Recaps

Tianyi visited Rin Nohara’s grave to collect a bone, then met Orochimaru at a hidden research facility and explained how genetic programming could stabilize White Zetsu cell integration. He offered to help Orochimaru in exchange for a ninjutsu and requested Impure World Reincarnation.

• Tianyi removed a bone from Rin Nohara’s grave and sealed it in a scroll.
• Tianyi met Kabuto at the research facility and was led to Orochimaru’s operating room.
• Orochimaru examined White Zetsu cells and found that their compatibility with human cells declined after six divisions.
• Tianyi explained that a self-calibrating genetic sequence could correct the cells’ communication frequencies.
• Tianyi told Orochimaru they could each get what they wanted, then asked for Impure World Reincarnation.

Tianyi traded genetic programming materials to Orochimaru for the Impure World Reincarnation scroll, then visited Uchiha Fugaku to reveal that Obito was alive and was the masked man calling himself Madara. Tianyi explained the Akatsuki’s plans and the connection between Obito and Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan, then asked Fugaku for a favor.

• Tianyi offered Orochimaru genetic programming in exchange for Impure World Reincarnation, and Orochimaru handed over the jutsu scroll.
• Orochimaru studied Tianyi’s genetic programming materials as Tianyi left the operating room.
• Tianyi told Fugaku that Obito was alive and was the masked man calling himself Uchiha Madara.
• Tianyi confirmed that the Seven-Tails was in his hands and said he was preventing the Akatsuki from gathering all nine Tailed Beasts.
• Tianyi explained that Kakashi and Obito had the two Mangekyō Sharingan from the same pair, which could resonate when brought close.
• Tianyi asked Fugaku to do him a favor.

Sakumo took Kakashi to the Uchiha Clan Grounds so Tianyi could reduce the chakra burden of Obito’s Sharingan and help Kakashi adapt to it. As Kakashi was anesthetized, Tianyi removed the Mangekyō Sharingan and prepared to replace it with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan from the Uchiha reserves.

• Sakumo noticed Kakashi’s chakra was constantly draining and told him they were going to the Uchiha Clan Grounds to address his Sharingan.
• Kakashi feared the Uchiha would take back Obito’s eye, but Sakumo explained they would adjust it so Kakashi could use it without hindering his growth.
• Fugaku welcomed Sakumo and Kakashi and led them to Tianyi’s hidden operating room.
• Tianyi anesthetized Kakashi and explained that the procedure would help his body adapt to the Sharingan and reduce its chakra drain.
• Tianyi removed Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan and placed it in a culture dish, while Fugaku supplied a Three-Tomoe Sharingan as its replacement.

Tianyi transplanted a sealed Sharingan into Kakashi and injected him with White Zetsu cell culture fluid to improve his recovery and chakra capacity. After the successful operation, Tianyi prepared Fugaku to adapt to the Mangekyō Sharingan and secretly marked it with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Fugaku confirmed that the eye Tianyi had obtained was a Mangekyō Sharingan and praised Sakumo's son.
• Tianyi transplanted an ordinary Three-Tomoe Sharingan into Kakashi's left eye and injected him with White Zetsu cell culture fluid.
• Tianyi sealed Kakashi's new eye, completing the operation and explaining that Kakashi would need several days to adjust.
• Sakumo thanked Tianyi as Kakashi rested, while Tianyi told Fugaku to master the Mangekyō so they could capture the returning Uchiha Madara.
• Tianyi secretly placed a Flying Thunder God Technique mark inside the Mangekyō Sharingan.

The Sunagakure delegation arrived in Leaf Village for the Chunin Ninja Exams and saw how much the village had prospered under Hyuga Tianyi’s plans. Rasa and Granny Chiyo settled into their accommodations, with talks between the Kage scheduled for three days later.

• Rasa led Granny Chiyo, Baki, Pakura, and the Sunagakure Genin into Leaf Village, where a Nara Clan reception officer welcomed them.
• Granny Chiyo and Rasa surveyed Leaf Village’s busy, orderly streets and heard that Hyuga Tianyi had planned many of its developments.
• The reception officer explained Leaf Village’s annual assembly and described how its projects supported the village’s economy.
• The reception officer led the Sunagakure delegation to its courtyard residence and said arrangements for talks with the Hokage and other Kage would be made in three days.

Karatachi Yagura brought Ōnoki, A, and Rasa together to plan against the Leaf Village, which had collected five Tailed Beasts. After revealing that dragon vein energy could interfere with Hyuga Tianyi’s Flying Thunder God, the four Kage formed a temporary alliance to kill him at the Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Karatachi Yagura told Ōnoki, A, and Rasa that Hyuga Tianyi had taken half of their villages’ Tailed Beasts during the Third Shinobi World War.
• Ōnoki accused A and Rasa of hiding their losses and warned that the Leaf Village now possessed five Tailed Beasts.
• Karatachi Yagura proposed using the Chunin Ninja Exams to expose the Leaf Village’s strength and kill Hyuga Tianyi.
• Karatachi Yagura claimed dragon vein energy from the Ancient Kingdom of Roran could disrupt the sensing of Flying Thunder God marks.
• Rasa confronted Karatachi Yagura for taking the dragon vein from the Land of Wind, but Ōnoki and A urged him to postpone their dispute.
• The four Kage finalized their plan and departed.

Tsunade reviewed preparations for the Chunin Ninja Exams while Shikaku reported that unidentified Kage-level shinobi from three villages had met near Konoha. Tianyi presented the completed plans for the event, and Tsunade prepared to begin the exams in three days.

• Shikaku told Tsunade that Jiraiya remained in the Land of Hot Water but had promised to return before the exams.
• Shikaku reported that ANBU had detected a meeting of personnel from the Hidden Cloud Village, Iwagakure, and the Hidden Mist Village, including at least four Kage-level shinobi.
• Tsunade dismissed the threat of possible interference and asked Tianyi about the exam preparations.
• Tianyi detailed the completed Forest of Death venue, surveillance and rescue teams, live broadcasts, betting markets, and publicity campaign.
• Tsunade approved Tianyi’s preparations and said Konoha would present a different kind of Chunin Ninja Exams in three days.

Itachi, Kabuto, and Hana reached the first chunin exam checkpoint and discovered that genjutsu concealed the real entrance. After Itachi dispelled it, they learned they had to reach the actual venue within a time limit, and set off together.

• Itachi and Kabuto noticed that genjutsu kept examinees from seeing the real entrance to the exam venue.
• Itachi used his Sharingan to dispel the illusion and reveal a wooden door and a Leaf jonin checkpoint examiner.
• The jonin gave Itachi a scroll and confirmed that all three had passed the first checkpoint.
• Itachi told Hana and Kabuto that the real exam venue was elsewhere and they would be eliminated if they did not reach it in time.
• Kabuto explained that Hyuga Tianyi had designed the exam and warned Hana to stay alert.
• Itachi, Kabuto, and Hana passed through the wooden door and headed toward the real exam venue.

Inuzuka Hana, Itachi, and Kabuto arrived at the underground venue for the Chunin Ninja Exams and learned they had been assigned to separate rooms. As the written exam began, Hana worried that her score would drag down her team’s average, and a proctor entered to distribute the papers.

• The candidates gathered at the former Root Base and were directed to examination rooms based on their admission slips.
• Inuzuka Hana discovered that she, Itachi, and Kabuto had been assigned to different rooms, and they encouraged one another not to withdraw.
• Hana sat alone with Haimaru and worried that her weak academic skills would hurt her team’s average score.
• The speakers announced the written exam’s scoring system, time limit, and strict rules against cheating and disruptive behavior.
• A Leaf Village Jonin entered Hana’s room and began handing out the exam papers.

Inuzuka Hana struggled with an exam built around practical combat decisions, while Uchiha Fugaku watched candidates and recalled Tianyi’s explanation of its purpose. The exam was meant to reveal how candidates thought under pressure and let anyone who persevered enter the Forest of Death, and Haimaru barked as Hana considered giving up.

• Inuzuka Hana found the exam filled with open-ended scenarios about combat, intelligence, and difficult choices, and she struggled to form answers.
• Uchiha Fugaku watched the examination feeds and saw Uchiha Itachi write confidently while other Uchiha candidates appeared stumped.
• Fugaku recalled Tianyi explaining that the written exam tested candidates’ reasoning and resilience, and that anyone who persevered could enter the Forest of Death regardless of score.
• Inuzuka Hana grew increasingly unsure whether to continue, and Haimaru barked sharply from atop her head.

After the difficult written exam ended, Inuzuka Hana learned that she had passed by refusing to withdraw. Itachi and his teammates headed to the Forest of Death for the second exam, where rival teams watched Itachi warily.

• Inuzuka Hana handed in her paper and worried that she had answered poorly.
• Kabuto Yakushi and Uchiha Itachi told Inuzuka Hana that the written exam tested resolve, and she celebrated because she had not withdrawn.
• The loudspeaker announced that the Forest of Death battle royale would begin in one hour and ordered the examinees to the eastern entrance.
• Itachi and his teammates arrived at the entrance, where examinees from the Five Great Nations scrutinized Itachi and his Sharingan.

The four Kage confronted Tsunade over Hyuga Tianyi’s influence on the Leaf Village and the rumors about Tailed Beasts, turning their questions into accusations. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tianyi answered them, and the dispute left the Kage facing off as the crowd below watched.

• Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, Raikage A, Kazekage Rasa, and Tsuchikage Ōnoki questioned Tsunade about Hyuga Tianyi’s influence on the Leaf Village and the Tailed Beast rumors.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi entered and mocked Ōnoki, interrupting the four Kage’s coordinated accusations.
• Ōnoki and A accused the Leaf Village of stirring up border trouble and collecting Tailed Beasts.
• Hyuga Tianyi appeared and said the Tailed Beasts were his spoils of war, not the Leaf Village’s.
• A erupted with Lightning Release chakra while Rasa’s killing intent spread, and the crowd below turned to watch the confrontation.

Tianyi and the Leaf shinobi confronted the four Kage, while Minato struck Mizukage Karatachi Yagura to place a Flying Thunder God Mark on him. Tianyi sealed the hall as Ōnoki, Raikage A, and the Hidden Mist ANBU attacked Minato, leaving the confrontation on the brink of battle.

• Tianyi warned Raikage A to withdraw his lightning and reminded Rasa, A, and Karatachi Yagura that the tailed beasts had come into his possession through war spoils or a gift.
• Minato appeared behind Karatachi Yagura and struck him with a Rasengan, then left a Flying Thunder God Mark on his back before returning to Tianyi.
• The Kage and their guards prepared to fight, while Tsunade claimed Karatachi Yagura was under genjutsu and Raikage A rejected her explanation.
• Tianyi raised a red barrier around the hall, trapping the nobles and visitors downstairs along with those inside.
• Ōnoki fired Dust Release at Tianyi, who diverted it with Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder, as Minato began releasing the seal on Karatachi Yagura.
• Hidden Mist ANBU slashed at Minato while Raikage A charged him with a lightning-coated fist.

Tianyi revealed that Uchiha Madara had controlled Karatachi Yagura and manipulated the Hidden Mist Village for years. As Yagura’s health failed, he asked Tsunade to explain Madara’s true objective, and the Five Kage left to discuss the matter privately.

• Hatake Sakumo cut falling rubble apart before it could hit the nobles and merchants.
• Karatachi Yagura told the Kage that he had been under genjutsu, and Tianyi identified Uchiha Madara as the controller.
• Karatachi Yagura confirmed that the Masked Man had manipulated him and the Three-Tails and caused the Hidden Mist Village’s blood mist policies and internal chaos.
• Tsunade said Tianyi had uncovered the truth with his Byakugan, and Karatachi Yagura explained that Madara had tried to turn the other Kage against the Leaf Village.
• Tsunade examined Karatachi Yagura, learned that he had little time left, and agreed to explain Madara’s objective.
• Tianyi released the barrier, and the Five Kage and their guards left to discuss the matter elsewhere.

Obito brooded over Hyuga Tianyi’s disruption of his plan to turn the Five Kage against the Leaf Village, then vowed to kill him. At the Forest of Death, Itachi, Inuzuka Hana, and Kabuto Yakushi prepared for the Joint Chunin Selection’s battle royale and entered the forest as the round began.

• Obito realized that the Leaf Village had freed the Mizukage from his genjutsu, costing him control of the Hidden Mist Village and exposing his existence to the Five Kage.
• Obito blamed Hyuga Tianyi for ruining his plan and swore to kill him.
• Itachi, Inuzuka Hana, and Kabuto Yakushi arrived at the Forest of Death and observed powerful Genin from other nations gathering for the exam.
• The organizers explained the battle royale rules, including its supplies, shrinking safe zone, signal flares, elimination points, and live broadcast.
• Kabuto studied their map and planned a route for team entrance number twenty-three, emphasizing reconnaissance and teamwork.
• At the start signal, Itachi, Inuzuka Hana, and Kabuto entered their assigned teleportation arrays and vanished into the Forest of Death.

Leaf Village’s new betting station drew nobles and spectators to watch the Chunin Ninja Exams, where Kirigakure’s Chojuro Squad quickly eliminated an opponent squad and became a popular bet. Senju Nawaki managed the frenzied betting while Uchiha Fugaku watched the broadcasts until he spotted Uchiha Itachi’s squad.

• A minor noble from the Land of Wind entered the betting station and learned that Kirigakure’s Chojuro Squad had the lowest odds.
• A commentator reported that Chojuro’s squad had swiftly found and eliminated a hidden squad in the Forest of Death, earning thirty points.
• Spectators rushed to bet on Chojuro’s squad as the odds fluctuated across the betting station.
• Senju Nawaki gleefully oversaw the wagers while Konoha Daily reporters recorded the event.
• Uchiha Fugaku watched the giant screen in a VIP suite and found Uchiha Itachi’s squad.

The four other Kage challenged Tsunade over the Leaf Village’s possession of their Tailed Beasts, while Ōnoki argued that the beasts had never been included in the war reparations. Hyuga Tianyi took responsibility and declared that the Tailed Beasts were his spoils of war, inviting the Mizukage, Kazekage, and Raikage to defeat him if they wanted them returned.

• The four other Kage reviewed intelligence about the Akatsuki and questioned the Leaf Village’s intentions toward the Tailed Beasts.
• Raikage A accused the Leaf Village of holding several villages’ Tailed Beasts and demanded to know whether it sought to rule the Ninja World.
• Karatachi Yagura demanded the return of the Mist Village’s Ninja Blades, while Rasa remained silent and Ōnoki watched calmly.
• Tsunade insisted that the Tailed Beasts were spoils of war because the other villages had lost the war against the Leaf Village.
• Ōnoki argued that the Tailed Beasts were not included in the reparations negotiated with the Third Hokage.
• Hyuga Tianyi said he had taken the Tailed Beasts himself and challenged the Mizukage, Kazekage, and Raikage to defeat him to get them back.

Tianyi and the Five Kage avoided an all-out fight by agreeing to settle the dispute over the tailed beasts at the Chunin Ninja Exams. The chapter ended with Tianyi leaving the meeting and challenging the other villages to see him there.

• Raikage A prepared to attack Tianyi, while Ōnoki recognized a resemblance between Tianyi and Uchiha Madara.
• Ōnoki proposed that the winner of the Chunin Ninja Exams decide what happened to the tailed beasts.
• Tianyi agreed to Ōnoki's proposal, intending to keep the tailed beasts and use the gathering to expose Akatsuki's intelligence.
• Tsunade trusted Tianyi's judgment, and Raikage A, Rasa, and Karatachi Yagura each accepted the exam as an alternative to fighting.
• Tianyi left the meeting, telling the other Kage to see him at the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Uchiha Itachi, Kabuto Yakushi, and Inuzuka Hana reached the first air drop crate, took its supplies, and rigged it with an Explosive Tag before hiding nearby. Other teams were closing in on the valley, setting up a coming battle over the crate.

• Haimaru detected no nearby teams before Ink Eagle dropped the air drop crate into the valley.
• Itachi led Kabuto Yakushi and Inuzuka Hana to the crate, where Haimaru checked it for traps and Kabuto opened it.
• The team divided the supplies, including a 30-point scroll and Explosive Tags.
• Itachi planted an Explosive Tag trap in the crate and withdrew with Kabuto Yakushi and Inuzuka Hana to an ambush point.
• The betting hall broadcast the team’s actions as the commentator reported that at least five other teams were heading toward the valley.

Inuzuka Hana, Uchiha Itachi, and Kabuto Yakushi watched a Kusagakure squad get caught between a genjutsu attack and an Otogakure squad. Itachi suspected the red-haired Kusagakure kunoichi was the person his sensei had told him to watch, while his team waited for the two squads to weaken each other.

• Inuzuka Hana detected approaching enemies as her team hid near the airdrop crate.
• A Kusagakure squad tried to drag away the crate, but shuriken cut the wires and forced them into the open.
• The red-haired Kusagakure kunoichi sensed a genjutsu attack, warned her companions, and helped them resist it.
• After one Kusagakure ninja was wounded, the burly teammate bit the red-haired kunoichi and drew on her chakra to heal himself.
• The Kusagakure squad retreated but ran into an Otogakure squad that blocked their way and demanded their points.
• Uchiha Itachi recognized the red-haired kunoichi's unusual chakra and watched as Kabuto Yakushi and Inuzuka Hana agreed to wait before attacking.

The Hidden Grass and Hidden Sound squads fought over an airdrop crate until Darui and two Kumogakure teammates arrived. Watching from a distant hill, Itachi chose to wait for an opening while Inuzuka Hana asked when they would act.

• The Hidden Grass captain proposed cooperating with the Hidden Sound squad, then secretly attacked them with genjutsu as the Grass genin launched Ghost Lantern flames.
• Hua Li resisted the sound genjutsu, slapped her two teammates awake, and deflected the Sound squad's shuriken.
• The Hidden Sound ninjas were driven back by the ghost flames, leaving one genin with a burned arm as both squads paused to assess their injuries.
• Darui and two Kumogakure teammates rushed into the battlefield and appeared before the airdrop crate.
• Itachi and Inuzuka Hana watched from a distant hill, and Itachi told her to wait for an opening.

Darui's Kumogakure squad arrived at the airdrop and fought the Hidden Sound and Hidden Grass teams after Atsui was injured by a trapped crate. Omoi struck down the Hidden Sound captain, but an enemy's flaming shuriken attack left the fight unresolved.

• Darui refused to share the airdrop with the Hidden Sound and Hidden Grass teams, so their captains agreed to attack his squad together.
• Atsui opened the trapped crate and an explosion broke his right arm.
• Darui used his lightning-coated sword to sever a Hidden Grass ninja's arm, then pursued Hua Li as she fled.
• Omoi attacked the Hidden Sound squad with Lightning Release and stabbed its captain in the abdomen.
• A ninja launched flaming shuriken at Omoi, who dodged them, and the words "Genjutsu: Sharingan" followed.

Uchiha Itachi's team drove off the Hidden Cloud Village squad and took the point scrolls from the Hidden Sound and Hidden Grass squads. After sensing his Flying Thunder God Mark, Tianyi spotted Karin Uzumaki's mother in the surveillance footage and sent Hatake Sakumo to retrieve Karin alive.

• Uchiha Itachi and Inuzuka Hana incapacitated Omoi, forcing Darui and Atsui to retreat with him.
• Itachi demanded the point scrolls from the Hidden Sound and Hidden Grass squads, and their captains surrendered them before leaving.
• Itachi activated the Flying Thunder God Kunai mark and left the area with Hana and Haimaru.
• Tianyi sensed the mark's activation and went to the monitoring room to view footage near Otogakure.
• Tianyi recognized Hua Li as Karin Uzumaki's mother and ordered Hatake Sakumo to bring Karin back alive.

After hearing the Forest of Death rankings, Uchiha Itachi planned to hunt weakened teams along the central battlefield’s outskirts rather than enter its chaotic core. Elsewhere, the battered Hidden Grass Village squad drained Hua Li’s vitality and chakra, while she clung to the hope of returning to her daughter Karin.

• The broadcast ranked Kirigakure’s Chojuro Squad first, Iwagakure’s Akatsuchi Squad second, and Uchiha Itachi Squad third, prompting teams across the forest to reconsider their strategies.
• Itachi rejected Inuzuka Hana’s proposal to charge into the central battlefield and instead planned to intercept exhausted teams along its edge.
• The injured Hidden Grass Village captain blamed Hua Li for the squad’s losses and bit her to absorb her Uzumaki vitality and chakra.
• An injured Hidden Grass Village teammate also drained Hua Li, leaving her weakened as she thought of Karin and resolved to survive.
• A black figure silently landed on a branch above the Hidden Grass Village squad.

Kakashi rescued Hua Li from the Hidden Grass Village team and brought her to Konoha Hospital, where doctors warned that her life was in danger after prolonged chakra extraction. Hua Li learned Hatake Sakumo had gone to Kusagakure for Karin, while Kushina vowed to save her and make Kusagakure pay.

• Kakashi killed one of the Hidden Grass Village team members and used his Sharingan to incapacitate their captain.
• Kakashi freed the severely weakened Hua Li and told her that his father had gone to Kusagakure to find Karin.
• Kakashi carried Hua Li to Konoha Hospital, where a medical ninja estimated she had at most six months to live.
• Kushina arrived and erupted in anger at Kusagakure, but calmed when Hua Li asked her to save Karin.
• Kushina promised Hua Li she would see Karin within three days and silently vowed to heal her and punish Kusagakure.