Recaps

Naruto trained Sasuke to command the Daimyō’s guard, rallied the Chinoike clan against those who had exploited them, and guided Jingwan through a political challenge in the Land of Hot Water. After Tsunade learned of Naruto’s growing intervention, she concealed the intelligence but warned that his actions could start a war between the great nations.

• Naruto assigned Sasuke command of the Daimyō’s guard and told him to teach the men discipline, fear, and loyalty.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clone gave the Chinoike clansmen copies of the black ledger and a list of officials and merchants involved in exploiting them, urging them to remember their future targets.
• Nara Shikage told Naruto that the finance minister and other nobles planned to use a fiscal proposal to weaken the central government, so Naruto summoned Jingwan for further tutoring.
• At court, Jingwan challenged the nobles’ plan for local autonomy, then used Naruto’s guidance through a Yamanaka Root ninja to propose a centrally managed reconstruction fund and an extravagance tax.
• Tsunade read the intelligence about Naruto’s actions, burned it to keep it from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and warned that Naruto could provoke a war between the great nations.

Jingwan rejected the nobles’ attempt to seize control of the National Revitalization Fund, instead creating an oversight committee under his own leadership with commoner representatives and Konoha ninjas. After Naruto’s Shadow Clone gave him his next script, the finance minister was found executed outside his residence, silencing the court’s resistance.

• The finance minister praised Jingwan’s policy, then proposed a committee of nobles to control the fund and tax collection.
• Jingwan appointed himself chairman of the oversight committee and named royal officials, commoner representatives, and Konoha ninjas as its members, warning the nobles against obstruction.
• After the court session, Jingwan recovered from Naruto’s Shadow Clone’s control and asked to learn how to rule as he had during the hearing.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clone gave Jingwan the fund charter and committee list to memorize for the next session.
• That night, the finance minister’s head was displayed at his residence with a list of his crimes from the Eye of Order.

Sasuke recreated Naruto’s methods to transform the palace guard, while Naruto let the Noble Alliance provoke a crisis over the new reforms so he could expose its conspiracy. As hungry protesters gathered outside the palace, Naruto sent Kana and his Shadow Clones to strike the nobles and seize their hoarded supplies.

• Sasuke trained the Daimyō’s guard into a disciplined unit and felt the satisfaction of creating order, then later struggled to control protests by desperate civilians.
• Jingwan announced sweeping taxes and land reforms, and the nobles and merchants publicly submitted while secretly plotting to undermine the laws.
• The Noble Alliance hoarded food and goods, shut down workshops, drove up prices, and spread rumors that blamed the Daimyō for the people’s hunger and unemployment.
• Sasuke’s guards faced angry protesters and starving families, leaving Sasuke helpless as he realized force could not solve every problem.
• Nara Shikage told Naruto that the Eye of Order had uncovered the Noble Alliance’s plans, supply warehouses, and hired fighters.
• Naruto ordered Blood Pool Kana and her clansmen to hunt the alliance’s leaders, then sent hundreds of Shadow Clones to seize the hidden supplies and kill anyone who resisted.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry celebrated his plan to force the daimyō to yield while unrest turned into a riot in the capital. Blood Pool Kana and her clan attacked the minister’s estate, where Momochi Zabuza revealed he would hand his payment to Naruto Uzumaki.

• The Minister of Commerce and Industry assured the nobles that the riot would pressure the daimyō and boasted that Momochi Zabuza could protect them.
• Sasuke watched the hungry crowds attack the grain shops and hoped Naruto would reach him soon.
• Blood Pool Kana led her clan in using the Ketsuryūgan to make the estate’s guards attack one another in bloody illusions.
• Kana and her companions entered the banquet hall, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry begged Zabuza to kill them.
• Zabuza stood between Kana’s group and the nobles, then said he would give his payment to Naruto Uzumaki.

Zabuza revealed his allegiance to Commissar-sama and killed three nobles at the banquet, while Kana summoned the surviving nobles to the Daimyō's Palace. Across the Land of Hot Water, Naruto's Shadow Clones seized the nobles' food stores and distributed supplies, turning angry citizens into supporters of the Daimyō as Sasuke ordered his squad to withdraw.

• Zabuza rejected the Minister of Commerce's bribe, declared that he would not oppose Commissar-sama, and beheaded three nobles.
• Kana silenced the banquet hall and invited the surviving nobles to a final banquet at the Daimyō's Palace.
• Naruto's Shadow Clones attacked more than a hundred secret warehouses, killed their defenders, and distributed the seized supplies to local people.
• The citizens' anger shifted into support for the Daimyō and the Red Savior after they received free rations.
• Sasuke watched the crowd turn into supporters and ordered his squad to recall.

Naruto forced the Land of Hot Water’s nobles to accept sweeping reforms at a banquet held in the Daimyō’s Palace. The nobles signed away most of their wealth and private armies under threat of death, leaving their new subservient status unmistakable.

• Naruto took the seat of honor while puppet daimyō Jingwan stood beside him and Zabuza guarded the entrance.
• The attendants revealed the severed heads of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and other victims beneath the silver cloches.
• A cloth merchant tried to flee, but Zabuza killed him and pinned his body to the doors.
• Naruto demanded that the nobles surrender ninety percent of their assets, and Kana drove an elderly nobleman into madness when he protested.
• The nobles agreed to Naruto’s demands, then signed documents surrendering their property and private armies and accepting oversight by the new National Reconstruction Oversight Committee.

Naruto oversaw the Land of Hot Water’s new policies and rapid recovery, then moved to establish a Second Arsenal and Schola Progenium there despite the political risks. As the dispossessed nobles turned to propaganda, he ordered covert purges and a state-backed campaign to shape public opinion.

• Naruto ordered Jingwan to announce the abolition of noble privileges, nationalization of most noble property, a National Revitalization Fund, and a uniform tax rate.
• Jingwan read the decrees to the capital’s people, who erupted in cheers and praised the Daimyō.
• A week later, Naruto designated the Chaos Cult’s former sacrificial square for a Second Arsenal and a Schola Progenium branch, dismissing Jingwan’s fears of provoking other nations.
• Naruto read Tsunade’s warning and learned that Konoha’s Elders Council and some old Jonin clans distrusted his growing power.
• After Kana reported that former nobles were spreading sympathetic stories about themselves and false accounts of the purge, Naruto ordered Deer Shadow and Kana’s Crimson Judgment squad to secretly eliminate those involved.
• Naruto directed Jingwan to nationalize theaters and printing houses and produce plays condemning the old nobles while praising the new policies and the soldiers who defended the country.

Naruto received Imperial armament blueprints from Karsten and set Sasuke on a three-year path to become a general. A week later, Zabuza and Haku brought thirty oppressed Kirigakure children to the new Schola Progenium Branch in the Land of Hot Water.

• Naruto summoned Karsten, who delivered approved blueprints for Bolters, Lasguns, and light infantry armor.
• Sasuke's Sharingan could not comprehend the data slate's energy, and Naruto took the blueprints to help industrialize his Arsenal.
• Naruto thanked Karsten, who saluted him before returning through the rift.
• Naruto gave Sasuke a detailed three-year training plan focused on physical conditioning, equipment coordination, and opening the Eight Gates.
• A week later, Zabuza and Haku brought thirty mistreated children from Kirigakure to the Schola Progenium Branch under construction at the former sacrificial square.

Naruto imposed strict Imperial training and discipline on the new students, while his actions in the Land of Hot Water provoked Kumogakure and alarmed Tsunade. He left Tsunade with a profitable weapons plan and an order to stay out of public view.

• Naruto assigned the new students numbered identities, military training, weapons instruction, and the Imperial Truth and Discipline Manual as their sole code.
• Fourth Raikage A learned that Konoha had eliminated foreign spies and taken control of the Land of Hot Water, and he denounced Naruto’s actions as a provocation.
• Konoha’s Schola Progenium guards greeted Naruto as Commissar when he returned to the village.
• Tsunade confronted Naruto over his takeover of the Land of Hot Water, but he defended it as a legally deniable arrangement and pointed to its financial benefits for Konoha.
• Naruto showed Tsunade the prices for the Second Arsenal’s trial weapons, and she ordered him to stay in the village and avoid public appearances.

Naruto’s training of the Kaguya brothers continued as they learned disciplined combat, but the arrival of the Fourth Raikage’s delegation turned his attention to a confrontation with Kumogakure. Naruto persuaded Tsunade to authorize him to handle the matter himself, leaving to meet the delegation.

• Naruto watched Kaguya Kei and Kaguya Ken spar with Might Guy and Rock Lee, and saw Kaguya Kei open the first of the Eight Gates while keeping his composure.
• Shizune told Tsunade that the Fourth Raikage had entered the Land of Fire and specifically demanded to see Naruto Uzumaki.
• Tsunade summoned Naruto and ordered him to stay in the village while she handled the Raikage’s demands.
• Naruto refused to hide, arguing that avoiding the Raikage would make Konoha appear afraid and would invite further pressure.
• Naruto asked Tsunade to authorize him to handle the delegation, and Tsunade reluctantly agreed.

Naruto faced the Fourth Raikage A at Konoha’s gates and rebutted his accusations with official documents and legal explanations. When C revealed intelligence linking Root to the purge in the Land of Hot Water, Naruto claimed Konoha was being framed, leaving the Raikage’s delegation stunned.

• The Fourth Raikage A confronted Naruto at Konoha’s gates, accusing him of overthrowing the Land of Hot Water’s regime and creating a puppet government.
• Naruto showed the Raikage an S-rank mission scroll signed by the Fifth Hokage and the Land of Hot Water’s Daimyo, presenting his actions as a legal mission.
• Naruto dismissed the accusations about an arsenal and private army, describing the arsenal as Konoha research and the Schola Progenium as care for orphans.
• The Raikage accused Konoha of occupying Land of Hot Water territory, and Naruto showed a lease and economic development agreement bearing that country’s state seal.
• C quietly told the Raikage that Root had participated in purging ministers in the Land of Hot Water, but Naruto overheard and accused someone of framing Konoha.

Naruto turned the Raikage’s accusation into a product demonstration, presenting a Lightning Release-Type Bolter as Konoha’s new-style kunai. The weapon pierced A’s Lightning Release Armor and disrupted his Chakra, leaving the Raikage injured and the gathered shinobi stunned.

• Naruto challenged the Raikage to question C’s intelligence and warned that war would benefit hidden organizations.
• Naruto offered to show the Raikage Konoha’s research and development, and a Schola Progenium cadet presented him with a Lightning Release-Type Bolter.
• Naruto invited A to test the weapon against his Lightning Release Armor, then ordered the cadet to fire a single precision shot at A’s left shoulder.
• The round pierced A’s lightning shield and collapsed the armor on his shoulder, forcing him to reinforce the area with Chakra.
• The round’s foreign Lightning Release Chakra spread through A’s body, disrupting his Chakra flow as C and Darui reacted with alarm.

Naruto demonstrated Konoha’s new weapons to Raikage A and used the threat of selling them to the Land of Earth to pressure him. Raikage A’s anger gave way to concern, and he asked whether Naruto planned to make the same offer to the Tsuchikage.

• Naruto explained that the armor-piercing warhead had temporarily disrupted Raikage A’s chakra pathways, revealing how dangerous the weapon could be against Kumogakure’s fighters.
• Naruto presented the Thunderclap bolter and offered Raikage A a bulk discount, enraging the Raikage with his sales pitch.
• Darui recognized that mass-produced weapons could transform warfare and allow trained Genin to hunt Jonin.
• Naruto suggested that Ōnoki and the Land of Earth would want weapons capable of disabling Kumogakure’s Lightning Release Armor and countering its speed.
• Tsunade watched the exchange through a crystal ball and praised Naruto as he pressured Raikage A without using force.
• Raikage A calmed down and asked Naruto whether he intended to make the same offer to the Tsuchikage.

Naruto secured Kumogakure’s purchase of Thunderclaps and Akatsuki intelligence, then began preparing new technology and announced that he would enter seclusion for three years. He left the Order’s leadership in the hands of a Core Committee and urged Sasuke to grow before his return.

• Darui and C persuaded Raikage A to buy thirty Thunderclaps, ammunition, and technical support for three hundred million ryō, in exchange for Kumogakure’s Akatsuki intelligence.
• Naruto completed the deal with Raikage A, and the Raikage’s group left Konoha that afternoon.
• Naruto gave Tsunade the promissory note and signed letter of intent, while Tsunade warned that the deal could trigger an arms race.
• Naruto brought Ancient Iron a Light Power Exoskeleton blueprint and tasked him with miniaturizing its Chakra Energy Core for the Kaguya Brothers and future Schola Progenium graduates.
• Naruto told Nara Shikage, Zero, Zabuza, and Sasuke that he would enter deep seclusion for three years and transfer his administrative authority to their Core Committee.
• Naruto told Sasuke to grow into someone capable of achieving perfect revenge before Naruto returned.

Naruto struggled with the exhaustion of carrying Konoha’s future alone, but Hinata asked to join Schola Progenium so she could stand beside him. After trying to drive her away by describing the brutal training, Naruto accepted her request.

• Sasuke told the commissar that he wanted to defeat him before defeating Itachi, and the commissar said he would be ready.
• Naruto dismissed everyone to rest and left the meeting room for the Third Training Ground, where he reflected on his burden without his commissar persona.
• Hinata visited Naruto after learning he was entering three years of seclusion and asked to join Schola Progenium.
• Naruto warned Hinata that the training would be painful and would turn her into a tool, but she tearfully insisted that she did not want to watch him carry everything alone.
• Naruto wiped Hinata’s tears and accepted her request, joking that her first lesson would be learning to cry less.

Naruto comforted Hinata with ramen and awkward conversation, while Iruka quietly paid for their meal. The next day, Hinata joined Schola Progenium despite Hyuga Hiashi’s attempt to bring her home, and Hiashi let her go after asking her to return that evening.

• Naruto invited the tearful Hinata to Ichiraku Ramen, where he tried to cheer her up by explaining the different kinds of ramen.
• Ino and Sai arrived, and Sai addressed Naruto as his superior, making the ramen shop’s warm atmosphere awkward.
• Naruto learned that Iruka had paid the bill and watched him leave with a complicated sense of affection.
• Hinata went alone to Schola Progenium, prompting Hyuga Hiashi to rush there with four elite Jonin and demand that she return.
• Zero and the Root members blocked Hiashi at the academy gates, and Naruto assured him that Hinata would be safe.
• Hinata bowed to her father and entered the academy, while Hiashi called after her to come home early.

Hinata endured brutal training at Schola Progenium while Naruto put his organization under the control of Shikage, Zero, and Sasuke before entering seclusion. After Kakashi tested Sasuke's combat skills, he revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving Sasuke stunned.

• Hinata struggled to survive the training-ground melee, enduring injuries as she used her Byakugan and Gentle Fist to evade and disable opponents.
• Hiashi read Hinata's note about becoming stronger, then learned that the Hokage had summoned him to discuss the Hyuga Clan joining Schola Progenium's training.
• Naruto gave Shikage, Zero, and Sasuke a three-year operational manual and assigned them responsibility for the organization while he entered seclusion.
• Kakashi tested Sasuke in combat, countered his aggressive attacks, and criticized how anger clouded his judgment.
• Kakashi brought Sasuke to the Memorial Stone and revealed that his left eye was a Mangekyō Sharingan.

Sasuke learned how Kakashi awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and heard about its exhausting spatial ability. Meanwhile, Ōnoki and Gaara’s Sand Village administration reacted to Konoha’s Thunderclap Bolter and prepared to pursue purchases of their own.

• Kakashi revealed that Obito gave him his Sharingan and that Rin chose to die by his hand to protect Konoha, explaining how he gained the Mangekyo Sharingan.
• Kakashi described his Mangekyo’s spatial distortion ability and asked whether Sasuke would kill someone close to gain the same power; Sasuke rejected the idea of killing Naruto.
• Ōnoki learned that the Fourth Raikage had bought thirty of Konoha’s weapons and ordered Kitsuchi to lead a delegation to negotiate for more and better ones.
• Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari studied Konoha’s Thunderclap Bolter catalog, and Gaara agreed that Sunagakure could trade Gold Dust for the weapons.

Two and a half years later, Naruto’s Arsenal had grown wealthy and developed advanced weapons while its trainees became formidable fighters. Pain ordered Deidara to destroy the Second Arsenal in the Land of Hot Water, but its shield stopped his first attack and its guards aimed Bolters at him.

• Ancient Iron studied Naruto’s Light Power Exoskeleton blueprints as Arsenal profits funded the Imperium’s research and manufacturing.
• Kaguya Kei opened the Fourth Gate and fought Might Guy and Rock Lee, using his clan’s regeneration to withstand the strain.
• Hinata demonstrated her blend of Gentle Fist and Root combat techniques, then returned home as Hanabi wondered how Naruto had changed her.
• Konan reported Konoha’s growing weapons trade to Pain, who ordered Deidara to destroy the Second Arsenal and told him to bring Tobi.
• Deidara bombed the Second Arsenal, but its chakra shield blocked the explosions and guards appeared with Bolters aimed at him.

Deidara's attacks failed against the Arsenal's shield and defenses, and Sasuke Uchiha emerged to confront him. After evading Deidara's bombs and disabling them with his Lightning Release Laser Gun, Sasuke launched himself toward the C2 Dragon with a lightning spear.

• Deidara's Giant Clay Bird was hit by the Arsenal's anti-air formation and exploded, while the shield protected the fortress.
• Tobi urged Deidara to retreat, but Deidara began molding a giant clay dragon and a dark blue beam burned his hand and destroyed the clay.
• Sasuke Uchiha identified Deidara and challenged his art, prompting Deidara to attack with the C2 Dragon and a swarm of clay bombs.
• Sasuke opened three of the Eight Gates, dodged the bombs, and used his Lightning Release Laser Gun to disable them.
• Deidara fired tracking missiles at Sasuke, who formed a five-meter lightning spear and charged toward the C2 Dragon.

Sasuke defeated Deidara’s C2 Dragon and resisted his C4 Garuda with Lightning Release, but Deidara prepared to unleash C0, threatening the Arsenal and everyone inside. Tobi abandoned his comic act and used Kamui as the danger escalated.

• Sasuke pierced Deidara’s Clay Spiders with Chidori Senbon and destroyed the C2 Dragon with his lightning spear.
• Sasuke told Deidara that Naruto hoped to cooperate with him, but Deidara rejected the offer and summoned C4 Garuda.
• Sasuke identified C4’s microscopic bombs and protected himself with Lightning Release Chakra Mode while ordering the Arsenal to activate its highest-level Lightning Release Barrier.
• Deidara detonated C4, but Sasuke’s lightning armor disabled the bombs and left him unharmed.
• Deidara began preparing C0, causing the Arsenal’s shield to crack and its occupants to fear for their lives.
• Tobi dropped his foolish act, warned that Deidara would die before capturing a Tailed Beast, and activated Kamui.

Obito rescued Deidara from his self-destruction and confronted Sasuke, hinting that Sasuke’s hatred of Itachi rested on a lie. Obito then took Deidara to Amegakure, where Deidara realized the familiar Tobi was a terrifying figure.

• Obito used his spatial power to remove Deidara’s destructive chakra, stopped the explosion, and caught the unconscious Deidara.
• Sasuke recognized Obito as the masked mastermind from Kirigakure and fired his laser, but the shot passed through him.
• Obito taunted Sasuke about Itachi and claimed Sasuke’s pursuit of power began with an enormous lie, then vanished with Deidara.
• The trainees admired Sasuke after the danger passed and the Arsenal’s energy shield faded.
• Obito brought Deidara to Amegakure, where Deidara woke and realized that the silent, imposing Tobi was unlike the clownish companion he knew.

After Deidara’s failed attack on the Arsenal, Obito ordered him to recover and prepare for a mission against Sunagakure, while Pain and Konan discussed the threat of Jiraiya. Sasuke later concluded that the masked man’s eye was paired with Kakashi’s Sharingan, leaving Kakashi shaken by the possibility that Obito was alive.

• Obito revealed his contempt for Deidara’s art and assigned him to capture the One-Tail with Sasori after he recovered.
• Pain accepted the failed mission as a minor setback, while Konan warned that Jiraiya was investigating Amegakure and Pain ordered her to kill him if necessary.
• Sasuke reported the masked man’s space-time abilities to Nara Shikage and Zero, noting their similarity to Kakashi’s Kamui.
• Kakashi trained with Kamui until his chakra was exhausted, then Sasuke told him the masked man’s eye and Kakashi’s eye were likely a pair.
• Kakashi recalled Obito’s death and realized the masked man might be his former comrade, alive and behind the violence across the Shinobi World.

Sasuke reported the attack on the Second Arsenal and the masked man's identity to Zero, then went looking for Naruto during Konoha's Lantern Festival. Naruto spent the evening with Hinata and gently steered her away from discussing work.

• Sasuke told Kakashi that Obito might still be alive and urged him to prepare for that possibility.
• Sasuke reported Deidara's attack, the masked man's space-time abilities, and his mention of Itachi to Zero, who said Naruto was taking private time.
• Sakura asked Sasuke to attend the Lantern Festival with her, but he said he had come to find Naruto.
• Naruto walked through the festival with Hinata, won every prize at a shooting-game stall, and gave her a fox mask.
• Hinata told Naruto about combining Gentle Fist with Root's close-combat techniques, and Naruto offered her a candied apple and said, "Today, no work talk."

Naruto and Hinata spent the Lantern Festival together until Sasuke reported that Akatsuki had attacked the Second Arsenal. Naruto connected the masked man's abilities to Kakashi's Kamui and identified him as Obito Uchiha.

• Naruto analyzed the security risks at a crowded dessert shop, and Hinata laughed when she realized he had slipped back into work talk.
• Sasuke decided to attend the Lantern Festival to find Naruto, and Sakura Haruno followed him, hoping to see Sasuke.
• Naruto gave his festival prizes to a lost child before turning to greet Sasuke, while Hinata shifted into a protective position.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Deidara and a masked man had attacked the Second Arsenal, then reported that the masked man's space-time ability resembled Kakashi Hatake's Kamui.
• Naruto linked intelligence about the masked man, the Nine-Tails Rebellion, and the paired Sharingan, then concluded that the masked man was Obito Uchiha.