Recaps

Inoichi Yamanaka visited the injured Xia Yan to conduct a routine inspection into Squad Leader Kusunoki’s death. Xia Yan recognized Inoichi’s mind-reading technique and cooperated as Inoichi began questioning him.

• Xia Yan recognized Inoichi Yamanaka, head of Konoha’s Intelligence Gathering Squad, and wondered why he had come.
• Inoichi told Xia Yan that he was conducting a routine inspection because Squad Leader Kusunoki had died.
• Inoichi used the Yamanaka Clan’s Mind Reading Technique as Xia Yan appeared dazed and agreed to answer his questions.
• Inoichi asked Xia Yan whether he had anything to do with Squad Leader Kusunoki’s death.

Xia Yan let Inoichi Yamanaka read his fabricated memories of Squad Leader Kusunoki’s death, then realized the Third Hokage had ordered Inoichi to investigate his identity, his meeting with Minato Namikaze, and his Giant Lizard. Xia Yan decided to reveal selected secrets, leaving Inoichi visibly shaken.

• Xia Yan told Inoichi Yamanaka that Squad Leader Kusunoki had died from poison and used chakra fluctuations to make his account seem genuine.
• Inoichi Yamanaka believed Xia Yan’s story about Kusunoki’s death but continued the mind reading because the Third Hokage had ordered him to investigate Xia Yan.
• Inoichi asked Xia Yan who he really was, whom he had met in the forest a month earlier, and what was behind his Giant Lizard.
• Xia Yan realized Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to know about his identity, his meeting with Minato Namikaze, and the Giant Lizard.
• Xia Yan decided to let Inoichi learn that he wanted to become Hokage and that Minato Namikaze had only been instructing him, and Inoichi’s expression changed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed Inoichi Yamanaka’s report about Xia Yan and the attack on Konoha, then planned to pressure Sunagakure over the deaths. He gave Inoichi a preapproved mission report form and burned the original, leaving their secret understood but unresolved.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned from Inoichi Yamanaka’s report that some Senju still resented him and that Xia Yan had considered becoming Hokage to address the clan’s problems.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi suspected Chiyo or her missing grandson Sasori might be behind the powerful puppeteer’s attack, and decided Sunagakure should pay for Konoha’s losses.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Inoichi Yamanaka to tell Shikaku to send Sunagakure a forceful message, disclose information about the puppeteer and the Third Kazekage, and exaggerate Konoha’s losses.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Inoichi Yamanaka a preapproved mission report form bearing several leaders’ signatures, then burned the report about Xia Yan.
• Inoichi Yamanaka accepted that Hiruzen Sarutobi’s arrangement was their little secret.

Xia Yan recovered in the hospital while considering how his mission performance had brought him to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attention and planning to pursue the Captain position in the Anbu’s Third Battalion. A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts, and he sensed unexpected visitors.

• Xia Yan recovered from the mission and waited in the hospital as the monitoring personnel gradually withdrew.
• Xia Yan reasoned that his emphasis on protecting comrades, serving the village, and becoming Hokage had aligned with Hiruzen Sarutobi’s current priorities.
• Xia Yan decided that becoming Captain of the Anbu’s Third Battalion was necessary to gain real influence and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attention.
• Xia Yan planned to seek out Minato Namikaze once his fruit was ready and make requests based on his sealing jutsu and verified intelligence.
• Someone knocked on Xia Yan’s hospital room door, and he sensed the visitors and wondered why they had come.

Xia Yan received a visit in Konoha Hospital from Kakashi, Might Guy, Kurenai, Uchiha Sora, and other former classmates, who learned about his temporary squad with Kakashi and his Jonin rank. He reassured Uchiha Sora that his injuries had healed, though the hospital was keeping him for more tests.

• Kakashi explained that he had told the Fourth Hokage about Xia Yan’s hospitalization and had met the other visitors on the way.
• Xia Yan told his former classmates that he and Kakashi served together in a temporary squad, with Xia Yan as squad leader.
• Uchiha Sora asked whether Xia Yan was a Jonin, and Might Guy and Kurenai congratulated him when he confirmed it.
• Uchiha Sora asked about Xia Yan’s injuries, and he said he had recovered but remained in the hospital for tests.

After nearly a week in the hospital, Xia Yan was discharged and checked his progress, pleased that his sealing-type seed was close to completion and that he was nearing a breakthrough toward learning the Flying Thunder God Technique. He headed home, planning to keep parts of his mission and ambitions from the Senju elder who raised him.

• Xia Yan considered approaching the Uchiha Clan but decided to wait until he had more influence, since he knew little about its internal factions and had no suitable contact.
• After Kakashi and the others visited him, Xia Yan spent several more days recovering in the hospital and was finally allowed to leave.
• Xia Yan checked his panel and saw that his sealing-type seed had reached 85% maturity, while his senjutsu seed was at 90%.
• Xia Yan resolved to finish growing his seeds before his next mission and hoped to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique from Minato Namikaze.
• Xia Yan headed home, expecting to report on his mission but intending to keep some information from the Senju elder who raised him.

Xia Yan recounted his mission to Shōma Senju, who praised his achievements and offered support despite his concerns about Xia Yan's place in the Anbu. The chapter ended with Xia Yan affirming that he would always belong to the Senju Clan.

• Xia Yan reported the mission to Shōma Senju, leaving out that he had killed Kusunoki and Sasori's true identity.
• Shōma Senju felt pleased by Xia Yan's powerful new Summoning Beast but was displeased that the village had investigated him after Kusunoki's death.
• Shōma Senju asked whether Xia Yan had resented joining the Anbu, and Xia Yan said he had grown accustomed to it.
• Shōma Senju offered Xia Yan access to materials and jutsu, then reminded him that he was a member of the Senju Clan.
• Xia Yan told Shōma Senju that he would always be a member of the Senju Clan.

Xia Yan assessed the Senju Clan’s remaining strength and saw a path toward eventually taking control of it. After several quiet days, he received a message from Minato Namikaze and discovered a new change in his chakra.

• Xia Yan concluded that Uesugi Gen was probably the Senju Clan’s strongest remaining member and considered how strength and influence could help him take over the clan.
• Xia Yan found his room cleaned again but detected nothing unusual, so he decided to stay alert while sleeping.
• Xia Yan spent several days at home, checked with his former teammates about the Anbu, and learned that Kusunoki’s death had not yet prompted the higher-ups to act and that Kakashi was on leave.
• Minato Namikaze sent Xia Yan a message, and Xia Yan saw an opportunity to resume his lessons and speak with him.
• Xia Yan gathered chakra in his palm, where a pale yellow swirl began to form into something resembling a Fruit.

Xia Yan ate the fully formed sealing-type fruit and gained mastery of basic sealing jutsu. After practicing the Three-Talent Seal, he prepared to meet Minato Namikaze the next day and discuss designing his own Flying Thunder God markings.

• Xia Yan noticed that his sealing-type fruit had ripened and that his intermediate Sage Mode seed had reached ninety-two percent maturity.
• Xia Yan ate the fruit, absorbing its power and the knowledge needed to understand sealing jutsu.
• Xia Yan performed the Three-Talent Seal flawlessly, though he recognized that he still needed to improve his speed and practical use.
• Xia Yan dismissed the seal and went to rest before his planned meeting with Minato Namikaze the next day.

Xia Yan gave Minato Namikaze a scroll outlining evidence and speculation that Danzo’s underground laboratory was conducting human experimentation. After Minato burned it and said he would investigate, Xia Yan revealed that he had already learned the sealing jutsu.

• Xia Yan modestly credited Kakashi for helping complete their mission when Minato congratulated him.
• Xia Yan deflected Minato’s attempt to discuss the intelligence he had shared earlier.
• Xia Yan handed Minato a scroll describing the underground laboratory and its possible human experiments.
• Minato burned the scroll and said he would investigate the serious allegations carefully.
• When Minato offered to continue teaching sealing jutsu, Xia Yan said he had already learned it.

Xia Yan demonstrated that he had learned Sealing Jutsu and quickly mastered the Flying Thunder God Seal under Minato Namikaze’s instruction. Minato was astonished by his talent and encouraged him to keep pursuing his goal of becoming Hokage, but Xia Yan said he first needed to discuss something with him.

• Minato Namikaze was surprised when Xia Yan said he had learned Sealing Jutsu despite his busy mission schedule.
• Xia Yan demonstrated a flawless Three-Talent Seal, convincing Minato that he could learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Minato began teaching Xia Yan the Flying Thunder God Technique and shared his experience without holding back.
• Xia Yan formed the Flying Thunder God Seal on a kunai after one day of instruction, leaving Minato stunned.
• Minato encouraged Xia Yan to work hard toward becoming Hokage, and Xia Yan said he needed to talk with him first.

Xia Yan pressed Minato Namikaze to appoint him Captain of the Anbu Third Battalion, arguing that his experience, strength, and potential made him qualified. He also emphasized that Minato needed a trusted ally in the Anbu and left the decision before him.

• Xia Yan raised his bid for the Anbu Captain position, saying he now had stronger qualifications and bargaining chips.
• Minato Namikaze recognized that Xia Yan was seeking the Captain position of the Anbu Third Battalion and asked him to explain his case.
• Xia Yan reminded Minato that Kusunoki had grown close to Root and that Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi had excluded Danzo from consideration for the vacancy.
• Xia Yan argued that his five years in the Anbu, his mastery of Flying Thunder God nearing completion, and his Summoning Beast Lizard Maru made him a qualified candidate.
• Xia Yan told Minato that appointing him would give Minato a trusted force in the Anbu and access to more accurate, detailed intelligence.

Xia Yan returned to Anbu after making progress with his techniques and learned that Minato Namikaze would let him compete for an Anbu Captain position through the normal selection process. His recent rescue mission had boosted his standing, but his candidacy angered rivals who wanted the vacant Captain position for themselves.

• Xia Yan returned to Anbu after his break and reflected on Minato Namikaze's decision to have him pursue promotion through normal procedures.
• Xia Yan arrived at Anbu headquarters and noticed members watching him because his rescue mission had earned him a strong reputation.
• Kakashi warned Xia Yan that some people were unhappy with him, and Xia Yan recognized that his Captain candidacy threatened their interests.
• Xia Yan explained that members of his division and the Third Battalion resented his entry into the selection because they wanted the vacant position for their own candidates.

Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo discussed Senju Natsuhiko’s eligibility for the Anbu captain selection as they headed to observe the candidates. Minato supported Nightingale, while Hiruzen allowed him to compete and Danzo was left unable to interfere.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Minato Namikaze what he thought of the Anbu captain selection, and Minato said all the candidates were qualified.
• Danzo questioned Nightingale’s place in the selection, but Minato insisted he was qualified and declined to explain further.
• Hiruzen acknowledged Nightingale’s experience and strength but raised concerns about his age and chakra; he allowed him to compete under normal procedures.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura recognized that Minato was backing Senju Natsuhiko and that Hiruzen had agreed partly to keep Danzo out of the Anbu.
• Minato told Hiruzen that he had taught Nightingale and hinted that he might take him as a student as the group arrived to watch the candidates.

Xia Yan entered the Anbu captain selection, and Kakashi promised to follow him if he won. As Hiruzen Sarutobi shaped the practical assessment to undermine Xia Yan and weaken Minato Namikaze’s standing with the Anbu, Xia Yan realized the selection would be difficult.

• Xia Yan told Kakashi he intended to compete for the Anbu captain position, and Kakashi pledged to join his squad if he succeeded.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and Murashima Takumi arrived at the Anbu plaza to oversee the assessment.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the Anbu that the captain needed experience and strength, prompting them to scrutinize Xia Yan’s candidacy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi skipped the theoretical exam and allowed summoning beasts in the practical assessment, putting Xia Yan in a politically delicate position.
• Xia Yan recognized that Hiruzen Sarutobi’s rules could make him appear dependent on his summoning beast and further distance Minato Namikaze from the Anbu.

Xia Yan prepared for the Anbu Captain selection after Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged a contest instead of promoting him directly. The first match began with Xia Yan facing his teammate Weasel, and both entered the fight determined to win.

• Xia Yan considered how Hiruzen Sarutobi’s decision could widen the rift between Hiruzen and Minato Namikaze, and resolved to use the selection as an opportunity.
• Xia Yan assessed the likely clan and orphanage-born contenders and anticipated that a clan shinobi might await him in the final round.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that Nightingale and Weasel would fight in the first match.
• Xia Yan and Weasel quietly discussed the selection, then agreed not to hold back because they both wanted to become Captain.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the signal, and the match began.

Xia Yan and Weasel fought in a speed-focused duel, with Xia Yan using precise perception, swordplay, and exceptional agility to gain the advantage. His performance impressed the watching Hokage and Anbu, while Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized that Xia Yan’s talent suited a technique Minato Namikaze had mastered.

• Xia Yan detected Weasel’s shadow-clone sword attack and avoided the blade technique.
• Xia Yan used Water Blade Slash to cut through Weasel’s weapon and destroy his shadow clone.
• Weasel counterattacked with a close-range strike and Earth Dragon Bullet, but Xia Yan blocked the strike and effortlessly evaded the ninjutsu.
• The watching Anbu and leaders praised Xia Yan’s reactions and physical coordination.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi realized Xia Yan’s natural talent might make him an ideal student for one of Minato Namikaze’s techniques.

Xia Yan defeated Weasel in the first match of the sparring event, outmaneuvering his opponent’s combined Earth and Fire Release attacks. Hiruzen Sarutobi declared Nightingale the winner.

• Weasel tried to wear Xia Yan down, but Xia Yan’s superior speed kept him in control of their exchanges.
• Weasel used Heavenly Falling Clay and followed it with the Great Fireball Technique, engulfing the plaza in flames.
• Xia Yan burst from the flames at even greater speed and pressed Weasel with a sudden attack.
• Weasel blocked Xia Yan’s first strike, but Xia Yan slipped his blade past Weasel’s kunai and stopped it at his throat.
• Weasel admitted defeat, and Hiruzen Sarutobi announced Nightingale as the winner of the first match.

After an uneventful selection trial and patrol, Xia Yan suspected Root had strengthened the barrier around its underground laboratory. He split up from Kakashi and headed closer to the site, intending to investigate while Danzo was occupied elsewhere.

• Xia Yan watched the remaining selection trials, found them uninteresting, and later went on patrol with Kakashi.
• Xia Yan and Kakashi found no sign of Root at the site of their previous encounter, and Xia Yan inferred that its sealing barrier had been strengthened.
• Xia Yan considered using small lizards from the Lizard Clan to infiltrate the laboratory and gather intelligence he could trade with Minato Namikaze.
• Xia Yan suggested that he and Kakashi patrol separately, and Kakashi went north after agreeing to watch for the Military Police Force.
• Xia Yan left on a route that brought him closer to the underground laboratory.

Xia Yan summoned a concealed, fast-memorizing lizard to infiltrate the laboratory and retrieve its records. He left the lizard with instructions to prioritize lists of test subjects and experimental materials.

• Xia Yan stopped about three hundred meters from the laboratory and sensed the surrounding insects, plants, and animals for signs of chakra.
• After finding no signs of surveillance, Xia Yan summoned a small lizard and learned about its abilities through their chakra link.
• Xia Yan chose the lizard for its concealment, disguise, and rapid memorization abilities.
• Xia Yan ordered the lizard to retrieve important laboratory records, especially lists of test subjects and experimental materials.

Xia Yan waited a week after sending the little lizard into Root’s laboratory, fearing discovery but avoiding any trouble. When he finally summoned it, he learned it had found no documents but had brought back a piece of flesh he believed was powerful evidence connected to Hashirama Senju.

• Xia Yan kept away from the laboratory and watched his surroundings as he waited to see whether Root had discovered the lizard.
• After a week passed without incident, Xia Yan summoned the little lizard to learn what it had found.
• The lizard indicated it had not found the documents but had followed the smell of blood and recovered something else.
• The lizard spat out a dried piece of flesh that still had incredible cellular vitality.
• Xia Yan recognized the flesh as possible evidence connected to Hashirama Senju and considered how it could help him gain leverage with Minato Namikaze or Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Xia Yan thanked the lizard for bringing him the valuable piece of flesh.

Xia Yan reached the final of the Anbu captain selection and faced Lone Wolf, a powerful Hyuga Branch Family ninja. Though the observers expected Xia Yan to lose, he began the fight without using Sage Mode or his summoning beast, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Xia Yan defeated a formidable Yamanaka Clan ninja with a counterattack and secured his place in the final.
• Kakashi warned Xia Yan that his final opponent, Lone Wolf, was exceptionally fast and skilled in Gentle Fist, but Xia Yan said he was prepared.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced the final contest between Xia Yan and Lone Wolf.
• Lone Wolf launched a rapid attack, using chakra-enhanced strikes that filled the plaza with smoke and shook the ground.
• The spectators and Hiruzen Sarutobi believed Xia Yan was being driven toward defeat, while Minato Namikaze insisted the match was not over.

Xia Yan fought Lone Wolf in the Anbu captain selection match, using a series of Water Release techniques and secretly placing a mark on his opponent. As Lone Wolf launched what looked like a decisive attack, everyone watching was stunned by what happened.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi considered whether Xia Yan had learned the Rasengan or another technique as the smoke cleared and the fight resumed.
• Xia Yan escaped Lone Wolf's close-range assault, used a Wood Clone and Water Release attacks, and placed a mysterious mark on Lone Wolf's leg.
• Xia Yan unleashed a barrage of water techniques, but Lone Wolf countered them with Gentle Fist and Eight Trigrams: Rotation.
• Lone Wolf praised Xia Yan, then declared he had to win and prepared a final attack as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze watched.
• Lone Wolf rushed toward Xia Yan, but Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and the watching Anbu froze in astonishment.

Xia Yan defeated Lone Wolf by using the Flying Thunder God Technique, then declined the Captain position until the theoretical assessment was held again. He privately met Hiruzen Sarutobi and presented himself as a Senju clan member who wanted to rise through the Anbu, while secretly maintaining his ties to both Hiruzen and Minato.

• Xia Yan used the Flying Thunder God Technique to evade Lone Wolf’s attack and hold a kunai to his neck, prompting Lone Wolf to concede.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi declared Xia Yan the winner, but Xia Yan asked him to reinstate the theoretical assessment before appointing a Captain.
• After leaving the plaza with Kakashi, Xia Yan sensed Hiruzen Sarutobi following them and met him privately.
• Xia Yan told Hiruzen that he was from the Senju Clan and claimed he wanted to become Anbu Director and eventually Hokage, while placing his trust in Hiruzen over Minato.
• Hiruzen urged Xia Yan to maintain his relationship with Minato, and Xia Yan left pleased that he could serve as a spy for three sides.

After passing his Anbu assessment, Xia Yan met Minato Namikaze but hesitated to reveal what Hiruzen Sarutobi had told him. He kept his political intentions private and asked Minato Namikaze to spar and guide him.

• Xia Yan discovered an answer sheet hidden in his assessment paper, removed it without leaving evidence, and expected to become Captain.
• Xia Yan used the Flying Thunder God Cursed Seal on Minato Namikaze’s book to summon him after the assessment.
• Minato Namikaze congratulated Xia Yan and thanked him for taking the assessment instead of claiming the Captain’s position outright.
• Xia Yan considered telling Minato Namikaze about his meeting with Hiruzen Sarutobi, but withheld the information because he was unsure which side to support.
• Xia Yan told Minato Namikaze he was worried about the result and asked for guidance, prompting him to suggest they spar.