Recaps

Sasuke and Boruto encountered Tobitake Tonbo, who had discovered they came from the future and sought information about their enemy. After promising to preserve the details without disturbing the future, Tonbo persuaded Sasuke to reveal that their foe was Urashiki Ōtsutsuki.

• Tobitake Tonbo appeared before Sasuke and Boruto and revealed that he knew they were from the future.
• Sasuke tried to use Genjutsu to seal Tonbo’s memories, but Tonbo resisted and asked why they had traveled to the past.
• Tonbo reasoned that their enemy might still appear in another time and asked Sasuke and Boruto for information.
• Tonbo promised to seal a record of the enemy’s possible existence and information under specific activation conditions.
• Sasuke agreed to trust Tonbo and identified their enemy as Urashiki Ōtsutsuki.

Tobitake Tonbo received Sasuke’s intelligence about Urashiki Ōtsutsuki and avoided sealing his memories before Sasuke and Boruto returned to the future. He resolved to prepare for Urashiki and imagined recruiting Orochimaru to help study him.

• Sasuke warned Tobitake Tonbo that Urashiki Ōtsutsuki might have unknown abilities, and Karasuki arrived to urge them to protect history by sealing their memories.
• Tobitake Tonbo distracted Karasuki with questions about his future family and asked about time travel while the turtle prepared to return.
• Tobitake Tonbo pretended to seal his memories, then revealed he had used distributed nerve signals to resist Sasuke’s chakra disruption.
• Tobitake Tonbo reviewed Sasuke’s intelligence and planned to prepare ninjutsu for Urashiki, whom he wanted to make a test subject.
• Tobitake Tonbo imagined establishing a Technology Development Bureau with Orochimaru as chief scientist and himself as director.

Tobitake Tonbo prepared for the threat of Urashiki Ōtsutsuki while Konoha agreed to send him on a mission to help the Land of Snow’s princess reclaim power. Danzo and Orochimaru plotted to exploit Tonbo’s absence, while Tonbo continued training Ino and Sakura and studying Sealing Jutsu.

• Tobitake Tonbo developed intelligence methods and ninjutsu against Urashiki Ōtsutsuki while preparing a technique for the Forced Execution stage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted the Land of Fire’s request for Tobitake Tonbo to lead a small team supporting the Land of Snow’s princess.
• Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru discussed their plan to take advantage of Tonbo being sent away.
• Tobitake Tonbo watched Sakura and Ino fall for his Genjutsu during training and considered Sealing Jutsu a way to counter Urashiki’s chakra-draining fishing rod.
• Tobitake Tonbo recalled that Yakumo Kurama’s bodily tissue had remained preserved within his Sealing Jutsu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Tobitake Tonbo an S-rank mission to escort Yukie Fujikaze to the Land of Snow, gather intelligence, and support the effort to remove Kazahana Dōtō. Tonbo left with three Chunin teammates after saying goodbye to Ayame and arranging for his children to train with Konohamaru's group.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Tobitake Tonbo to lead a squad to the Land of Snow and gather intelligence for the Land of Fire's Royal Guard.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi introduced Axel Blaze, Jude Sharp, and Mentō as Tonbo's teammates for the mission.
• Tobitake Tonbo created a Shadow Clone to handle other matters before departing with his squad.
• Tobitake Tonbo asked Ayame to have Tenyu and the others share their training methods with Konohamaru's group.
• Tobitake Tonbo kissed Ayame, promised to return with local specialties, and vanished to begin the mission.

Tobitake Tonbo and his team traveled to meet the Land of Fire’s Royal Guard for a mission involving Kazahana Koyuki in the Land of Snow. After Taketori Tensho took charge of combat matters, the combined group headed toward the film crew, while a Royal Guard member wondered whether Tonbo could handle their new Scientific Ninja Tool.

• Jude Sharp enjoyed flying and said he had yet to find a flying summoning beast as the team traveled toward the Land of Fire Capital.
• Tobitake Tonbo summoned a scroll outside the capital and waited with Mentō, Jude Sharp, and Axel Blaze for the incoming force.
• Taketori Tensho arrived with fifteen Royal Guard members, confirmed their identities, and took charge of combat matters for the mission.
• Tobitake Tonbo agreed that his team would handle intelligence and build a relationship with the Snow Princess as the combined force set out for Kazahana Koyuki’s film crew.
• A Royal Guard member asked Taketori Tensho whether Tobitake Tonbo could deal with their new Scientific Ninja Tool.

As the Chunin Exams approached, Orochimaru prepared his plan while Naruto, Sasuke, Ino, Sakura, and Konohamaru trained in Konoha. Meanwhile, Tobitake Tonbo escorted a film crew toward the Land of Snow, where Fujikaze Yukie’s interest in him convinced the guards that he had placed her under a powerful Genjutsu.

• Orochimaru learned that Tobitake Tonbo had left Konoha and looked forward to showing Sarutobi his growth as the Chunin Exams neared.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta beneath a cliff, and Naruto landed on the giant toad’s head as Jiraiya hid nearby.
• Sasuke pierced a boulder with Chidori, and Kakashi warned him that he could only use the technique twice in quick succession.
• Ino and Sakura argued over their progress under Tonbo, and both resumed training to compete for Sasuke.
• Tenyu gave Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon chakra-training materials and offered to help them while Tonbo was away.
• On a ship bound for the Land of Snow, Fujikaze Yukie admired Tonbo, while Taketori Tensho mistakenly suspected that Tonbo had controlled her with Genjutsu.

On the ship, Tobitake Tonbo explained how he had used Genjutsu to manipulate Fujikaze Yukie and briefed his team on the Land of Snow’s unusual powers. As they entered its territory, he sensed dangerous Natural Energy and warned them about its ninjas and technology.

• Mentō, Jude Sharp, and Axel Blaze asked Tobitake Tonbo why Fujikaze Yukie had acted as though she knew him, and he admitted he had used one-handed seals to give her false memories and lower her guard.
• Tobitake Tonbo explained that the Land of Snow’s Ice Release came from its environment and weakened outside the country, easing Mentō’s concern before warning that the Snow Ninjas remained formidable at home.
• Tobitake Tonbo sensed ice-leaning Natural Energy in the region and explained that skilled Snow Ninjas could use it to amplify ninjutsu as False Ice Release.
• Tobitake Tonbo warned his team not to try absorbing the dangerous Natural Energy and told them to watch for the Land of Snow’s technological advantage, including Chakra Amplifiers developed over a decade earlier.

Tobitake Tonbo briefed the team on the Land of Snow’s forces before their ship reached an iceberg, where Konoha’s scouts were ambushed by Snow Ninja. As the three fought back, Tonbo stayed aboard to protect the film crew and observed that Snow’s Scientific Ninja Tools could deflect ninjutsu.

• Tobitake Tonbo told Mentō, Jude Sharp, and the others that Doto Kazahana commanded about five hundred ninja, while the Resistance Army had over a hundred.
• The ship approached a massive iceberg, and Tobitake Tonbo sent Kidou, Gouenji, and Mentō ahead to scout.
• Jude Sharp summoned Emperor Penguins to search the ice island while he, Gouenji, and Mentō split up to investigate.
• Snow Ninja attacked the three with Ice Caltrops, wounding Mentō, and Jude Sharp prepared his team to fight.
• Tobitake Tonbo remained aboard to protect Fujikaze Yukie and the film crew as he watched Snow Ninja deflect ninjutsu with Scientific Ninja Tools.

Tobitake Tonbo's team defeated the Snow Ninja on the ice island, but an airship carrying a figure resembling Nadare Rōga escaped. The island then broke apart and sank, leaving Tobitake to secretly steady the ship with a giant whale.

• Mentō, Gouenji, and Kidou used their strongest techniques against the Snow Ninja, exploiting the Chakra Armor's weakness to physical attacks.
• Gouenji and Kidou defeated most of their opponents, while Mentō crushed another squad with his Secret Technique: Fist of the Demon God.
• Two Snow Ninja attacked the exhausted Gouenji, but Tobitake Tonbo arrived and cut them down with his katana.
• Tobitake praised the three teammates and watched an airship depart with someone who resembled Nadare Rōga aboard.
• The ice island fractured and sank, and Tobitake secretly used a giant whale to steady the ship as the director and helmsman reacted to the waves.

Konoha came under attack by the Sound Ninja and Sunagakure while Tobitake Tonbo investigated the Snow Ninja’s Chakra Defense Armor in the Land of Snow. As Orochimaru began fighting Hiruzen Sarutobi, Itachi and Kisame prepared to go to Konoha.

• Konoha’s defenders restrained the giant serpents as Morino Ibiki and Mibu Shinobu used a summoned pangolin to hold another back.
• Tobitake Tonbo searched the Sovereign’s Palace and learned that the Chakra Defense Armor required its user to activate it and draw chakra.
• Iruka led students toward shelters, while Tobitake Tosei protected residents and fought off Sunagakure ninja.
• Shikamaru and Ino trapped and killed eight Sound Ninja, then stayed behind to block pursuers and set more traps.
• Orochimaru confirmed that he had lured Tobitake Tonbo away and faced Hiruzen Sarutobi with the reanimated First and Second Hokage.
• Itachi and Kisame learned that Konoha had been attacked and prepared to go there, with Kisame expecting they might capture the Nine-Tails.

Tobitake Tonbo and the Royal Guard helped Kazahana Koyuki defeat Kazahana Dōtō and restore her as sovereign of the Land of Snow. Before leaving, Tobitake gathered the Land of Snow’s technology and Ice Release research for Konoha.

• The Royal Guard used powerful earth techniques against Kazahana Dōtō’s forces, while Tobitake Tonbo’s hypnosis caused Snow Ninja to attack their own comrades.
• Taketori Tensho and the Royal Guard unleashed Earth Release: Roaring Hell, killing Kazahana Dōtō and ending the battle.
• Several days later, Kazahana Koyuki took the throne with Sandayu’s help and thanked the Konoha group.
• Tobitake Tonbo altered Kazahana Koyuki’s memories, gathered the Land of Snow’s scientists and research materials, and copied its Ice Release techniques.
• Sandayu and Kazahana Koyuki saw the film crew off as Tobitake Tonbo and the others sailed away.

After returning to Konoha, Tobitake Tonbo accepted the elders’ offer to serve as Proxy Hokage until Tsunade took over, then reunited with his family and visited the hospitalized Kakashi. He began examining Kakashi’s body with a nerve technique.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Tsubaki told Tobitake Tonbo that the Third Hokage had died and appointed him Proxy Hokage while Jiraiya sought Tsunade.
• Tobitake Tonbo agreed to serve temporarily and asked for Shikaku’s help before leaving to check on his family.
• Tobitake Tonbo found his home damaged but learned that Ayame, Tenyu, Maki, and Tobitake Tosei were safe.
• Tobitake Tonbo told Tenyu and Maki that he would be Hokage, and they celebrated the news.
• Tobitake Tonbo visited Kakashi in the hospital and used a nerve technique to examine him.

Tobitake Tonbo examined Kakashi, discovered how the Sharingan drained his chakra, and secretly placed a seal inside it as a contingency. Meanwhile, Konohamaru struggled with his grandfather’s death, and Tobitake Tonbo visited the Third’s grave, where Asuma reflected on their strained but precious relationship.

• Tobitake Tonbo examined Kakashi’s condition, traced his prolonged coma to the Sharingan’s chakra drain, and sealed researched nerves within the eye as a precaution.
• Konohamaru visited Tenyu’s training ground alone and overheard Tenyu, Zhanbu Du, and Maki urging one another to become strong enough to protect the village and him.
• Remembering his grandfather’s advice about protecting everyone, Konohamaru wiped away his tears and left without confronting the others.
• After Konohamaru departed, Tenyu, Maki, and Zhanbu Du discussed whether their attempt to encourage him had worked and decided to ask Captain Tonbo for advice.
• Tobitake Tonbo brought chrysanthemums to the Third’s grave, where Asuma mourned his father and reflected on how much he missed their arguments.

Tobitake Tonbo managed Konoha’s affairs as acting Hokage while trying to conceal the village’s weakness and prevent war. He left the advisors convinced by his hard-line diplomacy and ordered ANBU and the Barrier Team to monitor outgoing communications.

• Tobitake Tonbo reviewed Konoha’s postwar problems and learned that the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth had stationed troops near their borders.
• Tobitake Tonbo told Ayame that his acting appointment had only been announced to the ninja, then promised Tenyu and Maki that he would train Konohamaru and teach him a lesson in ideology.
• Tobitake Tonbo drafted forceful diplomatic responses to other countries, and Shikaku defended the approach as a way to project strength while Konoha gathered intelligence.
• Tobitake Tonbo ordered the Barrier Team and ANBU to monitor all communications leaving Konoha and to stop messages that lacked his special codes.

Tobitake Tonbo confronted Konohamaru’s anger over his grandfather’s death and explained that Konohamaru could honor Hiruzen Sarutobi by protecting Konoha. Konohamaru agreed to train under Tonbo, who clarified that he was only the acting Hokage.

• Konohamaru argued with Tenyu and Maki about Tobitake Tonbo becoming acting Hokage so soon after Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death.
• Tobitake Tonbo arrived and invited Konohamaru to train, but Konohamaru accused him of wanting the Hokage position.
• Tobitake Tonbo offered to use Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hiruzen Sarutobi, prompting Konohamaru to admit he feared his grandfather would be forgotten.
• Tobitake Tonbo told Konohamaru that protecting Konoha would preserve Hiruzen Sarutobi’s memory and honor his Will of Fire.
• Konohamaru resolved to train hard and protect Konoha, and Tobitake Tonbo agreed to strengthen him while reminding him to call him acting Hokage.

Tobitake Tonbo used his acting Hokage authority to study the Book of Seals and divide ninjutsu research among his shadow clones. As Sunagakure sought peace and an alliance, he pushed for Konoha to secure oil trading rights in the negotiations.

• Tobitake Tonbo read the Book of Seals and found that its Impure World Reincarnation entry was only a basic framework, then studied the Flying Thunder God Technique and other forbidden jutsu.
• Tobitake Tonbo used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to create dozens of clones and assigned them research into several techniques, including Summoning, Flying Thunder God, and Spirit Transformation.
• A cipher division ninja delivered Sunagakure's peace letter, which blamed the crisis on Orochimaru and proposed reconciliation and a renewed alliance.
• Tobitake Tonbo told Shikaku to negotiate an alliance agreement that would grant Konoha oil trading rights in exchange for trade in selected controlled resources.

Tobitake Tonbo handled Hokage duties by ordering action against Otogakure and tightening security against spies, while wishing Tsunade would return and take over. Later, he met his former teammate Sheng Shimon and his infant son, Sheng Qing, and felt the distance his new position had created between them.

• Shikaku and the advisors approved Tobitake Tonbo's request to view the Book of Seals.
• Tobitake Tonbo ordered the Land of Rice Fields to dismantle Otogakure and allow Konoha ninja to search for Orochimaru, assigning Aburame Shibi to lead the mission.
• Shikaku warned Tobitake Tonbo that spies in Konoha were stirring again, and Tobitake Tonbo ordered an investigation.
• Tobitake Tonbo walked through Konoha's rebuilding streets and met Sheng Shimon, who introduced his infant son, Sheng Qing.
• Sheng Shimon addressed Tobitake Tonbo formally as Hokage, making Tobitake Tonbo notice how his new position had widened the distance between them.

Tobitake Tonbo reflected on how becoming acting Hokage had distanced him from old comrades, while Akatsuki delayed targeting the Nine-Tails and Orochimaru prepared to seek Tsunade to heal his hands. The chapter ended with Kabuto feeling strengthened by Orochimaru’s trust as he prepared medicine for him.

• Tobitake Tonbo considered how Sheng Shimon and other former acquaintances now treated him differently because he had become acting Hokage.
• Pain told Akatsuki to wait before moving against the Nine-Tails, while Zetsu reported that he had not found Orochimaru.
• Kabuto told Orochimaru that Konoha’s force, led by Aburame Shibi, was pressuring the Land of Rice Fields to disband Otogakure, and that Orochimaru’s forces had evacuated.
• Orochimaru confirmed that Kabuto had found Tsunade’s trail and ordered him to prepare for their departure so Tsunade could treat his hands.
• Kabuto reflected on Orochimaru’s praise and began preparing medicine, determined not to betray his trust.

Tobitake Tonbo tested the Spirit Transformation Technique, helped rebuild Konoha, and responded to the assassination of a Land of Fire minister. In Tanzaku Town, Kabuto stopped Tsunade from treating Orochimaru, exposing her intent to kill him.

• Tobitake Tonbo used Spirit Transformation to sharpen his senses, control a wild boar, and consider how to incorporate the technique into other ninjutsu.
• Ayame told Teuchi that she and Tobitake Tonbo were preparing to have a second child while Konoha continued its reconstruction.
• An Intelligence Division ninja reported that Land of Fire Minister Sato Nojiri and his Konoha guards had been assassinated, and Tobitake Tonbo ordered Tokuma Hyuga's team to investigate and warned the Bounty Stations against targeting officials.
• Yakushi Kabuto stopped Tsunade from treating Orochimaru after noticing her killing intent, and Orochimaru confronted her about betraying their former team.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Naruto drove Orochimaru and Kabuto away, then continued toward Konoha after learning that Tobitake Tonbo was acting Hokage. Tonbo developed his research and used Reverse Summoning Technique to return home, while Tsunade grew curious about meeting him.

• Jiraiya and Tsunade fought Orochimaru and Kabuto, but Orochimaru escaped with Kabuto after releasing Manda.
• Tsunade collapsed after the battle, and Naruto went to her side.
• Tobitake Tonbo continued developing Heart of Steel, then used Reverse Summoning Technique to return home and spoke with Ayame about her pregnancy.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade and Naruto that Tobitake Tonbo was Konoha's acting Hokage and did not want the permanent position.
• Tsunade recognized Tonbo as Captain Tonbo and decided she wanted to see the genius Jiraiya had praised.

Tobitake Tonbo welcomed Tsunade back to Konoha and tried to hand the Hokage position over to her, while she assessed the village’s recovery and asked about Kakashi and Sasuke. The group headed for the Hokage Office, and Tonbo privately hoped Tsunade would soon take over so he could return to his family.

• Tobitake Tonbo learned from Jiraiya that Tsunade was returning and left the Hokage Office with Shikaku and ANBU to welcome her.
• Tsunade complained about Sarutobi’s age, then punched Jiraiya after he called them all old.
• Tobitake Tonbo introduced himself as acting Hokage and praised Tsunade as Konoha’s future Fifth Hokage, while she suggested he keep the position.
• Tobitake Tonbo cited his pregnant wife and family responsibilities as reasons he could not remain Hokage, and Shikaku confirmed he already had two children.
• As they walked through Konoha, Tsunade observed the ongoing repairs and asked about Kakashi and Sasuke, and Tonbo assured her they were safe despite remaining unconscious.

Kakashi woke from his Genjutsu-induced injuries and warned that Itachi Uchiha's technique far surpassed Tobitake Tonbo's. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Kabuto prepared to act against Konoha, with Orochimaru warning Kabuto that Tonbo might be even more dangerous than he was.

• Tsunade examined Kakashi, who woke and told Naruto and the others that Itachi Uchiha's Genjutsu had overwhelmed him.
• Kakashi said Itachi's Genjutsu could not be compared with Tobitake Tonbo's, prompting Tonbo to defend his own strength.
• Tsunade turned to Guy and prepared to help Rock Lee.
• Kabuto told Orochimaru that he had found a way through Konoha's barrier after Tonbo's changes had made their earlier preparations useless.
• Orochimaru warned Kabuto not to underestimate Tonbo or get close to him, and Kabuto said he had avoided Tonbo while arranging to invite Sasuke.

Orochimaru explained why he believed the Sharingan could evolve beyond the Rinnegan and intended to make Sasuke Uchiha his tool for shaping fate. At Konoha Hospital, Tsunade estimated Rock Lee’s operation had only a sixty percent chance of success, while Guy encouraged Lee to believe in a miracle.

• Orochimaru reflected on the Sharingan’s potential and said Sasuke Uchiha was an important bargaining chip in his plan to create his own Child of Prophecy.
• Tobitake Tonbo gave Tsunade his medical data on Rock Lee, and she estimated that surgery could succeed only sixty percent of the time, with failure meaning Lee’s death.
• Tobitake Tonbo suggested developing a technique to create protein cells to improve Lee’s chances, and Tsunade agreed while warning him not to learn Kabuto’s technique.
• Tsunade advised Rock Lee to consider giving up ninja training and living an ordinary life, but Guy urged him to believe in a miracle and promised to accompany him to the Pure Land if the operation failed.
• Rock Lee and Guy cried together, and Tsunade glared at Tobitake Tonbo after Guy echoed his earlier words about miracles.

Tsunade returned to Konoha and began preparing to take office as the Fifth Hokage while Tobitake Tonbo handed over his duties. Meanwhile, the young ninja continued training and showing how much they had improved under Tonbo’s instruction.

• The villagers celebrated the news that Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, had returned to become the Fifth Hokage.
• Neji demonstrated his powerful Rotation to Tenten and said he was developing a jutsu to address its lack of long-range offense.
• Kiba showed Shino his destructive Fang Wolf Fang technique, and Hinata told them Tsunade had returned.
• Choji impressed Choza in a spar and credited Asuma’s guidance and Tobitake Tonbo’s training for helping him recognize his weaknesses.
• Shikaku took Shikamaru to meet Tsunade, who listened as Tobitake Tonbo handed over Konoha’s official duties and unfinished work.

Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage while Tobitake Tonbo returned to his work and pursued a new ninjutsu project. As Konoha settled into peace, Shimura Danzō studied the village’s revised codes and continued to scheme for the Hokage position.

• Tsunade left Shikaku to handle the documents while she familiarized herself with Konoha’s affairs, and Tobitake Tonbo returned to lead the Analysis Division with a clone.
• Tobitake Tonbo tested a ninjutsu that let him travel through nerves spread across the ground, but his clone was destroyed before the technique succeeded.
• Konohamaru dismissed the news of Tsunade’s succession and focused on becoming stronger, while Maki watched him train.
• Tsunade was inaugurated as the Fifth Hokage, and Tobitake Tonbo told Tenyu and Maki not to call him Hokage anymore.
• Shimura Danzō received intelligence on Konoha’s revised code signals and studied the changes as he continued seeking control of the village.