Recaps

Masaichi’s schemes and military service helped Konoha through the war while Orochimaru grew increasingly uncertain of Hiruzen’s intentions. As Orochimaru joined Minato’s mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge, Masaichi and Orochimaru poisoned Minato, and Orochimaru began negotiating with a disguised White Zetsu.

• Orochimaru brought Masaichi a birthday cake, then assigned him a difficult mission tied to the war and the Fifth Hokage.
• Masaichi fought A repeatedly after A insulted Orochimaru, earning A’s respect before leading Konoha forces through the Land of Lightning and enforcing strict discipline.
• The Third Raikage died fighting Hidden Rock, and A became the Fourth Raikage as Masaichi returned to Konoha and Orochimaru’s standing with Hiruzen came under doubt.
• Masaichi warned Orochimaru that Minato was gaining support, while Hiruzen explained that he wanted Minato as Hokage and Orochimaru as his assistant.
• Masaichi advised Danzo during the disastrous Kikyo Mountain campaign, and Minato’s reinforcements helped Konoha force Sand Village to surrender and sign an alliance.
• Masaichi proposed pensions and new taxes to address Konoha’s postwar finances, while White Zetsu’s staged attacks helped provoke renewed assaults on Konoha.
• Orochimaru confronted Hiruzen about his unequal treatment of Minato and Masaichi, then joined Minato’s Team on the mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge.
• Obito awakened his Sharingan after reading Masaichi’s provocative stories, and Orochimaru and Masaichi poisoned Minato before Minato split the team and collapsed, and Orochimaru then offered White Zetsu a deal.

As Madara’s schemes cost Obito his eye and Konoha suffers heavy losses, Masaichi helps Orochimaru build political support and become Fourth Hokage. The war ends and Naruto is born safely, but Masaichi’s investigation exposes deep corruption and factional conflict within Konoha.

• Madara’s trap led to Obito’s apparent death beneath a boulder, and Obito entrusted his Sharingan and Rin’s protection to Masaichi.
• Masaichi warned Orochimaru and Danzo that they needed broader support to challenge Minato, then helped arrange an alliance with A by offering Hidden Cloud Village two Byakugan.
• Future Naruto and Yamato told Minato that Orochimaru would later defect and target Sasuke, while Hiruzen chose Jiraiya as a temporary Hokage candidate as Minato’s path to the office faltered.
• A scandal involving Delia ruined Jiraiya’s Hokage campaign, and Masaichi’s political messaging and popular toy factory strengthened Orochimaru’s faction.
• With Minato away, the daimyo appointed Orochimaru Fourth Hokage, and Orochimaru forced Hiruzen to retire while placing Danzo at the head of ANBU.
• Masaichi rescued Rin from the Hidden Mist’s sealing altar, and Orochimaru reinforced the Three-Tails’ seal before keeping Rin and Masaichi apart.
• After the war, Orochimaru’s reforms gained public notice, but he discovered Madara’s old cave and learned that Madara had died while Obito had returned to Konoha.
• Obito helped protect Kushina, who gave birth to Naruto safely, and Masaichi’s inquiry into the Academy cafeteria revealed corruption and factional problems in Konoha.