Recaps

Shin Uchiha sealed the Three-Tails into Yuki Kumo, whom Mei Terumi planned to send to the Chunin Ninja Exams. After Shin revealed that Orochimaru had Kimimaro and Hozuki Suigetsu at his bases, Mei realized he had obtained bloodline abilities from Kirigakure and erupted in anger.

• Chinatsu Uchiha asked Shin Uchiha to spend more time with her, and he agreed.
• Mei Terumi introduced Yuki Kumo, a surviving Yuki Clan orphan with Ice Release, as a suitable host for the Three-Tails.
• Shin Uchiha sealed the Three-Tails into Yuki Kumo, and Mei said she planned to send her to the Chunin Ninja Exams with Chōjūrō.
• Shin Uchiha warned Mei Terumi that Orochimaru would disrupt the exams and that unexpected events would occur.
• Mei Terumi told Shin Uchiha that Orochimaru had once been spotted near Kirigakure during its chaos.
• Shin Uchiha revealed that Orochimaru had Kimimaro and Hozuki Suigetsu at his bases, and Mei Terumi vowed to tear Orochimaru limb from limb.

Mei Terumi learned that Orochimaru would likely appear in Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams and planned to confront him with Shin Uchiha’s help. Their discussion was interrupted by Fang the Thunder Sword’s return to Kirigakure, where he reunited with Shin.

• Mei Terumi angrily blamed Orochimaru for luring talented Kirigakure shinobi away, and Shin Uchiha told her his spy could not identify Orochimaru’s real location.
• Shin Uchiha said Orochimaru would appear in Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Mei Terumi agreed to wait for a chance to settle their score.
• Ao reported that Fang the Thunder Sword had appeared outside the village seeking to return under Shin Uchiha’s guarantee, and Mei Terumi ordered Ao to bring him in.
• Mei Terumi welcomed Fang the Thunder Sword’s return, while Shin Uchiha prepared to leave Kirigakure and reassured Chinatsu Uchiha that he would visit again.
• Fang the Thunder Sword entered with Ao, recognized Shin Uchiha, and greeted him respectfully.

Shin Uchiha left Mei Terumi and the others, then infiltrated Iwagakure to find its jinchūriki. He sensed only one tailed-beast host in the village and approached the secluded figure while disguised as Ōnoki.

• Mei Terumi asked Shin Uchiha about his plans, and he promised to return soon and take her and the others to Konoha.
• Shin Uchiha reached a mountain near Iwagakure and used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to search the village.
• Shin Uchiha detected only one jinchūriki, despite expecting to find the hosts of Four-Tails Son Goku and Five-Tails Kokuō.
• Shin Uchiha disguised himself as Ōnoki and flew past Iwagakure's guards toward the chakra he had sensed.
• Shin Uchiha reached a secluded part of Iwagakure and spotted a tall, armored man sitting on a rooftop.

Shin Uchiha attacked Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, after Han exposed his disguise and fought back. As Ōnoki sent Kurotsuchi to raise an alert and rushed toward the battle, Shin caught Han’s three chakra tails and began absorbing them.

• Shin Uchiha approached Han in disguise and tried to touch his shoulder, but Han escaped and exposed him.
• Han activated his Tailed Beast Cloak and attacked with Boil Release, but Shin punched him through several buildings.
• Ōnoki learned of a massive chakra surge in the village’s northwest, ordered Kurotsuchi to issue a Level One Alert, and flew toward the battle.
• Han’s cloak gained three tails, and he charged at Shin with Boil Release: Steam Advance.
• Shin flew above Han, grabbed all three tails, and used the Preta Path to devour their chakra.

Shin Uchiha used the Rinnegan’s Preta Path to absorb Han’s tailed beast chakra, leaving the Five-Tails jinchūriki nearly powerless. As Ōnoki approached, Shin sent a Wood Clone disguised as Ōnoki to delay him while he continued draining Han.

• Han sent three tailed beast chakra tails at Shin Uchiha, who caught them and activated Six Paths: Preta Path-Devouring.
• Han realized Shin was rapidly absorbing his chakra and asked who he was.
• Shin noticed Ōnoki approaching and created a Wood Clone bearing Ōnoki’s appearance.
• Shin told the Wood Clone to hold Ōnoki off because killing the Tsuchikage could trigger an early war and disrupt his plans.
• The Wood Clone flew toward Ōnoki while Shin increased the speed of his chakra absorption from Han.

Shin Uchiha’s Wood Clone confronted Ōnoki in the air, matching his Dust Release and Earth Release techniques. After Ōnoki’s back pain interrupted their fight, the two launched earth and water dragons at each other.

• Ōnoki spotted a figure using the Light-Weight Rock Technique and recognized it as an impostor dressed like him.
• Ōnoki and Shin Uchiha’s Wood Clone fired matching Dust Release attacks, and Ōnoki grew furious when the clone’s technique matched his own.
• Ōnoki dodged the Dust Release contest and attacked with Earth Release techniques, which the clone copied as their stone fists collided and shattered.
• Ōnoki’s back cracked during the fight, briefly making Shin Uchiha stop and watch.
• Ōnoki summoned an Earth and Stone Dragon, and Shin Uchiha answered with a Water Dragon Bullet Technique as Ōnoki ordered his dragon to kill him.

Shin Uchiha's Wood Clone fought Ōnoki in Iwagakure, distracting him while an unseen attack targeted the Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Ōnoki realized the deception too late and found the Jinchuriki in a dangerously unstable state.

• Shin Uchiha's Wood Clone used Water and Earth Release dragons to destroy Ōnoki's earth dragon, but Ōnoki's Golem Technique blocked their follow-up attack.
• Ōnoki offered the intruder a chance to surrender as Iwagakure shinobi gathered around them.
• Ōnoki trapped Shin Uchiha's Wood Clone inside walls created by Moving Earth Core, while the clone watched him without resisting.
• Akatsuchi arrived, and Ōnoki realized the Five-Tails Jinchuriki might be in danger and flew toward his residence.
• Shin Uchiha's Wood Clone burned away, and Ōnoki and the other shinobi found the Five-Tails Jinchuriki on the ground with unstable, bubbling chakra.

Shin Uchiha found Ōnoki’s explosive-tag trap in the Tsuchikage Building and triggered it while escaping with Kurotsuchi. He left her staring in horror after admitting he had also stolen Iwagakure’s Scroll of Seals.

• Ōnoki explained that someone had drained much of the Five-Tails’ chakra from Han, leaving the beast close to going berserk, and ordered him moved outside the village.
• Shin Uchiha searched the lightly guarded Tsuchikage Building and discovered that Ōnoki had filled the sealed chamber with explosive tags.
• Shin Uchiha opened the chamber’s seal, igniting the tags, just as Kurotsuchi arrived and challenged him.
• Shin Uchiha grabbed Kurotsuchi and escaped as the explosive tags destroyed the Tsuchikage Building.
• Shin Uchiha told Kurotsuchi that Ōnoki’s trap had caused the explosion and revealed that he had taken Iwagakure’s Scroll of Seals.

Shin Uchiha gave Kurotsuchi Iwagakure's Scroll of Seals before returning to Kirigakure, where Mei Terumi prepared to take him to Konoha. He learned that Genji was spending time with Kurisuke and Chinatsu, and the chapter ended with Shin and Mei disappearing together.

• Shin Uchiha left Kurotsuchi with Iwagakure's Scroll of Seals and vanished.
• Shin returned to the Mizukage's Office and checked on Jun Mizunotsuki, then encouraged the timid Chōjūrō.
• Mei Terumi told Chōjūrō and the others to report to the Mizukage's Office the next morning, as she prepared to go to Konoha with Shin.
• Mei told Shin that Kurisuke and Chinatsu were with Genji, who was cultivating their attachment to Kirigakure.
• Mei invited Shin to spend time with her, and he drew her close before they vanished.

Mei Terumi and Shin Uchiha brought Kirigakure's delegation to Konoha, where Tsunade welcomed them and arranged their stay. Tsunade then surprised Mei by inviting her to the Senju Clan's old residence.

• Genji warned Mei Terumi to behave carefully during her visit to Konoha, and Shin Uchiha promised to protect her.
• Shin used Space-Time Ninjutsu to bring Mei and the Kirigakure delegation to a forest near Konoha.
• Shin explained that Konoha's Anbu had noticed the group and that he had sent them away.
• Tsunade and Mei exchanged formal greetings in the Hokage's office while Shin and the delegation watched.
• Tsunade assigned Shikaku Nara to arrange the delegation's hospitality, and Mei asked Ao to discuss Kirigakure's Chunin competition plans.
• Tsunade invited Mei to stay at the Senju Clan's old residence, surprising Mei, Shin, and Shizune.

Mei Terumi accepted Tsunade’s invitation to stay at her home, then Tsunade confronted Shin about Danzō’s role in forcing two council elders to resign and return Konoha’s resources. They discussed Jiraiya’s likely return and his search for the Child of Prophecy, which Shin identified as Naruto, who was away on a mission in the Land of Waves.

• Mei Terumi accepted Tsunade’s invitation, and Shizune took her to Tsunade’s residence.
• Tsunade told Shin that two council elders had resigned and returned resources after Danzō led Root remnants out of their base and came back.
• Shin admitted that he had sent Danzō to deal with the elders, and Tsunade leaned into him as she explained that political connections limited her own actions.
• Tsunade told Shin that Jiraiya might soon return to Konoha and asked whether his arrival was connected to Orochimaru.
• Shin said Jiraiya was probably searching for the Child of Prophecy, and Tsunade realized he was coming for Naruto, who had not yet returned from the Land of Waves.

Tsunade and Shin discussed Naruto’s training and Orochimaru’s plans before learning that Sunagakure’s delegation had arrived. At Konoha’s gate, Shin confronted Kazekage Rasa after sensing hostility from him.

• Shin told Tsunade that Naruto would return in time for the Chunin Ninja Exams and revealed he had taught him several techniques so Jiraiya would have little left to teach him besides Sage Mode.
• Shin warned Tsunade that Orochimaru might be using Otogakure to carry out the Konoha Crush and confirm his suspicions.
• Iruka informed Tsunade that the Sunagakure delegation had arrived, and Tsunade decided to welcome Kazekage Rasa in person.
• Tsunade and Shin met Rasa at Konoha’s gate, where Shin noticed Gaara among the Sunagakure delegation.
• When Rasa addressed Shin by name, Shin activated his Sharingan and accused the Kazekage of harboring hostility toward him.

Shin Uchiha sensed hostility from Kazekage Rasa, who was actually Orochimaru in disguise, and let him continue toward the Hokage Building with Tsunade. Gaara recognized Shin as the man who had subdued the One-Tail and warned Temari and Kankuro to stay away from him, while Shin decided not to drive Orochimaru off so the Konoha Crush could proceed.

• Shin Uchiha confronted Kazekage Rasa about his hostility, and Rasa concealed his identity as Orochimaru with a quick excuse.
• Shin noticed Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, then briefly showed his power and left Gaara frozen in fear.
• Gaara recovered and warned Temari and Kankuro that Shin was more dangerous than anyone he had ever met.
• Shin checked that the One-Tail had recovered and looked forward to seeing Naruto fight it during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Shin refrained from provoking Orochimaru further so the Konoha Crush would not fall through.

Shin Uchiha revealed to Tsunade that Kazekage Rasa was Orochimaru in disguise and had arranged for Hiruzen Sarutobi to keep him occupied. Shin intended to confront Orochimaru, while Tsunade confirmed that Nawaki was ready to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Tsunade and Kazekage Rasa met Hiruzen Sarutobi outside the Hokage Building, and Hiruzen offered to accompany Rasa around Konoha.
• Shin Uchiha teleported away with Tsunade and Shizune, then told Tsunade that Rasa was Orochimaru in disguise and that the real Kazekage was likely dead.
• Shin explained that he had asked Hiruzen to stay with Orochimaru because Tsunade was pregnant and Orochimaru wanted her bloodline.
• Shin said he admired Orochimaru and wanted to see what he would do rather than control or restrain him.
• Tsunade told Shin that Nawaki had adjusted to shinobi life, completed several minor missions, and was ready for the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Shin Uchiha and Tsunade discussed Nawaki’s training and the Senju elders who had welcomed him back as their clan’s heir. Shin also asked when Uzuki Yugao would return from her mission, suggesting she replace Gekko Hayate as a Chunin Exam referee.

• Shin told Tsunade to prepare Nawaki for the Chunin Ninja Exams and explained that Sasuke would train in seclusion after them.
• Tsunade explained that the Senju elders had recognized Nawaki as their resurrected heir and were now overseeing his training.
• Shin asked Tsunade when Uzuki Yugao would return from her mission.
• Tsunade teased Shin for missing Yugao, and Shin said he wanted her to replace the sickly Gekko Hayate as a Chunin Exam referee.

Shin Uchiha arranged for Gekko Hayate to take time off from proctoring the chunin exams and avoided Tsunade’s attempt to keep him away from Mei Terumi. Naruto and his team returned to Konoha, where Shin praised their growth and suggested Naruto and Sasuke enter the upcoming exams.

• Tsunade agreed to give Gekko Hayate time off and have Uzuki Yugao take his place.
• Tsunade told Shin Uchiha that Mei Terumi was staying beside her and warned him not to sneak off to meet her.
• Naruto returned to Konoha with Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kakashi, celebrating their homecoming.
• Shin Uchiha greeted the team, praised their growth, and heard Kakashi report that the Land of Waves had become Konoha’s vassal.
• Shin suggested that Naruto and Sasuke enter the upcoming chunin ninja exams, and Sasuke immediately asked Kakashi to sign him up.

Sasuke persuaded Team 7 to enter the chunin ninja exams, while Shin Uchiha also committed Team 10 to participate. After Shin left, Naruto revealed that he had agreed to the exams without knowing what they were.

• Sasuke asked to enter the chunin ninja exams, and Kakashi said the whole team had to agree.
• Naruto and Karin Uzumaki agreed to participate, and Kakashi said he would report Team 7's registration to the Hokage.
• Shikamaru reluctantly agreed to enter with Choji and Ino, and Shin Uchiha asked Kakashi to register Team 10.
• Shin Uchiha vanished, and Kakashi sighed about another chunin ninja exam.
• Naruto asked Kakashi what the exams were, surprising the others because he had already signed up.

Hinata Hyuga trained with Kurenai Yuhi and spoke about wanting to grow strong enough to help Shin Uchiha. Shin told them the Chunin Ninja Exams had begun, and Hinata pledged to perform well, knowing he would watch.

• Hinata Hyuga practiced the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms while Kurenai Yuhi urged her not to overwork herself.
• Hinata told Kurenai she wanted to become strong enough to help Shin, and Kurenai described how Shin had once killed more than ten Jōnin with one slash.
• Shin arrived, stopped Kurenai from attacking him, and told her and Hinata that the Chunin Ninja Exams had begun.
• Kurenai praised Hinata's strength, and Hinata credited Tsunade and Kurenai for her training.
• Hinata asked Shin to watch the exams, and he agreed before she promised to make him see her in a new light.

Shin Uchiha left Hinata in the care of Kiba and Shino, then responded to Nonō’s summons at the orphanage. After Kabuto praised Nonō’s care for the children, he told Shin that Nonō seemed happy with her life, and Shin affirmed that he had spared her the torment of spy work.

• Shin Uchiha warned Hinata to stay safe during the Chunin Exams and asked Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame to protect her.
• At the Konoha Orphanage, Yakushi Nonō treated an injured child, who gave her a feather he had risked climbing to find.
• Kabuto Yakushi praised Nonō for caring for the orphans and credited her with saving his life; Shin agreed that she had changed many lives.
• Nonō explained that she had summoned Shin because Kabuto had important intelligence to report, then left to make tea.
• Kabuto told Shin that he had kept his promise and that Nonō seemed happy; Shin said he would not make her endure the torment of being a spy.

Kabuto Yakushi told Shin Uchiha that Orochimaru planned to launch the Konoha Crush during the Chunin Exams, likely to find a vessel and investigate what he sensed was wrong with Konoha. Kabuto gave Shin scrolls containing the latest versions of two forbidden techniques but chose to remain with Orochimaru to gain strength to protect Nonō and the orphanage.

• Kabuto explained that he had intercepted most intelligence about Konoha, leaving Orochimaru unaware of Shin's strength and the village's current power.
• Kabuto said Orochimaru had perfected Living Corpse Reincarnation and likely came to Konoha seeking a better vessel.
• Kabuto revealed Orochimaru had previously sensed something wrong with Konoha and that this might be connected to his plan with Sunagakure.
• Kabuto handed Shin scrolls containing the latest versions of Impure World Reincarnation and Living Corpse Reincarnation.
• Shin offered to let Kabuto return and take over Nonō's Orphanage, but Kabuto said he would stay with Orochimaru to learn more and grow strong enough to protect what he cherished.

Shin Uchiha promised Kabuto Yakushi that he would always have a place at his side, while warning Yakushi Nonō to protect the Orphanage during the coming Chunin Exams. After Shin left, Kabuto urged Nonō to consider Shin as a romantic partner and protector for herself and the children.

• Shin Uchiha promised Kabuto Yakushi shelter as long as Kabuto never betrayed him, and Kabuto reaffirmed his loyalty.
• Shin warned Yakushi Nonō that the Chunin Exams could bring danger and offered his help if the Orphanage faced trouble.
• After Shin left, Kabuto asked Nonō whether she and Shin had a romantic relationship, and she denied it emphatically.
• Kabuto told Nonō that turmoil was coming and argued that Shin could protect her and the Orphanage as a responsible partner.

Kabuto Yakushi urged Nonō to seek Shin Uchiha's protection, while Shin investigated a powerful chakra source hidden beneath a volcano. He drew Roshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, out of the mountain and demanded that he stop resisting.

• Kabuto Yakushi suggested that Nonō become Shin's partner so Shin could protect her and the orphanage, but she dismissed the idea and left.
• Uchiha Shi reported finding a huge mass of chakra inside a volcano but could not locate its source.
• Shin used his Byakugan to spot a hidden entrance beneath the magma and suspected that Roshi was inside.
• Shin used Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide to force Roshi out of the mountain.
• Roshi attacked with Lava Release, but Uchiha Shi blocked the magma with an Earth-Style Wall.
• Shin activated his eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and warned Roshi to stop resisting or he would give the Four-Tails a new place to sleep.

Shin Uchiha confronted Roshi after the Four-Tails jinchūriki flew into a rage, then defeated him with Susanoo. Shin emerged from the battlefield carrying the unconscious Roshi, while Uchiha Shi watched.

• Roshi grew enraged and cloaked himself in Four-Tails chakra, but Shin Uchiha told Uchiha Shi to stand back and flew to face him.
• Shin deflected Roshi’s magma attacks and summoned a full armored Susanoo after Roshi unleashed Lava Release: Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• The Four-Tails recognized Shin’s Susanoo and warned Roshi to flee, so Roshi turned and tried to escape.
• Shin brought Susanoo’s foot down on Roshi, then emerged from the dust holding the unconscious and badly singed jinchūriki.

Shin Uchiha released Roshi into Uchiha Shi’s care, then advised Tsunade to have the Third Hokage lead Konoha’s response to Orochimaru and Sunagakure. As the Chunin Ninja Exams began, Tsunade invited Shin to watch his students take the first test.

• Shin Uchiha left Roshi unconscious with Uchiha Shi, telling him to watch over him until he woke.
• Tsunade told Shin that Anbu had found the Fourth Kazekage Rasa’s body, confirming that Orochimaru had likely impersonated him.
• Shin explained that Rasa and Orochimaru had planned the Konoha Crush, and urged Tsunade to let the Third Hokage lead Konoha’s response while the Sarutobi clan watched Sunagakure and Otogakure.
• Mei Terumi said she would help Tsunade personally, though Kirigakure would stay out of the conflict.
• When the Chunin Ninja Exams began, Tsunade showed Shin the first test site with the Telescope Technique, and Shin agreed to watch his students.

Shin Uchiha watched the Chunin Ninja Exam participants gather, while Naruto Uzumaki and his friends arrived and reunited with their classmates. Sasuke Uchiha then asked Kabuto Yakushi for basic information about people in Konoha, leaving Kabuto relieved that he would not have to reveal anything classified.

• Shin Uchiha watched the participants, and Shizune explained that the oddly dressed group was from Otogakure.
• Naruto Uzumaki entered with Sasuke and Karin, and Sakura rushed to greet Sasuke before arguing with Ino.
• Shikamaru and Choji greeted Sasuke, Naruto, and their unfamiliar teammates, then Kiba joined them with Hinata and Shino.
• Kabuto Yakushi impressed the young participants by showing off his information cards.
• Sasuke asked Kabuto for basic information on people from Konoha, and Kabuto agreed while keeping top-secret details undisclosed.