Recaps

Ueno Kei discovered Snow Ninja preparing to ambush Kazahana Snow during the crew’s filming on an iceberg. After Nadare Rōga revealed himself and demanded the Hexagonal Crystal, Ueno Kei stepped in to fight the attackers.

• Ueno Kei noticed three Snow Ninja hiding behind an iceberg while the crew filmed.
• Nadare Rōga ordered his companions to capture Kazahana Snow alive and kill the others.
• Nadare Rōga appeared atop an exploding iceberg and demanded the Hexagonal Crystal from Kazahana Snow.
• Ueno Kei moved in front of Kazahana Snow and told her to leave the fight to him as Sandayu led her and the crew toward the ship.
• Ueno Kei used Fire Release—Phoenix Sage Fire Technique to blast two hidden Snow Ninja out of the snow and prepared to fight all three.

Ueno Kei faced the three snow ninja and shrugged off their coordinated Ice Release attack with his Lightning Release armor. He countered Nadare Rōga’s Ice Dragon Technique with a Fire Release that overwhelmed it and rushed toward Nadare.

• Ueno Kei taunted the snow ninja, and the fat man and Fubuki Kakuyoku rushed to attack him despite Nadare Rōga’s warning.
• The fat man grabbed Ueno Kei’s arm while Fubuki Kakuyoku struck him with her Ice Release—Cherry Blossom Snow Technique.
• Ueno Kei emerged unharmed in Lightning Release armor and shocked the fat man with Thunderlight Flow.
• Nadare Rōga attacked with Ice Release—Ice Dragon Technique, and Ueno Kei used Fire Release—Flame Dragon Bullet Technique to devour the ice dragon and charge toward him.

Ueno Kei killed two Snow Ninja and defeated Nadare Rōga’s giant ice whale, but Nadare escaped and headed to report him to Kazahana Dōtō. The ship’s director filmed the fight for his movie, while Ueno Kei returned to his cabin unaware that he had already appeared in the footage.

• Ueno Kei killed Fubuki Kakuyoku with Chidori after she and Nadare Rōga blocked his fire dragon, and he had already crushed their injured companion.
• Nadare Rōga summoned the One-Horned White Whale and fled while Ueno Kei charged at it with his blue-violet Chidori.
• Ueno Kei sliced the white whale apart, and the director excitedly ordered the cameramen to capture the fight.
• Ueno Kei returned to the ship and then went to his cabin after the director suggested he play the movie’s lead.
• Nadare Rōga flew away using a device on his back and set off to report Ueno Kei to Kazahana Dōtō.

Ueno Kei kept watch on the ship after the Snow ninja attack and spoke privately with Fujikaze Yukie, whose identity as the Snow Princess was already suspected by the crew. Their awkward conversation ended when Sandayu arrived and vowed to help Yukie reclaim the Land of Snow.

• After the crew went to sleep, Kei kept watch from the ship’s mast while Yukie called him down to talk.
• Yukie told Kei there was no need to keep calling her by her assumed name, since the crew had likely guessed she was the Snow Princess.
• Kei and Yukie fell into an awkward silence as Yukie grew flustered while looking at him.
• Sandayu arrived and addressed Yukie as princess, then promised to help her reclaim her rightful place in the Land of Snow.
• Sandayu declared that the rebels must die.

Sandayu urged Kazahana Yuki to return to the Land of Snow and reclaim her rightful position, but she doubted they could defeat Kazahana Dōtō. Ueno Kei insisted that Yuki choose freely, leaving Sandayu chastened and Yuki shaken as he walked away.

• Sandayu described his hatred for Kazahana Dōtō and urged Kazahana Yuki to restore the Land of Snow in honor of her father, Kazahana Sōsetsu.
• Kazahana Yuki rejected Sandayu's plan, recalling her terror of Kazahana Dōtō and mocking the idea that they could defeat him.
• Sandayu argued that Ueno Kei's strength, shown when he defeated Nadare Rōga and two other Snow ninja, gave them a chance.
• Ueno Kei promised to respect Kazahana Yuki's choice and return her safely to the Land of Fire if she did not want to reclaim her country.
• Ueno Kei challenged Sandayu for prioritizing restoration over Yuki's wishes and warned that using her could make him no better than Kazahana Dōtō.
• Sandayu lowered his head, Kazahana Yuki looked at Ueno Kei with complicated feelings, and Ueno Kei walked away.

Ueno Kei and Kazahana Yuki arrived in the Land of Snow, where Sandayu prepared to take them to the rebel base. In the capital, Kazahana Dōtō learned that Nadare Rōga’s group had failed and decided to confront his niece and the Konoha ninja himself.

• After two days of silence, Ueno Kei, Kazahana Yuki, Sandayu, and the film crew arrived at a desolate port in the Land of Snow.
• Sandayu told Ueno Kei that they would travel by train to the rebel base and asked him to protect them from Kazahana Dōtō.
• Kazahana Yuki gave Ueno Kei an unusual look as the film crew set out, but he did not notice its meaning.
• Nadare Rōga reported to Kazahana Dōtō that Ueno Kei had defeated their group and killed Kakuyoku and Fuyuguma.
• Kazahana Dōtō spared Nadare Rōga, ordered preparations for their departure, and said he would deal with Ueno Kei himself.

Ueno Kei’s group reached a filming location in the Land of Snow, where the director immediately started work while Kei worried that Kazahana Yuki was acting strangely. Sandayu led Kei and Yuki to a hidden valley, where former leaders of the Land of Snow welcomed the princess back.

• The director chose a rugged open area and ordered the crew to begin filming immediately, despite the late hour.
• Ueno Kei watched Kazahana Yuki and sensed something was wrong, though Sandayu said she seemed as usual.
• Sandayu told the director they were visiting a friend and led Kei and Yuki through the mountains to a hidden valley.
• After exchanging passwords, Sandayu and the others entered a base where hundreds of people lived.
• A broad-shouldered man recognized Kazahana Yuki, and former high-ranking figures emerged to welcome her back as their princess.

Ueno Kei suspected that someone among Kazahana Yuki’s supporters was hiding a connection to Dōtō, so he used a Shadow Clone to investigate their base. He confronted two people in a room and demanded to know what Dōtō and Yuki had told them.

• The rebel group welcomed Kazahana Yuki back and seated her as they celebrated her return.
• Sandayu introduced Ueno Kei as the Konoha Jonin who had helped them, though some supporters regarded him with suspicion.
• Ueno Kei noticed a suspicious glint in one person’s eyes as he and the others left the gathering.
• Ueno Kei sent a Shadow Clone to infiltrate the rebel base and used a seal to locate a room where two people were gathered.
• Ueno Kei entered the room, trapped the two people with his killing intent, and demanded to know what tasks Dōtō had assigned them and what Yuki had told them.

Ueno Kei waited outside the rebel camp after Kazahana Yuki sent him away, knowing Kazahana Dōtō was on his way. An explosion announced Dōtō’s arrival as Ueno Kei prepared to watch what happened next.

• Ueno Kei received another flood of memories and wondered what choice Kazahana Yuki would make the next day.
• The rebels discovered that two important figures had vanished, and Kazahana Yuki asked Ueno Kei to search the surrounding area.
• Ueno Kei agreed to search, then left the camp and waited nearby instead of going far.
• Ueno Kei recalled that Kazahana Yuki had revealed her location and plans to Kazahana Dōtō’s men, who had alerted Dōtō.
• An explosion erupted nearby, and Ueno Kei recognized that Kazahana Dōtō had arrived.

Yuki surrendered the Kazahana Clan’s Hexagonal Crystal to Kazahana Dōtō in hopes of ending the civil war, but he broke his promise and ordered an attack on the rebels. Yuki saw Ueno Kei protect them and the airship continued toward the forbidden area.

• Yuki boarded Kazahana Dōtō’s airship, intending to hand over the Hexagonal Crystal in exchange for the rebels’ safety.
• Kazahana Dōtō ordered Nadare Rōga and the airship’s weapons to attack the rebels, despite his promise to Yuki.
• Yuki tried to stab Kazahana Dōtō, but he blocked her and struck her, leaving her grieving over the attack.
• Yuki saw Ueno Kei’s purple figure protecting the rebels, and Kazahana Dōtō ordered the airship to continue to the forbidden area.

Ueno Kei protected Sandayu and the rebels from Kazahana Dōtō’s attack, then pursued the airship carrying Kazahana Yuki. At the Kazahana Clan’s hidden treasure site, Kazahana Dōtō used the Hexagonal Crystal to open the altar, only to be interrupted by an unknown speaker.

• Ueno Kei blocked the Snow ninja’s attack on Sandayu and the rebels as Kazahana Dōtō’s airship escaped with Kazahana Yuki.
• Ueno Kei ordered his hidden lizard to protect Kazahana Yuki and promised Sandayu he would complete his mission before giving chase.
• Kazahana Dōtō brought Kazahana Yuki to the Kazahana Clan’s hidden treasure site, convinced the treasure would grant him power rivaling the Five Kage.
• Kazahana Dōtō tore the Hexagonal Crystal from Kazahana Yuki’s neck and placed it in the altar’s hexagonal hole, causing purple-red light to shine and the ground to tremble.
• An unknown speaker asked Kazahana Dōtō what he was about to obtain and said they wanted to see it too.

Ueno Kei arrived at Kazahana Dōtō’s stronghold, rescued Kazahana Yuki, and confronted the usurper. He rejected Dōtō’s attempt to stall until the Kazahana Clan’s treasure opened and beat him into a crater, leaving his fate unresolved.

• Ueno Kei killed Nadare Rōga and carried the injured Kazahana Yuki to safety, reassuring her that Sandayu and the others were fine.
• Ueno Kei advanced on Kazahana Dōtō, who tried to delay him by invoking the Kazahana Clan’s hidden treasure.
• Ueno Kei interrupted Dōtō’s hand seals and struck his chakra armor with Chidori, cracking its chest plate.
• Ueno Kei used his speed and Lightning Release to pummel Dōtō until a final kick drove him into the snow and carved out a massive crater.

Ueno Kei defeated and killed Kazahana Dōtō after revealing that the clan’s hidden treasure was only a giant heating device, and Kazahana Yuki became queen of the Land of Snow. Before Kei could leave, Yuki confessed her feelings and asked him to stay, leaving him wavering beneath the moonlight.

• The heating device activated, but Kazahana Dōtō’s attempt to draw power from it failed, and Ueno Kei explained what the hidden treasure really was.
• Ueno Kei killed Kazahana Dōtō, and a projection of Kazahana Yuki’s father and her childhood self brought Yuki to tears.
• Five days later, Kazahana Yuki took the throne, promised to protect the people, abolished Dōtō’s harsh policies, and reduced taxes.
• Ueno Kei stayed in the Land of Snow after the succession ceremony because Kazahana Yuki had something important to tell him.
• Kazahana Yuki embraced Ueno Kei, confessed her feelings, and asked him to stay that night, while he hesitated.

Ueno Kei rejected Kazahana Yuki’s offer to make him her Prince Consort, explaining that his loyalty and responsibilities as a Konoha ninja prevented him from promising her a future. The chapter ended with Kazahana Yuki in tears as the two seemed to grow farther apart.

• Kazahana Yuki asked Ueno Kei to stay in the Land of Snow and become her Prince Consort so they could spend their lives together.
• Ueno Kei returned Kazahana Yuki’s embrace but told her he needed to return to Konoha.
• Ueno Kei explained that he could not lightly claim to love Kazahana Yuki or accept the responsibility of a life together while bound to protect his village.
• Kazahana Yuki accused Ueno Kei of making excuses and asked why he would not choose her.
• Ueno Kei said he could not stay because he was a ninja of Konoha, leaving Kazahana Yuki heartbroken.

Kazahana Yuki confessed her love to Ueno Kei, but he rejected her because of his duty to Konoha and the uncertainty of a ninja’s life. Yuki promised to wait until the Land of Snow was stable and then find him, leaving Ueno Kei silently accepting her feelings.

• Ueno Kei told Kazahana Yuki that he could not leave Konoha or promise her a future because of his duties and the dangers of being a ninja.
• Kazahana Yuki acknowledged that she could not abandon the Land of Snow, but promised she would wait for Ueno Kei until it was at peace.
• Kazahana Yuki told Ueno Kei to pursue his beliefs and said she would either wait for him in the Land of Snow or go to Konoha to find him.
• Ueno Kei fell silent and accepted Kazahana Yuki’s feelings beneath the moonlight.

Ueno Kei left the sleeping Kazahana Yuki in Sandayu’s care and arranged additional protection for her before returning to Konoha. Three days later, he reached the Land of Fire, reported back through a Konoha contact, and set off for the village.

• Ueno Kei asked Sandayu to look after Kazahana Yuki while he returned to Konoha, and Sandayu pledged his loyalty to her and the Kazahana Clan.
• Ueno Kei carried Kazahana Yuki to her bedroom, placed a sealing array on her, and summoned Shin to request that the Lizard Clan protect her and bring her to the Originless Realm if she faced danger.
• Shin marked Kazahana Yuki so the Lizard Clan could track her, then returned to the Originless Realm, and Ueno Kei departed.
• Three days later, Ueno Kei arrived in the Land of Fire and reported his return through a Konoha contact at the harbor.
• Ueno Kei recalled that an old director had filmed his battles for a movie and then headed toward Konoha.

After reporting his successful missions to Tsunade, Ueno Kei went to meet Hyuga Hiashi and return a recovered Byakugan. Hiashi was shocked when Kei placed it before him, and asked what it was.

• Ueno Kei reported his missions to Tsunade, who praised him for bringing the Land of Waves into the Land of Fire.
• Tsunade told Ueno Kei that Shimura Danzō had tried to claim the recovered Byakugan for research, and Kei vowed to restrain Root.
• Ueno Kei went to the Hyuga Clan residence, where Hyuga Hiashi welcomed him.
• After exchanging pleasantries, Ueno Kei placed the recovered Byakugan before Hyuga Hiashi, who stared at it in shock and asked what it was.

Ueno Kei returned a Byakugan lost by the Hyuga Clan during the Third Shinobi War, reassuring Hyuga Hiashi that the Fifth Hokage had approved its return. After Kei left, Hiashi considered making him Hinata’s son-in-law, while Kei continued taking missions and gained renown as the Blood Asura.

• Ueno Kei told Hyuga Hiashi that he had recovered the Hyuga Clan’s stolen Byakugan from a Kirigakure jonin.
• Hyuga Hiashi confirmed the Byakugan’s return was approved by the Fifth Hokage and thanked Ueno Kei.
• Ueno Kei and Hyuga Hiashi chatted before Kei took his leave.
• Hyuga Hiashi watched Ueno Kei depart and considered making him Hinata’s son-in-law.
• Ueno Kei went on repeated missions, killing shinobi from major villages until the name Blood Asura spread through the shinobi world.

Sixteen-year-old Ueno Kei returned from a mission in the Land of Lightning after defeating Kumogakure’s guards and surviving a clash with the Fourth Raikage and Killer B. He and his Anbu reached the Land of Fire safely, while the Fourth Raikage remembered their unfinished score.

• Ueno Kei killed the remaining Kumogakure ninja and ordered his Anbu to clean up the bodies before returning to the village.
• The chapter recalled how, a year earlier, Ueno Kei had fought the Third Tsuchikage’s forces, killed more than twenty Iwagakure jonin, and escaped after seriously wounding the Third Tsuchikage.
• Ueno Kei recounted how Killer B discovered him near Kumogakure and fought him until the Fourth Raikage joined in.
• Ueno Kei used the Wind Wing Sword Technique and natural energy infused into the Lingyu Blade to hold off the brothers, then escaped after the Fourth Raikage injured him.
• Ueno Kei completed the mission, obtained documents and intelligence, and led his Anbu back to the Land of Fire without being pursued.
• The Fourth Raikage let Ueno Kei escape but resolved to settle their debt another day.

Ueno Kei welcomed Naruto back to Konoha after three years and saw how much Naruto and Sakura had grown. Tsunade proposed testing the two disciples with a mysterious candidate, leaving Naruto wondering who it would be.

• An Anbu informed Ueno Kei that Naruto and Jiraiya had returned, and Ueno Kei went to the Hokage Building.
• Naruto greeted Ueno Kei warmly, and Ueno Kei praised his growth and resemblance to his father, Namikaze Minato.
• The chapter revealed that Naruto had learned he was the Fourth Hokage's son and had resolved to inherit his father's will and protect Konoha.
• Sakura greeted Ueno Kei, who recognized her progress as Tsunade's disciple and her strength as a kunoichi.
• Jiraiya teased Ueno Kei about his reputation, and Tsunade interrupted to propose testing Naruto and Sakura with a candidate she had arranged.
• Naruto guessed that Ueno Kei might be the candidate, but Tsunade ruled him out and hinted that her chosen opponent would be too strong unless restricted.

Naruto and Sakura prepared to face Kakashi in a survival exercise, while Ueno Kei was called away by an urgent report about Danzo and Orochimaru. The chapter left Ueno Kei worried that Danzo’s trip to meet the Daimyo in Kyoto could threaten Konoha.

• Naruto challenged Tsunade’s claim that he would fall behind Ueno Kei, and Tsunade insisted that he call her Sister Tsunade.
• Kakashi appeared as Naruto and Sakura’s opponent, and Naruto gave him the latest Make-Out Hall book as a gift.
• Tsunade announced that Naruto and Sakura would face Kakashi in a survival exercise at Training Ground 2.
• Ueno Kei left the group after receiving a signal and met with Anbu captain Zang, who reported that a Root member had returned from the Land of Rice Fields after apparently meeting Orochimaru.
• Zang also reported that Danzo had gone to Kyoto to meet the Daimyo, and Ueno Kei worried about Danzo’s possession of one of Shisui Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan.

Ueno Kei traveled to Kyoto with Zang to meet the Daimyo and check on Nara Shikamaru and Hyuga Neji, whom he had recommended for the Twelve Guardian Ninja. In the Daimyo’s residence, Shikamaru entered Neji’s room and spoke to him.

• Ueno Kei learned that Danzō had arrived in Kyoto and decided to travel there with Zang.
• Ueno Kei planned to meet the Daimyo and see how Nara Shikamaru and Hyuga Neji had progressed as members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
• Ueno Kei sent an Anbu to report to Tsunade before setting out for Kyoto with Zang.
• At the Daimyo’s residence, Neji read a letter in his room in the rear courtyard.
• Shikamaru entered Neji’s room and asked what he was doing.

Nara Shikamaru and Hyuga Neji discussed their watch over Shimura Danzō and the Daimyō after receiving a message, while Ueno Kei met with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. The Daimyō hinted that an old friend who met with him the previous night had spoken unfavorably about Ueno Kei, leaving Kei curious about the visitor’s identity and judgment.

• Nara Shikamaru and Hyuga Neji discussed Lord Kei’s instructions to watch for anything unusual involving Shimura Danzō while prioritizing the Daimyō’s affairs.
• Hyuga Neji noted that the Daimyō had met someone the previous night, but the Twelve Guardian Ninja could not find out what they had discussed.
• Nara Shikamaru and Hyuga Neji received a message, exchanged a glance, and left the room together.
• Ueno Kei met the Daimyō of the Land of Fire alone, while Zang carried out a separate mission.
• The Daimyō told Ueno Kei that an old friend had praised him in some ways but judged him unfavorably in others, and Kei expressed interest.

Ueno Kei visited the Daimyo, but their long conversation yielded no answers about his mission or the hidden person in the room. After leaving, Kei realized the concealed figure carried a familiar trace of the Nine-Tails' chakra.

• Ueno Kei and the Daimyo chatted through the afternoon, and Kei left without obtaining the information he sought.
• After Kei departed, the Daimyo spoke with a hidden figure about their plans for the Land of Fire and Konoha.
• The Daimyo asked whether the hidden figure thought Kei had noticed it, and the figure insisted the room's barrier prevented detection.
• Outside the residence, Ueno Kei looked back and recalled sensing someone concealed behind the Daimyo.
• Ueno Kei recognized the hidden figure's chakra as bearing a trace of the Nine-Tails and grew grim.

Ueno Kei met with Hyuga Neji and Nara Shikamaru in Kyoto to review intelligence and investigate a mysterious Nine-Tails chakra presence at the daimyo’s residence. He warned them to watch the daimyo closely and assured Neji that he would handle the Hyuga Clan’s pressure to make him return.

• Hyuga Neji and Nara Shikamaru met Ueno Kei and accompanied him to Konoha’s liaison office in Kyoto.
• Nara Shikamaru reported his recent intelligence to Ueno Kei, who asked whether anyone unusual had visited the daimyo’s residence.
• Nara Shikamaru said they could not reliably track the daimyo or access parts of his residence, leaving them unable to identify the visitor.
• Ueno Kei told Neji and Shikamaru to watch the daimyo closely and contact him if anything urgent happened.
• Ueno Kei told Hyuga Neji that he had spoken with the Hyuga Clan Head and would handle the clan elders’ demands, so Neji could focus on his duties.