returning heroes with cries of “Victory!”

Taiichi led the victorious frontline ninjas back to Konoha, where Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed them and granted them leave. Hiruzen promoted Taiichi to Jonin and approved his request to join the Barrier Team, leaving him to begin there after resting.

• Taiichi brought 243 frontline ninjas to Konoha and led them through the village as Hiruzen Sarutobi and the villagers celebrated their return.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the returning ninjas two months of leave and arranged hospital care for the wounded.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that he had recalled Taiichi to promote him to Jonin and have him help protect Konoha.
• Taiichi asked to work with the Barrier Team so he could study Sealing Jutsu and develop techniques to restrain Tailed Beasts.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Taiichi's request, gave him an authorization order and his Jonin promotion certificate, and told him to report to the Barrier Team after resting.

Taiichi completed the elaborate Jonin promotion process and returned to Konoha, where he reunited with the children at the Orphanage and met his former classmates. After describing the battlefield’s dangers and revealing his new rank, he agreed to teach Yūhi Kurenai, provoking Asuma’s jealousy.

• Taiichi completed the Jonin promotion procedures, returned home, and visited the Orphanage after resting.
• Taiichi comforted the Orphanage children with Shadow Clones and learned from Grandma Keiko that Nonō had gone to the front lines while caretakers came regularly.
• Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, and Shino Aburame arrived to care for the children and asked Taiichi about the battlefield.
• Taiichi described the front lines’ danger and revealed that he was a Jonin who specialized in the Flying Thunder God.
• Yūhi Kurenai asked to learn from Taiichi, and Asuma objected jealously.

Kurenai arranged for Taiichi Matsushita to train her, prompting Yuhi Shinku to seek reassurance from Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen decided Taiichi could also tutor Asuma, while Kurenai arrived at Taiichi’s home for their first training session.

• Kurenai insisted on learning from Taiichi, who agreed to train her every day at three in the afternoon.
• Yuhi Shinku questioned Kurenai about her sudden happiness, then worried whether Taiichi could properly guide her.
• Asuma asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to train him, and Hiruzen spent the evening tutoring him before arriving exhausted at work the next day.
• Yuhi Shinku asked Hiruzen about Taiichi’s abilities, and Hiruzen decided to ask Taiichi to train Asuma alongside Kurenai.
• Kurenai followed the address to Taiichi’s home and watched several Taiichis training after his Shadow Clone brought her to the Training Ground.

Taiichi trained Yūhi Kurenai in Genjutsu and Taijutsu, learning from her clan’s techniques while she gained insight into his Yin Release. The next day, he joined Konoha’s Barrier Team and discovered its extensive underground archives, which promised a wealth of Sealing Jutsu knowledge.

• Taiichi explained the risks of using Shadow Clones for training, then tested Kurenai and found she could use Genjutsu while fighting despite her Genin-level strength.
• Taiichi arranged daily Genjutsu sparring and Taijutsu training for Kurenai, and they practiced until she exhausted her Chakra and stamina.
• Kurenai told Yuhi Shinku about her training, while Taiichi recorded the Genjutsu techniques and ideas he had gained from their practice.
• Taiichi reported to the Barrier Team, where Yamanaka Kiyoharu tested his Sealing Jutsu knowledge and found his theory was at Jonin level.
• Yamanaka Kiyoharu showed Taiichi the underground Barrier Team base and its archives, and Taiichi was eager to study their Sealing Jutsu records.

On his first day with Konoha’s Barrier Team, Taiichi studied its archives before being summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi, who asked him to teach Asuma alongside Yūhi Kurenai. As thanks, Hiruzen taught Taiichi the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, which Taiichi began practicing at home.

• Taiichi learned how the Barrier Team operated, sent a Shadow Clone to continue his work, and spent most of the day studying barrier and sealing scrolls in the Archives.
• An Anbu operative summoned Taiichi to the Hokage’s Office, where Hiruzen Sarutobi asked about his lessons with Yūhi Kurenai.
• Hiruzen asked Taiichi to teach Asuma, and Taiichi agreed to train both of his friends.
• Hiruzen offered Taiichi a Ninjutsu lesson as thanks, and Taiichi chose the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
• Taiichi studied Hiruzen’s training scroll and practiced the technique, splitting three Shuriken into sixteen on his second attempt.

Taiichi used Shadow Clones to handle Barrier Team work while his real body studied in the Archives, then arranged to manage his own schedule. As Asuma overcame his hesitation and arrived with Kurenai for training, Taiichi noticed Asuma looking at him strangely.

• Taiichi used a Shadow Clone to help the Barrier Team solve its problems, and Yamanaka Kiyoharu mistakenly thought he was lecturing the staff before apologizing.
• Taiichi persuaded Yamanaka Kiyoharu to let him arrange his own schedule, then revealed that he had been working through a Shadow Clone while his real body studied in the Archives.
• Yamanaka Kiyoharu found Taiichi in the Archives and warned him not to rely on Shadow Clones during field inspections.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Asuma to set aside his pride and seek guidance from Taiichi, explaining how Taiichi had earned the respect of powerful ninjas.
• Yūhi Kurenai found Asuma hesitating outside the Senju Clan Grounds and brought him to Taiichi's home for training.
• Taiichi welcomed Yūhi Kurenai and Asuma, then wondered why Asuma was looking at him strangely.

Taiichi tested Asuma's taijutsu and ninjutsu, then demonstrated the true power of Fire and Wind Release to persuade him to learn. Back at Taiichi's home, he explained that mastering Nature Transformation was the key focus of Asuma's training, and began the first stage.

• Kurenai practiced Genjutsu with Taiichi's Shadow Clone while Taiichi assessed Asuma's fighting skills.
• Taiichi easily countered Asuma's taijutsu, Great Flame Bomb, and Great Breakthrough, then took him outside Konoha using Flying Thunder God.
• Taiichi demonstrated powerful versions of Great Flame Bomb and Great Breakthrough, leaving Asuma stunned and eager to learn.
• Taiichi explained that jutsu power depended on practice, chakra, and especially mastery of Nature Transformation.
• Taiichi began the first stage of Asuma's special training.

The Ninja World remained turbulent as Rasa routed the Cloud Ninja in the Land of Wind and Danzo launched a successful offensive against Iwagakure. In Konoha, Asuma told Hiruzen how Taiichi had changed his attitude, and Hiruzen reassured him that Taiichi had had permission to leave the village.

• Rasa's Magnet Release Gold Dust overwhelmed the Cloud Ninja, but Killer B opened an escape route, and the survivors withdrew with A seriously injured.
• A ordered the wounded Cloud Ninja to recover before resuming their mission, while the Third Raikage worried over the danger to his son and Killer B.
• Danzo led Konoha's Western Front in a surprise assault that erased Iwagakure's recent battlefield advantage, then ordered further attacks on its supplies.
• Danzo learned that Yakushi Nonō was at the Medical Camp and welcomed the chance to have her under his command.
• Asuma told Hiruzen that Taiichi had demonstrated his strength and taught him Nature Transformation, then took responsibility for their trip outside the village.
• Hiruzen said Taiichi had his permission to leave and praised Asuma for standing up for his friend.

Taiichi advanced to Jonin and received farewell gifts from Kurenai and Asuma as they prepared to begin missions outside Konoha. After inspecting the village’s compromised Barrier network, he decided to make his own secret openings and wait for the Fourth Hokage before reporting the wider problem.

• Taiichi met the requirements to advance to Jonin, gained attributes and skill points, and saw his Chakra surge before he brought it under control.
• Kurenai and Asuma told Taiichi they were leaving to take missions outside the village, and Kurenai gave him Yuhi Shinku’s Genjutsu notes.
• Asuma offered Taiichi a piece of Chakra Metal, and Taiichi accepted a smaller portion after cutting it with a Chakra blade.
• Taiichi studied the Genjutsu notes and learned they contained two unfamiliar techniques along with practical advice.
• Taiichi concluded that Konoha’s Barrier network had been riddled with loopholes and decided to create a few openings for himself instead of reporting the problem to the Third Hokage.

Taiichi visited Kushina to ask for help studying Adamantine Sealing Chains as a reference for a Tailed Beast sealing jutsu. After he impressed her with his sealing skill, Kushina agreed to demonstrate the chains and launched them at him.

• Taiichi delivered New Year's gifts to his acquaintances in Konoha and visited Kushina last.
• Taiichi asked Kushina to let him experience Adamantine Sealing Chains so he could develop a sealing jutsu for Tailed Beasts.
• Kushina tested Taiichi with the Uzumaki Clan's crystal ball, and he constructed more than one hundred sealing nodes.
• Kushina cautioned Taiichi that Adamantine Sealing Chains were poorly understood, but agreed to let him experience their power.
• Kushina summoned five golden Adamantine Sealing Chains and sent them diving toward Taiichi.

Taiichi studied Kushina’s Adamantine Sealing Chains and developed a new Sealing Jutsu, then began visiting her regularly for more training. After receiving Tsunade’s letter and deciding to use the Flying Thunder God Kunai she had kept, he teleported to her location and found her gambling.

• Taiichi asked Kushina to use the Adamantine Sealing Chains at full power, endured them piercing his chakra pathways, and studied their sealing effects until he collapsed.
• Taiichi recorded his theories in four scrolls and gained the new skill Unnamed Sealing Jutsu Lv0.
• Taiichi learned that his research had not increased the skill’s experience, so he negotiated an ongoing arrangement with Kushina for more chain practice in exchange for daily visits, cooking, and sparring.
• Taiichi received Tsunade’s letter, which complained about her losses and warned him not to visit, but he used the Flying Thunder God Kunai she had kept to teleport to her.
• Taiichi appeared in a gambling house and found Tsunade betting on low as the dice came up high.

Taiichi visited Tsunade and Shizune in the Land of Iron, then returned to Konoha as the war with Cloud Village escalated. After Cloud Ninja attacked Konoha’s camp with the Eight-Tails, Yohei revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan to his teammates, and Taiichi arrived at the front to treat his damaged eyes.

• Taiichi used Flying Thunder God to visit Tsunade and Shizune, and they discussed Konoha’s war situation before he returned home.
• Cloud Village declared war on Konoha, and fifty elite Cloud Ninja attacked Konoha’s camp with the Eight-Tails after crossing the Land of Rivers.
• Yohei summoned Susanoo to hold back the Eight-Tails until Minato returned with reinforcements, exposing his Mangekyō Sharingan to many witnesses.
• Yohei told Obito, Kakashi, Rin, and Saori that overusing the Mangekyō could make him blind, though he withheld other details.
• Taiichi sensed Yohei’s location, used Flying Thunder God to reach the front, and began treating Yohei’s damaged eyes.

Taiichi helped Yohei decide to openly affirm his loyalty to Konoha and secured Jiraiya’s support in addressing the Uchiha’s Mangekyō-related tensions. After aiding the wounded, Taiichi set out to join Minato in attacking the Cloud Ninja force responsible for Konoha’s heavy losses.

• Taiichi treated Yohei’s injured eyes, then urged him to quickly tell Jiraiya and the Hokage that he wanted peace between the Uchiha and Konoha.
• Taiichi brought Yohei to Jiraiya, who agreed to report Yohei’s position and support their views to the Hokage.
• Jiraiya told Taiichi that Konoha had lost 274 ninjas in the Cloud Ninja surprise attack and that Cloud Village had declared war.
• Jiraiya assigned Taiichi to join Minato in attacking the retreating Cloud Ninja, and Taiichi agreed to go.
• Taiichi created five more Shadow Clones to treat critically wounded ninjas at the Medical Camp, then departed to avenge them.

After the Cloud Village ambushed Konoha’s Southern Camp, Hiruzen questioned Taiichi about Yohei Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan and sent him to reinforce the front. Minato tracked the retreating Cloud Ninja toward the coast and waited for an ally to arrive.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu learned that Cloud Ninja had ambushed Konoha’s camp, killing at least two hundred people, and that Yohei Uchiha had used Susanoo.
• Taiichi told the Hokage’s leaders that he knew about Yohei’s Mangekyō, had advised him to keep it secret, and could ease the blindness caused by overusing it.
• Taiichi urged Konoha to retaliate against the Cloud Ninja, and Hiruzen assigned him to return to the Southern Camp with his Flying Thunder God technique.
• Homura warned Hiruzen not to trust the Uchiha, but Hiruzen said Konoha had to avoid internal divisions and trust Taiichi for now.
• Minato Namikaze followed the Cloud Ninja toward the coast and sensed the arrival of the person he had been waiting for.

Minato and Taiichi ambushed the retreating Cloud Ninja force, leaving A, Killer B, and a few Jonin to fight back. Taiichi battled the Eight-Tails and killed Cloud Jonin, then vanished as Killer B’s Tailed Beast Bomb struck one of his own men.

• Minato and Taiichi caught up with the Cloud Ninja and launched a coordinated ambush, with Minato killing most of the group using Flying Thunder God.
• Taiichi cut down the two wounded Jonin with a Golden Flame Blade Qi slash, leaving six Jonin to face him and Minato.
• A engaged Minato while Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails and attacked Taiichi, who burned its tentacle before switching to Water Style attacks.
• Taiichi killed a Cloud Village Jonin who had charged him, then pressed another Jonin while Killer B tried to support him with ink clones and a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Taiichi struck down the second Jonin’s defenses and disappeared as Killer B fired; the Tailed Beast Bomb killed the Jonin instead of Taiichi.

Taiichi and Minato defeated the Cloud Ninja attackers, though A and Killer B escaped after Taiichi severed Gyuki’s horn. They recovered the Cloud Village’s plundered supplies and returned to Konoha Camp, where Jiraiya sent Taiichi to report the victory and deliver his report on Yohei to Hokage-sama.

• A ordered Buina to retreat while Minato kept him occupied, then raced to help Killer B when Minato delayed pursuing Buina.
• Taiichi and Minato attacked Killer B together, and Taiichi cut off Gyuki’s horn before A arrived and called for a retreat.
• A and Killer B escaped using the Eight-Tails’ Tailed Beast Eight Scrolls, leaving behind a severed tail that Minato and Taiichi sealed away along with the horn.
• Taiichi spotted the Cloud Village ship, and he and Minato recovered its crates of supplies plundered from the Land of Wind before sending them to Mount Myoboku.
• Taiichi and Minato returned to Konoha Camp with the Cloud Ninja corpses and reported their victory and the recovered supplies to Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya gave Taiichi his report on Yohei and ordered him to take it and the good news to Hokage-sama.

Taiichi reported that he and Minato had wiped out the Cloud Ninja raiding force and recovered the stolen supplies, prompting Konoha’s leaders to publicize their victory and consider Jiraiya’s proposal about the Uchiha. At a clan meeting, Fugaku Uchiha halted the elders’ argument over recalling Yohei by asking what Yohei himself wanted.

• Taiichi returned from the Southern Camp and told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he and Minato had killed nearly all the Cloud Ninja raiders.
• Taiichi reported that they had recovered five crates of supplies stolen from the Land of Wind, then described their operations and delivered Jiraiya’s report about Yohei.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders agreed to follow Jiraiya’s proposal, approach Fugaku Uchiha about sending more Uchiha children to the Ninja Academy, and spread news of the victory.
• At a meeting of Uchiha Jonin, the Second and Third Elders argued for recalling Yohei Uchiha, while the Fourth Elder opposed the idea.
• Fugaku Uchiha asked the assembled Jonin what Yohei Uchiha himself wanted.