Recaps

In an underground cavern, Obito learned that Kakashi had found a girlfriend but said he would not be angry, insisting the Eye of the Moon Plan would create happiness for everyone. Black Zetsu privately viewed Obito and Madara as pawns in his plan to resurrect Mother.

• White Zetsu told Obito that Kakashi had a girlfriend, and Black Zetsu explained that she was a spy from Lockfront Village who had abandoned her mission and been allowed to stay in Konoha.
• Obito wondered whether Kakashi had finally moved on, then rejected anger as meaningless and reaffirmed his belief in the Eye of the Moon Plan and Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Obito imagined Kakashi introducing his girlfriend to him and Rin in a perfect world where there would be no pain or partings.
• Black Zetsu secretly celebrated Obito's obsession, seeing it as fuel for the plan to capture the tailed beasts and resurrect Mother.
• Black Zetsu reflected that he had manipulated Madara and Obito, as well as Indra's descendants, and remained determined to resurrect Mother.

Hyuga Hiashi led a Konoha delegation to Kirigakure to discuss the Chunin Ninja Exams, but his choice of envoy unsettled Genji, who was hiding the Fourth Mizukage’s death. The mission began under tension after Hiashi handed Neji the Great Sun Calamity Cutter, and Genji prepared to keep the visitors calm while guarding Kirigakure’s secret.

• Might Guy, Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji joined Hyuga Hiashi at Konoha’s gate for the diplomatic mission to Kirigakure.
• Hiashi gave Neji the Great Sun Calamity Cutter without explanation, shocking and deeply unsettling him.
• Genji received the Konoha envoys because Yagura was dead and Kirigakure had concealed his death.
• Hiashi asked why Yagura was absent, and Genji claimed the Mizukage was occupied and had authorized him to handle the discussions.
• Genji suspected Konoha had discovered Kirigakure’s secret and resolved to keep the formidable delegation calm.

Hyuga Hiashi invited Kirigakure to Konoha’s Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, but Genji refused, citing the village’s internal troubles. Hiashi then revealed his real purpose: trading Ao’s Byakugan for the Kubikiribōchō, leaving Genji weighing the offer.

• Hiashi presented Genji with the Hokage’s invitation and the rules for the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Genji declined the invitation, claiming Kirigakure was short-handed and asking to participate in a couple of years.
• Hiashi set aside the exams and asked whether Kirigakure would trade Ao’s Byakugan for the Kubikiribōchō.
• Genji was tempted by the sword and considered using it to help recover Samehada, while Hiashi pressed him for an answer.

Hyuga Hiashi and Neji sneaked into the Kaguya Clan ruins, where Saburo Akebino confronted them and accused them of spying. Hiashi’s suspicions about Genji’s control of Kirigakure grew, and the ambush escalated into a fight that left two Kirigakure ninja dead.

• Hyuga Hiashi and Neji entered the Kaguya Clan ruins and spotted dozens of Kirigakure ninja lying in ambush.
• Saburo Akebino confronted Hiashi and challenged his reason for visiting the ruins without permission.
• Hiashi questioned why Kirigakure’s officials reported to Genji instead of Mizukage Yagura, strengthening his suspicion that Genji had taken power.
• Saburo ordered the Kirigakure ninja to seize Hiashi and Neji as spies, and they attacked with kunai and blades.
• Hiashi dodged the attack and killed two Kirigakure ninja with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.

Neji and Hiashi fought Saburo Akebino and the Kirigakure ninja as reinforcements arrived, while Might Guy confronted Genji with intelligence that a Hyuga traitor had colluded with Kirigakure. Genji realized the mysterious man offering him the Byakugan’s secrets was a core member of the Hyuga Main Family.

• Neji used Rotation to deflect attacks, and Hiashi praised him before ordering him not to hold back.
• Tokuma Hyuga, Kamon Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten arrived to support Hiashi and Neji against Saburo Akebino and the Kirigakure ninja.
• Might Guy burst into Genji’s office and told him a Hyuga traitor might have colluded with people in Kirigakure.
• Genji concluded that the mysterious man who had offered him Byakugan secrets and Hyuga intelligence was an unmarked core member of the Hyuga Main Family.
• Genji wondered why the Hyuga Main Family members, despite their status, behaved like lapdogs toward outsiders.

Naruto trained beneath the waterfall while trying to develop a kekkei mōra, then joined Hinata and Hanabi for lunch. The chapter ended with Naruto throwing a kunai at someone hiding in the woods, and the sisters activating their Byakugan to investigate.

• Hanabi worried that Hiashi was hiding things from her and Hinata, while Hinata reassured her that their father would return safely from Kirigakure.
• Naruto practiced developing the Spiraling Ring with all seven chakra natures but could not incorporate Yin-Yang Release.
• Naruto invited Hinata and Hanabi to lunch, and Hanabi excitedly listed the foods she wanted.
• Naruto noticed someone watching from the woods, seized a kunai from Hinata's pouch, and threw it into the shadows.
• Hinata and Hanabi activated their Byakugan after hearing a cry of pain from the woods.

Naruto, Hinata, and Hanabi discovered that Kazero had been spying on their training, and Hinata explained how his family line had become part of the Main Family. The chapter then shifted to a battlefield, where Hyuga Hiashi stood over the captured Hyuga Hiro and Kirigakure Ninja.

• Kazero fled after Hinata and Hanabi recognized him spying in the woods.
• Hinata explained to Naruto that Kazero was the grandson of the Sixth Elder, whose line had entered the Main Family through an exception to the clan's usual rules.
• Hanabi said Kazero avoided her and Hinata because their father beat him and his father whenever Natsu reported them.
• Naruto took Hanabi and Hinata home, reassuring Hinata as they left together.
• Hyuga Hiashi stood over bound Kirigakure Ninja and the captured Hyuga Hiro, who feared he had made a serious mistake.

Hiashi used Saburo Akebino, Kabutowari, and the captured Kirigakure ninja as leverage to negotiate for the stolen Byakugan and Kirigakure medical equipment. Genji agreed after Might Guy and Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates, and Hiashi ordered them to stand down.

• Genji arrived at the battlefield and assessed the captured Kirigakure ninja, Saburo Akebino, and the lost Kabutowari.
• Hiashi had Tokuma take Kabutowari and offered it, along with the prisoners, in exchange for the Byakugan Ao took and Kirigakure's medical equipment.
• Might Guy and Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates and threatened Genji and the Kirigakure guards with their overwhelming chakra.
• Genji agreed to make the exchange under the pressure of Guy and Rock Lee's power.
• Hiashi praised Genji mockingly, then told Guy and Rock Lee to stand down.

Naruto and Sakura began a supply-moving mission at Konoha Hospital after Kakashi took Sasuke away for private training. At the warehouse, they met Hana Inuzuka, who explained that the equipment had been traded from Kirigakure.

• Sakura told Naruto that Kakashi had left with Sasuke to teach him a new ninjutsu, leaving the two of them to handle the mission.
• Naruto left a note for Hanabi, and he and Sakura headed to Konoha Hospital to move medical supplies.
• Naruto and Sakura questioned why the hospital needed extra supplies despite the village's recent peace.
• Hana Inuzuka greeted Naruto with an enthusiastic headlock at the warehouse, and Sakura explained that they were on a mission.
• Hana led them to equipment Lord Hiashi had obtained through a trade with Kirigakure and described the advances in Kirigakure's medical care.

Naruto got a ninja dog named Big Yellow, whose attack on Jiraiya exposed him peeping into the women's bath. Hiruzen reprimanded Jiraiya in the Hokage's office while Naruto and Sakura looked on.

• Hana Inuzuka offered Naruto a ninja dog, and he agreed to choose one after lunch.
• Naruto brought home a puppy named Big Yellow, and Sakura asked to hold it.
• Big Yellow bit a white-haired man near the Public Bathhouse, and Sakura accused him of peeping.
• The man recognized Naruto as Minato and was knocked into a wall when Naruto kicked him.
• Hiruzen scolded Jiraiya in the Hokage's office while Naruto and Sakura stood by with Big Yellow.

Naruto and Sakura demanded that Hiruzen punish Jiraiya for peeping on women, but Hiruzen postponed giving them an answer. After Naruto and Sakura left, Jiraiya immediately asked whether Naruto was Minato’s son and whether Sakura was his girlfriend, leaving Sakura embarrassed and angry.

• Naruto confronted Jiraiya with sarcasm and asked Hiruzen how he planned to punish him.
• Hiruzen struggled to reconcile Jiraiya’s misconduct with his plans for Jiraiya to mentor Naruto, then told Naruto and Sakura to go home while promising an answer.
• Naruto and Sakura left Hiruzen’s office, and Jiraiya instantly dropped his remorseful act.
• Jiraiya asked Hiruzen whether Naruto was Minato’s son and whether Sakura was Naruto’s girlfriend.
• Naruto and Sakura overheard Jiraiya’s questions outside the door, and Sakura blushed and grew angry.

Naruto returned home with Big Yellow, shared a warm dinner with Inoichi, and learned that Team 7 would soon take part in the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams. After Naruto went to his room, Kurama confronted him about keeping a dog, and Naruto teased that Kurama was jealous.

• Naruto brought Big Yellow home, where the puppy settled down to sleep as Inoichi admired it.
• Inoichi told Naruto that Kakashi had submitted Team 7 for the upcoming Joint Chunin Ninja Exams and urged him to prepare seriously.
• Inoichi reminded Naruto to treat Ino as a serious opponent in the exams and to keep his promise to respect her.
• Naruto returned to his room and entered his mental space, where Kurama asked why he was keeping a dog.
• Naruto suggested that Kurama was jealous, and Kurama angrily denied caring about the puppy.

Naruto reassured Kurama that their bond was unique, then used his knowledge of sealing techniques to create a controlled opening in the Eight Trigrams Seal. Kurama was left astonished as Naruto explained that the breach would give him more freedom without undoing the seal.

• Naruto teased Kurama about being jealous of Big Yellow, and Kurama turned away in a sulk.
• Naruto told Kurama they were brothers, comrades, and family, and that no one could take Kurama’s place in his heart.
• Kurama stopped thumping his tails and turned back toward Naruto, quietly accepting his words without admitting it.
• Naruto formed hand seals and revealed the Eight Trigrams Seal: Variant, a technique based on the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze’s sealing style.
• Naruto pressed the technique against the sealed gate and created a stable, controlled opening in it.
• Kurama asked what Naruto was doing, and Naruto explained that the opening would give him more freedom without triggering the seal’s safeguards.

Naruto learned that Kurama might help preserve Kushina’s chakra consciousness and began studying sealing jutsu while planning to find information about Uchiha Hikari. After waking energized by the improved chakra flow, he set out with Big Yellow and was greeted by Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon.

• Kurama told Naruto he might be able to stabilize Kushina’s remaining chakra consciousness, though he could not promise the same for Minato’s.
• Naruto began studying sealing jutsu and planned to search the Hokage Building’s archive for information about Uchiha Hikari.
• Naruto woke feeling stronger as Kurama’s chakra flowed more steadily through the opening in the seal.
• Naruto left home with Big Yellow and headed toward the Yamanaka Clan to see whether Ino, Hinata, or Hanabi was available.
• Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon ran up to Naruto in the busy streets of Konoha.

Naruto learned that Konohamaru and his friends had clashed with visitors from Sunagakure, then went to the Yamanaka home and found Ino unharmed. He joined Ino, Hinata, and Hanabi for breakfast, where the girls happily fussed over his puppy, Big Yellow.

• Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon told Naruto that Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara had bullied them before Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino intervened.
• Konohamaru told Naruto that a red-haired girl from Kusagakure had seemed excited to hear his name, and Naruto suspected she was Karin.
• Naruto visited the Yamanaka home, where Rino invited him to breakfast with Ino, Hinata, and Hanabi.
• Naruto asked Ino about her fight with Temari, and Ino said she was unhurt after they exchanged a few attacks.
• Naruto introduced Big Yellow to the girls, and Hanabi and Hinata delightedly petted the puppy while Rino served Naruto breakfast.

Naruto refused to let Hyuga elders summon Hinata and Hanabi while Hiashi was away, suspecting they planned to use the girls against him. Their threat pushed Naruto to decide it was time to reveal more of his strength, and he promised to protect them.

• Naruto and his friends bought Big Yellow a dog bed before setting out for the training grounds.
• Hyuga Natsu arrived and told Hinata and Hanabi that elders from the Main Family wanted to see them immediately.
• Naruto shielded the girls and refused to let them go, telling Natsu to report that he would answer to the Third Hokage if necessary.
• Naruto suspected the elders had forced Natsu to deliver their summons through the Caged Bird Seal and sent her back with his refusal.
• Naruto decided to test his Ice Release against the elders and reassured Hinata, Hanabi, and Ino that nobody would harm them.

Naruto infiltrated the Hyuga Clan Compound to test his newly learned sensory and Ice Release jutsu, while Hiashi secretly brought Neji to a hidden apartment and began drawing a Caged Bird Seal on his forehead. The chapter ended with Neji recognizing the mark on the Main Family leader.

• Naruto used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to survey the Hyuga Clan Compound and locate its inhabitants.
• Naruto formed an ice sword from chakra and disappeared from the rooftop into the night.
• Hiashi took Neji to a secluded apartment after they returned to Konoha.
• Hiashi changed into a dark, intimidating outfit and prepared makeup in front of a mirror.
• Neji watched Hiashi draw the Caged Bird Seal on his own forehead and recognized the mark.

Hiashi disguised himself as Hizashi and told Neji the full story of how Hizashi died in his place after a Kumogakure plot threatened to reignite war. The chapter ended with Hiashi revealing Hizashi’s final words and that he had chosen to die for his elder brother.

• Hiashi painted a false Caged Bird Seal on his forehead, dressed as Hizashi, and told Neji he would act as an avenger returned from the Pure Land.
• Neji reacted with anger and disbelief, blaming Hiashi for his father’s death and demanding to know what he meant.
• Hiashi explained how the Nine-Tails’ attack weakened Konoha and delayed peace negotiations, allowing Kumogakure to pressure the village.
• Hiashi recounted how a Kumogakure envoy abducted young Hinata, died after Hiashi pursued and struck him, and was revealed to be an official member of the delegation.
• Hiashi said the Hyuga elders decided Hizashi would die in his place to avert war, and that Hizashi willingly took his own life for his elder brother.

Hiashi embraced Neji, named him the Hyuga Clan's heir, and urged him to call him Uncle while promising to free the family from its old traditions. He then took Neji toward the Hyuga compound to begin their revenge, where an eerie silence surrounded an elder's courtyard.

• Hiashi revealed Hizashi's sword, embraced Neji, and confessed that he had failed Neji and his father.
• Hiashi declared Neji the Hyuga Clan's heir and told him to think of Hinata and Hanabi as his little sisters.
• Hiashi asked Neji to call him Uncle in private, and Neji accepted the new bond.
• Hiashi told Neji to kill Kumogakure shinobi, especially the Raikage, and led him out into the night.
• Hiashi and Neji raced to the Hyuga compound and landed on the wall of an elder's courtyard, unsettled by its deathly silence.

Hiashi and Neji discovered that an unknown Ice Release assassin had killed the elders’ descendants and guards in the Hyuga compound. They encountered the masked, flying stranger outside the elders’ tearoom, but he escaped into the sky, leaving Hiashi to press on with his plans.

• Hiashi examined the bodies and recognized Ice Release wounds, then hurried with Neji toward the elders’ tearoom.
• Hiashi and Neji found a masked black-robed man with an ice-crystal sword waiting outside the tearoom.
• The stranger refused to identify himself and used Wind Release to fly away.
• Hiashi watched the stranger vanish, told Neji they had to handle their business, and kicked open the tearoom doors.

The elders mistook the black-cloaked figure at the Hyuga Shrine for the resurrected Hizashi and feared he had returned to avenge his death. They blamed Hiashi for Hizashi’s sacrifice and urged the figure to target Naruto, Hinata, and Hanabi instead of them.

• Hiashi entered the tea room with Neji behind him, carrying Hizashi’s sword and bearing the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.
• The elders recognized the seal and sword, concluded that Hizashi had been revived with Impure World Reincarnation, and panicked.
• The Fifth Elder tearfully claimed the elders had been forced to arrange Hizashi’s death.
• The Third and Fourth Elders blamed Hiashi for deciding that Hizashi should die in his place during the Kumogakure incident.
• The elders urged the figure to seek revenge on Hiashi and target Naruto, Hinata, and Hanabi rather than kill them.

Hyashi revealed himself to the elders after they mistook him for Hizashi and exposed their schemes, then calmly faced their attempted attack. The chapter ended with Hiashi stabbing the Third Elder with the Great Sun Calamity Cutter.

• Neji watched as the elders blamed Hiashi and tried to implicate Naruto and his cousins.
• Hiashi revealed that he had been pretending to be Hizashi, and the elders realized he had heard their confessions.
• Hiashi asked whether the elders had anything else to say, but the Sixth Elder urged them to attack him together.
• The Third Elder launched an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm and followed with a Gentle Fist strike, but Hiashi deflected both attacks.
• Hiashi drove the Great Sun Calamity Cutter into the Third Elder.

Hiashi killed the Third Elder, then recalled how the elders had once planned to sacrifice Hizashi to protect the clan and Konoha. He rejected the Sixth Elder’s plea for mercy and struck at him, leaving the other elders facing his unleashed vengeance.

• Hiashi stabbed the Third Elder three times, killing him in the tearoom.
• The Sixth Elder knelt and begged Hiashi to spare him by invoking their family ties and shared past.
• Hiashi remembered the elders deciding to blame Hizashi for killing Kumogakure’s envoy and hand him over to die.
• Hiashi recalled Hizashi choosing to die willingly in his brother’s place before succumbing to his injuries.
• Hiashi condemned the Sixth Elder for bringing up the past and swung the Great Sun Calamity Cutter at him.

Naruto found a red-haired girl from the Uzumaki Clan being abused by two Kusagakure genin and intervened. After knocking the boys unconscious, he introduced himself and asked the girl if she was also an Uzumaki.

• Naruto went to the Kusagakure genin quarters and spotted a red-haired girl being tormented by two boys.
• The boys revealed that the girl was an Uzumaki and threatened her for trying to escape.
• Naruto confronted the boys and used Lightning Release to knock them unconscious.
• Naruto gently introduced himself to the girl and asked whether she was a member of the Uzumaki Clan.

Naruto rescued Karin from the Kusagakure ninja who had abused her and promised that Konoha would be her home. As he led her toward the Sarutobi compound to arrange her residency, Kurama warned him that he had sensed Shukaku nearby.

• Karin recognized Naruto as an Uzumaki and felt hope when she sensed his warm chakra.
• Naruto took Karin's scarred hand without hesitation, acknowledged her suffering in Kusagakure, and helped her up.
• Naruto led Karin out of the Kusagakure quarters and promised that Konoha would be her home.
• Kurama alerted Naruto that he had sensed Shukaku's unstable, enraged chakra nearby.
• Naruto continued with Karin toward the Sarutobi compound, intending to arrange her residency.