Recaps

Taiichi completed his volcanic training and reached Level 14 Fire Nature Transformation before heading toward the Land of Water. In Kirigakure, Madara Uchiha appeared before the Third Mizukage and controlled him with Genjutsu.

• Taiichi taught Itachi, Jiangtai, and Yami a foundation-building Taijutsu routine, and Itachi mastered it faster than the others.
• Fugaku watched Itachi train and recognized the Taijutsu’s broad physical conditioning, while Mikoto welcomed how happy her son had become.
• Taiichi’s training at Mount Asama pushed his Fire Nature Transformation to Level 14, and he demonstrated a Fireball powerful enough to vaporize seawater and create a massive shockwave.
• Taiichi set out for the Land of Water as Kirigakure celebrated its gains from plundering the Land of Wind’s coastline during Sunagakure’s war with Konoha.
• Madara appeared in the Third Mizukage’s office, subdued him with Genjutsu, and dismissed him while reading a frontline report about Sunagakure’s counterattack.

Madara ordered Kirigakure to abandon its fight against Sunagakure and prepare to raid Konoha, while Yagura questioned the order and secretly sought Elder Genji’s advice. Meanwhile, Taiichi booked passage to the Land of Water after getting lost at sea, and his voyage took a dangerous turn when he spotted a fast-approaching ship.

• Madara received news of Sunagakure’s resistance and ordered Kirigakure to shift its target to Konoha.
• Karatachi Yagura relayed the Mizukage’s order to withdraw from the front and prepare to attack the Land of Fire, despite the ninja’s misgivings.
• Yagura doubted the order’s reasoning and sent a sealed letter to Elder Genji through a trusted subordinate.
• After losing his way at sea, Taiichi reached a coastal city, paid for passage aboard Swim’s merchant ship, and learned that pirates threatened sea trade routes.
• Taiichi spent his days studying the ocean from the ship’s bow, then noticed a vessel rapidly approaching from behind.

Taiichi helped Swim’s merchant ship survive a pirate attack, defeating the boarding party and destroying their vessel with a powerful Fire Style technique. Meanwhile, Tsunade reported that Mist Village forces had returned to the Land of Fire, leaving Konoha’s weakened East Front at a standstill as the Hokage and Advisors considered their options.

• Swim’s crew spotted pirates approaching at unnatural speed, and the pirates raised their flag before closing in.
• Yudo and his three ninja subordinates fought the pirate leader and his men, but they were quickly overwhelmed as the pirates boarded.
• Taiichi stepped in, knocked the pirate leader down, and killed four attacking ninja with swift strikes, sending the remaining pirates fleeing.
• Taiichi killed the pirate leader and burned the pirate ship and its crew to ashes with Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame.
• Swim resumed the voyage, while reports from Tsunade reached Konoha that the East Front was locked in a stalemate with Mist Village forces.
• Utatane Koharu suggested sending Taiichi to the front, and the Hokage began to explain that Taiichi had joined the Anbu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Jiraiya to join Tsunade on the Eastern Front and discussed Taiichi Matsushita’s role in bringing the Uchiha closer to the village. Jiraiya reached Tsunade’s command tent, where she angrily confronted him for neglecting her for nearly three years.

• Mitokado Homura proposed sending Jiraiya to support Tsunade, and Hiruzen Sarutobi approved the transfer from the Land of Rivers.
• Mitokado Homura warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that Uchiha Itachi had become Taiichi Matsushita’s disciple and accused Taiichi of aiding the Uchiha.
• Taiichi argued that he could serve as a bridge between the Uchiha and the village, and Hiruzen Sarutobi asked him to pursue that effort.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked whether Taiichi wanted to become Hokage, but Taiichi rejected the position and reaffirmed his interest in training and travel.
• Jiraiya hurried to the Eastern Front after receiving his orders and burst into Tsunade’s command tent.
• Tsunade sent the others away and berated Jiraiya for failing to contact her during the nearly three years they had been apart.

Jiraiya joined the Eastern Front, where his arrival led the commanders to shift toward an offensive plan. In the Land of Water, Taiichi encountered Madara Uchiha in an izakaya, and their conversation about war ended with Madara challenging Taiichi's view of the world.

• Jiraiya arrived at the Eastern Front, but Tsunade warned him off with a punch before ordering him to report to Nara Kaoru.
• Jiraiya joined the war council, and the commanders changed their plans to build an offensive spearhead around him.
• After seven days at sea, Taiichi reached the Land of Water and explored Ira City before stopping to eat at a local izakaya.
• Madara Uchiha and Zetsu spotted Taiichi at the izakaya, and Zetsu identified him to Madara.
• Madara sat with Taiichi and raised the meaning of war, while Taiichi argued that society had progressed and that the world held more than conflict.
• Madara told Taiichi that he would understand the world's malice after losing his family, friends, and dreams.

Taiichi told Madara that sufficient strength and intelligence could end war, while Sunagakure and Konoha both took steps to honor their peace treaty as Konoha focused on Mist Village. At the East Front, Tsunade prepared for new reinforcements and reassured Jiraiya that Taiichi’s Uchiha disciple did not mean Taiichi intended to compete with Minato for Hokage.

• Taiichi argued with Madara that a sufficiently strong and capable person could reshape the world, and Madara left hoping Taiichi would eventually back up his words.
• Madara asked Zetsu whether Taiichi had recognized him, then criticized Konoha’s leadership and lamented that Taiichi was not an Uchiha.
• Rasa rejected Elder Songhe’s proposal to attack Konoha, and Sunagakure withdrew troops while Konoha pulled its Land of Rivers camp back in response.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya concluded Sunagakure was no longer a threat and planned to focus on Mist Village, while Nara Kaoru learned that Asuma was among the new reinforcements.
• Jiraiya worried that Taiichi’s Uchiha disciple might signal a bid for Hokage, but Tsunade assured him that Taiichi wanted village stability and would not oppose Minato.

After a month of training, Itachi, Yami, and Jiangtai went into Konoha to enjoy Three-color Dango together. Taiichi noticed Itachi briefly manifest a warm, crimson Sharingan response brought on by happiness, but the outing ended with three older boys confronting the children and Jiangtai charging their leader.

• Itachi persuaded Taiichi to let the children explore the village, and Taiichi secretly followed them with Chakra Perception.
• Itachi bought eight skewers of Three-color Dango, sharing them with Yami and Jiangtai and saving two for Taiichi.
• While Itachi enjoyed the moment with his friends, Taiichi sensed a chakra fluctuation and saw a brief red flash in Itachi's eyes, suspecting positive emotion had stirred his Sharingan.
• The children wandered near a public training ground, where three older boys spotted Itachi's Uchiha crest and confronted him with hostility.
• Jiangtai and Yami defended Itachi, and when the older boys' leader reached to shove them aside, Jiangtai ducked and rammed his head into the boy's stomach.

Itachi, Jiangtai, and Yami fought off three older boys who had bullied Itachi, then received Taiichi’s praise and a lesson about surviving dangerous fights. That evening, Taiichi visited the Uchiha Compound to speak with the clan head, and Uchiha Kenro offered to guide him.

• Jiangtai, Yami, and Itachi fought three older boys at the Training Ground, using agility and precise attacks to drive them away.
• Itachi shared his crushed Three-color Dango with Jiangtai and Yami, and the three celebrated their victory together.
• Taiichi praised the children for defending one another, warned them to prioritize survival against stronger opponents, and treated their injuries.
• Taiichi added sparring practice to the afternoon lesson, leaving the three children exhausted by the end of the day.
• Taiichi went to the Uchiha Compound and met Uchiha Kenro, who recognized him as the ninja who had saved his life and offered to lead him to the clan head.

Taiichi discussed Itachi’s unusual Sharingan awakening with Fugaku and reassured him that positive emotions would not hinder its evolution or change Itachi’s temperament. As the war wore down Konoha, Minato prepared Team Minato for a dangerous mission while remembering that Hiruzen had named him a possible successor to the Hokage seat.

• Taiichi told Fugaku that Itachi’s Sharingan seemed to awaken through positive emotion, and Fugaku found no precedent in Uchiha records.
• Taiichi advised Fugaku to prioritize Itachi’s physical strength and avoid deliberately pursuing Sharingan evolution; Fugaku asked him to watch over Itachi.
• Itachi feared Taiichi had come to report his misbehavior, but Fugaku reassured him and later reflected that hostility toward the Uchiha reached even village children.
• Minato warned Kakashi, Obito, and Rin that their mission was extremely dangerous, but Kakashi convinced him that Team Minato could provide support and call for help.
• Minato recalled Hiruzen asking about the next Hokage and revealing that Jiraiya would refuse the position, Orochimaru was unsuitable, and Tsunade would not have returned without Taiichi.

Minato led a mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge, sending Choza’s team to draw away Stone Village forces while Kakashi, Obito, and Rin attacked a support point. After the trio escaped, three Stone Village Jonin and three Chunin pursued them, and Obito resisted Kakashi’s plan to call for help.

• Minato briefed his teams on the dangerous mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge and assigned Choza’s team to launch a feint while Kakashi, Obito, and Rin attacked from the north.
• Choza’s team smashed a watchtower and drew Stone Village forces away as Kakashi’s team planted Explosive Tags and attacked the bridge support point.
• Mahiru ambushed Kakashi’s team beneath the bridge, but Kakashi struck him with lightning before the trio detonated their tags and fled.
• Black Zetsu watched from hiding as Mahiru, Taiseki, and Kakkou joined the pursuit, accompanied by three Chunin.
• Kakashi sensed the six pursuers, laid traps to slow them, and prepared to summon Taiichi with the special Kunai, but Obito objected to calling for help before fighting.

Minato rigged Kannabi Bridge while Kakashi held off Iwagakure pursuers and Obito and Rin fled. Black Zetsu stole and destroyed their Flying Thunder God Kunai, Rin was captured, and Kakashi found Obito after Taiseki escaped, leaving them without their means to call for help.

• Minato used Kakashi's marked Kunai to reach Kannabi Bridge and began placing Explosive Tags on its reinforced piers.
• Kakashi stayed behind to delay six Iwagakure Ninja while Obito and Rin escaped; Black Zetsu emerged from hiding and stole their Flying Thunder God Kunai.
• Taiseki caught up with Obito and Rin, injured Rin, and took her away with three Chunin after Obito discovered the Kunai was missing.
• Obito awakened his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and fought Taiseki until Kakashi arrived and pierced the Jonin's arm with Chidori.
• Kakashi asked why Obito had not used the Kunai, and Obito revealed that someone had cut open his pouch and stolen everything inside.

Obito and Kakashi tracked Rin to an Iwagakure cave, where Kakkou and Taiseki implanted a deadly sealing technique in her. Kakashi and Obito rescued her and fled, while Black Zetsu restored the Rock Ninja and they sent up a flare to summon reinforcements; Rin realized the seal threatened Minato and Konoha but could not warn her friends.

• Obito and Kakashi searched for Taiichi's missing Flying Thunder God Kunai, then followed the Rock Ninja's tracks when they could not find it.
• Rin awoke in an Iwagakure cave, where Kakkou and Taiseki restrained her and implanted Iwagakure's Six-Harmony Death Zone seal in her body.
• Kakashi killed the three Chunin guarding the cave while Obito distracted them, then Kakashi cut Rin free and carried her out as the cave collapsed.
• Obito told Kakashi that Rin's limbs were broken, so Kakashi carried her while they fled; Rin could not speak or move enough to warn them about the seal.
• Black Zetsu appeared to Kakkou and Taiseki, restored them to normal, and watched as they sent up a flare to summon reinforcements.

Kakashi and Obito tried to protect Rin as Kakkou, Taiseki, and other Stone Village ninja closed in. Rin died saving Obito, awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan, and Obito used Kamui to kill Kakkou and Taiseki.

• Kakashi carried Rin while he and Obito fled their pursuers, but Rin pleaded with them to leave her behind because the enemy had sealed a bomb inside her intended to target Minato-sensei.
• Kakkou and Taiseki caught up with them, and Mahiru arrived with another Chunin squad as Kakashi and Obito fought to protect Rin.
• Taiseki attacked the tree where Rin rested, and Kakashi raised an Earth Wall to shield her; when Kakkou struck at Kakashi, Obito shoved him aside, and Rin took the kunai meant for Obito.
• Rin died in Obito's arms, awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan; he became intangible to the Rock Ninja's attacks and slaughtered the squad that had been fighting him.
• Obito used Kamui to tear holes through Kakkou and Taiseki's chests, killing both Jonin instantly.

Minato destroyed Kannabi Bridge after defeating its Rock Ninja defenders, but when he returned to the rendezvous point, Kakashi and the others were missing. Meanwhile, Obito awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan in grief over Rin, then Black Zetsu carried him away.

• Obito killed Mahiru and the other Rock Ninja, then collapsed while holding Rin as Kakashi lost consciousness nearby.
• Black Zetsu arrived, separated Obito from Rin, and sank into the earth with him.
• Minato triggered the alarm Barrier at Kannabi Bridge and defeated the Rock Ninja squads with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• A Rock Ninja launched a Signal Flare, but Minato finished placing Explosive Tags and destroyed the bridge before the reinforcements arrived.
• Minato returned to the rendezvous point and learned Kakashi and the others had not arrived.
• Minato asked Choza to wait and vanished to search for Kakashi using his Flying Thunder God Kunai.

Minato found Kakashi critically wounded and Rin barely alive after the mission at Kannabi Bridge, while Obito was missing. Taiichi operated on Rin in Konoha and removed the seal in her heart, leaving both Kakashi and Rin alive and recovering.

• Minato arrived at the battlefield, found Kakashi and Rin gravely injured, and discovered Obito was missing.
• Minato sent a Shadow Clone to investigate and carried Kakashi and Rin to Konoha for treatment.
• Taiichi and Hiruzen arranged emergency care at Konoha Hospital, where the Medical Team stabilized Kakashi.
• Taiichi repaired Rin's heart, removed the seal embedded in it with Adamantine Sealing Chains, and treated her other injuries.
• Taiichi told Minato and Hiruzen that Kakashi would recover without lasting damage and that Rin was alive.

Taiichi and Minato learned from Kakashi that Obito had apparently defeated the Rock Ninja before disappearing, while Rin survived but remained in critical condition. Suspecting a hidden force had interfered with the mission and destroyed the Flying Thunder God Kunai, they brought their concerns to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Taiichi received permission to investigate the scene.

• Taiichi told Minato that Kakashi and Rin were out of danger, though Rin would take at least a day to wake, and Minato worried aloud that he had failed as their guiding Jonin.
• Kakashi woke, learned Rin was alive, and told Taiichi and Minato that Obito had killed the Rock Ninja before vanishing.
• Taiichi and Minato noticed that the team’s actions and damaged Ninja Tool Pouch were suspicious, and Minato confirmed he could no longer sense the Flying Thunder God Kunai.
• Minato reported Kakashi’s account and their suspicions to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who agreed that a hidden force might have interfered.
• Taiichi volunteered to investigate the scene, and Hiruzen Sarutobi granted permission.

Obito woke in Madara Uchiha’s secret base and, shattered by Rin’s death, was drawn toward Madara’s promise of an eternal dream. Meanwhile, Taiichi tracked the signs of Obito’s abduction to where the trail vanished, leaving him unable to locate Madara’s hideout or reach Obito before he might become an enemy.

• Obito woke in Madara Uchiha’s cave, remembered Rin’s death, and violently reopened his wounds in grief.
• Madara told Obito the world was built on suffering and tempted him with a perfect dream in which Rin would never leave him.
• Obito collapsed after Madara’s words overwhelmed him, and Madara ordered the White Zetsu to watch and treat him.
• Taiichi reached the destroyed Kannabi Bridge and used Sage Art: Chakra Perception to follow traces of Obito’s flight and the pursuers’ interference.
• Taiichi found his Flying Thunder God Kunai tangled in branches, but Obito’s trail disappeared where he had fallen, leaving Taiichi unable to find Madara’s cave.

Taiichi and Hiruzen planned to use Rin’s survival to draw out the enemy targeting Obito’s Mangekyō Sharingan, while Taiichi prepared his Flying Thunder God technique for the trap. Madara ordered Black Zetsu to kill Rin, and an impostor nurse entered her guarded ward.

• Taiichi told Hiruzen that Obito had likely awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and that a hidden enemy had taken him.
• Taiichi proposed using Rin’s survival to lure the enemy into an assassination attempt, and Hiruzen assigned two Anbu squads to guard her.
• Taiichi brought Kakashi to see Rin and explained that her will to die was keeping her body near collapse.
• Taiichi raised Flying Thunder God to its maximum level and gained the ability to leave talismans casually.
• Black Zetsu told Madara that Rin was alive, and Madara ordered him to kill her personally.
• A disguised nurse passed the Anbu’s checks and entered Rin’s ward.

Taiichi stopped Black Zetsu from assassinating Rin at Konoha Hospital, but Black Zetsu escaped after revealing his Wood Style. Taiichi pursued him with Chakra Perception and Lightning Style, then lost his trail near the Land of Fire border, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Advisors considered what the enemy's abilities meant.

• Taiichi caught Black Zetsu disguised as a nurse when he tried to stab the fake Rin, then fought him as Anbu squads surrounded the room.
• Black Zetsu used Wood Style: Cutting Technique, killing an Anbu and creating an opening to escape through the window.
• Taiichi tracked Black Zetsu underground with Chakra Perception and chased him by air, using Lightning Style attacks to disrupt the Mayfly Technique.
• Black Zetsu escaped Taiichi near the Land of Fire border and headed for his base in the Land of Earth to inform Madara that the mission had failed.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura about the third party behind the Kannabi Bridge incident, and they discussed the enemy's Wood Style and the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Black Zetsu returned to Madara Uchiha with a Flying Thunder God Mark that Taichi Matsushita had placed on him, exposing the secret base. Taichi arrived and fought Madara after rejecting his offer to join him, and the battle escalated when Madara summoned his third-stage Susanoo.

• Black Zetsu reported that Taichi Matsushita had thwarted his mission to kill Rin, and Madara discovered a Flying Thunder God Mark on his body.
• Madara ordered Black Zetsu to evacuate Obito and the important items to a backup base while he stayed behind to face Taichi.
• Taiichi appeared in the cavern, killed White Zetsu, and confronted Madara, who revealed his identity and offered him a place in his plan for a perfect world.
• Taiichi rejected Madara's offer and demanded to know where Obito Uchiha was, so Madara declared them enemies and attacked.
• Madara and Taiichi exchanged Taijutsu and ninjutsu without either gaining the advantage.
• Madara activated Susanoo and formed its third-stage armored warrior.

Taiichi fought Madara Uchiha in the Land of Earth, forcing him to retreat before returning to Konoha with a White Zetsu corpse and news of Madara’s survival. He reported the encounter to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the advisors, who realized the threat Madara posed to Konoha.

• Madara collapsed the underground cavern and battled Taiichi with Susanoo, while Taiichi answered with powerful ninjutsu and Sage Art.
• Madara unleashed his Fourth Stage Susanoo, but Taiichi met its attack with two Sage Art: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, leaving Madara weakened and his Susanoo damaged.
• Madara used a Wood Human Clone to cover his escape through the earth, and Taiichi destroyed the clone before hiding the battle’s traces and recovering a White Zetsu corpse.
• Taiichi returned to Konoha, reassured Itachi, Jiangtai, and Yami, then went to the Hokage's Office to report his mission.
• Taiichi showed Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura the White Zetsu corpse and revealed that he had encountered Madara Uchiha.

Taiichi reported his battle with Madara Uchiha to Konoha’s leaders, who agreed to limited surveillance of the Uchiha and an investigation of the battlefield. He then pushed Kakashi to recover and help Rin, while Black Zetsu waited anxiously for Madara to return to their hideout.

• Taiichi told Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Advisors that Madara Uchiha was alive, had restored his youth at the cost of his remaining lifespan, and had escaped after using Susanoo and Wood Style.
• Taiichi opposed putting the entire Uchiha Clan under surveillance, and Hiruzen ordered an Anbu team to watch them while Mitokado Homura sent Root to inspect the battlefield.
• Taiichi delivered the White Zetsu corpse to the Intelligence Department and visited Rin, where he told Kakashi that Obito remained in enemy hands and urged him to recover before joining the search.
• Kakashi began rehabilitation exercises and told stories to Rin, while Taiichi listened outside and left after hearing him regain his resolve.
• Black Zetsu kept watch over the injured Obito in the Land of Earth and hurried to greet Madara when he returned, but was shocked by the figure he saw.

Madara altered Obito’s mind to make him carry on the Eye of the Moon Plan, then died after giving Black Zetsu his final instructions. Obito awoke calling himself Uchiha Madara as Iwagakure’s supply crisis deepened and Kitsuchi arrived at the front-line camp.

• Madara entered Obito’s mind, showed him that Rin was alive, and tried to persuade him to join the plan for an ideal world.
• When Obito chose to return to Konoha, Madara forcibly altered his memories and beliefs, then told Black Zetsu to remove one of Obito’s eyes and guide him and Nagato.
• Madara gave Black Zetsu instructions for continuing the plan, died in the cavern, and Black Zetsu sealed his corpse for a future revival.
• Obito woke with his former self erased, declared himself Uchiha Madara, and vowed to pursue Infinite Tsukuyomi for Rin.
• After the destruction of Kannabi Bridge disrupted Iwagakure’s supplies, Higashishinin’s advisers urged him to shorten the front line, and Kitsuchi arrived as an envoy from the village.

Stone Village accepted peace negotiations with Konoha after Kannabi Bridge's destruction left its forces short of supplies, allowing Konoha to redirect troops toward the northern front. As the Third Raikage realized Stone Village might encircle his forces, he ordered an attack to break through before the trap closed.

• Kitsuchi delivered Stone Village's ceasefire order, and he persuaded the angry commanders that Ōnoki had chosen negotiations to protect the village and its people.
• Higashishinin ordered Stone Village units to shrink their defensive line and request peace negotiations from Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed the chance to end the western fighting, ordered Konoha to draft peace terms, and prepared to focus on the threat of Madara Uchiha.
• Minato Namikaze watched Stone Village troops withdraw from the Land of Grass as both sides began peace negotiations and reduced their attacks.
• Konoha redirected forces to the northern front, where Orochimaru advanced against Cloud Village into the Land of Moon.
• After Karui warned that Stone Village could encircle Cloud Village's forces, the Third Raikage refused to retreat and ordered his elite units to smash through the Stone Village troops ahead.

Taiichi searched the Land of Earth for signs of Madara Uchiha while working as the feared bounty ninja Ryunosuke at the Exchange Shop. He delivered another corpse and demanded his payment, leaving the other bounty hunters wary of him.

• Taiichi found no trace of Madara Uchiha or his forces and continued investigating in the Land of Earth under the name Ryunosuke.
• Taiichi entered the Exchange Shop through a hidden passage behind a public toilet, carrying a corpse and frightening the people inside.
• Taiichi recalled how he had established Ryunosuke's reputation by killing a Mist Village Rogue Ninja who tried to steal his bounty.
• Taiichi delivered the current corpse at the counter, gave its serial number, and demanded his bounty.