Recaps

Hatake Sakumo tested a new Chidori technique against Xuan Zhe, while Xuan Zhe heard a mysterious voice just before they clashed. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s suspicions about Xuan Zhe’s role in his son’s death deepened, and Minato Namikaze arrived at his home.

• Jiraiya had carefully phrased his account of Sarutobi Shinnosuke’s death, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi suspicious of Xuan Zhe.
• Hatake Sakumo used Chidori to attack Xuan Zhe, who heard a voice call to him before the two passed each other; both were wounded.
• Rin Nohara bandaged Xuan Zhe, and he wondered what the voice meant while checking his evolution panel.
• Biwako threw Hiruzen Sarutobi out of their bedroom, and he brooded over his lack of evidence against Xuan Zhe.
• Minato Namikaze arrived at Hiruzen Sarutobi’s home in his Anbu role.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Minato Namikaze's surveillance of Xuan Zhe to continue even after Minato became Jiraiya's student. While training with Jiraiya, Minato demonstrated extraordinary talent, then rushed with him to Xuan Zhe's farm, where they found ninja dogs eating the remains of Konoha ninjas.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi criticized Xuan Zhe's conduct and told Minato Namikaze to keep watching him, assigning someone else when Minato chose to train under Jiraiya.
• Minato Namikaze summoned Gamabunta and performed the Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet during training with Jiraiya.
• Minato showed Jiraiya his attempt to develop a technique based on the Tailed Beast Bomb, and Jiraiya was astonished by his talent.
• Minato and Jiraiya followed cries for help to Xuan Zhe's farm, where they found ninja dogs eating bloody remains beside a Konoha forehead protector.
• Xuan Zhe ordered the dogs to work the fields, then smashed the forehead protector with his hoe as Jiraiya and Minato watched in shock.

Xuan Zhe killed the Gekko clan head, Yuzuki Yuzuki, after catching him spying, leaving his wife and newborn son behind. Jiraiya confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi with evidence of the killing, and Hiruzen realized Xuan Zhe had gone too far.

• Xuan Zhe revealed that his Ninja Dogs had eaten the Gekko clan watcher and burned away the remains, while Minato Namikaze realized he had narrowly escaped the same fate during his own surveillance.
• Jiraiya and Minato met Gekko Shin carrying her newborn son, Gekko Hayate, and learned that her husband Yuzuki had been coming home late.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi waited for Yuzuki, whom he had assigned to watch Xuan Zhe after Minato left the Anbu.
• Jiraiya stormed into Hiruzen's office, threw him a bloodstained piece of an Anbu vest, and said Xuan Zhe's Ninja Dogs had eaten Yuzuki.
• Hiruzen recognized what had happened and angrily questioned whether Xuan Zhe had become brazen.

Danzo’s suspicions drove Jiraiya to leave Konoha with Minato Namikaze, while Hiruzen Sarutobi kept Kushina Uzumaki under surveillance and prepared to use her to retain Minato’s loyalty. Before departing, Minato asked Tsunade and Xuan Zhe to look after Kushina, who arrived with a scroll from Hiruzen for him.

• Danzo accused Jiraiya of being involved in the conflict over Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Hatake Xuanzhe, and Jiraiya angrily walked out.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Jiraiya had taken Minato Namikaze away to train, then confirmed that Anbu were monitoring Kushina Uzumaki and ordered the Scroll of Seals brought to him.
• Jiraiya and Minato visited Xuan Zhe and Tsunade before leaving, and Minato asked Tsunade to look after Kushina.
• Kushina arrived, grew angry when Xuan Zhe called her “Tomato,” and greeted Tsunade and Xuan Zhe after Minato calmed her down.
• Kushina handed Minato the scroll Hiruzen Sarutobi had asked her to deliver.

Minato Namikaze received the Flying Thunder God technique from Hiruzen Sarutobi, prompting Tsunade and Xuan Zhe to discuss the village’s politics and Tsunade’s attachment to Konoha. Years after the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade remained in the village and trained Rin Nohara, while Xuan Zhe teased them.

• Minato Namikaze received the Flying Thunder God technique from Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Tsunade recognized the significance of the gift.
• Xuan Zhe told Tsunade he had no interest in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s power, but offered to help her take the Hokage position and remove those who obstructed her.
• Tsunade’s attachment to Konoha left her melancholy, so Xuan Zhe comforted her and carried her into the house.
• After the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade stayed in Konoha, Nawaki survived, and Kakashi continued attending the Ninja Academy alongside Obito Uchiha.
• Tsunade sent Rin Nohara on an errand after training her in armament haki, while Xuan Zhe teased them and dodged Tsunade’s Monster Strength Fist.

Rin Nohara bought condoms for Xuan Zhe after Kakashi and Obito helped her, leaving Tsunade furious that the young Konoha students might know about her relationship with him. The days passed with the Ninja Academy students still in class, Minato Namikaze training with Jiraiya, and Xuan Zhe and Hiruzen Sarutobi maintaining an uneasy understanding.

• Rin Nohara asked Obito to help find the item Xuan Zhe had requested, and Kakashi and Might Guy joined them; Kurenai Yuhi slapped Obito after he asked what a “rubber” was.
• Kakashi and Obito bought the condoms for Rin Nohara, who later handed them to Xuan Zhe and Tsunade.
• Rin Nohara explained the errand, and Xuan Zhe laughed while Tsunade scolded him for sending Rin to buy the condoms.
• Tsunade realized the students might know that she and Xuan Zhe used the condoms and attacked him in embarrassment.
• The Konoha students continued attending the Ninja Academy, Jiraiya took Minato Namikaze away to train, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Xuan Zhe made no major moves against each other.

After three years of training, Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha, where Minato tested his new Rasengan against Xuan Zhe. Xuan Zhe met young Shisui Uchiha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Jiraiya and examined Minato at the Hokage's office.

• Minato Namikaze used his speed and Rasengan against Xuan Zhe, but Xuan Zhe stopped the attack with his sword at Minato's stomach.
• An Anbu ninja summoned Jiraiya to the Hokage's office, and Jiraiya left with Minato Namikaze.
• Shisui Uchiha introduced himself to Xuan Zhe and asked why he had not fought Minato seriously.
• Xuan Zhe told Shisui that he might get along with his elder brother Hatake Sakumo, then called both of them idiots.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Minato Namikaze to his office and scrutinized him as he stood respectfully before the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Minato Namikaze ANBU Commander and later began pushing him to step into the public eye. Meanwhile, Xuan Zhe advised Kurenai Yuhi, witnessed Tsunade’s latest gambling disaster, and learned that Kakashi had applied for early graduation.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reinstated Minato Namikaze and appointed him ANBU Commander, a role Minato accepted despite suspecting the Hokage wanted to bind him to the elders’ faction.
• Kurenai Yuhi asked Xuan Zhe to teach her ninjutsu, and he suggested she study Medical Ninjutsu and seek guidance from Tsunade.
• Tsunade returned from gambling with a debt of fifty million, two hundred and forty thousand ryo, while Nawaki had put Hashirama Senju’s Jade Buddha Statue up as collateral.
• Tsunade revealed her transformed body to Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yuhi, who eagerly questioned her about how she had developed it.
• Nawaki told Xuan Zhe that Kakashi had applied for early graduation and that Minato Namikaze had become the new ANBU Commander, code-named Light.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Minato Namikaze’s mission work and urged him to remove his mask and appear publicly as a regular ninja.

Xuan Zhe learned that Kakashi and several other Academy students were applying for early graduation, then unlocked a Zanpakutō evolution path and accidentally knocked Hatake Sakumo down with his sword pressure. Xuan Zhe and Sakumo went to watch the graduation exam, where the students began filing out of the Academy.

• Xuan Zhe learned from Nawaki that Kakashi, Obito, Might Guy, Asuma, Rin, Kurenai, and other students had applied for early graduation.
• Xuan Zhe entered a mysterious mental realm, grasped a sword, and returned with a new katana and an evolution path toward a Zanpakutō.
• Xuan Zhe unlocked Sword Pressure and accidentally made Hatake Sakumo lose his footing when Sakumo arrived to speak with him.
• Hatake Sakumo told Xuan Zhe that Kakashi and the other students were taking their graduation exam, and Xuan Zhe agreed to go watch.
• Xuan Zhe and Sakumo met Might Duy and Shinku Yuhi outside the Academy as the crowd awaited the students.
• The Academy doors opened, and the graduating students began pouring out.

Kakashi, Kurenai, Rin, Asuma, Obito, and Guy graduated from the Ninja Academy, while five-year-old Shisui Uchiha surprised the village by graduating even earlier. Hiruzen struggled to place Shisui, Danzo offered to take him, and the academy assigned teams without him, leaving Shisui waiting for the higher-ups' decision.

• Kakashi and the other graduates reunited with their parents, while Xuan Zhe praised Kurenai and Rin and Obito argued with Kakashi.
• Shisui Uchiha emerged as a five-year-old graduate, drawing attention for his speed and Uchiha heritage; he told Xuan Zhe that he had applied alongside Kakashi's group.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Shisui's graduation disrupted his team plans, and Danzo proposed taking the boy for himself.
• Senju Nawaki announced the teams, placing Guy, Genma, and Ebisu together; Shizune, Rin, and Kurenai together; and Kakashi, Asuma, and Obito together.
• Nawaki told Shisui that the higher-ups would make separate arrangements, while Shisui wondered why he had expected Xuan Zhe to become an Anbu leader.

Minato, Tsunade, and Orochimaru collected their newly assigned students, while Uchiha Fugaku explained why he had entrusted Shisui to Orochimaru. Madara learned that Shisui had become a test subject and continued searching for a third safeguard for his resurrection.

• Minato took Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Asuma Sarutobi, while Tsunade collected Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, and another girl.
• Orochimaru took Shisui Uchiha as his student and hinted that he intended to continue the Second Hokage's research; Shisui sensed something was wrong.
• Uchiha Fugaku persuaded the clan's elders and jonin that placing Shisui under Orochimaru could help the Uchiha gain influence over the future Hokage.
• Fugaku's plan depended on Orochimaru becoming Fourth Hokage, but Xuan Zhe was considering how to put Tsunade in the position instead.
• White Zetsu reported Shisui's situation to Madara, who dismissed Konoha's affairs and continued seeking a third safeguard for his resurrection.

Madara considered potential recruits for his Eye of the Moon Plan while the Konoha Chunin Ninja Exams took place. After Obito cheated on the written test, Xuan Zhe learned from Orochimaru that Danzo had secretly kept Shisui alive as a Root pawn, leaving the truth hidden from both Hiruzen and the Uchiha.

• Madara identified Senju Nawaki, Shisui Uchiha, and Obito Uchiha as possible recruits, though Nawaki's poor aptitude and living sister made him less suitable.
• During the Chunin Ninja Exams, Obito received a note from a girl he liked and used it to fill in his blank paper while Nawaki noticed and let him cheat.
• Xuan Zhe asked Orochimaru about Shisui, and Orochimaru revealed that most Uchiha subjects died during experiments with Hashirama's cells.
• Orochimaru told Xuan Zhe that Danzo had concealed Shisui's survival from Hiruzen and imprisoned him deep in Root as a personal pawn.
• The written exam ended without major trouble, while the Uchiha remained unaware of Shisui's fate.

Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to make Orochimaru take the blame for Shisui Uchiha’s death and leave Konoha, diverting the Uchiha Clan’s anger. Orochimaru told Xuan Zhe what had happened, and Xuan Zhe pointed out that Orochimaru had planned to leave anyway, making Orochimaru react sharply.

• Minato Namikaze tried to celebrate Kakashi Hatake’s promotion, but Kakashi, Obito, and Asuma sat in hostile silence.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi panicked after Danzo reported that Shisui Uchiha had died during the Hashirama cell experiments.
• Danzo proposed framing the Land of Wind or making Orochimaru a rogue ninja, and Hiruzen eventually summoned Orochimaru.
• Tsunade trained Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, and Kato Shizune in the Mystical Palm Technique while Xuan Zhe laughed nearby.
• Orochimaru told Xuan Zhe that Hiruzen wanted him to take the blame for Shisui’s death and leave Konoha.
• Xuan Zhe said Orochimaru had planned to leave anyway, and Orochimaru’s pupils contracted.

Orochimaru defected from Konoha after Hiruzen Sarutobi blamed him for the Uchiha affair, and Xuan Zhe encouraged him to watch the Akatsuki while plotting against the village. Konoha learned of Orochimaru’s defection and Shisui Uchiha’s death, and the chapter ended with Minato Namikaze returning to Xuan Zhe with Kakashi and Obito, while Asuma was missing.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi shifted blame for the Uchiha affair onto Orochimaru, who asked Xuan Zhe for help and discussed a plan to bring down Konoha.
• Orochimaru defected from Konoha and later told Xuan Zhe that the Akatsuki had refused to shelter him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Uchiha Fugaku that Shisui Uchiha was gone and blamed Orochimaru for his disappearance.
• Orochimaru agreed to keep an eye on the Akatsuki after learning Xuan Zhe believed its members would someday change the world.
• Konoha erupted with news of Orochimaru’s defection and Shisui’s death, prompting Minato Namikaze to rush to the Administration Building.
• Minato Namikaze returned to Xuan Zhe with Kakashi and Obito, reported that Asuma was missing, and apologized; Xuan Zhe asked if Minato had lost to Orochimaru.

Team Minato’s S-rank mission to secure an alliance with Sunagakure ended with Asuma captured by Orochimaru, while the Third Kazekage disappeared and the Third Shinobi World War loomed. At Orochimaru’s hideout, Hatake Sakumo delivered Xuan Zhe’s warning and revealed the plan to use the war to remove Hiruzen Sarutobi and make Tsunade the Fourth Hokage.

• Xuan Zhe explained that Orochimaru had ambushed Minato’s team and captured Asuma by exploiting Minato’s inexperience and blocking the escape route.
• Xuan Zhe warned Minato, Kakashi, and Obito that the Third Shinobi World War was about to begin, and news spread that Asuma had been captured.
• Chiyo returned to Sunagakure’s leadership after the Third Kazekage went missing and ordered the village to keep the disappearance secret.
• Asuma accused Hatake Sakumo of killing his brother, while Orochimaru confirmed that Hiruzen had sent Anbu to hunt him and burned Xuan Zhe’s warning scroll.
• Hatake Sakumo told Orochimaru that Xuan Zhe planned to use the coming war to remove Hiruzen and make Tsunade Hokage; Orochimaru then inflicted a Cursed Seal on Asuma.

After the Third Kazekage disappeared, the Third Raikage sent forces into the Land of Wind as a feint to draw Konoha away from the Land of Fire. Konoha chose Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Fugaku to lead reinforcements, and the chapter ended with Xuan Zhe insisting Tsunade go to the battlefield despite her refusal.

• The Third Raikage planned to use an apparent attack on Sunagakure to lure Konoha's reinforcements away before Kumogakure struck the Land of Fire.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi convened Konoha's leaders and ordered support sent to Sunagakure after Kumogakure's surprise attack.
• Shikaku Nara argued that Hatake Sakumo and Hatake Xuanzhe should not go because of their past conflicts with Sunagakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Minato Namikaze commander and Uchiha Fugaku deputy, and agreed Tsunade could join if Fugaku persuaded her.
• Tsunade refused Uchiha Mikoto's request to go to the battlefield, but Xuan Zhe told her she had to go.

Xuan Zhe explained that he planned to use Kumogakure’s coming attack to undermine Hiruzen Sarutobi and help Tsunade become Hokage, while Tsunade and Minato Namikaze prepared to head to the Land of Wind. At Konoha’s gates, Rin Nohara stayed behind with Xuan Zhe, disappointing Obito and puzzling Kakashi.

• Xuan Zhe told Tsunade that Kumogakure would use its apparent attack on Sunagakure to lure Konoha’s forces away before striking the Land of Fire, and he planned to let Hiruzen Sarutobi stumble over the threat.
• Xuan Zhe told Kurenai Yuhi not to warn the Hokage, explaining that Hiruzen’s failures could help Tsunade claim the Hokage position; Nawaki warned Uchiha Mikoto to keep the plan secret.
• Minato Namikaze, Obito, and Kakashi gathered at Konoha’s gates to travel to the Land of Wind with Tsunade and the medical team.
• Rin Nohara gave Obito a medical pouch for him and Kakashi, then revealed she would stay in Konoha with Xuan Zhe instead of joining the mission.
• Kakashi asked Xuan Zhe why Rin was staying behind, but Xuan Zhe said he would explain later.

Xuan Zhe learned that Kumogakure’s real target was the Land of Fire and prepared to confront A and Killer B’s advancing force. Meanwhile, the Elders Council feared Tsunade’s growing reputation and the possibility that she would become Hokage.

• Rin Nohara left with Xuan Zhe, while Obito Uchiha worried that Xuan Zhe had kept her behind because he had feelings for her; White Zetsu watched them leave and went to report to Madara Uchiha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received word that Minato Namikaze’s team and Sunagakure had been overpowered by the Third Raikage, and he refused to send further support.
• Shikaku Nara suspected Kumogakure’s attack on the Land of Wind was a feint, but kept quiet after recalling Xuan Zhe’s warning; he, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Chōza Akimichi agreed to remain neutral.
• Xuan Zhe heard of Minato’s defeat and discussed the Third Raikage’s strength before Hatake Sakumo arrived with news that A and Killer B were leading five thousand Kumogakure troops toward the Land of Fire.
• Xuan Zhe and Sakumo set out to face the advancing Kumogakure force, while Xuan Zhe said he might handle the enemy alone.
• Utatane Koharu and the other Elders Council members worried that Tsunade’s wartime service could secure her the position of Fourth Hokage and threaten their standing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Elders Council discussed the approaching Kumogakure army and tried to limit Xuan Zhe’s influence. The clan leaders challenged Danzo’s appointment as commander, but the assignments were completed without giving Xuan Zhe a command post.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō discussed denying Xuan Zhe and Tsunade a chance to gain prestige, while considering how to eliminate them.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the clan heads that A and Killer B were leading five thousand Kumogakure shinobi toward the Land of Fire.
• Utatane Koharu announced Shimura Danzō as commander-in-chief, prompting Xuan Zhe to laugh and Nawaki to question Danzo’s battlefield experience.
• Xuan Zhe mocked Danzo’s fitness for the front, and Shikaku Nara also objected to his appointment.
• Nawaki challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi to lead the army himself, but Xuan Zhe restrained him and the Elders Council continued assigning military posts.
• Xuan Zhe received no military post but accepted that he would still be able to go to the battlefield.

Konoha’s five thousand reinforcements reached the northern border as Xuan Zhe and Danzo each considered killing the other. Before Danzo could assign Xuan Zhe a mission, Kumogakure launched a surprise attack led by A and Killer B.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi left Hatake Sakumo off the deployment list to separate him from Xuan Zhe and avoid committing all of Konoha’s forces.
• Xuan Zhe, Hatake Sakumo, and Nawaki discussed the danger Danzo posed as Konoha’s troops set out, while Xuan Zhe and Danzo both considered using the campaign to kill the other.
• Shikaku Nara told Inoichi Yamanaka that, if forced to choose, he trusted Tsunade’s side more than Hiruzen Sarutobi’s.
• Danzo questioned an Inuzuka Anbu about Kumogakure’s attacks and began considering a plan to eliminate Xuan Zhe with a Root unit.
• Chōza Akimichi reported that eight hundred Kumogakure troops led by A and Killer B had launched another attack, forcing Danzo to change his orders.

Danzo led Konoha’s forces into battle against A and Killer B, while Xuan Zhe engaged Killer B and Danzo faced A. Danzo lost his right arm almost immediately, leaving the Konoha ninja stunned and questioning their commander.

• Danzo ordered a thousand ninja to engage Kumogakure and joined the battle as commander-in-chief.
• A and Killer B charged toward Konoha’s army, with A targeting Danzo and Killer B heading for Xuan Zhe.
• Xuan Zhe intercepted Killer B, and their blades clashed as the Eight-Tails sensed something unsettling.
• Danzo’s wind blades missed A, and his kunai snapped when it struck A’s Lightning Release Chakra Armor.
• A severed Danzo’s right arm with Lightning Oppression Horizontal, and the Konoha ninja stared at their wounded commander in disbelief.

Danzo’s injury forced Konoha’s forces into a retreat, which A turned into a rout as Kumogakure pursued them. Xuan Zhe cut Killer B with an extraordinarily fast sword strike, but the Eight-Tails saved him, and B began transforming for a stronger attack.

• Shimura Clan ninja blocked A from killing Danzo, then helped Danzo retreat and ordered Konoha’s forces to fall back.
• A ordered Kumogakure’s Vanguard Army to pursue the retreating Konoha ninja, and Shikaku Nara cursed Danzo as Konoha suffered heavy losses.
• Killer B attacked Xuan Zhe from above with Acrobat, but Xuan Zhe struck him with Kenjutsu: Two-Parting.
• The Eight-Tails took control of Killer B and activated a Tailed Beast Cloak, saving him from the sword strike.
• The Eight-Tails warned Killer B to use their next move, and B began transforming as eight tails emerged and his skin started peeling off.

Xuan Zhe stopped Killer B’s transformed assault with a devastating slash that split the battlefield and covered it in black flames, allowing Konoha’s survivors to retreat. The battle ended in a crushing Konoha defeat, and Hyuga Hiashi waited outside the medical tent as the barely breathing Hizashi was operated on.

• A stopped choking Hizashi Hyuga when he sensed Killer B’s transformation, but Shikaku Nara caught him with the Shadow Imitation Technique while Chōza Akimichi rescued Hizashi.
• Inoichi Yamanaka told Xuan Zhe to cover Konoha’s retreat, revealing that nearly seven hundred of its thousand troops had died.
• Killer B lunged at Xuan Zhe, who unleashed black flames and a powerful sword slash that carved a long fissure through the battlefield and blocked Kumogakure’s pursuit.
• A declared victory for Kumogakure after its forces inflicted far greater losses on Konoha, and the Kumogakure ninjas celebrated.
• Danzo returned to the stronghold town bloodied and missing an arm, while Hizashi was taken for surgery and Hyuga Hiashi waited outside the medical tent.

After Danzo’s disastrous first battle against Kumogakure, Konoha’s leaders recalled him and appointed Hatake Sakumo commander-in-chief. Danzo returned to Konoha disgraced and realized Hiruzen Sarutobi had made him the scapegoat for the heavy losses.

• A logistics ninja reported 657 deaths and 19 critically wounded to Shikaku Nara, who angrily demanded a brush and ink.
• Shikaku Nara’s dispatch blamed Danzo’s command for Konoha’s catastrophic defeat, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Elders Council to discuss replacing him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Hatake Sakumo to take Danzo’s place rather than lead the front himself.
• Danzo woke after surgery with his right arm gone and received orders to return to Konoha while Hatake Sakumo took command.
• Nawaki and Xuan Zhe mocked Danzo as he left, and Xuan Zhe told him the village was blaming him for the casualties.
• Danzo realized Hiruzen Sarutobi was making him take the blame and hurried away with his subordinates.

After Danzo returned to Konoha disgraced and was sent to investigate Iwagakure, Xuan Zhe and Sakumo looked ahead to fighting A and Killer B. On the western front, Tsunade treated Minato as Kumogakure’s forces debated whether to abandon their feint against Sunagakure and join A and Killer B.

• Nawaki mocked Danzo for fleeing, while Xuan Zhe and Sakumo discussed his retreat and the failed chance to kill him.
• Nawaki worried that Danzo’s blame for Konoha’s defeat could threaten Tsunade’s chance to become Hokage, but Xuan Zhe said there would be more opportunities.
• A week later, Danzo confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi, who reassigned him to investigate Iwagakure and the orphanage run by Nonō.
• Danzo left determined to prevent Tsunade from becoming Hokage and to seek greater power using Hashirama’s cells, potentially with help from a former village ally.
• Tsunade treated Minato Namikaze on the western front and mocked Danzo and Minato’s inability to defeat the Third Raikage.
• Dodai advised the Third Raikage against pulling back to join A and Killer B, arguing that Kumogakure needed to keep Konoha’s forces divided.