Recaps

Sōji advised Mei Terumi to postpone confronting the Land of Gulf Stream until Kirigakure had secured its other alliances and strengthened its naval position. After receiving a coded message from Tsunade, he prepared to travel with Karin to the Land of Claws and planned a later meeting in the Land of Fire.

• Sōji told Mei Terumi that Hidden Mist should delay acting against the Land of Gulf Stream until its inner-ring alliances were stable and it could gauge Hidden Cloud’s response.
• Mei Terumi assigned the ANBU to handle the three inner-ring nations, put the Land of Gulf Stream on hold, and maintained the alliance framework with the Land of Crafts.
• Elder Genji indirectly urged Sōji to return safely, while Karin delivered him intelligence summaries and an official Konoha letter containing Tsunade’s coded message to meet in Tanzaku Town.
• Sōji arranged to travel to the Land of Claws with Karin and planned to visit the Land of Fire in about half a month under the pretext of trade negotiations.
• Sōji and Karin departed Hidden Mist Port aboard an ANBU ship, while Suigetsu asked Karin to bring back souvenirs.

Sōji and Karin arrived in Clawfang City, while Wolf Demon and three Hidden Mist shinobi pressed the Land of Claws daimyo to sign a vassal-state treaty. The daimyo revealed his opposition by bringing in Hidden Cloud ninja led by Two-Tails Jinchūriki Yugito Nii, leaving the treaty negotiations at a dangerous standoff.

• Sōji and Karin walked through Clawfang City in disguise, and Karin stopped to buy fried crab buns.
• The Land of Claws daimyo stalled Wolf Demon and the other three Hidden Mist shinobi with food, wine, and talk instead of addressing the treaty.
• Wolf Demon demanded a direct answer about whether the daimyo would sign the treaty.
• The daimyo said the Land of Claws had to consider its future and summoned six Hidden Cloud ninja into the hall.
• Wolf Demon, Man-Monkey, and Snake Demon recognized the group’s leader as Yugito Nii, the Hidden Cloud Two-Tails Jinchūriki.

Yugito and the Hidden Cloud envoys turned the Land of Claws daimyo’s staged negotiation into a fight with Wolf Demon’s Hidden Mist ANBU team. She defeated all four shinobi and warned Wolf Demon to learn who he was facing, but she left uneasy despite her victory.

• The daimyo of the Land of Claws introduced Yugito and the Hidden Cloud envoys, revealing that he had sided with the Land of Lightning.
• Wolf Demon challenged Yugito to a shinobi-style exchange at the Colosseum, where she evaded his attacks and knocked him down.
• Yugito invited Bear Demon, Man-Monkey, and Snake Demon to attack together, then defeated them with her Two-Tails chakra.
• Yugito warned Wolf Demon about attacking without knowing his opponent, and he led his injured team away.
• Yugito sensed that something was wrong as the Hidden Mist ANBU departed.

Sōji told his squad that Hidden Cloud was using Yugito to pressure the Land of Claws and ordered a forceful response if its daimyo continued stalling. The squad prepared to accompany him to the Daimyo Palace the next morning, while Sōji left open the possibility of confronting Yugito and demanding a ransom.

• At the izakaya, Snake Demon described how Yugito and Hidden Cloud had outmaneuvered the squad at the Daimyo Palace.
• Wolf Demon said the daimyo had secretly favored Hidden Cloud, and Man-Monkey warned that escalating against Hidden Cloud could provoke a dangerous conflict.
• Sōji argued that Hidden Cloud would not risk a war with the Land of Water and said they should threaten to sink the Land of Claws if necessary.
• Sōji ordered Wolf Demon to accompany him to the Daimyo Palace in the morning and told Karin and the others to wait outside.
• Sōji said they would see whether Yugito backed down; otherwise, they would tell Hidden Cloud to prepare the ransom.

Sōji used Isobu’s overwhelming chakra to force the Land of Claws to accept harsher vassal-state treaty terms. The daimyō faced Sōji’s final ultimatum while Yugito and the Hidden Cloud delegation watched.

• Sōji and Wolf Demon attended a lavish reception at the daimyō’s residence, where the daimyō avoided discussing the treaty and pointed to Hidden Cloud’s competing offer.
• Sōji tapped the table, and Isobu’s chakra swept over Clawfang City as dark clouds and tremors signaled his presence in the nearby sea.
• The Hidden Cloud ninja drew their swords and formed a defensive ring around Yugito, who watched Sōji calmly.
• Sōji raised the Land of Water’s treaty terms by thirty percent, demanded seventy percent of the Land of Claws’ commercial taxes, and insisted on unconditional intelligence cooperation.
• Sōji warned the daimyō to sign or see the Land of Claws cease to exist, adding that Isobu was close enough for local fishermen to see.

Sōji and Yugito agreed to settle the Land of Claws’ allegiance in a duel, with Yugito risking capture and a five-billion-ryō ransom if she lost. Their fight began in the Colosseum, where Yugito transformed with Matatabi and Sōji summoned Divine Dogs; the beasts collided in a stalemate.

• Yugito challenged Sōji to settle their nations’ dispute through a fight, and he agreed while demanding that she go to Kirigakure if she lost.
• Yugito ordered the Cloud ninja to return to their village if she was defeated, then entered the Colosseum with Sōji.
• Yugito transformed with Matatabi into the enormous Two-Tails and struck at Sōji, who evaded her paw.
• Sōji summoned Divine Dog: White and Divine Dog: Black, and the dogs clashed with the Two-Tails in a forceful stalemate.

Sōji defeated Yugito in the Colosseum by using his summoned beasts to wear down Matatabi, then binding Yugito and breaking her Tailed Beast Cloak. Yugito surrendered, and the Land of Claws signed a vassal-state treaty with the Land of Water as Ao arrived to handle the remaining terms.

• Sōji used Desolate Skeleton, the Divine Dog Brothers, Rabbit Escape, and Rainbow Dragon to overwhelm Matatabi and injure her foreleg.
• Yugito returned to human form, countered the rabbit swarm with Water and Lightning Release, and rushed Sōji, but he caught her claws and bound her with Black Shadow.
• Sōji struck Yugito with Ratio Technique, shattered her Tailed Beast Cloak, and forced her to surrender; she realized the Hidden Cloud had underestimated his strength.
• The daimyo of the Land of Claws signed the vassal-state treaty, and Ao arrived with the treaty documents to handle the remaining arrangements.

The Fourth Raikage agreed to pay five billion ryō to ransom Yugito rather than risk war with the Land of Water. Six days later, he arrived at Hidden Mist Port with the ransom and met Mei Terumi and Yamada Soji.

• Mabui and Dodai advised the Fourth Raikage that war with the Land of Water would be strategically unwise, and urged him to pay Yugito's ransom.
• The Fourth Raikage decided to pay the five billion ryō from his private funds and arranged to visit the Land of Water with Dodai.
• Sōji, Karin, Wolf Demon, and Bear Demon departed Clawfang City aboard a Hidden Mist ship bound for Kirigakure.
• Six days later, the Fourth Raikage arrived at Hidden Mist Port with Dodai, two ANBU squads, and the ransom chest.
• Mei Terumi welcomed the Fourth Raikage, while Yamada Soji stood beside her, and the delegation proceeded toward Kirigakure.

Kirigakure and Kumogakure completed Yugito Nii’s ransom handover, and the Fourth Raikage challenged Sōji to a rematch with major stakes. Sōji accepted after demanding Kumogakure’s perfect jinchūriki training method, leaving both villages committed to a high-stakes contest.

• Mei Terumi accepted the five billion ryō ransom, and Yugito Nii entered the hall unharmed before the Fourth Raikage scolded her with a slap and welcomed her back.
• The Fourth Raikage questioned Sōji about his future and challenged Kaguya Yama to a match, offering Cloud Nintaijutsu secrets if he won and asking him to become the next Raikage if he lost.
• Mei Terumi warned the Fourth Raikage that his proposal could mean war, but Sōji calmed her by taking her hand.
• Sōji agreed to another match and demanded Kumogakure’s perfect jinchūriki training method as an additional stake, offering three unconditional favors from Kirigakure if he lost.
• The Fourth Raikage accepted Sōji’s terms, while Mei Terumi worried about the risks and about Lady Tsunade.

Sōji fought the Fourth Raikage on a barren island, using Playful Cloud and his shadow Shikigami to overcome the Raikage’s speed and Lightning Armor. After Piercing Ox struck the Raikage with devastating force, Sōji hurried to check whether he had survived.

• ANBU cleared the docks, and a speedboat carried Sōji, the Fourth Raikage, and their attendants to an uninhabited islet.
• The Fourth Raikage attacked at extreme speed, but Sōji tracked his movements with the Six Eyes and broke his hand in a clash with Playful Cloud.
• Sōji and the Fourth Raikage traded blows, and Sōji used the Worm Swarm to briefly restrain him.
• The Fourth Raikage charged with Liger Bomb, but Sōji slowed him with Divine Dogs and thousands of Rabbit Escape Shikigami.
• Sōji summoned Toad and Piercing Ox, trapped the Raikage with bone-white spikes, and struck him into a vast crater.
• Sōji recalled his Shikigami and rushed to the barely alive Fourth Raikage, worried that the blow had killed him.

After Sōji defeated and healed the Fourth Raikage, the two villages signed a mutual assistance treaty that included joint Jinchūriki training. Hidden Cloud delivered its Lightning Release Nintaijutsu manual three days later, and Sōji considered how to adapt its techniques despite lacking a lightning affinity.

• Sōji healed the Fourth Raikage, who conceded defeat and promised to send the Lightning Release Nintaijutsu scroll while offering Jinchūriki training in Kumogakure.
• Mei Terumi and the Fourth Raikage signed a mutual assistance treaty covering trade, liaison officers, intelligence, nonaggression, and Jinchūriki training.
• At a farewell banquet, Yugito watched Sōji while Wolf Demon toasted her, and the Hidden Cloud delegation departed the next morning.
• Three days later, a Hidden Cloud messenger delivered the sealed Lightning Release Nintaijutsu manual to Sōji through Ao.
• Sōji read the manual and weighed its potential to strengthen his combat style against his lack of lightning affinity and his other training priorities.

Sōji discovered that the system would grant him Hajime Kashimo’s Lightning Discharge technique only if he defeated Kashimo in a summoned battle. After arranging for his brief absence, Sōji entered the system’s domain and faced Kashimo, who eagerly prepared to fight.

• Sōji examined the Lightning Discharge exchange and learned that winning a fight against Hajime Kashimo would grant him the technique, while losing would forfeit the price and exchange opportunity.
• Sōji left Ao a note and work documents, then told Karin he was entering seclusion and barred anyone from the basement.
• Sōji confirmed the exchange and was transported to a sealed wasteland battle domain, where he found Hajime Kashimo waiting.
• Sōji revealed his Six Eyes and introduced himself as Yamada Soji, while Kashimo recognized that he was an unfamiliar challenger.
• Hajime Kashimo embraced the prospect of battle and challenged Sōji to fight with everything they had.

Sōji defeated Hajime Kashimo after countering his lightning techniques with his own abilities and cursed tools. Kashimo accepted the loss, offered Sōji his cursed technique, and killed himself, leaving Sōji with the technique and a promise of a rematch in Kashimo’s prime.

• Hajime Kashimo transformed into his youthful combat form and attacked Sōji with charge-path movement and lightning serpents.
• Sōji blocked Kashimo’s route with an ice wall, then used Divine Dog: Black and the Inverted Spear of Heaven to counter his attacks.
• Sōji sent Desolate Skeleton and Rainbow Dragon against Kashimo, who destroyed part of Desolate Skeleton and dispersed Rainbow Dragon’s breath with lightning.
• Sōji exploited the pause in Kashimo’s charge-based attack, restrained him with shadow tentacles and rabbits, and struck him with the Inverted Spear of Heaven and a critical punch.
• Kashimo admitted defeat, asked whether Sōji’s technique copied or plundered abilities, and offered his cursed technique.
• Kashimo challenged Sōji to face him in his prime and blasted his own head apart.

After gaining Hajime Kashimo’s Cursed Technique, Sōji trained to combine Lightning Discharge with Lightning Release Nintaijutsu and strengthened the members of Zero Squad. He mastered Lightning Piercing Hand and subdued every Ten Shadows shikigami except Mahoraga, which he planned to face after learning Senjutsu.

• Sōji woke in the Kaguya Clan Grounds basement with Hajime Kashimo’s electrical Cursed Energy and techniques fully acquired, then thanked Karin for keeping watch.
• Sōji spent days integrating Lightning Discharge with Lightning Release Nintaijutsu, eventually mastering a powerful Lightning Garment and surpassing the Fourth Raikage’s speed.
• Sōji mastered Lightning Piercing Hand in two weeks and subdued the Ten Shadows shikigami other than Mahoraga, which he planned to kill after learning Senjutsu of Shikkotsu Forest.
• Sōji arranged training for Zero Squad: Mangetsu refined his Hydrification Technique, Ye Tong strengthened her Scorch Release Giant, and Karin and Suigetsu practiced Taijutsu and Water Release.
• Karin demonstrated her progress by striking Suigetsu with a Chakra Enhanced Strength Fist, turning his head and half his body into water.

After three weeks of training, Sōji received an S-rank assignment to lead an ANBU escort for the Land of Water’s daimyo on a diplomatic visit to the Land of Fire. The ships departed Hidden Mist Port, leaving Sōji and his team at sea on their way to the mission.

• Mei Terumi briefed Sōji, Mangetsu, Ye Tong, Wolf Demon, and White Hannya, warning Sōji to protect the daimyo and nobles while avoiding recklessness in the Land of Fire.
• Three days later, Sōji and his team prepared the three ships and arranged security for the daimyo and two nobles.
• Mei Terumi privately warned Sōji about Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, and told him his safety mattered most to her.
• Karin gave Sōji a bundle of food and orange candies before he boarded, asking him to return soon.
• The ships left Hidden Mist Port and headed north across the open ocean as Mei Terumi watched them depart.

Yamada Soji briefed the Land of Water delegation on its voyage to the Land of Fire and its trade negotiations. After Quye Kyosuke disparaged shinobi and challenged Soji’s authority, Soji killed him without moving and left the cabin, leaving the delegation stunned.

• Sōji explained the route to Long Beach Port and the delegation’s plans to negotiate grain quotas and trade with the Land of Fire.
• Fujiwara Yoshimasa, Fujiwara Munekage, and Quye Masato discussed the delegation’s interests, while Quye Kyosuke watched Sōji with curiosity and competitiveness.
• Quye Masato asked about Sōji’s victory over Hidden Cloud’s perfect jinchuriki and the rumors that he might become Mizukage.
• Kyosuke boasted that money and noble authority could command even a Kage, and Masato dismissed his remarks as youthful indiscretion.
• Sōji warned Kyosuke to be careful in his next life, and Kyosuke collapsed dead in front of the delegation.
• Sōji told everyone to retire and said the ANBU would handle the body, then left the cabin.

Yamada Soji and the Land of Water delegation completed their voyage and arrived at Long Beach Port in the Land of Fire, where officials from the Land of Fire and Konoha greeted them. The delegation headed toward the harbor square with the Land of Water's daimyo under close protection.

• Hozuki Mangetsu told Sōji that Suigetsu and Karin had passed their school finals and handed him their letter, then tricked Sōji and Ye Tong into eating sour oranges.
• The fleet continued north, weathered a brief gale without injuries, and reached the Land of Fire's coastline on the eighth day.
• Yamada Soji stepped onto the pier at Long Beach Port, where Land of Fire foreign ministry officials and Konoha representatives were waiting.
• Hozuki Mangetsu, Ye Tong, Wolf Demon, White Hannya, Fujiwara Yoshimasa, and the two nobles disembarked and followed the pier toward the harbor square.

Konoha’s escort team met the Water Country delegation and escorted it toward the capital, but Sōji left the convoy to travel to Tanzaku Town. Kakashi joined him, suspecting that Sōji was going to find Tsunade.

• Hayama Shirakumo welcomed Sōji and the delegation, while Kakashi and Might Guy reacted to Sōji’s reputation and Guy asked to spar with him.
• Sōji agreed to spar with Guy later, and the delegation set out for Konoha with the Konoha and Hidden Mist guards.
• At the waystation, Sōji told Mangetsu to protect the Daimyo and Ye Tong to watch the nobles while he handled a personal matter.
• The next morning, Sōji left the convoy at the road to Tanzaku Town, and Kakashi offered to accompany him.
• On the ride to Tanzaku Town, Kakashi guessed that Sōji intended to visit Tsunade, but Sōji did not confirm it.

Sōji reunited with Tsunade in Tanzaku Town, discussed Konoha’s future and their countries’ alliance, and promised to help her become Hokage. They ended the meeting close together, leaving Shizune surprised by their intimacy.

• Sōji found Tsunade gambling in a rented hall and deflected her opening punches.
• Tsunade confronted Sōji about returning to Konoha, and he argued that she could not let go of the village and would become Hokage.
• Sōji said the Third Hokage would step down and claimed Orochimaru would give him a dignified exit, while Tsunade questioned how he knew.
• Sōji reassured Tsunade, shared information about the Water-Lightning Alliance and Mei Terumi’s plans, and discussed his strength and the Land of Claws.
• Shizune returned and caught Tsunade leaning against Sōji, prompting Tsunade to spring away as Sōji greeted her.

Tsunade accepted Sōji’s prediction about Orochimaru’s attack on Konoha and planned to return after the attack to prepare for succession without arousing suspicion. She agreed to go to Konoha with Sōji to retrieve the Wood Release manual and present him as her student to help secure an agreement between their countries.

• Shizune caught Tsunade leaning against Sōji, and Tsunade quickly returned to the gambling table.
• Sōji told Tsunade that Orochimaru would kill the Third Hokage during the Konoha Crush Plan, lose the use of his hands, and eventually return to negotiations with Konoha and Sunagakure.
• Tsunade recognized that she would likely be Konoha’s only suitable Hokage successor and decided to stay out of Hokage affairs until after the attack.
• Tsunade told Sōji that the Senju Old Residence held a complete Wood Release manual behind a barrier that only her grandfather’s summoning slug could open.
• Tsunade agreed to go to Konoha with Sōji to retrieve the manual and introduce him as her student to support an agreement between their countries.

Sōji returned to Konoha with Tsunade and the Land of Water delegation, then received Hashirama’s complete Wood Release manual from Tsunade. She advised him to learn Senjutsu at Shikkotsu Forest to fully master Wood Release, and they parted after a close embrace.

• Kakashi welcomed Tsunade as she agreed to return to Konoha with Sōji, Shizune, and the others.
• The convoy traveled to Konoha and settled into a residence prepared for the Land of Water delegation.
• Tsunade visited Sōji before dawn and gave him Hashirama’s Wood Release manual, compiled by Tobirama.
• Tsunade explained that Hashirama’s mastery of Wood Release depended on Senjutsu and urged Sōji to train with the Slug Sage at Shikkotsu Forest.
• Sōji agreed to go to Shikkotsu Forest after settling matters in Konoha, and he and Tsunade embraced before parting.

Sōji attended the Land of Water delegation’s banquet, where Hiruzen discussed ties between Konoha and Kirigakure and invited Hidden Mist to a future Chunin Exam. As the daimyo negotiated grain terms, they agreed to settle the dispute with a five-match contest between Kirigakure and Konoha in seven days.

• Sōji studied Hashirama’s Wood Release Manual, found Tsunade’s note urging him to bloom, and entrusted the manual to Ugly Treasure.
• The Land of Water delegation traveled to the daimyo’s palace, where its members exchanged formal greetings with the Land of Fire officials.
• Hiruzen spoke with Sōji about Tsunade, Konoha–Kirigakure relations, and inviting Hidden Mist to next year’s joint Chunin Exam.
• The Land of Water and Land of Fire delegations debated grain allotments and shipping, while the Land of Fire daimyo proposed a five-match contest to decide the trade terms.
• Fujiwara Yoshimasa accepted the contest after Sōji gave a slight nod, setting the matches for seven days later.

The Land of Water delegation prepared for a best-of-five contest against Konoha, and the first match began between Ye Tong and Asuma Sarutobi. The chapter ended as Asuma launched a wind-coated Flying Swallow strike at Ye Tong.

• Sōji assigned Ye Tong, Wolf Demon, White Hannya, Hozuki Mangetsu, and himself to the five matches in that order.
• During the delegation’s stay in Konoha, Sōji toured the village and refrained from using Wood Release.
• The packed arena hosted the Land of Fire and Land of Water dignitaries as the match roster named Ye Tong and Asuma Sarutobi for the first bout.
• Asuma and Ye Tong entered the ring, exchanged words, and took their fighting stances.
• After the gong sounded, Asuma charged first and thrust his wind-coated Flying Swallow toward Ye Tong’s face.

Ye Tong defeated Asuma in a heated match by using precise Scorch Release control to withstand his close-range attacks and trap him with lingering flames. Asuma conceded, and the spectators erupted in cheers.

• Ye Tong dodged Asuma's wind-enhanced strike and countered with Scorch Release fireballs that she reignited along the ground.
• Asuma charged in, but Ye Tong formed a Scorch Release shield and spear, scorching his vest as he continued attacking.
• Ye Tong used lingering flames to surround Asuma during their close-range exchange, forcing him to retreat as the heat drained his stamina.
• Asuma combined Wind Release and Fire Release on his trench knives and charged Ye Tong in a blue-green firestorm.
• Ye Tong launched ten condensed Scorch Release spheres, knocked Asuma off balance, and trapped him with flames around his ankles.
• Ye Tong held two spheres before Asuma, who lowered Flying Swallow and admitted defeat as the stands cheered.

Wolf Demon faced Kakashi in the second match and lost after Kakashi used his Sharingan to read Swift Release and struck him with Lightning Blade. As the Hidden Mist group joked about the result, a bandaged white-haired man hurried away after taking an interest in Swift Release.

• Wolf Demon and Kakashi began their match, and Wolf Demon used Swift Release to launch a rapid series of attacks.
• Kakashi used his Sharingan to track Wolf Demon, then blocked his approach with Lightning Blade and forced him to surrender.
• Kakashi helped Wolf Demon up, and Sōji recognized that Kakashi had used the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Wolf Demon returned to the Hidden Mist section, where Mangetsu warned him to expect extra training and Ye Tong teased him.
• A bandaged white-haired man hurried through the crowd and remarked that Swift Release was an interesting ability.