Chapter Summaries

Shibi Aburame pledged the Aburame Clan’s support to the Uchiha and asked them to rescue Aburame Ryoma from Root. Fugaku hesitated to act against Danzo and deferred the decision to Jin, while Mikoto encouraged her husband to trust and support him.

• Shibi Aburame decided to side with the Uchiha after Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated at the Jonin Meeting.
• Fugaku told Shibi that Jin was away but expected him to stay until morning so they could speak.
• Shibi offered the Aburame Clan’s allegiance without asking for benefits and requested help rescuing Aburame Ryoma before Danzo had him brainwashed and sealed.
• Fugaku struggled to decide whether to act against Danzo and told Shibi to discuss the rescue with Jin the next day.
• Mikoto comforted Fugaku and urged him to trust Jin and support him.

Fugaku agreed to let Jin handle more Uchiha affairs, while Itachi recorded Jin’s teachings and worried over his assignments. Shibi Aburame then formally offered the Aburame Clan’s alliance, and Jin promised to free Aburame Ryoma by the next morning.

• Mikoto persuaded Fugaku to leave clan matters to Jin, and Fugaku agreed.
• Itachi wrote down Jin’s principles, burned the notes, and fretted over developing his own ideology and finding a girlfriend.
• Fugaku visited Jin’s House and found Jin sharing tea stolen from Hiruzen Sarutobi with Shibi Aburame.
• Shibi offered the Aburame Clan’s alliance in exchange for protection, the rescue of Aburame Ryoma, and assurances that his clan would not be used as cannon fodder.
• Jin accepted the terms and promised that the Aburame Clan would see Aburame Ryoma by the next morning.

Shibi Aburame pledged his clan to Jin Uchiha and offered to bring other small clans under the Uchiha's protection. Jin then encouraged Fugaku to lead decisively and warned him to keep the clan united, especially by watching Uchiha Setsuna.

• Shibi Aburame thanked Jin Uchiha for helping his clan and pledged the Aburame Clan's support to the Uchiha.
• Shibi offered to persuade the Shiranui, Gekko, Mitarashi, Inuzuka, and Kurama clans to join the Uchiha's side.
• Jin promised protection and business opportunities to clans that joined, while setting terms that they would follow Uchiha leadership and not be treated as expendable.
• Shibi left to approach the other clans, and Jin found Fugaku troubled by how quickly Jin had made the decision to accept the Aburame.
• Jin told Fugaku that leadership required shouldering responsibility and urged him to keep the Uchiha united, particularly by watching Uchiha Setsuna.

Jin Uchiha reassured Fugaku that he would defend the clan against Setsuna’s attempt to seize power, then faced Hiruzen Sarutobi’s visit after a sleepless night. Hiruzen recognized his missing tea and tea set at Jin’s home, and Jin claimed he had found them outside his door.

• Fugaku told Jin that he would stop anyone who tried to take power while the Uchiha Clan was in danger.
• Fugaku left, and Jin assigned Itachi his lessons before trying to rest in the sun.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi visited Jin and began discussing the front lines after Jin claimed he had spent the night drafting new laws.
• Hiruzen recognized the Jade Spinning Top tea and tea set he had bought, which had disappeared from his home.
• Jin told Hiruzen that he had found the tea and tea set outside his door and had taken them in.

Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Yan Uchiha a mission in the Land of Grass in exchange for his staying out of Konoha’s internal conflict. Yan negotiated for two forbidden techniques and Might Duy, leaving Hiruzen to accept his terms.

• Itachi Uchiha realized Yan Uchiha had taken Hiruzen Sarutobi’s tea set and tea leaves, while Hiruzen suppressed his anger rather than expose the theft.
• Hiruzen asked Yan to help Minato Namikaze in the Land of Grass, where Shisui Uchiha, Aya Hyuga, and Kazama Nara were already stationed, and promised not to target the Uchiha while Yan was away.
• Yan demanded two forbidden techniques and one man in exchange for accepting the dangerous mission, citing the threat from enemies and Danzo.
• Hiruzen accepted Yan’s terms, and Yan requested the Spirit Transformation Technique, the Eight Gates, and the genin Might Duy.

Jin Uchiha secured the Spirit Transformation Technique, the Eight Gates, and a transfer to the front, while Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed Might Duy as a useful but unremarkable reference. After Hiruzen left, Jin suspected the village was preparing a deadly trap for him and worried about the Uchiha Clan’s future in Konoha.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to Jin Uchiha’s request and let him copy the Spirit Transformation Technique and the Eight Gates from the Scroll of Seals.
• Jin Uchiha explained that Might Duy was the only surviving genin among those who had practiced the Eight Gates, concealing that Duy had mastered the technique.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for Might Duy to report to Jin at the front and told Jin he could leave with Minato Namikaze the day after tomorrow.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi left, privately recalling the plan involving Danzo’s contact with Kumogakure and the need to keep Minato away when the trap was set.
• Jin Uchiha considered what danger awaited him after his transfer and worried that Fugaku and Uchiha Setsuna would destabilize the clan after he left.

Yan Uchiha explained to Itachi why he had accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s proposal: agreeing let him expose the Hokage’s plans and seize the initiative. He also explained that he had delayed dealing with Uchiha Setsuna because the Uchiha could not afford to lose an opponent of the village leadership or give them a pretext to attack.

• Itachi asked Yan why he had accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s proposal despite anticipating the Hokage’s schemes.
• Yan told Itachi that accepting the proposal helped reveal Hiruzen’s plans, shift the balance of the conflict, and keep the initiative.
• Itachi asked whether Yan had spared Uchiha Setsuna out of magnanimity.
• Yan said he intended to settle accounts with Setsuna eventually, but killing him now would weaken the Uchiha and give the village leadership grounds to target the clan.
• Yan outlined the many forces backing Hiruzen and warned Itachi to act strategically rather than out of anger.

Jin Uchiha explained to Itachi why the Uchiha could not afford to turn against themselves, then told Fugaku that he had agreed to go to the front. Fugaku feared the village was sending Jin to his death, but Jin assured him he had a plan and said he had come to discuss something valuable he had obtained.

• Itachi realized the Uchiha were too weak to survive a conflict with the village leadership or a civil split within the clan.
• Jin told Itachi to use one of Shisui's Ninja Crows to contact him when he needed help, and Itachi agreed.
• Jin went to Fugaku and revealed that Hiruzen Sarutobi had made a deal with him that would send him to the front.
• Fugaku urged Jin to refuse the order and offered to take his place, fearing the Uchiha could not manage without him.
• Jin explained that he had a plan to thwart the village's schemes and said he had obtained something good that he wanted to discuss with Fugaku.

Yan Uchiha shared the Spirit Transformation Technique and his theories about ocular power with Fugaku, then prepared to confront Hiruzen Sarutobi over the Aburame Clan. He left Fugaku instructions to keep the Uchiha and their allies safe while he was away.

• Yan Uchiha gave Fugaku the Spirit Transformation Technique scroll and explained how Yin Release and the Visualization Method might cultivate ocular power.
• Fugaku agreed to study the technique, recognizing that proving the Sharingan's connection to Yin Release could help the Uchiha challenge their reputation as an evil clan.
• Yan told Fugaku to keep the Uchiha and Aburame clans cautious, maintain stability in the Military Police Force, and contact Itachi if trouble arose.
• Fugaku promised to watch Uchiha Setsuna personally and endure any provocation until Yan returned.
• Yan told Fugaku to slow the legal reforms without abandoning them, then left to see Hiruzen Sarutobi about the Aburame Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi warned Minato Namikaze that Yan Uchiha was dangerous, but Minato defended the man based on their acquaintance at Ichiraku. Yan arrived at the Hokage's office, where Hiruzen invited him to state his business.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze to watch Yan Uchiha closely and accused Yan and the Uchiha clan of being dangerous.
• Minato questioned Hiruzen's claims and explained that he had gotten to know Yan through Teuchi's ramen shop.
• Hiruzen considered approaching or intimidating Teuchi and his daughter, then warned Minato that Yan had changed and now held influence in the Uchiha clan and Military Police Force.
• An ANBU shinobi announced that Yan Uchiha had requested an audience, and Hiruzen ordered him admitted.
• Yan entered, greeted Hiruzen and Minato, and Hiruzen asked him what he wanted.

Yan Uchiha argued that Root had no legal authority to take Aburame Ryoma and demanded his release, with Minato Namikaze backing him. Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Danzo to bring Ryoma to his office, where Danzo arrived furious and accused Hiruzen and Jin Uchiha of undermining Root.

• Yan Uchiha laid out Root’s lack of authorization and demanded that Hiruzen Sarutobi release Aburame Ryoma to the regular forces.
• Minato Namikaze supported Yan’s demand and condemned Danzo for taking Ryoma without authority.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, unable to rebut Yan’s legal argument, ordered ANBU to tell Danzo to bring Ryoma to him.
• About twenty minutes later, Danzo stormed into Hiruzen’s office with Aburame Ryoma and angrily accused Hiruzen and Jin Uchiha of rebellion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi overruled Danzo and ordered Aburame Ryoma released from Root, while Yan Uchiha took Ryoma back to the Aburame Clan. Minato Namikaze then asked Jin Uchiha to talk about the recent upheaval in the village.

• Danzo furiously berated Yan Uchiha and Hiruzen Sarutobi over the dispute about Aburame Ryoma.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asserted his authority, ordered Ryoma removed from Root, and sent Minato Namikaze home to rest before returning to the front lines with Jin.
• Jin Uchiha checked Ryoma for a Root-Sealing Curse Mark, and Ryoma confirmed he had not received one.
• Yan Uchiha told Ryoma that his father wanted the Aburame Clan to support him and sent him home to speak with his Clan Head.
• Minato Namikaze asked Jin Uchiha to sit down and explain what had happened in the village.

Yan Uchiha shared an expensive meal with Minato Namikaze, who then asked why Jin had grown so powerful and what he hoped to achieve. Jin confessed that he had once planned to abandon the Uchiha Clan, but the kindness of its members made him determined to keep them from being wiped out.

• Yan Uchiha accepted Minato Namikaze's invitation, and they ate barbecue together at the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant.
• Yan explained that despite being an Uchiha Elder and Head of the Military Police Force, he had no money because his salary and rewards had not yet been paid.
• Minato asked Jin why he had surpassed Kakashi in strength and what he intended to accomplish.
• Yan admitted he was lazy and had planned to leave the Uchiha Clan after its destruction, since he had little attachment to it.
• Yan said Shisui, Itachi, Tekka, and Clan Head Fugaku had treated him well, and he could no longer stand by while the clan faced destruction.

Jin challenged Minato Namikaze’s belief that the Uchiha had no reason to fear Konoha, citing the village’s treatment of the Senju, the Uzumaki, and Sakumo Hatake. Minato could not refute Jin’s claims, and Jin urged him to question Jiraiya about the village’s problems.

• Minato rejected Jin’s argument but agreed to examine it point by point.
• Jin asked Minato for a concrete example of the Uchiha Military Police Force abusing its authority, and Minato could not name one.
• Jin questioned what had happened to the Senju and argued that the village had failed to protect the Uzumaki, leaving Minato unable to answer.
• Jin said Konoha had saved Kushina because she could serve as the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki, and argued that the Uchiha had to protect themselves.
• Jin pointed out that news of Sakumo Hatake’s S-Rank mission had spread despite confidentiality rules and that the village had not investigated the leak.
• Jin urged Minato to speak privately with Jiraiya about why he and other students of Hiruzen Sarutobi remained outside the village.

Jin Uchiha explained to Minato why he was leading the Uchiha and urged him not to regard the clan as an enemy. After Minato resolved to stay neutral in the Uchiha’s dispute with the village leadership, Jin claimed Minato would become the Fourth Hokage and proposed a bet about Orochimaru’s chances.

• Jin told Minato that the Uchiha under his leadership only wanted to protect themselves and said he trusted and respected Minato.
• Jin questioned why so many Sarutobi shinobi rarely appeared on the battlefield, prompting Minato to reconsider what he believed about the clan and Konoha’s leaders.
• Minato decided to stay neutral in the disputes between the Uchiha and the village leadership.
• Jin promised Minato would become the Fourth Hokage and asked him not to treat the Uchiha as a threat once he took office.
• Jin insisted Orochimaru would not become Hokage and offered to bet that Minato would, asking Minato to remain neutral if Jin won.

Yan Uchiha explained to Minato Namikaze how Hiruzen Sarutobi could manipulate the Hokage election and keep Minato powerless as a figurehead. Minato agreed to remain neutral, and Yan warned him that Kushina Uzumaki could be used to threaten his life and prevent him from challenging Hiruzen.

• Yan Uchiha told Minato Namikaze that Orochimaru was too powerful and independent for Hiruzen Sarutobi to control, while Minato lacked the allies to govern effectively.
• Yan explained how Hiruzen could secure votes for Minato, keep Orochimaru away during the election, and ensure that the Daimyō's approval became a formality.
• Minato questioned Yan's claims, then admitted he needed time to consider them and agreed to stay out of Yan's struggle for power as long as Yan did not betray Konoha.
• Yan warned Minato not to challenge Hiruzen for real power, explaining that Kushina Uzumaki's childbirth could give Hiruzen an opportunity to have her killed and drive Minato to his own death.

Yan Uchiha planted doubts in Minato Namikaze about Hiruzen Sarutobi, then met with Shibi Aburame and Aburame Ryoma to discuss Ryoma joining him on the front lines. Shibi warned that Hiruzen would likely target the Aburame once Yan left the village.

• Minato Namikaze thanked Yan Uchiha, promised to be more watchful, and left after their conversation unsettled.
• Yan Uchiha reflected that he had used genuine concern to weaken Minato's trust in Hiruzen Sarutobi and keep Minato's allies from backing Hiruzen.
• Yan Uchiha returned home and found Shibi Aburame and Aburame Ryoma waiting outside his courtyard.
• After serving tea, Shibi Aburame asked Yan Uchiha to take Ryoma to the front lines.
• Shibi Aburame warned that Hiruzen Sarutobi would target mid-sized clans such as the Aburame after Yan left the village.

Shibi Aburame feared the Aburame Clan would be targeted after Yan Uchiha left, so he asked Yan to protect Aburame Ryoma. Yan agreed and offered the clan further reassurance, leaving Shibi and Ryoma more confident about their safety.

• Shibi Aburame told Yan Uchiha that he feared the village would punish the Aburame Clan after Yan's departure and asked him to protect Aburame Ryoma.
• Yan Uchiha agreed to take Ryoma with him, and Ryoma knelt to pledge his loyalty to Yan.
• Yan Uchiha told Shibi to move the Aburame Clan into the Uchiha Clan Compound and revealed that Fugaku had a Mangekyo.
• Yan Uchiha said he would secretly arrange for a Nara to advise the Aburame Clan on defense, easing Shibi and Ryoma's worries.

Yan Uchiha arranged for the Aburame Clan to move into the Uchiha compound and reassured Shibi Aburame by revealing that a Nara had secretly joined him. After the move drew the village leadership’s attention, Minato Namikaze remained distracted by his final conversation with Yan, and Kushina Uzumaki asked what was troubling him.

• Shibi Aburame asked whether Yan Uchiha’s hidden adviser truly belonged to the Nara Clan, and Yan confirmed it while insisting the connection stay secret.
• Shibi agreed to move the Aburame Clan into the Uchiha compound, and Yan told him and Aburame Ryoma to begin preparations.
• Yan explained the situation to Fugaku, who said the Uchiha had room and supplies for the Aburame Clan.
• The Aburame Clan settled into the compound within half a day, while Danzo wanted to act against the move and Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered him to wait until Jin Uchiha left Konoha.
• Minato Namikaze sat at home thinking about his last conversation with Yan, and Kushina Uzumaki gently asked him what was wrong.

Minato told Kushina Jin Uchiha’s suspicions about Konoha’s role in the Uzumaki Clan’s destruction, and her memories gave the theory new weight. Minato was left questioning whether becoming Hokage had any meaning if he would only be a puppet.

• Minato hesitated to tell Kushina about Jin Uchiha’s deductions, fearing she would confront Hiruzen Sarutobi without evidence.
• After Kushina insisted, Minato recounted his conversation with Jin and asked her to assess the theory.
• Kushina recalled that her grandfather secretly sent clan members away and forbade them from entering the Land of Fire.
• Kushina remembered Lady Mito trying to keep the Senju Clan intact before suddenly disbanding it, which made Minato reconsider Jin’s suspicions.
• Minato shared Jin’s predictions about his future as Hokage and lamented that he might become a powerless puppet.