Recaps

Senju Chen learned that Kakuzu had established Food Is Heaven’s reputation in the Land of Birds and continued testing a durable Wood Release Clone fused with tailed beast cells. Uchiha Fugaku then sought Senju Chen’s advice on a planned operation against the Black Wolf Group, leaving three days before the Uchiha set out.

• Kakuzu calculated Food Is Heaven’s profits and planned to infiltrate the black market and build an intelligence network.
• Senju Chen read Maruboshi Kosuke’s letter reporting the branch’s success and saw that his experimental clone had survived for a full day.
• Uchiha Fugaku told Senju Chen that the Uchiha had chosen the Black Wolf Group, which had attacked merchants and killed three Konoha genin, as their target.
• Senju Chen advised Uchiha Fugaku to publicize the operation by displaying the bandit leader’s head and arranging testimony from robbed merchants.
• Uchiha Fugaku accepted Senju Chen’s advice and said the Uchiha would leave to attack the Black Wolf Group in three days.

Uchiha Fugaku led twenty Uchiha to destroy the Black Wolf Group and kill its leader, avenging Konoha patrol members and robbed merchants. After returning to Konoha, the clan publicized its victory, and villagers praised the Uchiha as protectors.

• Uchiha Fugaku ordered twenty clan elites, including Uchiha Tekka, to attack the Black Wolf Group in the eastern Land of Fire.
• Uchiha Fugaku and the Uchiha fighters stormed the bandits’ stockade, where their Fire Release attacks killed many of the attackers.
• Uchiha Fugaku trapped Black Wolf with genjutsu and killed him, then ordered the remaining bandits eliminated.
• Uchiha Tekka took Black Wolf’s head, and Uchiha Fugaku told the clan to record the operation and make the villagers aware of their role.
• Two days later, villagers and merchants praised the Uchiha after Black Wolf’s head was displayed at Konoha’s entrance.
• Uchiha Fugaku credited Chen-kun’s advice for easing doubts about the clan and led the Uchiha back to their compound.

Danzo grew suspicious of the Uchiha Clan’s rising influence and ordered Shisui Uchiha to monitor them, threatening to replace him if he refused. Senju Chen reassured Uchiha Fugaku that Rin Nohara was being cared for, then listened as Shisui asked whether the Uchiha Clan’s current course was right.

• A Root ninja reported to Danzo that Uchiha Fugaku and twenty Uchiha had defeated the Black Wolf Group without casualties and won public praise.
• Danzo concluded that the Uchiha Clan was building public loyalty and ordered Shisui Uchiha to investigate its intentions.
• Danzo learned that Shisui had resisted Root’s missions and warned that he would be replaced if he refused the order.
• Uchiha Fugaku read Senju Chen’s warning about the attention the clan’s rising reputation would attract, but resolved to continue its path.
• Shisui Uchiha visited Senju Chen, asked about Rin Nohara, and then asked whether the Uchiha Clan’s actions were right.

Shisui Uchiha asked Senju Chen how to handle being caught between the Uchiha Clan and Root, which was monitoring the clan for Danzo. Senju Chen advised Shisui to tell Minato everything, and Shisui left resolved to do so.

• Shisui Uchiha told Senju Chen that he feared the clan's efforts to integrate into Konoha would provoke Danzo and asked what he should do.
• Senju Chen argued that Danzo wanted Shisui to find evidence to justify moving against the Uchiha Clan.
• Shisui defended Root's work and admitted he trusted both his clan and Danzo, leaving him unable to choose between them.
• Senju Chen advised Shisui to tell Minato Namikaze everything and ask him to mediate, reminding Shisui that Root served Konoha, not Danzo personally.
• Shisui accepted the advice and left, while Senju Chen expected Danzo would force him out of Root and Minato would protect him.

Senju Chen tested the Earth Grudge Fear Wood Release Clone he had developed after two months of experiments, finding it could wield five elemental affinities and powerful close-combat techniques. After the clone collapsed from chakra instability, he decided to visit Teacher Orochimaru for more hearts and Tailed Beast cells, offering his research results in exchange.

• Senju Chen revealed his clone, which combined five hearts, Earth Grudge Fear, Wood Release cells, and Tailed Beast cells.
• Senju Chen and the clone fought, demonstrating the clone’s five-element ninjutsu, Flying Thunder God, Tailed Beast-enhanced taijutsu, Wood Release, and Rasengan.
• After about an hour of intense combat, Senju Chen noticed cracks forming across the clone as chakra leaked from its body.
• The clone collapsed into withered wood and black tendrils, and Senju Chen concluded that he needed to resolve the incompatibility between its components to extend its lifespan.
• Senju Chen realized his hearts and Tailed Beast cells were nearly depleted and decided to visit Teacher Orochimaru, bringing his research results in exchange for more experimental materials.

Rin Nohara gradually befriended the Three-Tails by listening to his pain and loneliness, while Senju Chen watched over her with his spiritual power. With their relationship beginning to change, Senju Chen planned to visit his teacher and seek improvements to his Wood Release clone.

• Rin Nohara entered her mental world each day and shared stories from her life with the silent Three-Tails.
• The Three-Tails asked Rin why she did not hate or fear him despite his desire to kill her.
• Rin told him she understood his anger at being taken from his home and sealed away, and said she hoped they could become friends.
• The Three-Tails doubted her sincerity but eventually fell silent and admitted that Rin was strange.
• Senju Chen sensed Rin's happiness and decided to visit his teacher with a five-hearts-in-one Earth Grudge Fear Wood Release Clone for evaluation.

Sasori, Amado, and Orochimaru collaborated on a lightning-powered human puppet, but its unstable tailed beast energy caused it to explode. Senju Chen arrived at the ruined laboratory with altered cells and chakra, revealing Kakuzu’s Earth Grudge Fear and drawing Orochimaru’s keen interest.

• Sasori demonstrated a lightning-wielding human puppet, and Amado identified its flaws and proposed technological upgrades.
• Sasori and Amado spent a week modifying the puppet while Orochimaru supplied bold ideas.
• The upgraded puppet unleashed a devastating Lightning Net, then overloaded and exploded despite Orochimaru’s Earth-Style Wall.
• Amado concluded that a stronger, more vital vessel was needed to contain the tailed beast energy.
• Senju Chen entered the laboratory and used Earth Grudge Fear to shred a falling metal panel.
• Amado sensed fundamental changes in Senju Chen, and Orochimaru asked what he had done to himself.

Senju Chen revealed his Earth Grudge Fear Wood Release Clone to Orochimaru, Sasori, and Amado, then tested it against Sasori’s repaired Storm Release Human Puppet. The clone won, and Senju Chen secured offers of technology and laboratory support.

• Senju Chen revealed that his identical counterpart was a clone built from Wood Release cells, multiple hearts, Earth Grudge Fear pathways, and Tailed Beast cells.
• Senju Chen proposed a fight between his clone and Sasori’s puppet, and Orochimaru supplied a replacement puppet from his laboratory.
• The Wood Release Clone used Flying Thunder God, Rasengan, elemental techniques, and Wood Release to battle the Storm Release Human Puppet.
• The puppet’s energy began to overload, and the Wood Release Clone quickly smashed it into pieces.
• Sasori recognized the clone as a model for a perfect puppet vessel, while Amado offered Senju Chen access to his research in exchange for the clone technology.
• Orochimaru agreed to share his laboratory and sponsor Senju Chen’s research materials.

Senju Chen agreed to help Orochimaru, Sasori, and Amado turn his Wood Release Clone into a powerful, self-repairing puppet, provided he could oversee the modifications and retain control. While gathering materials from Orochimaru’s storeroom, he found a strange corpse whose residual chakra filled him with fear.

• Orochimaru, Sasori, and Amado proposed combining their techniques with Senju Chen’s Wood Release Clone to create an army of powerful, synchronized bodies.
• Senju Chen agreed to let them modify his clone on the condition that he participated in the process and kept ultimate control.
• Orochimaru directed Senju Chen to the third-basement storeroom, where Senju Chen collected hearts, tailed beast cells, and other experimental materials.
• Senju Chen discovered a pale young man’s corpse with black markings and a large hole in its chest, and sensed terrifyingly familiar chakra from it.
• Orochimaru asked Senju Chen whether he had found what he needed.

Senju Chen learned the history of Orochimaru’s failed perfect-vessel experiment and proposed using the body for his Wood Release Clone. After learning the corpse’s powers had reached a stable balance, Chen sought Orochimaru’s Living Corpse Reincarnation research, while Amado judged his odds of success nearly zero.

• Senju Chen proposed implanting his Wood Release Clone’s core into Orochimaru’s failed test subject to create an independent body under his control.
• Orochimaru explained that the test subject was a Rain war orphan whose consciousness had died after multiple Kekkei Genkai destroyed his heart, while his body survived in a stable balance.
• Amado described the corpse’s powers as a self-consistent ecosystem, and Orochimaru said he had studied it to pursue a perfect vessel for Living Corpse Reincarnation.
• Senju Chen asked Orochimaru to give him the body if he could bring it back to life, and Orochimaru agreed.
• Senju Chen left to prepare and said he would find Orochimaru’s Living Corpse Reincarnation research materials, while Amado estimated his chance of success was nearly zero.

Senju Chen used Earth Grudge Fear, five elemental hearts, Wood Release cells, and a consciousness projection to create a living body that shared his mind through a second perspective. The experiment succeeded, leaving him able to control his original body, the new body, and a Wood Clone at once.

• Senju Chen prepared the corpse with Earth Grudge Fear's meridian network, five elemental hearts, Wood Release cells, tailed beast chakra, and Orochimaru's improved Cursed Seal of Heaven.
• Senju Chen used Spirit Transformation Technique: Mental Implantation and Consciousness Projection to place his consciousness into the prepared body.
• The corpse revived, opened its clear eyes, and greeted Senju Chen after its vital signs stabilized.
• Senju Chen discovered that the new body had enhanced senses, stable chakra output, and fully integrated Earth Grudge Fear tendrils and five hearts.
• Senju Chen's new body created a Wood Clone, giving him three simultaneous perspectives across his original body, the experimental body, and the clone.

Senju Chen tested a clone capable of independent thought, named it Xing, and left the institute with it and a crate of materials. Inspired by the experiment, Orochimaru began planning new research into soul transfer and an immortal body.

• Senju Chen disconnected his consciousness from the experimental subject and discovered it could think and act naturally on its own.
• Amado explained that the clone projected Senju Chen’s memories and thinking, while Orochimaru suggested it could become a separate person through new experiences.
• Senju Chen tested the clone’s abilities and chakra reserves, then named it Xing.
• Senju Chen took the materials Orochimaru had prepared and left the institute with Xing, while reaffirming that the army research should focus on Wood Release Clones and puppet modification.
• Orochimaru told Amado and Sasori to begin researching soul transfer so they could create an immortal body.

Shisui Uchiha secretly sought Minato Namikaze to report that Root and Danzo were investigating the Uchiha Clan despite its efforts to integrate into the village. Minato agreed to intervene, while warning Shisui that Danzo might retaliate.

• Kakashi Hatake stopped Shisui Uchiha outside Minato Namikaze's residence, and Shisui asked to speak with the Hokage about Root and Danzo.
• Kakashi reported Shisui's request to Minato and vouched for Shisui's desire for the Uchiha Clan and the village to coexist peacefully.
• Minato went alone to Training Ground 14, where Shisui explained that Danzo had expanded surveillance of the Uchiha into secret investigations.
• Shisui asked Minato to mediate and prevent conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village.
• Minato promised to handle the matter and warned Shisui that Danzo might not let him off easily.

Senju Chen prepared to expand Food Is Heaven into the Land of Earth, Land of Lightning, Land of Wind, and Land of Water, assigning Kakuzu and the Xuanyuan Group to oversee the new branches and build intelligence networks. He disguised himself and traveled with Aying toward the Land of Water to recruit refugees from Kirigakure’s purge while a clone remained in Konoha.

• Maruboshi Kosuke reported that the branches in the City of Earth, City of Lightning, and City of Wind would open in a month, while the Capital of Water branch was delayed because of Kirigakure’s purge of Kekkei Genkai clans.
• Kakuzu told Senju Chen that Food Is Heaven had earned twelve million ryo at headquarters and three million ryo at the Capital of Birds branch, and that his share had paid him a hundred and fifty thousand ryo.
• Senju Chen assigned Kakuzu to oversee the three upcoming branches and sent three upgraded Xuanyuan Group members with him, while he and Aying would go to the Capital of Water.
• Senju Chen ordered the Xuanyuan Group to build local intelligence networks and gather information on trade, ninja, black-market dealings, and future branch reports.
• Kakuzu departed with the three Xuanyuan Group members and branch staff, while Senju Chen left a clone named Xing in Konoha and disguised himself as an ordinary traveler bound for the Land of Water.

Senju Chen arrived in the Land of Water and found the Capital of Water under heavy Kirigakure patrols and a fearful mood. After preparing to open the local Food Is Heaven branch, he learned that surviving Kekkei Genkai ninja were gathering in the black market and decided to seek them out.

• Senju Chen disguised himself as a caravan guard and reached the Capital of Water, where Kirigakure ninja inspected the caravan before letting it enter.
• Senju Chen visited the Food Is Heaven branch and told Mizuno to prepare for its opening the day after tomorrow.
• Senju Chen sent Aying to investigate the clans Kirigakure had purged and the survivors who had escaped.
• Aying reported that the Kaguya Clan had been wiped out except for a few escaped children, while more than half of the Yuki Clan had died.
• Aying told Senju Chen that many surviving Kekkei Genkai ninja were hiding in the black market, and Senju Chen decided to go there.

Senju Chen recruited more than a dozen Kekkei Genkai survivors from the black market and discovered that Kirigakure had branded them with a dangerous tracking seal. He resolved to remove the seal and investigate Kirigakure’s experiments.

• Senju Chen and Aying entered the Capital of Water’s underground black market, where Senju Chen recruited Yuki Clan survivors and other Kekkei Genkai ninja to work for him.
• Senju Chen sent Aying to take the first group to the branch, then gathered more survivors until more than a dozen followed him.
• At the branch, Senju Chen welcomed the survivors and examined a Yuki Clan boy’s ice-crystal markings, discovering they formed a seal that tracked chakra and could detonate it.
• The boy told Senju Chen that Kirigakure had placed the seal on him, and Senju Chen promised to find a way to undo it.
• Senju Chen suspected Kirigakure was using the seals to monitor human test subjects and decided to investigate its experiments.

Senju Chen met Yukimura Shigure, the supposedly dead former head of the Yuki Clan, who offered intelligence on Kirigakure in exchange for help killing Yagura. Chen declined to promise help but accepted Shigure’s secrets and agreed to protect the escaped Yuki Clan members, leaving Shigure alone in the black market.

• Aying told Senju Chen that a masked stranger at the black market wanted to share intelligence on Kirigakure, and Chen decided to meet him despite suspecting a trap.
• At midnight, the masked man told Senju Chen that he wanted help killing the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, and believed Chen had powerful backers.
• The man revealed himself as Yukimura Shigure, the former head of the Yuki Clan, and explained that he had faked his death to escape Kirigakure and suspected someone more terrifying was behind Yagura.
• Senju Chen refused to promise help against Yagura but offered to consider it if an opportunity arose, and Yukimura Shigure handed him a scroll containing Kirigakure’s secrets.
• Yukimura Shigure asked Senju Chen to protect the escaped Yuki Clan members, and Chen agreed before leaving with Aying.

Kirigakure's Special Assassination and Tactical Squad surrounded Senju Chen's branch under the pretext of a routine inspection, and Senju Chen prepared to evacuate the Kekkei Genkai ninja before confronting them. He easily subdued their captain, Hozuki Getsuga, and the standoff was interrupted by an aged voice from outside.

• Mizuno told Senju Chen that Kirigakure's Special Assassination and Tactical Squad had surrounded the branch.
• Senju Chen ordered Aying to take the Kekkei Genkai ninja out through the secret passage while he stayed behind.
• Hozuki Getsuga announced that he would search the branch for fugitives, but Senju Chen demanded official documentation and refused to cooperate.
• Hozuki Getsuga attacked Senju Chen, who used the Flying Thunder God to appear behind him and hold a kunai to his neck.
• Senju Chen released Hozuki Getsuga and mocked Kirigakure's squad before an aged voice called for everyone to stop.

Kiryu Xiu stopped Hozuki Getsuga's squad from searching Senju Chen's restaurant, then negotiated a thirty-percent stake in exchange for protection. After Kiryu left, Senju Chen told Aying to investigate Hozuki Getsuga, expecting the conflict to continue.

• Kiryu Xiu arrived and challenged Hozuki Getsuga for surrounding Senju Chen's restaurant without evidence.
• Kiryu Xiu claimed Senju Chen was his invited guest and warned that he would explain the incident to Lord Yagura, forcing Hozuki Getsuga and his squad to withdraw.
• Kiryu Xiu demanded thirty percent of the restaurant's profits in return for backing Senju Chen, and Senju Chen agreed to the stake for that shop alone.
• Senju Chen told Mizuno that Kiryu Xiu would have no share in Food Is Heaven branches elsewhere.
• Senju Chen asked Aying to investigate Hozuki Getsuga's background, anticipating that he would return.

Senju Chen attended an emergency leadership meeting where Minato Namikaze confronted Shimura Danzō over Root’s unauthorized surveillance and attempts to turn members of the Uchiha Clan. The meeting ended with Minato demanding to know whether Danzō meant to protect or destroy Konoha.

• Senju Chen switched his consciousness to Xing in Konoha and went to an emergency senior leadership meeting at Minato Namikaze’s summons.
• Minato Namikaze accused Shimura Danzō of sending Root members to monitor the Uchiha Clan without permission.
• Shimura Danzō defended the surveillance by claiming the Uchiha Clan was dangerous and planning a coup, while Minato demanded evidence and cited the clan’s service to Konoha.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura urged Minato to consider Danzō’s concerns, but Minato pressed him about secretly contacting and attempting to turn Uchiha members.
• Minato Namikaze challenged Shimura Danzō to say whether he wanted to protect Konoha or destroy it.

Minato ordered Danzo to end his unauthorized actions against the Uchiha Clan, and Danzo reluctantly obeyed. Meanwhile, Senju Chen opened Food Is Heaven in the Capital of Water, drawing influential guests as the chapter ended with more prominent arrivals.

• Minato issued Danzo three orders restricting surveillance, special operations, and other actions against the Uchiha Clan without his approval, and Danzo agreed to comply.
• Senju Chen and Shikaku Nara expressed no objections, and Minato dismissed the meeting; Senju Chen then received the meeting’s details through the mental link.
• Senju Chen opened the Capital of Water branch of Food Is Heaven, reassuring Mizuno that Hozuki Getsuga’s squad would not interfere.
• Kiryu Xiu arrived and publicly described himself as family with Senju Chen, encouraging merchants and prominent guests to enter the restaurant.
• Kurokawa and Shimizu, chairmen of major chambers of commerce, arrived, and another commotion began at the entrance.

Senju Chen used Food Is Heaven’s grand opening to display its connections across the Capital of Water’s merchant, underworld, and Kirigakure circles. As his network expanded, he arranged to move the Kekkei Genkai ninja out of the city and looked toward extending his influence across the Five Great Nations.

• Ryoma, the Tiger of the Docks, congratulated Senju Chen and was seated with his men, astonishing the merchants.
• Kirigakure ninja entered the restaurant, ordered expensive dishes to go, and left without explaining their purpose.
• Senju Chen watched the guests from a private room and revealed that he had arranged Kiryu Xiu’s and Ryoma’s appearances to discourage anyone from challenging the restaurant.
• Aying told Senju Chen that the Kekkei Genkai ninja were hidden at a secret base outside the city and that Hozuki Getsuga was powerful, ruthless, and vindictive.
• Senju Chen said he liked Hozuki Getsuga’s temperament and regarded Food Is Heaven as the foundation of an intelligence, talent, and funding network across the Five Great Nations.

Senju Chen used Hozuki Getsuga’s anger to lure him and his Anbu squad to an abandoned harbor, where Aying confronted them alone. Hozuki realized the promised Yuki Clan fugitives were a trap and ordered his squad to seize Aying.

• Hozuki Getsuga ordered his Anbu to investigate Senju Chen and keep Food Is Heaven under constant surveillance.
• Senju Chen had Aying spread false information that Yuki Clan remnants would be smuggled from the southern harbor, expecting Hozuki Getsuga to lead the response.
• Senju Chen sent Aying alone to confront Hozuki Getsuga and told him to leave the captain alive.
• Hozuki Getsuga and more than a dozen Anbu waited at the abandoned harbor for the supposed fugitives.
• Aying appeared alone and told Hozuki Getsuga that his boss had sent him to take the captain home.
• Hozuki Getsuga realized he had been tricked and ordered his squad to seize Aying.

Aying and Yukimura Shigure joined forces against Hozuki Getsuga in the mist-shrouded fishing harbor. Hozuki Getsuga unleashed a massive wave and escaped, leaving Yukimura Shigure injured and furious.

• Aying cut down Kirigakure Anbu and battled Hozuki Getsuga with Shadow Release and his short blade.
• Yukimura Shigure ambushed both fighters with Ice Release, wounding Hozuki Getsuga and helping Aying trap him between their attacks.
• Hozuki Getsuga struggled against the pair as Yukimura Shigure's freezing technique slowed his Hydrification Technique.
• Hozuki Getsuga unleashed Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, wrecking the harbor and smashing through Yukimura Shigure's ice wall.
• Hozuki Getsuga disappeared after the wave receded, while Yukimura Shigure rose injured and cursed his escape.

Aying brought the wounded Yukimura Shigure to Senju Chen, who revealed that he knew Shigure’s past and offered him a chance to turn his hatred toward Kirigakure into a weapon. The chapter ended with Senju Chen asking Shigure to submit to him as a blade of revenge.

• Aying found Yukimura Shigure wounded after his fight with Hozuki Getsuga and persuaded him to come along by pointing out that he could not pursue revenge alone.
• Aying brought Shigure to Senju Chen at Food Is Heaven, where Chen invited him to sit and discuss his hatred and Chen’s business.
• Senju Chen revealed Shigure’s survival and secret Ice Release escape from the Yuki Clan’s destruction, then criticized his reckless attack on Hozuki Getsuga.
• Shigure lost control of his icy chakra, but Senju Chen calmed Aying and offered Shigure an opportunity to make his hatred valuable.
• Senju Chen asked Shigure to submit to him as a blade that could pierce Kirigakure’s heart.