Recaps

Shōji’s policies took hold in Iwagakure as Ōnoki considered him a possible future Tsuchikage, and the village welcomed its victorious troops home. The war with Sunagakure ended without escalating into a wider conflict, leaving Iwagakure and Kumogakure as the shinobi world’s strongest villages.

• Shōji managed the Jōnin Squad’s affairs in Kitsuchi, Ido, and Iwatetsu’s absence, earning Ōnoki’s approval and strengthening his standing in Iwagakure.
• Fifteen days later, Bunya led a new contingent to relieve the border troops, while Kitsuchi, Ido, and Iwatetsu returned to the village with the main force.
• Ōnoki arranged a grand ceremony, where civilians cheered the returning heroes and recognized Shōji for his role in defeating Rasa and breaking through Sunagakure’s Northern Fortress.
• Shōji saw the welcome as proof that the Uchiha Clan had found a true place in Iwagakure after only four months.
• The conflict between Iwagakure and Sunagakure ended without triggering a Fourth Shinobi World War, and the chapter described Kumogakure and Iwagakure as the shinobi world’s leading powers.

As the shinobi world settled into a fragile calm, smaller nations weighed which major villages to support while the Land of Hot Springs remained trapped between Konoha and Kumogakure. Meanwhile, Akatsuki prepared for its Tailed Beast Capture Plan as Obito pursued revenge, and Shōji remained disconnected from the wider turmoil.

• Small nations reconsidered how to distribute missions among the major villages as Konoha's dominance faced new challenges from Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
• The Land of Hot Springs continued to suffer under the presence of Konoha and Kumogakure forces, while its leaders avoided committing to either side.
• Rasa returned to Sunagakure with the main force to face criticism and manage the aftermath of defeat.
• Obito ordered Black Zetsu to recruit talent for Akatsuki, while Nagato and Konan sealed off Amegakure and focused on building their organization.
• Black Zetsu judged that Akatsuki needed seven or eight years to prepare for the Tailed Beast Capture Plan and allowed Obito to pursue revenge while warning him not to expose himself.
• Shōji temporarily disconnected himself from the conflicts and schemes unfolding across the shinobi world.

After the peace agreement with Sunagakure was finalized, Shōji returned to his training while the Uchiha Clan continued to establish itself in Iwagakure. Nearly a year after the clan left Konoha, Shisui had become an active village representative, traveling between Iwagakure and the Land of Earth's daimyō.

• Shōji handed the remaining administrative affairs to Kitsuchi and returned to his office, eager to resume training.
• Ido reconsidered his previous prejudice against Shōji and the Uchiha Clan after seeing their service to Iwagakure.
• Shōji planned to focus on taijutsu, genjutsu, and learning Iwagakure's Light-Weight Rock Technique and Heavy Rock Technique.
• Half a year passed, and the Uchiha Clan gained recognition and goodwill at every level of Iwagakure.
• Shisui frequently represented the village and traveled between Iwagakure and the Land of Earth's daimyō.

Shisui returned to Iwagakure after serving as the village’s liaison with the Land of Earth’s daimyo and officials, and reported to Ōnoki. Ōnoki assigned him to carry out a previously negotiated plan after the new year, leaving Shisui ready to follow his instructions.

• Ōnoki had appointed Shisui as Iwagakure’s regular representative to the Land of Earth’s daimyo and high-ranking officials.
• Shisui spent much of the past year working in the Land of Earth’s capital, earning the daimyo’s and Ōnoki’s approval.
• Ōnoki recalled Shisui to Iwagakure for the year-end review and heard his report on recent affairs in the capital.
• Ōnoki told Shisui to carry out their negotiated plan after the new year and said Ido would coordinate with him.
• Shisui agreed to handle the remaining matters according to Ōnoki’s instructions.

Ōnoki praised Shisui’s diplomatic work and gave him time off, then began planning another important mission for Shōji. Shōji and Shisui discussed their differing approaches to advancing the Uchiha Clan in Iwagakure.

• Ōnoki praised Shisui’s flawless work and told him to rest until after the New Year.
• Ōnoki considered Shōji for the next stage of his plans and an important mission.
• Shōji waited at Shisui’s home, and the two discussed how the Daimyō’s ideas had been handled.
• Shisui warned Shōji that the Uchiha Clan risked drawing too much attention, while Shōji argued that their approach depended on being in Iwagakure and on Ōnoki’s character.

Shōji reassured Shisui that Iwagakure had shown the Uchiha Clan goodwill and that the clan could confidently deepen its ties with the village. The chapter left them preparing to integrate further by placing more clansmen in village roles and sending nearly all school-age children to the Ninja Academy.

• Shōji explained that Iwagakure's leaders and villagers had welcomed the Uchiha Clan, and that the clan needed to balance humility with a visible presence.
• Shisui admitted that his caution lingered after the clan's break with Konoha, while Shōji urged him to focus on their future in Iwagakure.
• Shōji and Shisui agreed that the Uchiha Clan needed to step beyond its compound and build mutual trust with the village.
• Shōji recalled how clan meetings guided members' conduct and how children such as Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Izumi had formed friendships at the Ninja Academy.
• The Uchiha Clan planned to assign more members to village positions and enroll nearly all school-age children in the Ninja Academy, subject to Ōnoki's arrangements.

Shōji visited Shisui for the customary year-end handover, exchanging updates before leaving him to rest. Shōji then focused on Iwagakure’s growing workload and the border defenses needed to protect its strategic plans.

• Shōji and Shisui exchanged information about the village, the Uchiha Clan, and changes among the Land of Earth's officials.
• Shōji left Shisui to rest, noting that the village and clan would soon become busy again after the New Year.
• Shōji returned to work on troop deployments, especially the defenses guarding the Southern Fortress and the eastern border.
• Shōji assessed the ongoing Kumo-Konoha conflict in the Land of Hot Springs, where Kumogakure had the advantage and Fourth Raikage A sought to seize the region.
• Shōji continued handling village affairs with Kitsuchi and Iwatetsu while Ido stayed in Snow Country to oversee Iwagakure’s strategic base.

Shōji and the Uchiha Clan celebrated their first New Year in Iwagakure, where he reflected on his plans to deal with the ninja world’s threats and his responsibilities as the head of his household. As work resumed, he considered how to arrange for Yang and Saki to attend the ninja academy.

• Shōji celebrated the New Year with the Uchiha Clan in their new home in Iwagakure and resolved to prepare for threats such as Nagato, Obito, and Black Zetsu.
• Shōji planned to seek mysterious sources of energy, including the Dragon Vein and Netherling, to help advance his strength.
• Shisui left for the Land of Earth’s capital to escort the First Prince on a diplomatic visit at the Daimyō’s request.
• After the holiday, Shōji returned to his duties and considered discussing academy arrangements for Yang and Saki with the clan head and elders.

As the Uchiha Clan planned its next steps in Iwagakure, Ōnoki summoned Shōji to discuss the Ninja Academy’s graduation evaluations. Shōji was appointed to organize them, and Ōnoki also planned for him to lead a squad with three members, leaving Shōji stunned.

• Shōji, Fugaku, and Sōgen discussed careful arrangements for the Uchiha Clan’s children and other members at a Clan Meeting.
• An Anbu summoned Shōji to Ōnoki’s office for a meeting at two in the afternoon.
• Shōji arrived and noticed that Ōnoki’s desk was covered with student information cards for the upcoming graduation evaluations.
• Ōnoki told Shōji to organize the Ninja Academy graduation evaluations scheduled for early February.
• Ōnoki said he planned to have Shōji lead a squad with three members after the evaluations, surprising him.

Ōnoki appointed Shōji to lead a genin squad of Uchiha Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi after their graduation assessments. Shōji accepted, recognizing the assignment as both a chance to guide three exceptional talents and a sign of Ōnoki’s trust.

• Shōji questioned whether he could take on a Jōnin instructor role while serving as deputy leader of Iwagakure's Jōnin Squad.
• Ōnoki showed Shōji the profiles of Uchiha Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi and named them as his future squad.
• Ōnoki explained that Deidara and Kurotsuchi were being assigned to Shōji because he trusted his judgment and wanted him to guide them.
• Shōji accepted the appointment and promised not to disappoint Ōnoki.

Shōji prepared to take on his new role as guiding Jōnin for Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi while remaining deputy captain of the Jōnin Squad. As chief examiner, he designed a three-part graduation examination, ending with practical combat.

• Shōji returned to the Jōnin Squad and reported his new responsibilities to Kitsuchi, who entrusted Kurotsuchi to his care.
• Shōji reassured Kitsuchi that guiding Kurotsuchi was his duty and that he would look after her.
• Shōji reviewed the graduation candidates and consulted the Ninja Academy teachers about the examination.
• Shōji settled on a written test, assessments of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, and a practical combat examination.

Shōji established a three-part graduation exam, with the final test judging teams that competed to find mission scrolls. Itachi learned his group included Izumi and Kurotsuchi, and prepared to treat the exam as a test of his own ability.

• Shōji set the graduation exam’s final test as a three-person scroll search, with groups allowed to take scrolls from one another.
• Iwagakure’s graduating candidates saw the exam rules and group assignments posted at the Ninja Academy training ground and reacted to the team-based scoring.
• Itachi examined the rules and inferred that the test held a deeper purpose, viewing it as a personal challenge.
• Izumi approached Itachi, and the two wished each other luck for the exam.
• Kurotsuchi joined Itachi and Izumi, noting that she and Itachi were assigned to the same group.

Itachi, Izumi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara discussed the upcoming graduation assessment and agreed to prepare together. The assessment was set to test individual ability and teamwork as Shōji worked to strengthen Iwagakure’s next generation.

• Izumi greeted Kurotsuchi, who welcomed her warmly because Izumi treated her as an equal.
• Kurotsuchi argued with Deidara over his lateness, his art, and their past exam scores.
• Deidara eagerly watched Itachi, who recalled defeating him with Sharingan and Lightning Release and enduring his repeated challenges.
• Itachi invited Kurotsuchi and Deidara to meet at their usual training ground the next day to discuss assessment preparations, and both agreed.
• Shōji arranged dedicated support for the graduation assessment, which followed the Chūnin Exams format at a lower intensity.

Shōji had designed a comprehensive graduation exam to assess Iwagakure’s next generation, with especially high expectations for Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi. When exam day arrived, the nervous graduates were stunned to see the renowned Shōji appear with the academy teachers.

• Shōji watched the students prepare for the exam and hoped Itachi would grow powerful while learning to see matters from his clan’s perspective.
• Shōji left the remaining exam arrangements to the academy’s instructors and returned to his administrative duties.
• News of the exam spread through Iwagakure, drawing interest from parents and other villagers.
• A week later, the graduates gathered at the academy’s training field, knowing that many could fail and have to return the following year.
• Shōji appeared on the platform with the teachers, and Itachi, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and the other students recognized the famous ninja.

Shōji opened Iwagakure’s graduation assessment and watched the candidates take a written test designed to evaluate both their academic knowledge and their ability to cheat discreetly. Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara impressed him with their coordination, but no other candidate stood out.

• Shōji addressed the 423 candidates, including Itachi, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Izumi, and warned them not to let the apparent reality of the assessment deceive them.
• Shōji declared the graduation assessment underway, beginning with a written test on Ninja Academy fundamentals.
• Shōji inspected the examination rooms to look for candidates with exceptional ability.
• Itachi used his knowledge and subtle methods to help Kurotsuchi and Deidara cheat without being caught by the proctors.
• Shōji saw that Izumi and the other candidates fell short of the trio’s performance, and no other rookie caught his attention.

Shōji oversaw the graduation assessments and judged the students by standards higher than those of the shinobi villages. Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi dominated all three rounds, earned first place, and received Iwagakure forehead protectors.

• Shōji watched many examinees fail the written test through poor performance or obvious cheating, while dozens were eliminated.
• The students completed the practical assessment, where many struggled with genjutsu, but Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi handled the techniques with ease.
• Shōji recognized Itachi's exceptional ability and resolved to keep him from taking the wrong path in this life.
• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi analyzed the third assessment and found their team's scroll before the other teams.
• The trio overcame the obstacles and became the first team to finish every assessment, earning first place and Iwagakure forehead protectors.

Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi passed Iwagakure’s graduation assessment and received their forehead protectors, while most other graduates faced injuries, failed results, or possible team reshuffles. Their squad leader remained secret, and they were told to gather at the Third Training Ground the next morning.

• The assessment ended with eighty-eight teams passing, while more than one hundred other graduates remained eligible for a second review.
• Itachi, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Izumi all passed, and Ōnoki planned to protect and carefully assign the young Uchiha clan members.
• The graduates awaited their squad leaders, with Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi expecting a powerful Jōnin to lead them.
• Iwao gave Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi their forehead protectors and told them to report to the Third Training Ground at eight the next morning.
• Kurotsuchi asked Iwao who their leader would be, but he said the identity was still confidential.

After completing their graduation assessments, Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi prepared to meet their new team leader, whom Iwao said would be revealed the next day. Shōji took over most of their guidance and began a new chapter as their mentor.

• Kurotsuchi complained to Iwao that her grandfather, Ōnoki, had refused to tell her who would lead their team.
• Itachi advised Kurotsuchi and Deidara to rest and prepare in case their new Jōnin leader gave them another assessment.
• Kurotsuchi resolved to press Ōnoki or her father for the team leader’s identity, while Deidara remained unconcerned.
• Shōji submitted a report on the graduation assessments to Ōnoki and handed over most of his Jōnin Squad duties.
• At dawn, Shōji set out to begin guiding Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi.

Uchiha Shōji met Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi at the Third Training Ground to begin supervising Squad One and assess their abilities. His imposing presence silenced their bickering, and the three accepted his authority.

• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi arrived early at the Third Training Ground and argued while waiting for their instructor.
• Shōji appeared before the trio, startling them with his arrival and powerful Chakra presence.
• Itachi recognized Shōji and asked whether he would lead their squad.
• Shōji introduced himself as Squad One's supervising Jōnin, explained his approach, and warned the three not to disobey his orders.
• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi straightened and agreed to follow Shōji's orders.

Shōji set the newly graduated Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara a special combat test to gauge their abilities before assigning missions. After explaining the rules, he faced the trio as they prepared to attack him.

• Kurotsuchi admired Shōji’s strength and appearance, while Deidara briefly coveted his Mangekyō Sharingan before reaffirming his belief in explosive art.
• Shōji told the three that obeying orders was a ninja’s duty and announced their first lesson would be a practical combat exercise.
• Shōji challenged them to touch the Tachi on his back within an hour, promising greater autonomy if they succeeded and forbidding himself from using genjutsu or swordsmanship.
• Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara spent five minutes discussing tactics and then readied themselves to fight Shōji without holding back.

Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara tested their coordinated attacks against Shōji, who easily countered their opening moves. As their second assault began, Shōji met Kurotsuchi’s Lava Release head-on with Lightning Release.

• Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara launched a coordinated attack with fire, earth spikes, and explosive clay spiders.
• Shōji used Lightning Release to destroy the rock spikes and disable Deidara’s clay spiders.
• Itachi signaled Kurotsuchi and Deidara to begin a second attack while Shōji continued testing their abilities.
• Deidara threw shuriken and kunai, but Shōji blew them away with Wind Release.
• Kurotsuchi attacked with Lava Release, and Shōji countered with Lightning Release, causing a fierce collision.

Shōji easily countered Kurotsuchi’s Lava Release and Deidara’s clay explosives, then defeated and captured all three young ninja. Kurotsuchi, Itachi, and Deidara were left bound or sprawled on the ground as she complained that Shōji should have treated her more gently.

• Kurotsuchi’s Lava Release failed to stop Shōji, and Deidara attacked him with a swarm of clay explosive creatures.
• Shōji used Lightning Release to destroy Deidara’s clay creatures, but Deidara detonated the survivors to create cover for Itachi’s surprise attack.
• Shōji caught Itachi’s Kunai, interrupted his Fire Release, threw him to the ground, and bound him with Earth Release.
• Shōji dismantled Deidara’s next attack and bound him with Earth Release.
• Kurotsuchi tried to steal the Tachi from Shōji’s back, but he caught her arm and tossed her beside Itachi and Deidara.
• Kurotsuchi complained that Shōji should have been gentler because she was a girl.

Shōji reviewed Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi’s failed attempt to touch his Tachi, praising their coordination while pointing out flaws in their tactics. Itachi questioned whether Shōji had seen through their plan from the start, leaving the cause of their failure under discussion.

• Shōji freed Itachi and Deidara, then explained that the trio’s teamwork was good but their plan was too obvious.
• Kurotsuchi asked whether they had passed the test, but Shōji told her they had failed because none of them had touched his Tachi.
• Kurotsuchi protested that Shōji should count the test as passed since he already recognized them as Iwagakure Ninja.
• Itachi reasoned that their execution had gone nearly flawlessly and asked Shōji whether he had seen through their intentions from the beginning.

Shōji explained how Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara’s failed assessment tactics had been too hasty and obvious, and the three reflected on their mistakes. He officially formed Squad One and took them to celebrate, beginning their path toward becoming a renowned team.

• Shōji pointed out that Deidara’s explosion and the others’ follow-up attacks had revealed their intentions too early.
• Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara accepted Shōji’s criticism and reflected on how inexperience could have cost them their lives on a battlefield.
• Shōji announced the official formation of Squad One despite the three not passing the assessment.
• Kurotsuchi demanded an expensive feast and dragged Itachi and Deidara back toward the village.
• Shōji followed the newly formed squad as they began their celebration.

Shōji described how newly graduated squads were assigned missions and explained why C-rank work often involved dangerous encounters. He pushed Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi into C-rank missions, where they planned and carried out each task themselves while learning to face the bloodshed of shinobi work.

• The villages assigned Jōnin to only a few exceptional graduate squads, while most squads were led by chūnin and began with D-rank missions.
• The chapter explained that widespread insecurity, organized crime, conflict, and dangerous creatures made C-rank missions common.
• After a few D-rank missions, Shōji let Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi accept C-rank work and left mission planning and execution to them.
• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi approached their missions cautiously and aimed to complete each one flawlessly.
• The three young genin gradually confronted the difficulty of seeing blood and staying calm during missions.