Recaps

Hiruzen Sarutobi reassigned Shihōin Naraku from leading Konoha’s Medical Emergency Response Unit and appointed him deputy director of the Medical Department and deputy commander of the ANBU. Naraku’s new Promotion System activated in response to his appointments, and he left the Hokage Building eager to use it.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Naraku that Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Yashiro Ao would take over the Medical Emergency Response Unit, while Naraku would remain responsible for the Corpse Disposal and Animal Care units.
• Hiruzen appointed Naraku deputy director of the Medical Department and deputy commander of the ANBU, placing thirty-seven members under his command.
• Naraku’s Promotion System activated, awarded him seven draws for his appointments and five beginner draws, and prompted him to enthusiastically accept his new duties.
• Hiruzen instructed Naraku to focus on ANBU missions while ensuring the Medical Department ran smoothly, but Naraku was preoccupied with the system.
• Naraku left the Hokage Building as Konoha ninja greeted and thanked him for the medical care he had provided.

Shihōin Naraku discovered that the promotion system rewarded changes in his Konoha positions with prize draws, then used a ten-draw to win the Mera Mera no Mi and several other rewards. After eating the fruit, he tested his fire abilities and resolved to pursue promotions so he could grow stronger.

• Shihōin Naraku learned that promotions, transfers, and demotions earned prize draws, and that he had twelve draws available.
• Shihōin Naraku used a ten-draw and won the Mera Mera no Mi, four ninjutsu, all seven chakra natures, and assorted items and money.
• Shihōin Naraku ate the Mera Mera no Mi and discovered he could turn his body into fire and create flames.
• Shihōin Naraku tested the fruit's power in a forest, greatly increased his fire-release strength, and decided to work hard for further promotions.
• Shihōin Naraku spent the next day learning to control his newly enhanced abilities.

Danzo secretly moved to rebuild Root by placing Yashiro Ao in charge of the Medical Emergency Response Unit, while Shihōin Naraku recognized the Hokage’s political maneuvering and prepared to join the ANBU. Naraku met Kakashi Hatake to discuss the appointment and learn about the ANBU.

• Shimura Danzō ordered Yashiro Ao to take control of the Medical Emergency Response Unit and vowed to restore Root.
• Shihōin Naraku reviewed his new deputy positions and realized Hiruzen Sarutobi did not intend for him to retain control of the Medical Emergency Response Unit.
• Shihōin Naraku persuaded Kakashi Hatake to treat him to dinner after spotting him on the street.
• Shihōin Naraku told Kakashi Hatake that Yashiro Ao would replace him at the Medical Department, and they recognized Ao’s ties to Danzo and Root.
• Shihōin Naraku asked Kakashi Hatake about the ANBU, and Kakashi agreed to explain the organization.

Shihōin Naraku took charge of Anbu and learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had assigned many former Root members and dangerous missions to him. Naraku accepted the challenge, intending to prove himself and eventually become Anbu Commander.

• Kakashi Hatake reflected on how Danzo, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to take control of Naraku’s profitable Medical Emergency Response Unit.
• Kakashi showed Naraku around the Anbu base and explained that his appointment had been approved.
• Naraku found many former Root members on his roster and confronted Kakashi, who said Hiruzen had ordered the assignments.
• Naraku asked Kakashi to keep Uzuki Yugao under his command and realized Hiruzen intended him to lead Anbu’s dangerous missions.
• Kakashi offered to ask Hiruzen to spare Naraku those missions, but Naraku accepted them because he wanted to rise through Anbu and claim Kakashi’s commander position.

Shihōin Naraku settled into his new Anbu role, obtained the unsealing method for the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, and returned home to Uzuki Yugao. After they spent time together, Naraku told her that his influence in the Medical Emergency Response Unit would be difficult to remove.

• Shihōin Naraku met Tenzo while Kakashi Hatake introduced him to Anbu members, and learned Tenzo was busy monitoring Naruto Uzumaki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Shihōin Naraku a scroll containing the unsealing method for the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal and told him to prepare to lead a team on an upcoming mission.
• Shihōin Naraku returned to his home, where Uzuki Yugao prepared dinner after completing her mission and returning to the village.
• Shihōin Naraku and Uzuki Yugao shared a meal and discussed their work, then spent time together in private.
• Uzuki Yugao wondered why Shihōin Naraku had been transferred from the Medical Department, and Naraku said his influence in the Medical Emergency Response Unit could not easily be removed.

Shihōin Naraku’s medical skill helped Might Guy recover from Taijutsu training, while Naraku monitored Root-linked Anbu and changes in Konoha’s medical department. The chapter ended with Orochimaru examining improved test results and regretting that he had not taken Naraku with him.

• Might Guy thanked Shihōin Naraku for improving his family’s medicine, which helped his body recover from strenuous training.
• Uzuki Yugao told Naraku that the Moon Team and Three Team were made up of Root members who secretly obeyed Danzo.
• Naraku studied the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, focusing on learning how to undo it.
• Naraku ordered a subordinate to have Kabuto Yakushi watch Yashiro Ao, who was monitoring the medical department’s funds.
• Orochimaru reviewed experimental data showing that a test subject’s condition had improved and regretted leaving Naraku behind.

Shihōin Naraku received an S-rank ANBU mission to disrupt a secret supply exchange between Sunagakure and Iwagakure in the Land of Birds, choosing Dragon as his code name. After his scouts located the exchange site and hidden sentries, Naraku considered replacing them but was warned that they could not learn the enemies’ security procedures in time.

• Orochimaru recalled teaching Naraku and lamented losing him, then ordered Kimimaro Kaguya to kill the Kazekage when the time was right.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Shihōin Naraku an S-rank mission to find and attack the Sunagakure-Iwagakure supply exchange in the Land of Birds.
• Naraku chose Dragon as his ANBU code name and ordered Cat's squad to locate the exchange site and remain concealed.
• Cat's four-person squad identified the site in a forest southeast of the capital and reported hidden Sunagakure and Iwagakure ninja to Naraku.
• Naraku considered eliminating and replacing the sentries, but Moon warned that they lacked time to obtain the enemies’ communication codes and security procedures.

Shihōin Naraku led Konoha Anbu into the Land of Birds to ambush a Sunagakure–Iwagakure meeting and seize the opportunity to attack. After the Anbu’s opening assault devastated the gathering, a surviving Sunagakure ninja counterattacked, revealing that the battle was not over.

• Shihōin Naraku led the Anbu to a concealed forest base near the mission site and organized reconnaissance, watches, and rest.
• Sunagakure and Iwagakure ninja met in a forest clearing, exchanged intelligence scrolls, and prepared to trade supplies.
• Konoha Anbu launched a massive Fire Release attack, but Sunagakure’s wind technique strengthened the flames before Iwagakure ninja raised walls that the fiery fist smashed through.
• The Anbu followed with concealed weapons and explosive tags, killing or injuring more ninja from both villages.
• A Sunagakure ninja appeared behind a Konoha Anbu on a tree and struck with a tachi, but the Anbu escaped using the Substitution Technique.

Shihōin Naraku’s Konoha Anbu team defeated the Sunagakure and Iwagakure squads, and Naraku killed the fleeing Iwagakure leader. He recovered a scroll full of gold dust and led his team back with it.

• Konoha Anbu killed the remaining attackers after a series of explosions and ninjutsu, then went to help their commander pursue the Iwagakure leader.
• The Iwagakure leader escaped with a scroll taken from Sunagakure, while two of his subordinates remained behind to ambush the Konoha Anbu.
• Shihōin Naraku waited ahead of the fleeing leader, evaded his shuriken, and killed him with a flaming kick and a sword strike.
• Naraku opened the recovered scroll and discovered it contained a large quantity of gold dust collected by Sunagakure.
• Naraku handed the scroll to a subordinate and led the Konoha Anbu team away.

Shihōin Naraku discovered chakra metal among the supplies seized from Iwagakure and led the Konoha Anbu withdrawal while drawing the pursuers after him. He ambushed the Iwagakure force, killing three ninja with a powerful Fire Release attack.

• Shihōin Naraku inspected Iwagakure’s scroll and found that the seized supplies included valuable chakra metal.
• Shihōin Naraku ordered the Konoha Anbu to withdraw immediately and stayed behind, leaving traps and drawing pursuers away from the supplies.
• Two squads of Iwagakure ninja tracked Naraku through the forest, using a sensory ninja to locate his movements.
• Iwagakure ninja attacked Naraku with Earth Release techniques, but he escaped with the Substitution Technique.
• Shihōin Naraku used Fire Release: Searing Migraine without hand seals and killed three Iwagakure ninja in the resulting flames.

Naraku defeated the Iwagakure pursuers with his Mera Mera no Mi powers and continued toward the Land of Fire. In Sunagakure, Baki raged at his subordinates over the stolen gold dust until the Kazekage summoned him.

• Naraku used his elemental transformation to evade attacks and kill six of the eight Iwagakure ninja.
• The two surviving Stone ninja attacked Naraku with Earth Release, but he destroyed them with a massive pillar of fire.
• Naraku left for the Land of Fire after concluding the mission had succeeded.
• Baki berated Sunagakure ninja for allowing the enemy to steal the gold dust and wipe out their pursuers.
• A Sunagakure ninja told Baki that Lord Kazekage had summoned him.

After the failed Sunagakure–Iwagakure transaction left Sunagakure short of gold dust, Rasa decided to seek cooperation with Orochimaru. Back in Konoha, Hiruzen considered Naruto’s future supervising teacher while praising Naraku for helping disrupt the transaction and seize chakra metal.

• Rasa questioned Baki about the attack on the transaction and concluded that Konoha was the likely culprit.
• Facing Sunagakure’s worsening finances, Rasa ordered Baki to contact Orochimaru despite recognizing the danger of cooperating with him.
• Naraku returned to Konoha and saw Naruto Uzumaki defacing Hokage Rock before Umino Iruka caught him.
• Hiruzen considered whether Naraku or Kakashi Hatake should supervise Naruto’s future ninja squad, since its teacher could influence the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Naraku reported on the mission, and Hiruzen praised him for securing chakra metal and disrupting the Sunagakure–Iwagakure transaction.

Shihōin Naraku investigated a report of Kakuzu at the Land of Water's border, then returned to Konoha and prepared to remove the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal from selected former Root members. He summoned Yamanaka Tsuki, whose clan's mind-reading abilities made her an especially valuable candidate, and left her poised to assist with his plan.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Shihōin Naraku a mission at the Land of Water's border, and Naraku set out with a new ANBU squad.
• Naraku heard a civilian describe a cloaked man with a slashed forehead protector and suspected the man was Kakuzu.
• Naraku and the ANBU found the site of Kakuzu's battle and recognized traces of Kakuzu's Fire Release: Searing Migraine.
• Naraku led his squad back to Konohagakure and later prepared a red liquid to help undo the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on selected former Root members.
• Naraku summoned Yamanaka Tsuki, intending to free her from the seal because her clan's abilities made her valuable to the ANBU.

Shihōin Naraku removed Yamanaka Tsuki’s Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal and recruited former Root members using her intelligence. He learned that Danzo had a secret base in No. 0 Training Ground and planned to visit the Third Hokage to demand his pay.

• Shihōin Naraku removed Yamanaka Tsuki’s Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, and she pledged to follow his orders.
• Yamanaka Tsuki told Shihōin Naraku that her brother, Yamanaka Fū, still guarded Danzo and that Danzo had a secret base inside No. 0 Training Ground.
• Yamanaka Tsuki named former Root members she trusted, and Shihōin Naraku removed their seals and recruited them as his subordinates.
• Shihōin Naraku learned from his new subordinates that Danzo paid close attention to No. 0 Training Ground and wondered what it concealed.
• Shihōin Naraku decided to visit the Third Hokage and demand his pay.

Shihōin Naraku secured funding from Hiruzen Sarutobi and began expanding his authority through reforms in the Anbu. Kakashi Hatake warned that Naraku’s moves could bring him into conflict with Danzo, while considering whether to leave the Anbu.

• Shihōin Naraku asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for money to improve the Anbu, and Hiruzen reluctantly approved funding after Naraku cited seized supplies and gold dust.
• Naraku returned to the Anbu and ordered base renovations, training-ground upgrades, better logistics, and improved compensation for its members.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Naraku leave and recognized that Naraku’s influence in the Anbu would grow, while reflecting on his past with Danzo.
• Kakashi Hatake joined Naraku on the way to a Jonin Commander meeting and warned that Danzo still had influence in the Anbu.
• Naraku told Kakashi that managing Danzo and the Anbu had originally been Kakashi’s responsibility, and Kakashi considered leaving the Anbu.

Shihōin Naraku attended the jonin council meeting where Kakashi Hatake was appointed Deputy Jonin Commander, then joined fellow jonin for a meal. On a moonlit walk afterward, Naraku asked Uzuki Yugao if she wanted to become a genin team instructor, leaving her surprised.

• Shihōin Naraku and Kakashi Hatake discussed Kakashi's benefits and his upcoming appointment as Deputy Jonin Commander.
• Might Guy challenged Kakashi to a fight, while Mitaraishi Anko joined Naraku before the meeting began.
• Shikaku Nara announced Kakashi's appointment and led the jonin through routine matters at the council meeting.
• Shihōin Naraku, Kakashi Hatake, and their companions gathered with other jonin for a meal after the meeting.
• Shihōin Naraku took Uzuki Yugao for a moonlit walk and asked whether she wanted to instruct a genin team.

Uzuki Yugao declined Naraku’s offer to lead the Tracking Squad. At a meeting to choose a Hokage candidate, Shikaku Nara favored Shihōin Naraku over Kakashi Hatake, while Hiruzen Sarutobi remained undecided.

• Uzuki Yugao turned down Naraku’s offer to leave the ANBU and lead Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the village’s senior leaders he planned to step down as Hokage.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu endorsed Kakashi Hatake and argued that Naraku’s other responsibilities made him unsuitable.
• Shikaku Nara acknowledged both candidates’ strengths but judged Naraku the better choice because Kakashi’s temperament remained affected by past losses.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Shikaku Nara to explain his reasoning, revealing his continued hesitation over the choice.

Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Shimura Danzō over the Uchiha massacre and warned him not to interfere with the coming Hokage succession. Danzō opposed Shihōin Naraku and Kakashi Hatake, then sent intelligence that prompted Orochimaru to take interest in the selection.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Shimura Danzō that he had acted without permission in carrying out the plan against the Uchiha Clan, while Danzō defended the massacre as necessary for Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi warned Shimura Danzō that Konoha would have a new Hokage and threatened to stop him if he interfered.
• Shimura Danzō told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already decided to nominate candidates, and all three rejected Shihōin Naraku as Hokage.
• Mitokado Homura proposed Kakashi Hatake, and Shimura Danzō considered the risk that Kakashi might learn of his role in Hatake Sakumo's death.
• Shimura Danzō sent intelligence from his secret base, and Orochimaru read that Konoha was choosing its next Hokage and looked forward to the developments.

Shihōin Naraku consolidated his influence in the ANBU and turned to reorganizing the Medical Emergency Response Unit, while investigating interference in the Medical Department and cutting off Kabuto Yakushi’s official contact with Orochimaru. Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Naraku’s reform plan, but began worrying that Naraku’s growing qualifications and prestige made him a threat to the Hokage’s position.

• Shihōin Naraku gained a firm foothold in the ANBU by securing better funding and equipment, then focused on his role as Deputy Head of the Medical Department.
• Naraku’s subordinates reported that Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were placing people in Konoha Hospital and that Yashiro Ao had failed to seize medical funds but was probing the Medical Laboratory.
• Kabuto Yakushi admitted that Yashiro Ao had approached him and that he had recently exchanged experimental data with Orochimaru, so Naraku ordered him to stop sending laboratory data to Orochimaru.
• Naraku presented Hiruzen Sarutobi with a plan to divide and reform the Medical Emergency Response Unit, including creating a Convalescent Center, relocating the laboratory, and improving medical-ninja training.
• Hiruzen approved Naraku’s proposals, then worried that Naraku’s strength, experience, prestige, and connections made him qualified to become Hokage and difficult to control.

Shihōin Naraku assigned Shihōin Baihuo to direct a new convalescent center and continued supporting his clan. At Konoha’s outskirts, Shimura Danzō confronted Yamanaka Tsuki and tried to reclaim her for Root, but Naraku arrived and challenged him.

• Shihōin Naraku told Shihōin Baihuo to manage the convalescent center and warned him not to surrender the position to anyone.
• Yamanaka Tsuki returned from a mission with three ANBU and refused Yamanaka Fū’s demand that she go see Shimura Danzō.
• Shimura Danzō appeared with Aburame Torune and ordered Tsuki to return to Root, but discovered that the seals controlling her and the other ANBU had been undone.
• Shihōin Naraku arrived, claimed responsibility for undoing the seals, and challenged Shimura Danzō about confronting his subordinates.
• Yamanaka Fū, Aburame Torune, and another Ninja guarded Shimura Danzō as Tsuki’s ANBU squad moved in front of Naraku.

Shihōin Naraku faced Shimura Danzō, who revealed that Hiruzen Sarutobi had considered Naraku as a candidate for Fifth Hokage. The news unsettled Naraku and left him weighing his options as he prepared to return with Yamanaka Tsuki.

• Yamanaka Tsuki and the ANBU members stood with Shihōin Naraku as Shimura Danzō ordered Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune to stand down.
• After their subordinates left, Shihōin Naraku reacted sharply when Shimura Danzō touched his bandaged right eye, fearing he would use Kotoamatsukami.
• Shimura Danzō told Shihōin Naraku that Hiruzen Sarutobi had discussed him as a candidate for Fifth Hokage alongside Kakashi Hatake.
• Shimura Danzō left, intending to spur Shihōin Naraku and Kakashi Hatake into competing for the Hokage position.
• Shihōin Naraku hesitated over the unexpected news, then joined Yamanaka Tsuki to head back.

Shihōin Naraku weighed the costs of becoming Hokage and decided to stick with his plan to pursue promotions instead. Hiruzen Sarutobi then assigned Naraku and Kakashi Hatake to watch Naruto Uzumaki, leaving Naraku to wonder whether the Hyuga Clan knew Hinata liked Naruto.

• Shihōin Naraku considered how becoming Hokage could disrupt his plans to gain strength and lottery chances, and decided to let Kakashi Hatake become Naruto Uzumaki's instructor while he pursued other promotions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shihōin Naraku to guard Naruto Uzumaki, and Naraku hurried toward the Hokage Building to question the assignment.
• Kakashi Hatake caught up with Naraku and revealed that he had received the same mission, easing Naraku's fear that Hiruzen had already chosen him as Hokage.
• Naraku and Kakashi watched Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi doze and snack in the hallway after Umino Iruka punished them.
• Tenzo checked in with Naraku and Kakashi, then returned to his squad, while Naraku speculated that the Hyuga Clan might know Hinata Hyuga liked Naruto.

Shihōin Naraku and Kakashi Hatake watched Naruto Uzumaki endure the village’s rejection and discovered how poorly he was living. Naraku confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over Naruto’s treatment, leaving the three in silence.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi observed Shihōin Naraku and Kakashi Hatake and worried that neither was fit to supervise Naruto Uzumaki.
• Shihōin Naraku interrupted Kakashi Hatake’s brooding and followed Naruto Uzumaki after the Academy dismissed for the day.
• Naruto Uzumaki went hungry at a street stall, returned to his lonely home for instant noodles, and then left again.
• Shihōin Naraku and Kakashi Hatake entered Naruto Uzumaki’s messy home and found that the milk in his refrigerator had expired.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi entered and defended Naruto Uzumaki’s living conditions as necessary for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, while Shihōin Naraku insisted that the Fourth Hokage’s son deserved better.

Shihōin Naraku challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi over Naruto Uzumaki’s neglect, then approached Naruto while he tried to cook a fish in the hills behind Konoha. Naruto welcomed the first friendly stranger he had met in a long time and watched eagerly as Shihōin Naraku showed him a flame.

• Shihōin Naraku told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Naruto Uzumaki was being treated poorly, but Hiruzen Sarutobi insisted that his decisions stood.
• Shihōin Naraku warned Kakashi Hatake that Naruto would eventually learn the truth, then left with him to find Naruto.
• Shihōin Naraku stepped out of hiding and approached Naruto as Naruto struggled to light a fire, surprising Kakashi Hatake and the hidden surveillance team.
• Naruto offered Shihōin Naraku the fish he had caught, and Shihōin Naraku claimed it and lit the fire for cooking.
• Naruto called Shihōin Naraku a big brother and excitedly watched him summon a flame in his palm.

Shihōin Naraku befriended Naruto Uzumaki while they shared grilled fish, then had Kakashi Hatake arrange a feast for them. Naraku boasted that he could defeat Hiruzen Sarutobi with a surprise attack, leaving everyone shocked and Kakashi wondering why Naraku was acting strangely.

• Shihōin Naraku and Naruto Uzumaki ate grilled fish together while Kakashi Hatake watched from behind a tree.
• Shihōin Naraku spotted Kakashi Hatake and sent him to buy food, prompting Kakashi Hatake to delegate the errand through Tenzo to Elephant Transformation.
• Kakashi Hatake brought the food back, and Shihōin Naraku invited Naruto Uzumaki to eat, claiming he was rich because he was a Konoha Jonin.
• Shihōin Naraku told Naruto Uzumaki that he was stronger than Hiruzen Sarutobi and could defeat him with a surprise attack.
• Kakashi Hatake defended Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Hiruzen Sarutobi heard Naraku's boast through his crystal ball and grew angry.