Recaps

Yecheng took Hinata on a market outing, buying her snacks and winning five goldfish for her. Meanwhile, Kabuto Yakushi visited the orphanage, reunited with Yakushi Nonō, and resolved to take revenge on Danzo while hiding his intentions.

• Yecheng bought Hinata snacks as they walked through the weekend market.
• Yecheng won five goldfish at a stall and gave them to Hinata.
• Kabuto Yakushi left a shadow clone at his apartment and went to the Konoha Orphanage.
• Yakushi Nonō failed to recognize Kabuto Yakushi, though she noted that he resembled one of her children.
• Kabuto Yakushi believed Megumi Fushiguro's account of Danzo's actions and decided to bide his time before seeking revenge.

Kabuto Yakushi resolved to kill Danzo and accepted Yecheng's offer to gather evidence against him for the shadow organization. Yecheng's recruitment earned him enough Fate Points for another ten-pull, and he turned his attention to the Hyuga Clan.

• After visiting Yakushi Nonō, Kabuto left the orphanage and angrily struck a tree while despairing over his inability to defeat Danzo.
• Yecheng appeared from Kabuto's shadow and pushed him to decide what he wanted, leading Kabuto to declare that he wanted to kill Danzo himself.
• Yecheng advised Kabuto to remain in Root, secretly collect evidence against Danzo, and use it when Danzo's political rivals could act against him.
• Kabuto agreed to join Yecheng's organization, Shadow, and returned with renewed resolve.
• Yecheng received 16 Fate Points for recruiting Kabuto, bringing his total to 110 and making another ten-pull available.
• Yecheng considered how Kabuto's future strength could help protect Yakushi Nonō, then decided to accelerate his plans involving the Hyuga Clan.

Yecheng sent Hinata home with a note for Hyuga Hiashi that led him to discover how much food she could eat. Afterward, Tsunade questioned Yecheng about their outing and announced that she would begin teaching him Medical Ninjutsu after dinner.

• Yecheng took Hinata home, gave her a card for Hyuga Hiashi, and ran off before she could feel sad about parting.
• Hinata gave Hyuga Hiashi Yecheng's note, which claimed her huge appetite was a sign of talent.
• Hyuga Hiashi tested Hinata's appetite and watched her eat five people's worth of food, then ordered more while deciding to stall the clan elders.
• Tsunade questioned Yecheng about his outing with Hinata, then said she would formally teach him Medical Ninjutsu after dinner.

Tsunade taught Yecheng the fundamentals of Medical Ninjutsu and had him practice healing an injured fish. Yecheng mastered the healing-focused Yang Release transformation on his first try, leaving Tsunade and Shizune stunned by his talent.

• Tsunade explained how different tissues required different Yang Release chakra transformations and prepared an injured fish for Yecheng to treat.
• Yecheng used the Secret Technique Scroll to transform his chakra and sense the fish’s injuries in detail.
• Yecheng precisely adjusted his chakra and healed the fish on his first attempt.
• Shizune and Tsunade stared in disbelief at the fish flopping energetically on the table.
• Tsunade praised Yecheng’s extraordinary talent by pulling him into her arms and tousling his hair.

After impressing Tsunade with his training, Yecheng drew new cards that gave him several useful abilities and a powerful cursed tool. He planned to seek help mastering them and to use his new crafting knowledge to make a long-range weapon for Hinata.

• Tsunade told Shizune to keep practicing with Yecheng while she went inside, and Yecheng continued his diligent training.
• Yecheng spent a hundred Fate Points on a ten-pull and obtained Cursed Energy and Physique cards, Barrier Technique: Curtain, and Black Bird Manipulation.
• Yecheng drew the special grade cursed tool Playful Cloud and imagined combining its powerful strikes with Tsunade's Monster Strength.
• Yecheng obtained Juzo Kumiya's Craftsmanship and realized he could use it to develop a long-range ninja tool for Hinata.
• While practicing chakra transformations, Yecheng planned to ask Aoba Yamashiro for help with crows and Tsunade for lessons in Monster Strength.

Kabuto Yakushi learned that Danzo planned to send him to Iwagakure and arranged to share evidence of Danzo’s crimes with Yecheng’s shadow organization. Yecheng used his new ninja crows to establish contact with Kabuto, who prepared to leave while vowing to protect Yakushi Nonō.

• Danzo ordered Kabuto Yakushi to go to Iwagakure for intelligence and promised funding for Yakushi Nonō’s Orphanage, while secretly intending to have Kabuto and its director killed.
• Yecheng visited Aoba Yamashiro, learned Black Bird Manipulation and the Scatter Thousand Crows Technique, and took control of ten ninja crows.
• Kabuto Yakushi said goodbye to Yakushi Nonō, then met Yecheng’s shadow clone and handed over evidence of Danzo’s human experiments.
• Yecheng’s ninja crow introduced itself to Kabuto as [Crow], an emissary of [Shadow], and became his means of staying in contact with the organization.
• Kabuto decided to follow Danzo’s orders while prioritizing Yakushi Nonō’s safety, and Danzo entered the Orphanage with Aburame Ryoma.

Yakushi Nonō accepted Danzo’s mission to kill an Iwagakure double agent, only to recognize the target as a recent visitor to the orphanage. Yecheng learned Monster Strength from Tsunade and began developing a Yang Release Chakra Mode, while his plans to protect Nonō and recruit Shisui took shape.

• Danzo threatened the orphanage’s funding and existence unless Yakushi Nonō killed an Iwagakure double agent, so she accepted the mission.
• Yakushi Nonō recognized the man in Danzo’s photograph as a visitor who had donated to the orphanage and struggled with her orders.
• Yecheng learned through a shadow clone that Danzo had moved against Nonō, sent a clone and Ninja Crow to prepare a contingency, and considered rescuing Shisui Uchiha later.
• Yecheng asked Tsunade to teach him Monster Strength, learned it after her demonstration, and sparred with her until Shizune intervened.
• Shizune healed Yecheng’s injuries and noticed his rapid recovery, while Yecheng continued practicing and planned to develop Yang Release Chakra Mode.

Sasuke trained in Itachi’s Manipulated Shurikenjutsu to prepare for another fight with Yecheng, while Yecheng grew stronger by subjugating Max Elephant and Rabbit Escape. At the Ninja Academy, Yecheng effortlessly countered Sasuke’s combination attack, leaving Sasuke stunned by his defeat.

• Itachi agreed to teach Sasuke Manipulated Shurikenjutsu, but left for an urgent mission before their training session was over.
• Yecheng defeated Max Elephant alone and subjugated it, then used it to subjugate Rabbit Escape.
• Sasuke challenged Yecheng during taijutsu class, and Yecheng knocked away Sasuke’s shuriken and popped his clone.
• Sasuke attacked with Manipulated Shurikenjutsu and the Great Fireball Technique, but Yecheng’s Dragon Fire Technique burned the shuriken and swallowed the fireball.
• Yecheng’s classmates cheered his victory, while Sasuke wondered whether he was truly an Uchiha after losing so decisively.

Yecheng recovered Sasuke’s confidence after defeating him, then signed a summoning contract with Katsuyu and began adapting to her chakra. As he considered learning Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Mode, news arrived that the Raikage had come to see Tsunade.

• Yecheng reassured Sasuke that his Sharingan could still awaken and promised to spar with him again.
• Yecheng went to Tsunade’s office, drank his medicinal decoction, and received his study plan.
• Shizune summoned Katsuyu, who presented Yecheng with a contract; Yecheng signed it and summoned a portion of Katsuyu’s body to his shoulder.
• Tsunade explained how contract holders adjusted to Katsuyu’s chakra, while Yecheng considered the possible origins and risks of Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Mode.
• A messenger told Tsunade that the Raikage had arrived and requested to see her.

Yecheng accompanied Tsunade to meet the Raikage, who demanded that she treat his subordinate Karai. After recognizing the explosive insect inside the Raikage, Yecheng demanded a huge payment and the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method, warning that the Raikage could die when his body exploded.

• Tsunade told the Third Hokage that Yecheng was her personal disciple and had signed a contract with the Katsuyu Sage, so Kakashi let him enter the Hokage Office.
• The Raikage demanded that Tsunade treat Karai, while the Third Hokage stalled and tried to use Kumogakure's need for help as leverage.
• Yecheng recognized the incident involving the Land of Cedar's secret technique and realized that explosive insects had infected Karai and the Raikage.
• Mabui arrived and asked the Third Hokage to name his price for treatment.
• Yecheng demanded a hundred million ryo and the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method, warning the Raikage that he might explode and die within months.

Yecheng used the Raikage’s infection with Explosive Insects to negotiate payment, Kumogakure techniques, the Heavenly Transfer Technique, and Hizashi Hyuga’s body in exchange for treatment. At Konoha Hospital, Shizune removed Karai’s insect, and Yecheng effortlessly extracted the Raikage’s larva.

• Yecheng demanded a hundred million ryo and Lightning Release Chakra Mode, then warned that the Raikage and his party carried chakra-triggered Explosive Insects.
• Kiru confirmed an Explosive Insect was in the Raikage’s chest, and Mabui agreed to provide fifty million ryo, ten Lightning Release techniques, the Heavenly Transfer Technique, and Hizashi Hyuga’s body.
• The group went to Konoha Hospital, where Yecheng had Shizune operate on Karai while he assisted.
• Shizune removed the Explosive Insect from Karai, and Yecheng explained that its nerves had been severed so it could not explode.
• Yecheng used a Chakra Scalpel and his Six Eyes to pluck the larval Explosive Insect from the Raikage’s chest without causing him pain.

Yecheng’s surgical skill impressed the Raikage, who tried to recruit him before secretly explaining that the gesture was meant to exploit Konoha’s internal divisions. After the Xuanyuan Group was eliminated, Kakashi delivered Yecheng’s Explosive Insects to the Aburame Clan, helping Yecheng build support for Tsunade’s bid to become Hokage.

• Yecheng nearly healed the Raikage’s wound with the Mystical Palm Technique, and the Raikage apologized before unsuccessfully asking him to come to Kumogakure.
• Konoha and Kumogakure finalized their deal, including a joint operation against the Xuanyuan Group, and Yecheng gave Kakashi pouches for collecting Explosive Insects.
• The Raikage told Mabui and Kiru that his offer to Yecheng was meant to stir jealousy and weaken Konoha’s unity.
• Konoha and Kumogakure’s force destroyed the Xuanyuan Group without casualties, and Kakashi gave the captured insect larvae to Shibi Aburame on Yecheng’s behalf.
• Shibi Aburame accepted the gift and decided the Aburame Clan would support Tsunade; Kakashi gained favor with Yecheng, who recognized the clan as part of his growing Tsunade Team.
• Yecheng concluded that the Raikage had used an open stratagem to exploit tensions between Konoha’s old guard and the faction left by the Fourth Hokage.

Yecheng paired Naruto with Might Guy for Taijutsu training, then continued developing his own abilities while inviting Hinata to a barbecue. At a joint Academy class, Mizuki secretly watched Iruka and planned to use Neji to humiliate him.

• Naruto sparred with Yecheng, asked him for help becoming Hokage, and Yecheng brought him to Might Guy to train in Taijutsu.
• Might Guy ran Naruto around the village, and Hiruzen Sarutobi observed them with his crystal ball before deciding to let them spend time together.
• Yecheng restricted Nue with shuriken and wire, burned him away with Fire Release: Fire Dragon Technique, and continued developing Yang Release Chakra Mode.
• Naruto arrived at the Academy wearing a green leotard, while Yecheng invited Hinata to a weekend barbecue and she eagerly agreed to go.
• Iruka covered a joint Taijutsu lesson for the first- and second-year classes as Mizuki watched from the shadows and planned to have Neji show off against Iruka's students.

Ino fought Sakura in the Joint Class and earned Yecheng’s approval before he healed her injuries. Hinata then challenged Neji, determined to become stronger, but Neji’s anger over the Hyuga clan system made him strike her with dangerous force.

• Ino used the Taijutsu training she had done with Inoichi to overwhelm Sakura, but Sakura caught her distracted and knocked her down.
• Ino forced herself back up and charged Sakura; Yecheng stopped her headbutt, praised her effort, and healed her injuries with the Mystical Palm Technique.
• Mizuki watched Yecheng heal Ino and convinced himself that Neji would still defeat him in a fight.
• Hinata faced Neji, resolved to improve through her own effort, and exchanged a fast series of Gentle Fist strikes with him.
• Neji grew angry while thinking about his branch-family status and Caged Bird Seal, then launched a forceful strike toward Hinata’s ribs when she could not react in time.

Yecheng stopped Neji Hyuga from seriously hurting Hinata, then defeated him in a fight and promised Shikamaru that he had a gift prepared for Neji. The next day, Neji learned the truth about his father's sacrifice and discovered that Yecheng had arranged for his father's body to be returned from Kumogakure.

• Yecheng caught Neji Hyuga's punch before it could hit Hinata, but Neji attacked him again and Yecheng defeated him with one punch.
• Iruka took the unconscious Neji to Konoha Hospital, while Shikamaru warned Yecheng that Neji was connected to the Hyuga Clan's head.
• Yecheng invited Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino to a barbecue and said he would give Neji a big gift the next day.
• The Third Hokage ordered Kakashi to return Hizashi Hyuga's remains after Kumogakure's trade goods arrived.
• Neji woke in the Hyuga Clan compound and found his father's body in a coffin at the Training Hall.
• Hyuga Hiashi told Neji that Hizashi had sacrificed himself three years earlier to protect Neji and his older brother, and revealed that Yecheng had negotiated for the body in exchange for treating the Raikage.

Yecheng gained Neji Hyuga’s loyalty after explaining that he had reclaimed Hizashi Hyuga’s remains to win the Hyuga Clan’s support against Root. When Shisui Uchiha’s fight with Root erupted into the open, Tsunade saw Konoha’s corruption confirmed, while Yecheng prepared to intervene as Shisui’s Susanoo collapsed.

• Shizune praised Yecheng for mastering the One-Finger Sealing Jutsu in one day, and Yecheng realized Tsunade was laying the groundwork for teaching him the Yin Seal.
• Neji Hyuga apologized to Yecheng, thanked him for reclaiming Hizashi Hyuga’s remains, and pledged his life to him; Yecheng accepted the Hyuga Clan’s opposition to Root as an opening for their alliance.
• Shisui Uchiha showed Itachi Uchiha his Mangekyō Sharingan and Kotoamatsukami, and Itachi agreed to support him as he approached the village’s higher-ups.
• After a massive chakra eruption revealed Shisui’s Susanoo fighting Root, Tsunade went to the Hokage Office and concluded that Hiruzen Sarutobi had known about the conflict.
• Yecheng arrived in disguise as Megumi Fushiguro and watched Shisui fight Aburame Ryoma’s Root forces until Shisui’s Susanoo faded; as Ryoma sent his kikaichū to attack, Yecheng summoned Max Elephant.

Yecheng intervened in Aburame Ryoma’s fight with Shisui Uchiha, letting Shisui escape before battling the Root jonin. After Ryoma damaged Nue and rushed in to attack at close range, Yecheng killed him with Playful Cloud.

• Yecheng used Max Elephant’s water to scatter Ryoma’s insects and told Shisui Uchiha to leave.
• Yecheng summoned Toad and Rabbit Escape to fight Ryoma’s kikaichū, while Ryoma used Earth Release and Water Release to attack him.
• Yecheng summoned Nue to evade Ryoma’s water attack, and Nue burned the flying kikaichū with Lightning Release.
• Ryoma disrupted Yecheng with swarming insects, shuriken, and an explosive Fire Style attack that scorched Nue and sent Yecheng falling.
• Ryoma charged at Yecheng with a kunai, but Yecheng strengthened himself with Yang Release Chakra Mode and killed Ryoma with Playful Cloud.

After killing Aburame Ryoma, Yecheng recruited Shisui Uchiha to consider joining [Shadow], while Shisui entrusted the village and clan to Uchiha Itachi and faked his death. Shisui then hid in a cave and called for [Shadow], leaving his next move uncertain.

• Yecheng stored Aburame Ryoma and the other bodies, then pursued Shisui Uchiha while disguised as Megumi Fushiguro.
• Yecheng and [Crow] revealed that they belonged to [Shadow] and invited Shisui Uchiha to join, and Shisui considered contacting them later.
• Shisui Uchiha told Uchiha Itachi that Danzo had taken his right eye and asked him to protect the village and the Uchiha Clan.
• Shisui Uchiha faked his death by falling into the Naka River, and Uchiha Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan as he watched.
• Shisui Uchiha treated his injuries in a nearby cave and called out to [Shadow].

Shisui Uchiha joined [Shadow] and received medical supplies, while Yecheng gained new abilities and fashioned a Kikaichū-breeding pagoda from Aburame Ryoma’s remains. After encouraging Tsunade to consider becoming Hokage, Yecheng offered to cure her hemophobia, leaving her stunned.

• Shisui Uchiha accepted [Crow]’s offer to join [Shadow], took the medical kit, and resolved to protect the village and his clan from the shadows.
• Yecheng received Fate Points for recruiting Shisui Uchiha, then used Aburame Ryoma’s Fate Cards to gain chakra, Code Decryption, Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld, and a Kikaichū Breeding Manual.
• Yecheng used Aburame Ryoma’s remains and the Ten Shadows Technique to create a ten-level pagoda that housed Kikaichū in connected shadow spaces.
• Yecheng welcomed Tsunade home and reminded her of Hashirama Senju’s resolve to change the world, lifting her spirits.
• Yecheng suggested Tsunade become Hokage, and after she explained that hemophobia prevented her from serving, he claimed he could cure it, leaving her frozen in surprise.

Yecheng invited Shino Aburame to a barbecue after realizing the class had overlooked him, earning Shino’s recognition and two explosive kikaichū larvae. The next day, the classmates gathered by the riverside for food, fishing, and friendship, leaving Naruto overwhelmed with happiness.

• Tsunade rejected Yecheng’s suggestion to treat her hemophobia through repeated exposure, so he put the idea aside.
• Ino, Kiba Inuzuka, Shikamaru, Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno discussed preparations for Yecheng’s barbecue, while Shino Aburame waited in vain for an invitation.
• Yecheng visited Shino, invited him to the barbecue, and bonded with him and Shibi Aburame over insects; Shibi gave Yecheng two explosive kikaichū larvae, and Shino’s recognition earned Yecheng 18 Fate Points.
• The next day, Yecheng and his classmates gathered by the riverside, where Naruto caught eighteen fish and Sasuke caught fifteen before everyone prepared a feast together.
• Naruto watched the classmates share food and enjoy the gathering, then exclaimed, “This is youth!!!”

Yecheng hosted a barbecue for his friends, discovered Naruto's milk was near expiry, and made milk tea that Choji took home with the recipe. The drink became an overnight hit, leading the Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Nara leaders to interpret Yecheng's gift as Tsunade's political overture and plan to offer her half the profits.

• Yecheng shared grilled food with the group, balanced Ino's and Hinata's attention, and gave Sasuke rice balls and Naruto a bowl of ramen.
• Yecheng noticed Naruto's milk was near expiry, explained the date to him, and made milk tea with the usable milk, sharing the recipe with Choji.
• Choji told Choza Akimichi about the recipe, and the Akimichi milk tea launch sold over twenty thousand cups in its first day.
• Choza Akimichi consulted Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka about the profits and the risk of attracting other clans' attention.
• Shikaku concluded that Yecheng's gift was Tsunade's way of sounding out the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance and advised Choza to offer Tsunade half the profits and ask her to promote the drink.

Yecheng learned that Tsunade would teach him the Five Elements Seal and then went to subjugate Round Deer, a shikigami whose healing ability might help cure his kekkei genkai disease and extend his lifespan. He defeated Round Deer with a combined fire and lightning attack and summoned the newly subjugated shikigami to test its power.

• Tsunade told Yecheng she would teach him the Five Elements Seal after breakfast.
• Akimichi Choza visited and thanked Yecheng for inviting Choji to the gathering, while Yecheng left a shadow clone to listen in.
• Yecheng went to the training ground and summoned Round Deer, then overpowered him in a struggle.
• Yecheng used the Great Dragon Fire Technique and Nue's Thunderous Wrath to defeat Round Deer before he could heal.
• Round Deer turned into a shadow and was successfully subjugated, and Yecheng summoned him again.

Yecheng used Round Deer’s Reverse Cursed Technique to heal his injuries and Kekkei Genkai disease, raising his lifespan to sixty years. He then helped Tsunade accept a milk tea advertising deal and visited the Nara residence, confirming Shikaku’s prediction that he would come to discuss the business.

• Round Deer healed Yecheng with Reverse Cursed Technique, and Yecheng’s lifespan increased to sixty years as his Shikotsumyaku awakening seemed to accelerate.
• Yecheng encouraged Tsunade to accept Choza Akimichi’s offer to advertise the milk tea, and Shizune urged her to take the money to help pay her debts.
• Tsunade agreed to the advertising job and told Yecheng to focus on learning the Five Elements Seal, but Yecheng demonstrated that he had already mastered it.
• At the Nara Clan residence, Shikaku Nara convinced Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka that Tsunade’s hesitation was deliberate and predicted Yecheng would visit.
• Yecheng arrived at the Nara residence, astonishing Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka and confirming Shikaku’s prediction.

Yecheng arranged a photo shoot for Tsunade, then helped the Yamanaka Clan open a Konoha casino to keep her entertained and close to home. When Tsunade began losing her winnings at the tables, Yecheng secretly bet against her and collected the money himself.

• Yecheng directed Tsunade through a long photo shoot, and Tsunade admired the finished pictures despite complaining about the ordeal.
• Yecheng and Shikaku settled the milk tea business terms, while Shikaku probed whether Tsunade intended to become Hokage.
• Yecheng persuaded Inoichi Yamanaka to open a casino in Konoha, and Inoichi quickly secured the Third Hokage's approval.
• Tsunade rushed to the new casino, with Shizune anxiously following and Yecheng joining them in disguise.
• Tsunade repeatedly bet on small while Yecheng bet on big, winning her lost money and half the casino shares.

At the Ninja Academy, Yecheng discovered Sasuke had both lightning and fire chakra natures and advised him to train in Lightning Release. Sasuke returned home hoping to share the news with his family, but Itachi was summoned outside by three Uchiha clan members.

• Sasuke asked Yecheng to help him become stronger, hoping his progress would make his brother and father stop arguing.
• Yecheng used Chakra Paper to test Sasuke and found that he had both lightning and fire chakra natures.
• Yecheng showed Sasuke a lightning technique, and Sasuke quickly produced an electric arc after attempting the chakra transformation.
• Yecheng told Sasuke he would introduce him to Kakashi Hatake as a teacher, and Sasuke planned to ask his brother about it.
• Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Tekka, and Uchiha Inabi came to summon Itachi, who told Sasuke to wait at home and left with killing intent hidden beneath his calm expression.