Recaps

The Third Hokage confronted Jiraiya over his hot spring peeping and the village’s complaints, while Jingyi refused to take missions before Kushina could leave the village. The Third Hokage’s questioning left Jiraiya realizing that the hot spring inn owners had united to demand compensation.

• Jiraiya complained that he would be burdened with missions after spending two years away from the village, and Jingyi teased him about his absence.
• The Third Hokage arrived at the barbecue restaurant and offered Jingyi missions, but Jingyi refused until Kushina was allowed to leave the village.
• Jingyi challenged the claim that every village ninja had to take missions by pointing out that the Hokage and Anbu did not carry out ordinary commissions.
• The Third Hokage asked Jiraiya whether he had learned from his mistakes, and Jiraiya mistakenly thought he meant his time in the Land of Rain.
• The Third Hokage explained that hot spring visitors and inn owners had complained about Jiraiya’s repeated peeping, with the owners demanding compensation for the damage to their business.

Jiraiya was ordered to pay compensation after peeping at guests at a hot spring inn, then realized that Hiruzen had been looking after him more than he had thought. As Konoha chose to continue its war with Sunagakure, Jingyi prepared to spend the approaching New Year peacefully in the village.

• Jiraiya blurted out that Hiruzen also peeked at bathers, embarrassing Hiruzen in front of Jingyi and the barbecue restaurant staff.
• Hiruzen stormed out and told Jiraiya to pay the fine or have it deducted from his mission rewards.
• Jingyi explained that Mito had paid for Tsunade’s damages and that Orochimaru had rarely caused trouble, prompting Jiraiya to realize Hiruzen had often looked after him.
• Jiraiya proudly paid the compensation at the Hokage Office, surprising Hiruzen, who had only threatened to deduct the money.
• Konoha decided to continue fighting Sunagakure, while Jingyi prepared for a peaceful New Year in the village.

Jingyi reluctantly agreed to let Nawaki and Minato Namikaze accompany Jiraiya on missions after Tsunade supported their decision. He warned them to prioritize survival over missions or reckless kindness, and charged Minato with keeping the others in check.

• Jiraiya brought Nawaki and Minato Namikaze to Jingyi, asking to take them on missions after Nawaki's resentment had eased.
• Jingyi questioned Nawaki and Minato Namikaze about their choice, and both said they wanted to go despite the danger.
• Tsunade agreed they should be allowed to gain experience, and Jingyi approved their request.
• Jingyi warned Nawaki and Minato Namikaze not to risk their lives to help others or cling to a failing mission, threatening to keep Nawaki from future missions if he repeated his old habits.
• Jingyi warned Jiraiya to put the boys' safety first and told Minato Namikaze to report either of them if they acted recklessly; Minato promised he would.

Jingyi sent Jiraiya, Nawaki, and Minato Namikaze on an S-Rank mission with a scroll containing one or two hundred puppets for protection. On New Year’s Eve, Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi came to Jingyi’s home after being left without their fathers.

• Tsunade helped Nawaki pack and warned Jiraiya to keep him safe before the three shinobi left the village.
• Jingyi reassured Tsunade that Minato had a scroll of puppets and could call for help if the mission went wrong.
• Jiraiya tried to teach Nawaki and Minato, but they already knew Jingyi’s lessons and independently followed standard scouting and security practices.
• On New Year’s Eve, Jingyi, Tsunade, and Kushina shared a meal before Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi arrived.
• Fugaku said his father had died, while Hiashi explained that his father had traveled to the Land of Water to visit relatives despite his failing health.

Jingyi warned Hyuga Hiashi and Fugaku Uchiha about the dangers of visiting Kirigakure and explained how Konoha’s leadership had worsened the Uchiha’s reputation through the Police Force. He told Fugaku that giving up the Police Force could offer the Uchiha a chance to negotiate, but Fugaku could not bring himself to agree.

• Jingyi warned Hyuga Hiashi and Fugaku Uchiha that Kirigakure was dangerous and the Kaguya Clan was full of lunatics.
• Fugaku Uchiha tried to discuss the Uchiha’s treatment in Konoha, but Jingyi and Tsunade said they could not simply resolve the problem.
• Jingyi asked Fugaku whether the Uchiha would give up the Police Force, and Fugaku froze because the clan viewed it as its own department.
• Jingyi explained that the Second Hokage had given the Police Force to the Uchiha to damage their reputation and that the Third Hokage had also spread bad rumors about them.
• Jingyi said that relinquishing the Police Force could let the Uchiha negotiate with the higher-ups, while clinging to it would leave the problem unresolved.

Jingyi urged Fugaku Uchiha to give up the Police Force in exchange for a chance at equal treatment, and explained why the village feared the Uchiha Clan’s talent. After the clan heads left, the chapter shifted to Konoha’s wartime preparations as the village assessed supplies for the front against Sunagakure.

• Jingyi told Fugaku Uchiha that the village targeted the Uchiha Clan because it feared the clan’s powerful members, and urged him to relinquish the Police Force.
• Jingyi praised Hyuga Hiashi for improving Branch House members’ treatment but said the Hyuga Clan’s Main House and Branch House conflict remained unresolved.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi exchanged New Year’s wishes with Jingyi and left, while guards brought their gifts inside.
• Kushina complained about the noise upstairs as Konoha remained subdued by the lingering effects of war.
• Mitokado Homura told the Third Hokage that New Year supplies should sustain the frontline camp for one to two months, and the Third Hokage questioned whether they would last that long.

The Third Hokage’s decision to proceed with war despite the daimyo’s anger left Konoha’s leaders reviewing front-line supplies and confronting a looming financial crisis. The meeting ended without a solution, as the village could not count on timely or full funding from the Daimyo’s Court.

• Mitokado Homura reported that the front-line supplies would last two to three months, while Utatane Koharu said medical personnel were sufficient and Jingyi confirmed that medicines had already been delivered.
• Jingyi warned that Konoha’s finances might fail under the cost of compensation payments if the Daimyo’s Court delayed or reduced its funding.
• Utatane Koharu asked how long the village could manage, and the Third Hokage admitted its funds would likely run out after compensation was paid.
• The Third Hokage asked how Konoha could stabilize its finances without the Daimyo’s Court, but the other leaders had no answer.
• The meeting ended in silence, and Torifu Akimichi called the financial situation difficult as Jingyi described it as the price of seeking victory.

The Third Hokage asked Tsunade to appeal to the Daimyo for money to address Konoha’s financial troubles, but she refused and warned him not to seek a loan from Jingyi. Tsunade went home to tell Jingyi what happened, leaving the Hokage’s funding problem unresolved.

• Torifu Akimichi realized Jingyi’s point that Konoha’s budget shortfall could prevent the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō from funding a new department.
• The Third Hokage told Tsunade that Konoha’s finances were in trouble and asked her to approach the Daimyo for money.
• Tsunade refused, saying the Hokage should bear the costs of his decisions, and warned him not to use her name or seek Jingyi’s money.
• Tsunade went home and complained to Jingyi about the Third Hokage’s request.
• Jingyi guessed that the Third Hokage had also considered borrowing money from him, and decided he would not lend it.

Jingyi told Tsunade he could ease the village’s financial strain, then summoned Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi to offer their clans a chance to negotiate with the village’s higher-ups. He left the terms undecided as Fugaku asked what the Uchiha would have to pay.

• Tsunade suspected the Sarutobi Clan and Shimura Clan benefited from money diverted through the Finance Department, and Jingyi warned that investigating would be pointless without control of the department.
• Jingyi offered to solve the village’s financial strain in exchange for Tsunade’s cooperation, and she reluctantly agreed.
• Jingyi sent puppets to summon Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi to the Akimichi barbecue restaurant.
• After they ate, Jingyi said the Uchiha could try to end their unequal treatment and the Hyuga could reduce the secret trouble they faced.
• Fugaku Uchiha asked what price the Uchiha Clan would have to pay for Jingyi’s help.

Jingyi arranged loans from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans to ease Konoha’s financial crisis, then brought the offer to the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage welcomed the funding and asked what conditions the clans wanted.

• Jingyi told Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi that the village needed a loan, not a donation, and offered to seek returns for their clans.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi agreed to lend seventy million ryo each after Jingyi set the amount.
• Jingyi went to the Hokage Office and told the Third Hokage that the Uchiha and Hyuga would provide a total of one hundred and forty million ryo.
• The Third Hokage asked what conditions Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi had set for the loans.

Jingyi secured loans from the Uchiha and Hyuga for the village after the Third Hokage promised not to target them. The Hokage then had to shelve the Sarutobi Clan’s development plans because the village’s funds were locked down.

• Jingyi told the Third Hokage that the Uchiha and Hyuga wanted an end to targeted treatment and unequal practices in exchange for lending money.
• The Third Hokage promised not to target the clans, and Jingyi left to arrange for them to deliver the loan.
• The Third Hokage relaxed, believing the loan would cover pensions, war costs, and village expenses until the Daimyo's Court paid its dues.
• The Third Hokage received a Sarutobi Clan development proposal and realized the clan wanted funds the village could not spare.
• The Third Hokage shelved the proposal, cut the clan’s subsidies, and left its ninja to support themselves.

Jingyi advised Hyuga Hiashi and Fugaku Uchiha on stabilizing their clans, urging Fugaku to deal with the Uchiha’s internal factions. Pakura returned from the Pharmaceutical Department and objected to Kushina’s intense training, but Kushina explained that she was training with the Nine-Tails to earn her freedom.

• Jingyi told Hyuga Hiashi that the Hyuga Clan would no longer be targeted if it avoided major mistakes and urged Fugaku Uchiha to break up the Dove and Hawk Factions and remove troublesome elders.
• Fugaku Uchiha agreed to handle the Uchiha’s internal problems, and he and Hyuga Hiashi left to report the news to their clans.
• Pakura emerged from the kitchen after returning from months of work at the Pharmaceutical Department and complained to Jingyi about being assigned there.
• Kushina returned home exhausted, and Pakura criticized Jingyi for letting her train too hard.
• Kushina explained that she was training under an agreement with the Nine-Tails to master its power and gain complete freedom, surprising Pakura.

Kushina continued training to master Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, which Jingyi said would make her powerful enough that no one in Konoha could restrict her freedom. Pakura left the Pharmaceutical Department for a secretary position in the Anbu, where Shikaku Nara questioned Jingyi about money borrowed by the Uchiha and Hyuga.

• Kushina told Pakura that Jingyi had promised her freedom once she mastered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and Jingyi explained that her strength would make her difficult to restrain.
• Jingyi called the Nine-Tails cunning, enraging it and spurring it to motivate Kushina's training.
• Pakura told Jingyi she wanted to leave the Pharmaceutical Department because she preferred training and fighting, and he agreed to transfer her to the Anbu as a secretary.
• Shikaku Nara saw Pakura working as a secretary and accepted Jingyi's assurance that she was trustworthy.
• Shikaku Nara asked Jingyi whether the Uchiha and Hyuga would repay the money they had borrowed from the Hokage Office.

Jingyi explained to Shikaku Nara that Konoha’s financial crisis would persist despite loans from the Hyuga and Uchiha, giving Ino-Shika-Cho leverage to reclaim the Jonin Corps Captain position. After learning that the Daimyo’s Court would likely delay funding for a long time, Shikaku agreed to pursue a trade involving the Hokage Advisor position.

• Jingyi told Shikaku Nara that he hoped the Hyuga and Uchiha would be unable to repay their loans, allowing him to collect favors from them and the Hokage Office.
• Jingyi suggested Ino-Shika-Cho could use the village’s financial troubles to regain the Jonin Corps Captain position, and Shikaku admitted he wanted it back.
• Jingyi gave Shikaku an intelligence report showing that the daimyo’s quarrel with the Land of Wind’s daimyo could delay the Daimyo’s Court funding.
• Jingyi explained that the village’s expenses would keep exceeding its income and proposed trading the Hokage Advisor position and financial help for the Jonin Corps Captain position.
• Shikaku agreed that Ino-Shika-Cho could reclaim the position through such a trade and decided to pursue it.

Jingyi and Tsunade made Ino-Shika-Cho responsible for paying for Torifu Akimichi’s replacement, while Konoha’s financial crisis forced the Third Hokage to accept loans from the Uchiha and Hyuga. Shimura Danzō grew frustrated with the Third Hokage’s compromises and, after learning that Root could not be funded, decided to act on his own; Jingyi noticed someone moving that night and got up to investigate.

• Jingyi said Ino-Shika-Cho would have to pay for Torifu Akimichi’s replacement, and Shikaku Nara reacted anxiously to their discussion.
• Utatane Koharu reluctantly accepted the Uchiha and Hyuga loans, while Mitokado Homura stayed neutral.
• Shimura Danzō challenged the Third Hokage over the Uchiha loans and the Hyuga Clan, but the Third Hokage reminded him that the village had no money.
• The Third Hokage refused to fund Shimura Danzō’s planned department, leaving Root without money to form or equip itself.
• Shimura Danzō decided to take the initiative, and Jingyi detected someone moving through his puppet’s vision that night.
• Jingyi pushed away Tsunade, got dressed, and prepared to leave as Tsunade sleepily asked where he was going.

Jingyi intercepted Shimura Danzō on his way to the Uchiha compound and showed Fugaku Uchiha that Danzō was trying to undermine the clan’s improving relationship with the village. Seeing the threat to his clan’s stability, Fugaku decided to purge its internal troublemakers.

• Jingyi left Tsunade asleep and went to confront Shimura Danzō, who was heading toward the Uchiha compound with two guards.
• Jingyi’s puppets surrounded Danzō in an alley, preventing him from reaching the compound and leaving him furious at being monitored.
• Jingyi watched with Fugaku Uchiha and explained that Danzō might seek out Uchiha elders to stir up trouble against Fugaku.
• Fugaku recalled Jingyi’s warnings about the clan’s internal divisions and resolved to eliminate the unstable elements within the Uchiha.

Jingyi used puppets to stop Shimura Danzō from entering the Uchiha compound, forcing the Third Hokage to answer for Danzō’s actions. After Jingyi and Fugaku left, the Third Hokage confronted Danzō, who blamed the Anbu and demanded their authority be reduced.

• Jingyi kept Shimura Danzō trapped in an alley with puppets while curious shinobi avoided the scene.
• The Third Hokage learned Danzō had been blocked outside the Uchiha compound and hurried there to contain the situation.
• Jingyi challenged the Third Hokage’s broken promises and warned that Danzō could face a funeral if he caused trouble again.
• Jingyi withdrew with the puppets, and Fugaku left after giving the Third Hokage a distrustful look.
• The Third Hokage confronted Danzō, who accused the Anbu of abusing their authority and demanded their privileges be cut.

The Third Hokage had Shimura Danzō confined to his residence after Danzō tried to disrupt the village’s agreement with the Uchiha. He then told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu what happened, and both condemned Danzō’s actions.

• The Third Hokage confronted Shimura Danzō in an alley, but Danzō refused to explain himself.
• The Third Hokage ordered the Hokage Guard Team to escort Danzō home and prevent anyone from contacting him.
• The Third Hokage summoned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to discuss Danzō’s actions.
• The Third Hokage explained that Jingyi had arranged a loan from the Hyuga and the Uchiha, and Danzō had gone to confront the Uchiha over their conditions.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu agreed that Danzō had acted irrationally.

The Third Hokage imprisoned Shimura Danzō indefinitely after he tried to cause trouble for the Uchiha, while Jingyi and Tsunade teased Kushina at home. Konoha’s war against Sunagakure continued to worsen as Orochimaru struggled to track the enemy across the Land of Wind.

• The Third Hokage told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu that Shimura Danzō would be imprisoned indefinitely and barred them from visiting him.
• Mitokado Homura hurried away when Utatane Koharu tried to speak with him after they left the Hokage Office Building.
• Jingyi told Tsunade that Danzō had been stopped on his way to trouble the Uchiha and would likely remain imprisoned for a long time.
• Kurama explained the noise from upstairs to Kushina, and Tsunade teased her at breakfast; Kushina responded by doubling her training for the day.
• Orochimaru learned that three Konoha squads had gone missing as Sunagakure used its familiarity with the Land of Wind to evade Konoha forces.

Orochimaru countered Sunagakure’s tactics and the Land of Wind’s harsh weather by ordering windproof fortresses built across Konoha’s battle zone, restoring Konoha’s offensive. Sunagakure’s daimyo began funding the struggling village, leaving the Third Hokage furious as Konoha’s costly advance threatened to bleed it dry.

• Orochimaru ordered the Logistics Department to build small fortresses where Konoha’s forces could rest and shelter from sandstorms and extreme temperatures.
• Konoha’s ninja used the fortresses to resume an aggressive advance, and the Third Kazekage recognized that Sunagakure had lost its chance to win without retreating.
• The Third Kazekage noted that the Land of Wind’s daimyo had begun providing substantial aid, allowing Sunagakure to keep resisting.
• The Third Hokage realized that Konoha’s gradual advance was draining the village, despite its gains on the battlefield.
• The Third Hokage learned that the Land of Wind’s daimyo was aiding Sunagakure and tore up the report in anger.

Jingyi explained to Kushina how the prolonged war had raised prices, strained families, and fueled opposition, while Konoha struggled to afford compensation payments. Tsunade reported that the Third Hokage had lost his temper over the war and finances, then confronted Kushina for leading her classmates in skipping class.

• Jingyi told Kushina that wartime prices had nearly doubled and that casualties and financial strain were driving villagers to oppose the war.
• Jingyi warned that Konoha might struggle to issue its second-quarter compensation payments and told Kushina to stop skipping class.
• Tsunade returned home after being called to calm the furious Third Hokage, who was under pressure from the stalled war and compensation costs.
• Tsunade confronted Kushina over her teacher's accusation that she had encouraged her classmates to skip class, and Kushina denied responsibility.

Jingyi and Tsunade disciplined Kushina for skipping class, then Jingyi discussed Shikaku’s bid to become Jonin Corps Captain and the village’s financial crisis. The Third Hokage negotiated with Jingyi late at night, who offered a deal and promised to restore relations with the Daimyo’s Court within ten days if the Hokage dared to act.

• Tsunade spanked Kushina for skipping class and bringing classmates along, but Kushina insisted she would keep skipping because she had learned the textbooks and could rely on Kurama.
• At dinner, Jingyi told Tsunade that Shikaku wanted the Jonin Corps Captain position and that the Third Hokage would trade it to ease the village’s financial strain.
• The Third Hokage met Jingyi late at night and mentioned that Tsunade planned to leave the Anbu and hand its commander position to Jingyi.
• Jingyi confirmed Shikaku’s resolve, and the Third Hokage offered two hundred million for the captain position while Jingyi countered with one hundred million and promises from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans to settle debts.
• The Third Hokage asked about the war and the Daimyo’s Court, and Jingyi said relations could return to normal within ten days if the Hokage dared to act.

Jingyi offered the Third Hokage a risky plan to pressure the daimyo into releasing Konoha’s delayed funds, leaving Hiruzen to decide whether the political fallout was worth it. The next morning, Jingyi told Shikaku Nara that Ino-Shika-Cho would regain the Hokage Advisor position and retain the Jonin Corps Captain position as long as they stayed within Hiruzen’s limits.

• The Third Hokage promised not to challenge Ino-Shika-Cho’s hold on the Jonin Corps Captain position as long as the clan alliance did not threaten his seat.
• Jingyi advised Hiruzen to apologize to the daimyo, warn that Konoha might reduce its ninja force, and withdraw forces near the Land of Earth and the Land of Iron if funds did not arrive within ten days.
• Hiruzen hesitated because the threat could turn the daimyo and Konoha’s ninja against him, while Jingyi left him to consider the plan.
• Shikaku Nara waited for Jingyi at the Anbu base, and Jingyi told him that Ino-Shika-Cho would regain the Hokage Advisor position and keep the Jonin Corps Captain position under Hiruzen’s stated condition.

Jingyi’s proposal to use Konoha’s threatened reduction in ninja numbers to pressure the Daimyo’s Court into providing funds persuaded Shikaku Nara to support him. After Shikaku left, Jingyi sent Pakura to prepare for missions and discovered she had mistaken her ill-fitting secretary uniform for a deliberate choice.

• Jingyi explained his proposal to Shikaku Nara, who recognized that it could force the daimyo to fund Konoha but would anger the Hokage, the court, and the village’s ninja.
• Shikaku agreed to discuss the matter with Torifu and take money to the Hokage Office in exchange for restoring the Jonin Corps Captain position.
• Pakura brought Jingyi tea, and he told her to collect equipment and accompany an Anbu squad on a mission.
• Pakura revealed that she thought Jingyi had intentionally made her secretary uniform tight, and Jingyi explained that it had simply become too small as she grew.
• Jingyi ordered Pakura to go to the Logistics Department for new measurements before leaving on her mission.

The Third Hokage accepted Jingyi’s proposal to pressure the Daimyo’s Court by threatening to reduce Konoha’s ninja forces and withdraw border troops. The daimyo received the letter and flew into a rage, ordering his trusted adviser executed.

• Pakura realized she had overthought things, apologized, and ran to the Logistics Department to have new clothes and equipment made to fit her measurements.
• The Third Hokage met with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to discuss Jingyi’s proposal, and Homura said it could secure the village’s funding but would damage relations with the daimyo.
• The Third Hokage asked Mitokado Homura to write a letter to the Daimyo’s Court, and Homura agreed despite the harm it could do to Hiruzen’s reputation.
• Two days later, the daimyo read Hiruzen Sarutobi’s letter stating Konoha planned to cut its ninja force and withdraw border troops because of financial hardship.
• The furious daimyo tore up the letter, blamed his adviser for withholding Konoha’s funds, and ordered the guards to execute him.