Recaps

After his father died, Kihara Nobuhiko learned that his Sharingan came from distant Uchiha ancestry and that he also had Senju blood. Tsunade accepted him into her home, and Nobuhiko left his childhood house to begin living with her.

• Kihara Yusuke died after entrusting Nobuhiko to Tsunade, and Nobuhiko awakened his Sharingan while grieving beside him.
• Tsunade welcomed Nobuhiko to dinner and explained that his grandfather had Senju ties and his mother descended from an Uchiha woman who married outside the clan.
• Nobuhiko asked whether Tsunade would still care for him despite his Sharingan, and she reassured him and told him to call her Big Sis Tsunade.
• Tsunade told Nobuhiko that his father's funeral had taken place while he was unconscious.
• Nobuhiko packed his belongings, said goodbye to his empty home, and walked toward the old Senju residence to live with Tsunade.

Nobuhiko resolved to become stronger and persuaded Tsunade to help guide his training. Meanwhile, Hiruzen and Danzo learned about Nobuhiko’s Senju lineage, and Danzo decided to ask Hiruzen to let him recruit the boy into Root.

• Nobuhiko reflected on his Senju and Uchiha ancestry and resolved to train hard so he could protect himself and those close to him.
• Nobuhiko brought breakfast to Tsunade, then asked her to teach him how to become stronger; Tsunade agreed to prepare learning materials for him.
• Tsunade thought Nobuhiko looked much like someone she remembered as she watched him eagerly accept her help.
• Hiruzen reviewed Nobuhiko’s background and decided to leave him in Tsunade’s care, hoping he would ease her grief over Nawaki.
• A Root shinobi told Danzo that Nobuhiko had Senju blood, good potential, and a strong understanding of the Will of Fire.
• Danzo decided to ask Hiruzen to hand Nobuhiko over to Root, hoping to use him and the Wood Release Cells to strengthen his own position.

Danzo tried to take Kihara Nobuhiko away from Tsunade for training, but the Third refused and ordered him to leave the boy alone. At Training Ground Three, Nobuhiko's antics angered Tsunade, who considered how to teach him a lesson.

• Danzo asked the Third to let him train Kihara Nobuhiko, but the Third warned him not to interfere with Tsunade's care of the boy.
• Danzo argued that Nobuhiko could help revive the Senju Clan, but the Third declared that he was Hokage and ordered Danzo to obey.
• Danzo threatened that the Third would regret his decision and stormed out of the Hokage's office.
• At Training Ground Three, Nobuhiko listed his wind and water chakra natures and the C-rank and B-rank techniques he was learning.
• Tsunade pulled Nobuhiko into her arms, and he rubbed his cheeks against her before noticing her anger.
• Nobuhiko clung to Tsunade's thigh and begged for forgiveness, while Tsunade decided she needed to teach him a lesson.

Tsunade tested Nobuhiko’s strength in a fight, then treated him to lunch after deciding his abilities were passable. Their meal left Tsunade regretting the cost, while Nobuhiko promised to share his future mission earnings with her.

• Tsunade offered to help Nobuhiko get stronger if he proved his abilities in a fight, and he reluctantly accepted her test.
• Tsunade smashed the rock Nobuhiko substituted for himself, then he attacked with Wind Release and used clones, Water Release, and a shuriken transformation to surprise her.
• Nobuhiko’s Gale Palm forced Tsunade to use the Substitution Technique, and she judged his strength passable before warning him not to repeat his earlier behavior.
• Tsunade invited Nobuhiko to lunch at a barbecue restaurant, where they ate a large amount of grilled meat.
• After seeing how much the meal cost, Tsunade resented the expense, and Nobuhiko offered her a share of his future mission earnings, which she declined.

Tsunade brought Nobuhiko Water Release research notes and several ninjutsu scrolls, then began teaching him before she returned to the battlefield. Nobuhiko learned how Water Shockwave differed from Exploding Water Colliding Wave and was left with more jutsu to study.

• Nobuhiko fell asleep while waiting for Tsunade, who returned with books and scrolls and woke him by dropping them on the floor.
• Tsunade gave Nobuhiko Second Hokage's Water Release notes and several C- and B-rank jutsu scrolls, while explaining that he was not ready to study higher-rank techniques.
• Tsunade told Nobuhiko she would leave for the battlefield in a few days and began teaching him how to practice safely.
• Nobuhiko read the Water Shockwave scroll and asked Tsunade why its power could not simply be increased with more chakra.
• Tsunade explained that Water Shockwave was designed for low chakra use and that enlarging it required more chakra than Exploding Water Colliding Wave.

Nobuhiko studied three Water Release techniques under Tsunade, who quizzed him on how water chakra worked and how to strengthen single-target attacks. After Nobuhiko correctly suggested compressing water, Tsunade agreed to go easier on him when she hit him, and he continued studying as their evening went on.

• Nobuhiko read the Water Dragon Bullet, Water Formation Wall, and Water Fang Bullet scrolls, choosing the Second Hokage's two-seal version of Water Formation Wall to learn.
• Tsunade quizzed Nobuhiko about water nature chakra, and he identified flow as its most important property.
• Tsunade asked how to make single-target Water Release attacks more powerful, and Nobuhiko negotiated for her to go easier on him if he answered correctly.
• Nobuhiko said water should be compressed, and Tsunade explained that compression was advanced and suggested he study Water Trumpet for inspiration.
• Nobuhiko continued reading, bought dinner, and brought a portion to Tsunade, who took it back to her room.

Tsunade prepared a training plan for Nobuhiko before leaving for the battlefield and warned him that his Senju bloodline could make him a target. After Nobuhiko reassured her and comforted her through her grief, he carried the sleeping Tsunade to bed and cared for her.

• Tsunade told Nobuhiko she would leave for the battlefield the day after tomorrow and gave him a detailed training plan to follow while she was away.
• Tsunade instructed Nobuhiko to learn Water Shockwave and Water Formation Wall, explaining that they could help him defend himself if anyone in the village targeted him.
• Nobuhiko resolved to stay cautious and grow stronger, and Tsunade pulled him into an embrace and sobbed as he comforted her.
• Tsunade eventually fell asleep on the sofa, and Nobuhiko used Shadow Clones to carry her to bed.
• Nobuhiko washed Tsunade's feet, wiped her face, covered her with a quilt, and left the room.

After Tsunade woke embarrassed by having clung to Nobuhiko and cried the previous night, Nobuhiko asked her to confide in him whenever she felt troubled. Tsunade reluctantly accepted, and they shared a farewell dinner before she was due to leave for the battlefield the next day.

• Tsunade stayed in her room, ashamed of how she had acted the night before, until Nobuhiko called her out for breakfast.
• Tsunade demanded that Nobuhiko keep the previous night a secret, and he promised he would.
• Nobuhiko changed his request, asking Tsunade to talk to him when she felt awful, and she reluctantly agreed.
• Nobuhiko prepared a lavish dinner for Tsunade before her departure to the battlefield, then stopped her from helping with the cleanup or reviewing his training plan.
• As Tsunade lounged on the sofa, Nobuhiko came up with a bold idea.

Nobuhiko gave Tsunade a massage and washed her feet, hoping to help her relax before she left for the battlefield and repair her image. Tsunade saw through his attempt to seem innocent and returned to her room, leaving Nobuhiko convinced he had missed his chance to get closer to her.

• Nobuhiko offered to massage Tsunade’s shoulders, and she agreed after he promised to stop if she disliked it.
• Nobuhiko massaged Tsunade’s shoulders and back, then brought hot water to wash her feet.
• Tsunade learned that Nobuhiko had also washed her face and feet the night before and asked how he had carried her to bed.
• Nobuhiko claimed he had only wanted to help Tsunade relax, but Tsunade recognized his effort to hide his lecherous intentions.
• Tsunade flicked Nobuhiko on the forehead and returned to her room while Nobuhiko lamented his lost opportunity.

Tsunade left the old Senju residence to head for the front lines, and Nobuhiko resolved to stay by her side and protect her. After deciding he could not save Dan Katō, Nobuhiko returned to training and successfully performed Water Shockwave.

• Tsunade embraced Nobuhiko and promised she would return safely before leaving for the front lines.
• Nobuhiko worried about Tsunade and realized he had secured a place in her heart.
• Nobuhiko considered saving Dan Katō but abandoned the idea because he did not know when or where Dan Katō would die and lacked the ability to intervene.
• Nobuhiko resolved to remain with Tsunade and prevent her from suffering alone after Dan Katō's death.
• Nobuhiko trained in the forest west of the village and successfully created a five-meter water tornado with Water Shockwave.

Nobuhiko practiced Water Shockwave and considered how to improve his chakra control before celebrating with ramen at Ichiraku. After meeting Namiashi Raidō and Aoba Yamashiro, he learned that nothing important had happened at school and realized he could use shadow clones to help train.

• Nobuhiko practiced Water Shockwave, sensed how its hand seals guided his chakra, and resolved to keep training until he could reduce them.
• Nobuhiko ate deluxe tonkotsu ramen at Ichiraku and greeted Namiashi Raidō and Aoba Yamashiro as they arrived.
• Namiashi Raidō teased Nobuhiko about using a shadow clone at school, and Nobuhiko offered to buy ramen for him and Aoba.
• Aoba Yamashiro told Nobuhiko that nothing important had happened at school, reassuring him that his shadow clone could keep attending.
• On his way home, Nobuhiko realized he could use shadow clones to help him learn ninjutsu and felt newly motivated.

Nobuhiko learned Water Formation Wall and set himself the ambition of becoming the strongest in the Shinobi World so he could end war and win Tsunade’s admiration. Back at the old Senju residence, he began studying the Body Flicker Technique after finding no practical instructions in the Second Hokage’s notes.

• Nobuhiko practiced Water Formation Wall while a shadow clone trained in the four-seal Water Dragon Bullet method, and both made progress.
• Two days later, Nobuhiko successfully cast Water Formation Wall and planned to keep practicing Water Dragon Bullet and study the Body Flicker Technique.
• After visiting his father’s grave, Nobuhiko missed Tsunade and decided to become the strongest in the Shinobi World, unite it, and establish lasting peace.
• Nobuhiko reviewed the Second Hokage’s notes, found only inconclusive Flying Thunder God research, and considered the different kinds of Body Flicker Technique.

Nobuhiko developed Gale Palm into a seal-less Gale Kick in hopes of creating his own Body Flicker Technique. After testing and refining it, he could propel himself forward in repeated bursts, but the result still resembled a triple jump rather than a true Body Flicker.

• Nobuhiko decided his ideal Body Flicker Technique had to be fast, seal-less, and usable at any moment, and he chose to build it around Wind Release.
• Nobuhiko planned to simplify Gale Palm and adapt its wind release to his feet, while keeping his Shadow Clone focused on Water Dragon Bullet.
• Nobuhiko simplified Gale Palm until he could use it without hand seals, then spent a month transforming it into Gale Kick.
• Nobuhiko tested Gale Kick and blasted himself upward, realizing he needed to control the direction of the released wind.
• Nobuhiko spent ten more days learning to direct the wind, then used Gale Kick to propel himself forward in successive bursts across the Senju residence courtyard.

Nobuhiko completed his three-month training plan, mastering new movement techniques and several Water Release jutsu. As he enjoyed a week of sleeping in, Tsunade returned to the village, eager to see how he had trained.

• Nobuhiko mastered Gale Kick, which he renamed the Wind Body Flicker Technique, and developed Sky Step by refining his first version of Gale Kick.
• Nobuhiko reflected on his progress and resolved to use memories from his previous life to find ideas for future ninjutsu.
• Thirty days later, Nobuhiko demonstrated Water Dragon Bullet with four seals, Water Trumpet without seals, and Water Shockwave with one seal, completing his training plan.
• Tsunade ordered Narita to assemble a squad and return with her from Amegakure to Konoha, hoping to check on Nobuhiko and his training.
• After finishing his plan, Nobuhiko spent a week sleeping late, sending a Shadow Clone to school, and studying at home until Tsunade returned while he was asleep.

Nobuhiko found Tsunade back at home and learned she had returned to test his training. At Training Ground 3, he showed off his improved techniques, and Tsunade prepared to push him further.

• Nobuhiko opened his bedroom door, saw Tsunade, and hid before returning to greet her and massage her shoulders.
• Nobuhiko told Tsunade he had completed her training plan, so she arranged to test his strength that afternoon.
• At Training Ground 3, Tsunade blocked Nobuhiko's attacks and kicked him flying before inviting him to continue.
• Nobuhiko used Water Shockwave, Wild Water Wave, and Water Dragon Bullet against Tsunade, who countered with her own water dragon.
• Tsunade began forming a water technique, and Nobuhiko raised a Water Formation Wall to defend himself.

Nobuhiko survived Tsunade’s frightening test and tried to turn the ordeal into praise for her, while Tsunade decided to ask the Hokage to arrange protection for him. On her way to the Hokage building, Tsunade met Kushina, who asked for more meaningful missions, and Tsunade resolved to raise both concerns with the Hokage.

• Tsunade broke through Nobuhiko’s Water Formation Wall with her fist, frightening him before comforting him as he clung to her.
• Nobuhiko claimed Tsunade’s test had taught him to prepare for attacks, and Tsunade mistook his apology as a sign that he understood her concern for his safety.
• Tsunade decided to tell the Hokage about Nobuhiko’s abilities and ask him to ensure Nobuhiko’s safety while she was away.
• Tsunade let Nobuhiko wash her feet, and he took her lack of protest as a sign that their relationship had grown closer.
• Tsunade met Kushina on her way to the Hokage building, and Kushina complained that she was stuck doing D-rank missions while her classmates had more serious assignments.
• Tsunade agreed to raise Kushina’s request for meaningful missions with the Hokage.

Tsunade secured the Third's promise to protect Nobuhiko from Root and arranged for him to train Nobuhiko. Meanwhile, Nobuhiko learned Wind Release: Vacuum Wave and returned home with dinner, where hungry Tsunade eagerly ate her share.

• Tsunade asked the Third to protect Nobuhiko and teach him, and he agreed to meet Nobuhiko at Training Ground Three.
• The Third promised that no one, including Danzo, would target Nobuhiko, then ordered an Anbu ninja to stop Root and kill anyone who persisted.
• Nobuhiko practiced Wind Release: Vacuum Wave in the forest and successfully used it to slice through trees.
• Tsunade woke hungry after missing lunch and waited at home for Nobuhiko to return with food.
• Nobuhiko brought home takeout, and Tsunade checked the food and ate voraciously while he worried about the cost of feeding her.

Nobuhiko apologized to Tsunade after teasing her about eating too quickly, then learned how much she had done to protect him and how she planned to secure his training. Tsunade caught him getting emotional and teased him, while Nobuhiko decided he might be worthy of her after all.

• Tsunade scolded Nobuhiko for leaving her hungry after she spent the morning running around the village for his safety, and he apologized while massaging her shoulders.
• Nobuhiko brought Tsunade water and cleaned up after their meal as she wondered why his behavior reminded her of her grandmother.
• Tsunade told Nobuhiko she had spoken with the old man, secured his promise to protect her, and arranged for him to teach her ninjutsu after Nobuhiko left for the front.
• Nobuhiko became emotional over Tsunade's efforts, but she noticed his reddened eyes, sat him on her lap, and teased him about crying.
• Nobuhiko reconsidered his earlier doubts and concluded that his strength and background made him worthy of Tsunade.

Tsunade forgave Nobuhiko after he groped her face and then asked him to impress the Third Hokage the next day. She warned him to behave properly around outsiders, especially a girl he might meet, while Nobuhiko spotted a loophole in her instructions.

• Tsunade comforted Nobuhiko by pulling him into her arms, and he cupped her face and promised to protect her when he grew up.
• Nobuhiko apologized after Tsunade caught him squeezing her cheeks, then jokingly admitted that changing his behavior would be difficult.
• Tsunade realized Nobuhiko had labeled his earnest promise to reform as a lie, but she decided to tolerate his behavior as long as he acted properly around outsiders.
• Tsunade told Nobuhiko to impress the Third Hokage so she could ask for Water Release and Wind Release ninjutsu for him.
• Tsunade warned Nobuhiko that he might meet a new girl and told him not to act lecherous around her or earn a reputation for peeping into the women's bathhouse.

Nobuhiko won the Third’s favor by loudly proclaiming his loyalty, and Kushina awkwardly echoed his slogans when asked to befriend him. The Third then tasked Nobuhiko with sparring against Kushina to help keep her from leaving the village for dangerous missions.

• Nobuhiko impressed the Third with fanatical declarations of loyalty to the Hokage and the Will of Fire.
• The Third promised to guide Nobuhiko’s training and invited him to discuss his insights about the Will of Fire.
• The Third asked Nobuhiko and Kushina to become friends, and Kushina accidentally shouted Nobuhiko’s slogan before retreating with Tsunade.
• The Third revealed that the village wanted to keep Kushina from taking dangerous missions and ordered Nobuhiko to spar with her to demonstrate his strength.

Nobuhiko met Kushina and fought her to test his strength, using several powerful water techniques before she countered with wind and water jutsu. The Third Hokage praised both children and reflected on Konoha’s promising future.

• The Third Hokage asked Nobuhiko to become friends with Kushina, and Nobuhiko agreed.
• Tsunade brought Kushina back, and Nobuhiko introduced himself and praised her hair and dream of becoming Hokage.
• Nobuhiko asked Kushina to fight him, then attacked with a series of water techniques while she defended herself with wind and water jutsu.
• Kushina dodged Nobuhiko’s final close-range attack and declared that she would not lose to him.
• The Third Hokage praised Nobuhiko’s performance and spoke of Minato, Nobuhiko, and Kushina as future pillars of Konoha.

Nobuhiko tried to impress Kushina during their spar, but she sealed him and caught him when he fell. After he pretended to be unconscious, Tsunade exposed his act, and Kushina forgave him after he admitted he had been embarrassed.

• Nobuhiko used Wind Release: Gale Palm against Kushina, but she sealed him in midair and caught him.
• Nobuhiko pretended to be unconscious, so Kushina carried him to Tsunade and the Third Hokage for help.
• Tsunade sent the Third Hokage away and pulled Nobuhiko into her embrace to reveal that he was pretending.
• Kushina realized Nobuhiko had fooled her, and Tsunade dangled him by his collar while he tried to explain.
• Nobuhiko told Kushina he had been embarrassed to be held by a pretty girl, and Kushina laughed before forgiving him.

After Nobuhiko and Kushina reconciled over their fight, Tsunade treated them to barbecue and questioned them about what they had learned. Kushina agreed to teach Nobuhiko sealing jutsu and to keep training with him, while Tsunade concluded that leaving the village was still too dangerous for her.

• Tsunade stopped Nobuhiko and Kushina from celebrating together and took them to a barbecue restaurant.
• Nobuhiko said he needed more offensive ninjutsu and better knowledge of combat, then asked Kushina to teach him sealing jutsu.
• Kushina explained her Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal and promised to bring Nobuhiko basic scrolls in a few days.
• Tsunade criticized Kushina for needing a sealing jutsu to defeat Nobuhiko and warned that missions outside the village were too dangerous for her.
• Kushina agreed to keep training with Nobuhiko and teach him sealing jutsu, while Nobuhiko privately praised Tsunade's plan.

Tsunade and Kushina told Nobuhiko that Kushina was a Jinchūriki, and he responded by sympathizing with both her and the Tailed Beast sealed inside her. Kushina was relieved that Nobuhiko accepted her and embraced him.

• On the way home, Tsunade invited Kushina to stay and said they would discuss what to tell Nobuhiko.
• After Tsunade and Kushina spoke privately, Tsunade asked Nobuhiko whether he knew about Tailed Beasts and explained Jinchūriki.
• Nobuhiko called the sealing of Tailed Beasts and the treatment of Jinchūriki a tragedy, moving Kushina to tears.
• Nobuhiko said Jinchūriki were heroes who deserved gratitude and respect, then realized Kushina was one of them.
• Kushina asked whether Nobuhiko feared her, and he reassured her before she hugged him and sobbed.

Nobuhiko encouraged Kushina to learn the Nine-Tails’ name and consider making peace with it. After the Nine-Tails asked to meet Nobuhiko, Kushina sought Tsunade’s advice, and Nobuhiko argued that they should give the offer a chance despite the risks.

• Nobuhiko questioned Kushina and Tsunade about whether the Tailed Beasts had names, and Tsunade suggested that the Nine-Tails must have one like the One-Tail, Shukaku.
• Kushina entered the sealed space and asked the Nine-Tails its name, then acknowledged that she had overlooked its feelings as her Jinchūriki.
• The Nine-Tails said it would reveal its name if Kushina let it take over her body to meet Nobuhiko, promising not to harm Konoha.
• Kushina woke and told Tsunade and Nobuhiko what the Nine-Tails had asked.
• Nobuhiko urged Kushina and Tsunade to accept the risk, arguing that Kushina deserved a chance to make peace with the Nine-Tails.