Recaps

Taichi Matsushita, disguised as the bounty hunter Ryunosuke, joined Iwagakure’s war against Cloud Village to exploit the conflict and reach the main battlefield. After arriving with a squad near Cloud Village’s camp, he used a Shadow Clone to conceal that his real body had slipped away toward the battlefield.

• Ryunosuke collected a bounty at the Black Market Exchange and learned that Iwagakure was recruiting bounty hunters to fight Cloud Village.
• Ryunosuke accepted the war mission and traveled to Iwagakure’s camp, where Kitsuchi promised large rewards and threatened anyone who disobeyed orders or deserted.
• Kitsuchi led the bounty hunters toward a battlefield where four Tailed Beasts and the Third Raikage, A, were fighting.
• Iwagakure dispersed the bounty hunters into squads for flanking and sabotage, assigning Ryunosuke’s squad to operate near Cloud Village’s main camp.
• Ryunosuke’s Shadow Clone defeated a Cloud Village squad while the real Taichi used Earth Style to reach the main battlefield unnoticed.

Taiichi watched Stone Village lure the Third Raikage and Cloud Village’s elite into a canyon ambush, then secretly sabotaged both sides as the battle turned desperate. As the Raikage held back Stone Village’s forces and Taiichi’s Shadow Clone sabotaged Cloud Village’s escape, Taiichi disrupted the chakra core of Stone Village’s Combined Ninjutsu.

• The Third Raikage broke through Stone Village’s defenses, and the routed Rock Ninja retreated with Cloud Village in pursuit.
• Stone Village trapped the pursuing Cloud Village forces in a canyon, where Ōnoki offered surrender and the Third Raikage ordered his elites to escape while he held off the attackers.
• Taiichi’s Shadow Clone led fleeing Cloud Ninja toward a cliff passage, collapsed it, and repeatedly hindered their escape as Stone Village closed in.
• Ōnoki ordered hundreds of Rock Ninja to use Combined Ninjutsu: Earth Style: Earth Flow River against the Third Raikage.
• Taiichi found the Combined Ninjutsu’s chakra node and disrupted its flow, causing the earthen wave to stall and destabilize.

The Third Raikage died after fighting Iwagakure for three days and nights, while Taiichi’s covert interference helped weaken the Rock Ninja’s combined jutsu. As news of the Raikage’s death spread, A remained pinned down by Orochimaru on Konoha’s front as a messenger raced toward them.

• Taiichi’s interference weakened Iwagakure’s combined jutsu, allowing the Third Raikage to break through its earth-and-stone wave and fight the Rock Ninja for three days and nights.
• The Third Raikage exhausted his chakra and strength and died, while Iwagakure suffered far heavier casualties than planned.
• Taiichi, posing as Ryunosuke, demanded payment for a sack of Cloud Ninja headbands, and Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to pay his enormous bounty to protect the village’s reputation.
• Taiichi left with the bounty, and Iwagakure publicized the Third Raikage’s death across the Ninja World.
• Orochimaru intensified Konoha’s attacks on the Cloud front and kept A occupied, preventing him from returning to the village after his father’s death.
• A messenger ninja raced toward the front lines as A remained caught in the standoff with Orochimaru.

After Konoha and the Cloud Village signed a ceasefire, Taiichi told Orochimaru that Madara Uchiha had died and that artificial life-forms could use Wood Style. Obito, posing as Madara, set out with Black Zetsu to recruit Nagato, but his arrival in Amegakure was met with Konan’s paper defense and Pain’s Shinra Tensei.

• Konoha and the Cloud Village signed a ceasefire agreement, and A returned to Kumogakure to prepare to become the Fourth Raikage.
• Taiichi told Orochimaru that Madara Uchiha had died and that an artificial life-form could use Wood Style, prompting Orochimaru to eagerly await examining its body.
• Obito trained with Black Zetsu, mastered Intangibility and improved his Wood Style, then decided to meet Nagato and advance their plan.
• Black Zetsu reported that Nagato had killed Hanzo of the Salamander and become the leader of Amegakure, while Nagato continued pursuing peace through pain and power.
• Obito appeared before Pain and Konan, challenged Nagato’s ability to rule the Ninja World, and passed unharmed through Konan’s paper shuriken.
• Pain raised his hand and used Shinra Tensei against Obito.

Obito approached Pain and Konan in Amegakure, offered cooperation, and explained his plan to use the Rinnegan and Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to gather the Tailed Beasts. Pain agreed to work with him for now, while Obito and Black Zetsu plotted to claim the Ten-Tails and Rinnegan for themselves and found that the Ninja World offered few opportunities to capture Tailed Beasts.

• Pain stopped Konan from attacking Obito and questioned his claim to be Madara Uchiha.
• Obito described the Sage of Six Paths’ descendants, the Rinnegan, and his plan to gather the Tailed Beasts and cast Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Pain agreed to cooperate with Obito, who explained that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path could alleviate Nagato’s physical weakness.
• Konan questioned the alliance, but Pain said he wanted the ultimate weapon so the world could understand pain, not to create Obito’s false peace.
• Obito met Black Zetsu outside Amegakure and admitted that Pain only partly believed him and wanted the Ten-Tails for his own purpose.
• Black Zetsu reported that fighting had mostly subsided, leaving Obito frustrated that he had missed the best chance to capture Tailed Beasts.

After the war, Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that he would step down as Hokage, and Minato Namikaze emerged as the expected successor. Back at Konoha's research base, Taiichi Matsushita questioned Orochimaru about whether he had abandoned his own bid for the position.

• Mitokado Homura warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that villagers blamed him for the war's losses, and Hiruzen said he would step down and accept responsibility.
• News spread that Konoha was preparing to choose the Fourth Hokage, with Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Minato Namikaze discussed as candidates while Taiichi Matsushita was considered too young.
• At the Eastern Battlefield, Jiraiya told Tsunade that he no longer planned to pursue the Hokage position and urged Minato to do his best in the final battle.
• Orochimaru dissected the White Zetsu corpse with Taiichi and speculated that it had been mass-produced through a secret technique.
• Taiichi asked Orochimaru whether he had stopped competing for Hokage after finding him absorbed in research.

Taiichi welcomed Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune back to Konoha after they left the Eastern Front in Minato Namikaze’s hands. Tsunade reunited with Hiruzen Sarutobi at the Hokage’s Office, where she reported that the front was stable.

• Orochimaru told Taiichi he no longer wanted the Hokage position and preferred to focus on research.
• Taiichi waited at Konoha Gate and greeted Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune as they arrived from the Eastern Front.
• Tsunade agreed to stay at Taiichi’s home temporarily, while Jiraiya was turned away.
• The returning Sannin drew an excited crowd, so Taiichi led Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune through the village to the Hokage’s Office.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Tsunade back, and she reported that Minato Namikaze had taken over the Eastern Front and that the situation was stable.

Tsunade returned to Konoha, accepted the role of Konoha Hospital director, and came home to find Taiichi had prepared a place for her. She questioned his decision to take Uchiha Itachi as a disciple, then began the hospital handover and faced the work of training Medical Ninjas.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Tsunade director of Konoha Hospital and reassigned Taiichi from Anbu to work under her.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi made Jiraiya agree to stay in Konoha as an advisor to Minato, who was about to become the Fourth Hokage.
• Taiichi brought Tsunade home, where Mizuki and the Mist Village Medical Ninjas welcomed her; Jiraiya stayed the night as a guest.
• Tsunade met Yami, Jiangtai, and Uchiha Itachi, then questioned Taiichi about taking Itachi as his disciple; Taiichi said he wanted the boy to see Konoha as a whole.
• Tsunade and the others shared a welcome banquet at Yeqi Restaurant, and Tsunade later worked through the hospital handover documents with Taiichi.
• Taiichi asked Tsunade how she planned to train Medical Ninjas, and Tsunade realized she had not yet made a plan.

Taiichi helped Tsunade secure approval from Hiruzen Sarutobi to create Medical Ninja courses at the Ninja Academy, then persuaded her to teach them. The story shifted to Rōran, where Queen Seraam questioned Anrokuzan about the disappearance of dozens of men, unaware of his sinister reaction.

• Tsunade ordered Taiichi to gather proposals for training more Medical Ninjas, and he compiled the hospital staff's suggestions.
• Tsunade and Taiichi brought the plan to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who approved specialized Medical Ninja courses at the Ninja Academy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Tsunade responsibility for teachers and teaching materials, and Tsunade pushed the work onto Taiichi.
• Taiichi persuaded Tsunade to teach the small graduating class herself, and they returned toward the hospital together.
• Queen Seraam asked Anrokuzan about dozens of missing men, and he promised to uncover the truth within two days.
• Anrokuzan left the audience with Queen Seraam and dropped his courteous smile, revealing a chilling expression.

Taiichi was assigned a covert mission to investigate disappearances in Rōran and protect Queen Seraam, with the Dragon Vein at the center of the threat. He traveled with Kakashi and Rin into the Land of Wind, and the chapter ended as they approached Rōran and sensed unusual energy.

• Taiichi taught a medical ninjutsu class until an Anbu messenger summoned him to the Hokage's Office.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi briefed Taiichi on Queen Seraam's request for aid, the disappearances in Rōran, and the Dragon Vein, then approved Kakashi and Rin as his teammates.
• Taiichi recruited Kakashi and Rin, and the three set out for Rōran on a covert mission.
• The team crossed the Land of Wind, and Taiichi told Kakashi that he still had no news of Obito.
• At dusk on the sixth day, Taiichi, Kakashi, and Rin reached Rōran, sensed unusually active energy, and crept toward the city.

Taiichi, Kakashi, and Rin uncovered that Rōran’s peaceful streets concealed human-shaped puppets controlled through chakra pipes, then found Queen Seraam poisoned. Rin began treating her while Taiichi investigated, and the chapter ended with Seraam receiving Minister Anrokuzan at dawn.

• Tsunade fumed over Taiichi’s mission taking him away from teaching in Konoha.
• Taiichi, Kakashi, and Rin entered Rōran and discovered that many residents were puppets connected to hidden chakra pipes.
• The team infiltrated the palace and found Queen Seraam, who described disappearances and suspected she was being poisoned.
• Rin confirmed that Seraam had been given a concealed chronic toxin and began detoxifying her while Kakashi guarded them.
• Taiichi used Flying Thunder God to leave the palace and investigate the city as Seraam prepared to meet Anrokuzan the next morning.

Anrokuzan fled the palace after seeing Kakashi and Rin, while Taiichi investigated strange Dragon Vein disturbances and rescued Naruto and Yamato from advanced puppets. After discovering Naruto carried the Nine-Tails, Taiichi asked whether they had been swept into Rōran by an inexplicable force.

• Anrokuzan panicked when he saw Kakashi and Rin beside Queen Seraam, then hurried toward the Dragon Vein.
• Taiichi investigated Rōran and detected abnormal chakra fluctuations as he placed Flying Thunder God Marks around the city.
• Taiichi found Naruto Uzumaki and Yamato surrounded by elite Puppet Soldiers and destroyed the puppets in moments.
• Taiichi led Naruto and Yamato to a concealed spot, where they introduced themselves and he examined Naruto’s Ninja ID.
• Taiichi used Soul Vision to recognize Naruto as the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki, alarming Naruto and Yamato.
• Taiichi returned Naruto’s ID and asked whether an inexplicable force had brought them to Rōran.

Taiichi explained that Naruto and Yamato had arrived in a different timeline, then brought them to the palace, where Naruto recognized a young Kakashi. After the group learned that Anrokuzan was likely Mukade, Queen Seraam led the Konoha ninja toward a hidden passage to find him.

• Taiichi told Naruto and Yamato that they had traveled to a different timeline, and Yamato confirmed his account after checking Rōran with a Shadow Clone.
• Yamato explained that he and Naruto had been sent to capture Mukade, and Taiichi brought them to the palace to meet his companions.
• Naruto recognized the young Kakashi, and Yamato told Kakashi and Rin that Obito had died at Kannabi Bridge in their timeline.
• Taiichi clarified that Obito was alive in his timeline and warned everyone not to interfere with the other timeline, then identified Anrokuzan as Mukade.
• Queen Seraam sent an attendant to find Anrokuzan, learned he was missing, and led Taiichi, Kakashi, Rin, Naruto, and Yamato toward a hidden passage.

Taiichi and the others fought through the palace puppets and confronted Mukade at the Dragon Vein, where he transformed into a giant puppet. Mukade held Sara hostage, but Taiichi rescued her, leaving Kakashi, Naruto, and Yamato an opening to attack.

• Queen Seraam led Taiichi, Kakashi, Rin, Yamato, and Naruto through the secret passage, where awakened palace puppets attacked them.
• The group defeated the puppets and reached the Dragon Vein chamber, where Mukade activated the Dragon Vein and transformed himself into a giant puppet.
• Kakashi, Naruto, and Yamato damaged and restrained the puppet, but it regenerated and grew stronger using the Dragon Vein's power.
• Queen Seraam tried to sever Mukade's connection to the Dragon Vein, but Mukade revealed the unconscious Sara inside his puppet and threatened her.
• Taiichi used Flying Thunder God Marks inside the puppet to reach Sara, cut her free, and bring her to Rin for treatment.
• Kakashi and Naruto launched finishing attacks while Yamato restrained the puppet and held it in place.

After defeating Anrokuzan, Taiichi and the queen tried to reseal the Dragon Vein, but its eruption hurled the injured Urashiki Otsutsuki into their time. Urashiki attacked Naruto to take the Nine-Tails’ chakra, and the group fought back as his chakra-draining fishing rod forced them to change tactics.

• Kakashi and Naruto destroyed Anrokuzan, and Rin reassured Queen Seraam that Sara was unconscious but safe.
• Taiichi and Queen Seraam began sealing the unstable Dragon Vein, but a violent eruption blasted the group aside and cast Urashiki onto the stone floor.
• Urashiki recognized Naruto, revealed his identity, and attacked Rin when she tried to evacuate the queen and Sara; Taiichi knocked aside his fishing hook.
• Urashiki charged at Naruto for the Nine-Tails’ chakra, but Taiichi intercepted him, and Kakashi, Yamato, and Naruto joined the fight.
• Urashiki’s hook paralyzed Naruto’s Shadow Clones and drained their chakra, strengthening him; Taiichi warned the others to avoid the hook.
• The group adjusted their tactics, and Taiichi continued battling Urashiki, whose injuries and dwindling chakra left him struggling to keep up.

Taiichi fought Urashiki through successive transformations, using his Yin Seal, Sage Mode, and upgraded Fire Style to keep pace with the Otsutsuki’s overwhelming power. After their final clash destroyed the underground chamber, Taiichi remained standing while Urashiki crumbled to dust and vanished.

• Urashiki revealed his red and blue Rinnegan, used a time-reversal ability to drain Yamato’s chakra, and forced Taiichi to release his Yin Seal.
• Taiichi fought Urashiki at full speed while Kakashi and Naruto supported him, until Urashiki consumed his own Rinnegan and the Red Light Fish Basket to enter his final form.
• Urashiki struck Naruto with Mitama blasts, leaving him incapacitated, and Taiichi activated Sage Mode to face Urashiki alone as Kakashi carried Naruto and Yamato toward the exit.
• Taiichi spent Attribute and Skill Points to replenish his reserves and strengthen his Fire Nature Transformation and Chakra Control, enabling him to injure Urashiki.
• As Urashiki’s unstable power waned, Taiichi unleashed Sage Art: Super Fire Jade Rasengan against Urashiki’s Ryugu beam, and their clash collapsed the chamber.
• Taiichi survived the explosion, while Urashiki fell and crumbled to dust, vanishing from time and space.

Taiichi defeated Urashiki but collapsed from exhaustion and severe injuries, while the palace and surrounding area were destroyed. After waking the next day, he learned his injuries would heal and that no civilians had died; Kakashi remained with the queen.

• Taiichi collapsed after defeating Urashiki, while Queen Seraam ordered Rōran evacuated as the underground battle shook the palace.
• The palace was destroyed in a massive explosion, and Kakashi found Taiichi unconscious but alive in the ruins.
• Naruto and Yamato began glowing and returned to their own time after Kakashi said their mission was complete.
• Taiichi woke after a day and night, assessed his injuries and the Attribute Points and Skill Points he had spent, and reassured Rin that he would recover.
• Rin told Taiichi that the queen and Princess Sara were safe, the palace was nearly destroyed, and no civilians had died; Kakashi was protecting the queen.

Taiichi recovered enough to seal Rōran’s Dragon Vein and conceal the truth about Urashiki, Naruto, and Yamato before returning to Konoha with Kakashi and Rin. The clash beneath Rōran alerted the Lunar Otsutsuki Clan, whose Main and Branch Families split over how to confront the threat, with Katsuya ordering the Branch Family to build the Giant Tenseigan and eliminate the Main Family.

• Taiichi used Sage Mode to restore his strength, then went with Kakashi and Rin to meet Queen Seraam and Sara.
• Taiichi persuaded the queen to keep her own memories while sealing the other witnesses’ memories of Urashiki, Naruto, Yamato, and their arrival from the future.
• With Queen Seraam guiding the Dragon Vein, Taiichi sealed its core using the Eight Trigrams Nine Dragons Prohibition, then departed Rōran with Kakashi and Rin for Konoha.
• The energy clash beneath Rōran alerted the Lunar Otsutsuki Clan to Urashiki’s presence and the appearance of a Celestial Being on Earth.
• Katsuya urged the Branch Family to rule the Ninja World, while the Main Family advocated cooperation with its people; the two families split over their opposing plans.
• Katsuya ordered the Branch Family to accelerate construction of the Giant Tenseigan, use every Byakugan, eliminate the Main Family, and unite the Ninja World.

Jigen sensed another Ōtsutsuki in the Ninja World and decided to create the organization Kara, while Taiichi reported Urashiki’s revelations to Hiruzen Sarutobi and proposed preparations against future threats. After the mission, Rin chose to train as a Medical Ninja and Kakashi resolved to train with his father and join the Anbu; Taiichi then returned home, where Tsunade’s Shadow Clone dumped her accumulated work on him.

• Jigen sensed an Ōtsutsuki fighting near Rōran and, after the presence vanished, resolved to create Kara and make his own vessel.
• Taiichi, Kakashi, and Rin returned to Konoha and secretly gave Hiruzen Sarutobi their report about the future and the Ōtsutsuki.
• Taiichi proposed uniting the five great ninja villages and strengthening Konoha, but Hiruzen Sarutobi doubted the villages would cooperate and dismissed the team to rest.
• Rin decided to specialize in Medical Ninjutsu, while Kakashi chose to train under his father and apply to join the Anbu.
• Tsunade’s Shadow Clone confronted Taiichi with her backlog of hospital and academy work, then dispersed after assigning it to him.
• Taiichi used seven Shadow Clones to divide the tasks and began reviewing Tsunade’s proposal for expanding and training Medical Ninja.

Konoha began reforms to its Ninja Academy and research programs in response to threats revealed by Taiichi Matsushita’s Rōran mission. As advisors questioned the changes and Taiichi and Rin discussed the village’s future, the reforms proceeded and Kakashi prepared to join Anbu.

• Aoba Yamashiro announced that the Academy’s pilot class would receive Chakra Control and Ninjutsu theory lessons, while Hiruzen Sarutobi defended teaching basic combat skills earlier.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Orochimaru to lead a new Konoha Research Department, with reporting and funding reviews intended to supervise its work.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu criticized Hiruzen’s reforms, suspected they followed the Rōran mission, and arranged an investigation into Rōran.
• Taiichi Matsushita and Rin discussed her medical training, Kakashi’s swordsmanship lessons and Anbu application, and the changes taking place in Konoha.

After Mist Village withdrew from the Eastern Front, Minato Namikaze returned to a triumphant welcome in Konoha as Hiruzen prepared to pass the Hokage position to him. Minato then asked Taiichi about the Otsutsuki threat, and Taiichi resolved to grow strong enough to face them himself.

• Minato Namikaze confirmed Mist Village had withdrawn, secured the Eastern Front, and led Konoha's forces home after another month of preparations.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Minato to Konoha amid a jubilant celebration, signaling that Minato's succession as Fourth Hokage was near.
• Orochimaru asked Taiichi whether he regretted not pursuing the Hokage position, and Taiichi said he preferred freedom and direct challenges.
• Minato visited Taiichi at the Ninja Academy and asked about the battle at Rōran and the Otsutsuki clan.
• Taiichi warned Minato that the Otsutsuki were an immense threat and said he would become strong enough to send them back into the sky.

Hiruzen Sarutobi secured the Daimyo’s confirmation of Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage, then used his visit to search the Daimyo’s Mansion Library for ancient records. Taiichi realized Hiruzen was seeking clues about the Otsutsuki clan, and the chapter ended as Hiruzen uncovered fragments mentioning Kaguya, the God Tree, and a threat from beyond the heavens.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the advisors confirmed Minato Namikaze as the sole candidate for Fourth Hokage.
• Taiichi received a top-secret mission to escort Hiruzen Sarutobi to Kyoto and dumped urgent paperwork on Tsunade before leaving.
• Taiichi and four Anbu ninja accompanied Hiruzen Sarutobi to Kyoto, where the Daimyo formally approved Minato Namikaze’s nomination.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi requested access to the Daimyo’s Mansion Library, and the Daimyo allowed him to consult its records.
• Taiichi realized Hiruzen was searching for traces of the Otsutsuki clan and monitored the Library from a side hall.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi examined ancient scrolls that mentioned Kaguya, the God Tree, Otsutsuki descendants, and a sleeping threat.

Hiruzen Sarutobi investigated ancient texts in the Daimyo's library, then returned to Konoha as Minato Namikaze's succession accelerated. After Minato became Fourth Hokage, he sought to integrate the Uchiha Clan more closely into the village, but Mitokado Homura warned that they could not be trusted.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi read ancient biographies, local gazetteers, and books about myths and legends in the Daimyo's library, then returned to Konoha with grave concerns.
• The Jonin unanimously voted confidence in Minato Namikaze, and Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that his inauguration ceremony would take place a week later.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi handed Minato the Hokage hat at the public ceremony, and Minato swore to protect everyone in Konoha as Fourth Hokage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down and supported Minato as an Advisor while the village prepared for threats from Madara Uchiha, a mysterious organization, and the Celestial Beings.
• Minato proposed bringing the Uchiha Clan closer to Konoha's core, but Mitokado Homura objected and cited the clan's history and the danger of its Sharingan.

Taiichi challenged Mitokado Homura’s opposition to involving the Uchiha, and Minato decided to invite capable Uchiha ninja into the Anbu. Taiichi carried the proposal to Fugaku, who listened as the chapter ended before giving his response.

• Taiichi rebuked Mitokado Homura for questioning the Uchiha and argued that their clan should not be rejected over the Sharingan.
• Minato asked Taiichi to act as an intermediary with the Uchiha, while Hiruzen later told Homura that far greater enemies threatened the village and that Taiichi had become immensely powerful.
• Taiichi trained Jiangtai, Yami, and Uchiha Itachi, then asked Itachi to tell Fugaku he would visit that evening.
• Taiichi visited Fugaku and revealed that Minato wanted capable Uchiha ninja to join the Anbu.

Taiichi persuaded Fugaku to support Shisui’s advancement to Anbu and allow outstanding non-Uchiha ninja into the Military Police Force while preserving Uchiha leadership. At home, Minato proposed to Kushina, and she agreed to marry him at the beginning of the next month.

• Taiichi proposed Shisui Uchiha as an Anbu candidate and suggested admitting non-Uchiha ninja into the Military Police Force.
• Fugaku initially rejected opening the Military Police Force, but Taiichi argued that sharing its duties could reduce resentment and strengthen the Uchiha’s ties with villagers.
• Fugaku agreed to support Shisui’s advancement and open some Military Police Force positions to non-Uchiha ninja, while reserving the force’s core duties and final authority for the Uchiha.
• Kushina confronted Minato for coming home late and neglecting her after becoming Hokage.
• Minato asked Kushina to marry him, and she agreed to a simple ceremony at the beginning of the next month.