Recaps

Senju Chen found the report on Might Duy’s presumed death suspicious but could not investigate it directly, so he went to the Uchiha Clan Compound to seek clues about Uchiha Tenka. He asked Uchiha Fugaku whether he remembered Tenka, leaving the answer unresolved.

• Senju Chen noticed that the report on Might Duy’s death described an implausibly clean scene and left open the possibility that Duy was still alive.
• Senju Chen decided to investigate indirectly through Uchiha Tenka, another member of the mission squad who had died.
• Senju Chen visited the Uchiha Clan Compound and met Uchiha Fugaku at his residence.
• Senju Chen asked Uchiha Fugaku whether he remembered Uchiha Tenka from seven or eight years earlier.

Senju Chen asked Uchiha Fugaku about Uchiha Tenka’s fatal mission, then deflected Fugaku’s offer to support his rise to power. After probing Fugaku about the Uchiha Clan’s isolation from Konoha’s leadership, Chen left him wondering whether killing the Third Mizukage had caused it.

• Senju Chen told Uchiha Fugaku he was investigating the mission that killed Uchiha Tenka and Might Duy, but Fugaku said the case had remained unsolved.
• Uchiha Fugaku again offered the Uchiha Clan’s full support for Senju Chen to reach the top, and Chen replied that Tsunade should return and that he was too young for the position.
• Senju Chen praised Uchiha Fugaku for leading the Uchiha in killing the Third Mizukage, then asked why Fugaku had not involved Orochimaru, Minato, or other Jonin.
• Senju Chen warned Uchiha Fugaku that Konoha’s leaders had been distancing themselves from the Uchiha Clan, prompting Fugaku to suspect the change was connected to the Mizukage’s death.

Senju Chen warned Uchiha Fugaku that the Uchiha Clan’s unreported killing of Kirigakure's Third Mizukage could make them look like a rival faction, then advised him how to resolve the village’s dilemma over rewarding them. He also confronted Fugaku about the clan’s abuse of its Police Force authority, leaving Fugaku to consider the Uchiha’s responsibility for their poor standing.

• Senju Chen reminded Uchiha Fugaku of Hatake Sakumo’s fate and warned that the Uchiha Clan’s independent military achievement could threaten the village’s leadership.
• Frightened by the warning, Uchiha Fugaku prostrated himself before Senju Chen and asked what he and the clan should do.
• Senju Chen advised Fugaku to ask the Hokage for one reasonable reward so the village could honor the achievement without feeling threatened.
• Uchiha Fugaku thanked Senju Chen and said he would consult the clan elders about the request.
• Senju Chen criticized the Uchiha Clan’s arrogance and described Police Force members extorting, intimidating, and assaulting villagers.

Senju Chen persuaded Uchiha Fugaku to reshape the Police Force into a service-oriented force that earned villagers’ trust, then promised that public support could let the Uchiha expand their authority beyond Konoha. Fugaku was stunned by the scale of the opportunity Chen described.

• Uchiha Fugaku worried that abandoning the Police Force would cost the clan its foothold in Konoha, while keeping it unchanged would deepen the divide with the village.
• Senju Chen told Uchiha Fugaku to redefine the Police Force as guardians who served the people rather than enforcers above them.
• Senju Chen proposed strict rules against accepting gifts, rapid responses to all requests for help, and gentler treatment of ordinary villagers.
• Senju Chen argued that these reforms could make the Uchiha beloved by Konoha's people and protect the clan from political sidelining.
• Senju Chen urged Uchiha Fugaku to expand the Police Force's work across the Land of Fire by targeting bandits and other criminals, leaving Fugaku overwhelmed by the prospect.

Senju Chen persuaded Uchiha Fugaku to transform the Police Force into a broad, justice-focused organization that could recruit across Konoha and strengthen the Uchiha Clan. He left Fugaku inspired by a vision of bringing peace to the Shinobi World in the spirit of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

• Senju Chen urged Uchiha Fugaku to expand the Police Force's authority by framing its work as fighting crime and maintaining peace.
• Senju Chen proposed recruiting capable ninja from across Konoha and the Land of Fire, including members of other clans and civilian ninja, to overcome the Uchiha's isolation.
• Senju Chen encouraged the Uchiha to use their emotional sensitivity to build goodwill with villagers and suggested that the intense experiences of Police Force work might awaken more Sharingan.
• Senju Chen described his final goal: for the Uchiha to become synonymous with justice and bring peace to Konoha, the Land of Fire, and the Shinobi World.
• Uchiha Fugaku was deeply shaken by Senju Chen's vision of fulfilling the peace sought by Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

Senju Chen advised Uchiha Fugaku on reforming the Uchiha Clan and the Police Force to restore trust between the clan and Konoha's villagers. Fugaku embraced the plan and agreed to oversee its implementation.

• Uchiha Fugaku was moved by Senju Chen's vision of restoring the ideals behind the village's founding and bowed to him in sincere respect.
• Uchiha Fugaku asked how to overcome resistance from clan members, and Senju Chen said reform required leading by example, clear rules, and patience.
• Senju Chen urged Uchiha Fugaku and the elders to serve villagers personally, establish strict Police Force regulations, and reward members who earned the villagers' praise.
• Senju Chen proposed punishing officers who violated the rules and creating a suggestion box so villagers could report misconduct and offer feedback.
• Uchiha Fugaku resolved to personally oversee the reforms.

Senju Chen advised Uchiha Fugaku to patiently reform the Police Force and avoid making their cooperation too public before the political climate changed. He left after helping Fugaku choose Obito Uchiha’s Sharingan as the first opportunity to demonstrate the clan’s respect for comrades and the dead.

• Senju Chen warned Uchiha Fugaku that changing the Uchiha’s reputation would take time and urged him to enforce Police Force reforms patiently.
• Uchiha Fugaku offered Senju Chen the deputy captain position, but Chen explained that the appointment would make the Hokage and Danzo suspect the clans were plotting together.
• Senju Chen reassured Fugaku that he would continue advising him privately and that cooperation could become more public after the Police Force reforms gained goodwill.
• Senju Chen suggested publicizing Fugaku’s decision to respect Obito Uchiha’s final wish and help Obito’s teammate use the transplanted Sharingan, and Fugaku agreed.
• Uchiha Fugaku escorted Senju Chen to the gate, while Chen reflected that the seed of change had been planted.

Senju Chen shared a warm dinner with Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze before Minato told him he would leave for the front the next day. Alone in his room, Chen considered his hidden Sharingan and resolved to keep guiding the Uchiha Clan without revealing his leverage.

• Senju Chen returned to the Senju estate and took over cooking from Kushina Uzumaki, who had burned the vegetables.
• Minato Namikaze came home weary from a meeting, and Chen inferred that political struggles and renewed fighting could send him back to the front.
• Kushina urged Minato to set aside his worries and eat the dinner Chen had prepared.
• Minato told Chen in the courtyard that he would leave the next day and asked him to look after Kushina.
• Senju Chen revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to himself in the mirror and decided not to disclose it to Uchiha Fugaku, so he could retain the initiative in guiding the Uchiha Clan.

After Minato Namikaze left Konoha, Uchiha Fugaku persuaded the clan elders to refuse additional rewards for killing the Third Mizukage, warning that seeking greater credit would provoke suspicion and suppression. He then presented Senju Chen’s plan to reform the Police Force and improve the Uchiha Clan’s standing, leaving the elders silent.

• Minato Namikaze departed with the troops after entrusting Senju Chen with looking after Kushina Uzumaki.
• Senju Chen comforted Kushina and took her home after the troops disappeared from view.
• Uchiha Fugaku told the clan elders the Uchiha Clan would accept only its compensation and mission payment for killing the Third Mizukage.
• The elders protested, but Fugaku argued that claiming more credit would make the Hokage and Danzo see the clan as a threat and seek to weaken it.
• Fugaku outlined Senju Chen’s plan to reform the Police Force, improve its public image, recruit people from across Konoha, and train the Sharingan.

Uchiha Fugaku secured the elders’ support for the Uchiha Revival Plan, then visited Senju Chen for advice on what to request from the Hokage. Chen proposed that Uchiha members be allowed to teach at Konoha’s Ninja Academy, leaving Fugaku surprised by the suggestion.

• Fugaku announced the Uchiha Clan’s first “Five-Year Plan” after the elders praised his proposal and withdrew their objections.
• Several days later, Senju Chen helped Kushina practice the hand seals for Water Dragon Bullet while she trained to distract herself from Minato’s absence.
• Fugaku visited Chen and reported that the clan had united behind the plan, with Fugaku taking credit for its success.
• Fugaku asked what benefit the Uchiha should request from the Hokage in exchange for implementing new Police Force regulations.
• Chen advised Fugaku to ask for Uchiha clan members to teach at Konoha’s Ninja Academy, and Fugaku was stunned by the idea.

Senju Chen persuaded Uchiha Fugaku to send Uchiha clansmen to teach at the Ninja Academy and use the Sharingan assistance offered to Kakashi to improve the clan’s reputation. After Fugaku left, Chen resumed his training and intelligence work while quietly monitoring Rin Nohara, whose future death he feared might be approaching.

• Senju Chen explained to Uchiha Fugaku how Uchiha teachers could reshape children’s views of the clan and asked him to select a few elite teachers for the Ninja Academy.
• Uchiha Fugaku told Senju Chen that the clan had publicly respected Obito’s final wishes and offered to help Kakashi Hatake master his Sharingan.
• Senju Chen approved the clan’s efforts to appear warm and reasonable, while privately noting that the Sharingan’s guardianship could give the Uchiha grounds to intervene later.
• Uchiha Fugaku left to put the teaching plan into motion, and Senju Chen returned to his regular training, cooking, chakra cultivation, and intelligence analysis.
• Senju Chen directed his attention toward Rin Nohara and considered the danger of her capture and death, deciding to watch her closely without interfering directly.

The Uchiha Clan’s public stance on Obito Uchiha’s Sharingan softened villagers’ attitudes toward the clan. Encouraged by the change, Uchiha Fugaku began the next stage of Senju Chen’s reform plan by appointing Uchiha Mikoto to lead a support association.

• Villagers discussed Uchiha Fugaku’s friendlier conduct and praised the clan’s decision to honor Obito Uchiha’s dying wish by leaving his Sharingan with Kakashi Hatake and helping him master it.
• Uchiha Fugaku heard that public opinion had improved and ordered his subordinate to continue measured publicity and select a suitable instructor for Kakashi Hatake.
• Fugaku recalled Senju Chen’s advice to present Obito’s story as a tale of sacrifice, friendship, and the Uchiha Clan’s care for its comrades.
• Fugaku asked Uchiha Mikoto to chair a Police Force Families Support Association that would comfort bereaved families and assist civilians in need.
• Uchiha Mikoto agreed to take the role, and Fugaku looked toward the future of the clan’s transformation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled to decide how to reward the Uchiha Clan for killing the Third Mizukage, fearing that either too little or too much recognition would cause trouble. Uchiha Fugaku then surprised him by voluntarily giving up additional honors and rewards, leaving Hiruzen unsure how to respond.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi weighed the risks of rewarding the Uchiha Clan for its role in killing the Third Mizukage.
• An Anbu Ninja announced that Uchiha Fugaku had come to see him.
• Fugaku told Hiruzen that protecting Konoha and defeating enemies were duties, and that the fallen Uchiha deserved their compensation and honors.
• Fugaku announced that the Uchiha Clan would voluntarily forgo any additional military honors and rewards for him and the clan.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned, and Fugaku explained that he wanted to avoid burdening the village while it rebuilt after the war.

Uchiha Fugaku convinced Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Uchiha Clan wanted to contribute to Konoha and requested teaching positions at the Ninja Academy for several clan members. Hiruzen approved the request, pleased by what he saw as the clan’s effort to integrate into the village, while Fugaku promised the Uchiha would meet his expectations.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi believed the recent rumors about Fugaku and the Uchiha Clan’s changed behavior, and praised Fugaku for putting the village’s interests first.
• Fugaku asked Hiruzen to let several gentle, capable Uchiha members become Ninja Academy teachers.
• Hiruzen saw the request as a chance to bridge the divide between the Uchiha and the village, and agreed to speak with the academy’s principal about assigning them the best classes.
• Hiruzen told Fugaku that his wish was for everyone in Konoha to live like one family and urged the Uchiha to show the village their new attitude.
• Fugaku bowed and vowed that he and the Uchiha Clan would not fail Hiruzen’s expectations.

Shimura Danzō suspected the Uchiha Clan’s request to teach at the Ninja Academy concealed a plan to influence Konoha’s next generation, while Hiruzen Sarutobi supported their change and rejected Danzō’s accusations. Danzō ordered Root to accelerate its effort to recruit Shisui Uchiha, whom he intended to use against the clan.

• Shimura Danzō confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi and warned that the Uchiha’s request for academy teaching positions hid a conspiracy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi defended Uchiha Fugaku’s decision and refused to let Danzō’s suspicions undermine the clan’s integration.
• Shimura Danzō returned to Root, convinced the Uchiha planned to influence academy students and weaken the Hokage’s authority.
• Shimura Danzō questioned a Root ninja about their efforts to recruit Shisui Uchiha and learned Shisui remained resistant to joining Root.
• Shimura Danzō ordered Root to step up its efforts and make Shisui a weapon against the Uchiha.

After a year of training, Senju Chen had grown stronger and watched Konoha’s relations with the Uchiha improve. He sent warnings to his contacts about Akatsuki’s rising danger, then met Uchiha Mikoto and the young Uchiha Itachi, hoping the boy’s future could be less tragic.

• Senju Chen advanced his Lightning Body Tempering and refined his mental-power control through daily practice.
• The Uchiha Clan’s work at the Ninja Academy and the Police Force’s Families Support Association gradually improved relations with Konoha’s villagers, while Kakashi Hatake’s training with Obito’s Sharingan strengthened him.
• Senju Chen read letters from Shizune and Mitaraishi Anko, then received Hatake Sakumo’s report that Akatsuki had grown rapidly and faced increasingly frequent clashes with the Rain Ninja.
• Senju Chen wrote replies to Shizune and Anko and sent Konan advice to build Akatsuki’s strength, prepare for Hanzō, and keep Yahiko from becoming overconfident.
• Uchiha Mikoto visited Senju Chen with Uchiha Itachi, and Chen hoped the child’s future would hold less tragedy.

Senju Chen witnessed Konoha celebrate after Iwagakure and Sunagakure surrendered, officially ending the Third Shinobi World War in Konoha’s victory. As the village prepared for postwar negotiations and the heroes’ return, Chen anticipated new internal conflicts.

• Uchiha Mikoto thanked Senju Chen for his advice to the Uchiha Clan and hoped Itachi would grow up with similar wisdom.
• A communications ninja announced at Strategic Command that Iwagakure had surrendered, and Shikaku Nara ordered the news reported to the Hokage.
• Konoha’s residents celebrated the end of the war throughout the village.
• Two days later, a report confirmed Sunagakure’s surrender, formally ending the Third Shinobi World War in Konoha’s favor.
• Senju Chen considered the coming negotiations, the heroes’ rewards, and the unresolved threats posed by the Uchiha problem, Danzo, and Hanzo of the Salamander.

After Konoha’s victory in the Third Shinobi World War, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure struggled with defeat and political upheaval. Kirigakure’s new leader, Karatachi Yagura, imposed a lockdown and announced harsher graduation rules, beginning the Bloody Mist era.

• Konoha celebrated its victory for several days as the balance of power across the Shinobi World shifted.
• Ōnoki reviewed Konoha’s harsh compensation terms, while Kitsuchi reported Iwagakure had exhausted its reserves and civilians began blaming their leaders for the war.
• Rasa protested Sunagakure’s concessions, but Granny Chiyo and Ebizo urged him to accept defeat and rebuild, while reminding him that the Kazekage’s disappearance and Sasori’s absence remained unresolved.
• Kirigakure’s leaders accused Genji of betrayal after the Third Mizukage died and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen vanished; Kisame Hoshigaki drew his blade against Genji.
• Karatachi Yagura stopped the confrontation, ordered Kirigakure into lockdown, and announced that only the strongest would qualify as ninja under new graduation rules.

Senju Chen reviewed how the war had weakened Konoha’s rivals as the village celebrated the returning heroes. He joined Kushina at the entrance, where Jiraiya and Orochimaru appeared at the head of the procession.

• In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage celebrated capturing the Four-Tails, while the future Fourth Raikage credited Senju Chen’s plan and Wood Release.
• Senju Chen read Anbu intelligence and concluded that the other villages were too weakened to threaten Konoha soon; he anticipated dividing the spoils of war.
• Kushina rushed to Senju Chen’s residence and dragged him to the village entrance to welcome Minato and the returning heroes.
• Senju Chen and Kushina joined the packed crowd, where he spotted Uchiha Mikoto with Little Itachi and grieving families waiting for their loved ones.
• The crowd erupted as Jiraiya and Orochimaru appeared at the front of the returning procession.

Konoha welcomed its victorious ninja home, while Senju Chen considered how to turn the Uchiha Clan’s growing popularity into political influence. At a postwar leadership meeting, Minato Namikaze was proposed as a war hero and candidate for the next Hokage.

• Jiraiya, Orochimaru, the Uchiha Clan, and other returning ninja received cheers as they entered Konoha, and Shisui Uchiha smiled at Senju Chen.
• Villagers cheered Minato Namikaze as he returned, and he exchanged a tearful look with Kushina.
• Senju Chen reflected on Minato’s value to the village and considered how the Uchiha Clan could turn its improved reputation into political capital.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi convened the village leaders to discuss peace negotiations and rewards, and Utatane Koharu reported Konoha’s heavy wartime losses.
• Utatane Koharu proposed naming Minato Namikaze a war hero and making him a candidate for the next Hokage, leaving the meeting room silent.

The Konoha leadership reviewed wartime achievements and debated rewards for its shinobi and clans. Senju Chen’s extraordinary contributions on the northern front left the council struggling to decide how to recognize him, while Shimura Danzō dismissed his later role in the war.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved naming Minato Namikaze a candidate for the next Hokage and agreed to award Jiraiya and Orochimaru for their wartime achievements.
• Utatane Koharu reported the Uchiha Clan’s losses and victories, and Hiruzen Sarutobi offered to expand its role in reconstruction, policy, and the Police Force.
• The council reviewed the Hyuga Clan’s service and other commendations before Utatane Koharu began detailing Senju Chen’s record.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura credited Senju Chen with capturing Han and Roshi, helping secure the northern-front victory, and using Wood Release to devastate Iwagakure’s forces.
• As the council struggled to determine an appropriate reward for Senju Chen, Shimura Danzō argued that his achievements had already been rewarded and did not include the war’s later stages.

Konoha's leaders debated how to recognize Senju Chen's battlefield achievements, while Danzo tried to keep his status from rising too far. A proposal to put the thirteen-year-old directly on the Council of Elders stunned the meeting and threatened the Senju faction's control of its own banner.

• Danzo argued against giving Senju Chen too much recognition, but Hiruzen Sarutobi declared him a hero of Konoha and ended the dispute.
• Mitokado Homura proposed naming Senju Chen a Combat Hero, promoting him to elite jonin, and appointing him a visiting professor at the Ninja Academy.
• A Danzo-aligned official named Murasato unexpectedly called for Senju Chen to join the Council of Elders as a decision-maker.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura rebuked Murasato, while the rest of the leaders questioned Danzo's sudden change in position.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu recognized that Senju Chen's place on the Council could challenge their authority within the Senju faction.

Danzo proposed making thirteen-year-old Senju Chen an elder, using the idea to undermine Hiruzen Sarutobi and isolate Chen. Hiruzen deferred the decision, then reflected on Chen’s unusual behavior, while Chen prepared a victory banquet at the Senju compound.

• Danzo argued that Senju Chen’s strength and accomplishments qualified him for a Council of Elders seat and accused others of fearing his influence.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Danzo’s scheme and postponed the decision, with Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku agreeing that Chen was too young.
• After the meeting, Utatane Koharu asked Hiruzen what he would do about Chen, and Hiruzen chose to wait and see, believing the boy was unusually perceptive.
• At the Senju Clan Compound, Senju Chen welcomed Kushina and Minato Namikaze as they returned with ingredients for his victory banquet.
• Kushina praised the roast lamb and playfully put her arm around Chen’s neck before releasing him.

Senju Chen hosted a victory feast for Minato Namikaze and their friends, bringing the group together with his cooking. As the gathering showed him the value of bonds beyond battlefield victories, Chen resolved to demonstrate his importance to Konoha’s leaders in a different way.

• Senju Chen welcomed Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, Kushina, Shisui Uchiha, Kakashi, Might Guy, Mitaraishi Anko, Kurenai Yuhi, and Maruboshi Kosuke to his courtyard.
• Jiraiya boasted about the fighting at Kikyo Mountain while Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru discussed the postwar threat from Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
• Senju Chen served a feast that Maruboshi Kosuke and the others praised, then invited everyone to cook at the barbecue.
• Senju Chen asked Maruboshi Kosuke whether having many achievements was good or bad, and Kosuke pointed to the cheerful gathering as an answer.
• Senju Chen concluded that Konoha needed bonds and fresh blood as well as battlefield victories, and resolved to show the village leaders another kind of value.

At the postwar gathering, Senju Chen discussed the villages’ likely next moves and used his plan to look for Tsunade as a reason to leave Konoha. After the guests departed, he found Maruboshi Kosuke quietly clearing the tables.

• Senju Chen warned Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze that Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and especially Kumogakure could pose future threats.
• Senju Chen entertained Kushina, Mitaraishi Anko, and Kurenai Yuhi with cooking advice and kept Kakashi and Might Guy from fighting over food.
• Senju Chen told Jiraiya he planned to search for Tsunade, knowing Jiraiya would relay the news to Konoha’s leaders.
• Shisui Uchiha thanked Senju Chen for helping improve the Uchiha clan’s standing and said villagers now treated him with trust.
• After the guests left, Senju Chen saw that Maruboshi Kosuke had stayed behind to clear the dishes.