Recaps

Hashirama was talked into carrying everyone’s luggage, only realizing ten minutes later that the others had deliberately let him do it. The group continued traveling after Tobirama bought everyone water, while Zhang Yu and Tsunade traded arguments over what they should call each other.

• Zhang Yu persuaded Hashirama that he was the best person to carry the group’s luggage, and Hashirama eagerly took it all.
• Ten minutes later, Hashirama realized he was carrying everyone’s bags, while Tsunade, Shizune, Haku, and Tobirama admitted they had known all along.
• Tobirama bought ice water for the group, and Hashirama thanked him for looking after him.
• Zhang Yu called Tsunade “Granny,” and Tsunade argued that he should call Hashirama and Tobirama “Grandpa.”
• Zhang Yu claimed that, as Hashirama and Tobirama’s brother, he was Tsunade’s grandfather too, leaving Tsunade furious.

Zhang Yu returned to Konoha with Haku, Tsunade, Shizune, Hashirama, and Tobirama, and gave two cases of beer to gate guardians Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane. He planned to contact Ichiraku Ramen through Ayame as the group headed back to the Undead Tavern.

• Hashirama and Tobirama counted the travelers and confirmed that all six were present, while Jiraiya searched Tanzaku Town for Tsunade without finding her.
• Zhang Yu gave Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane a free case of beer each, telling them to wait until their shifts ended before drinking.
• Tsunade, Shizune, Hashirama, and Tobirama praised Zhang Yu's generosity as he led the group into Konoha.
• Zhang Yu walked hand in hand with Haku toward the Undead Tavern and explained that Ayame, the daughter of Ichiraku Ramen's owner, might become a business partner.
• Hashirama announced in the Tavern Chat Group that the group had reached Konoha, and Madara teased him about the long trip.

Zhang Yu and the others returned to the Undead Tavern, where Tsunade and Shizune saw how many powerful figures worked there. After dinner, Tsunade claimed she had no money for an inn and chose a room at the tavern despite Zhang Yu telling her to leave the next day.

• Hashirama teased Madara in the group chat, and Tsunade and Tobirama challenged his idea of inviting Madara to bathe with him.
• Zhang Yu and Haku returned to the Undead Tavern, where Karin welcomed them and Tsunade saw the many legendary figures working there.
• At dinner, Asura tried to claim Tsunade as a distant descendant, while Tsunade said she would decide whether to become Hokage after returning to Konoha.
• After dinner, Hashirama pulled Madara into the backyard, while the others went to their rooms or cleaned up.
• Tsunade asked Zhang Yu where she and Shizune could stay, then took a room at the tavern despite his insistence that she leave the next day.

Zhang Yu caught Tsunade and Shizune in his room, subdued Tsunade when she attacked him, and learned nothing about Hashirama and Tobirama’s scheme to lock them together. The next morning, he came downstairs to find Haku, Karin, and Uzuki Yugao working in maid outfits.

• Zhang Yu walked in on Tsunade and Shizune changing in his room, and Tsunade blamed him for not knocking.
• Tsunade tried to kick Zhang Yu, but he caught her leg and pressured her into admitting she was wrong.
• Hashirama confessed to Tobirama that he had secretly made a key to Zhang Yu’s room, and Tobirama blamed him for their plan to lock Zhang Yu and Tsunade together.
• Tobirama refused to let Hashirama hide in his room, so Hashirama returned to his own room after Tobirama shut the door on him.
• Zhang Yu woke up the next morning and saw Haku, Karin, and Uzuki Yugao serving in maid outfits.

Zhang Yu discovered that Tsunade had slept through the morning of her Fifth Hokage succession ceremony after drinking the night before. He forced his way into her room and woke her, leaving her to get dressed and hurry downstairs.

• Zhang Yu learned that Tsunade was still asleep at 10:20, while Shizune had gone to Konoha to help prepare for the succession ceremony.
• Zhang Yu went to Tsunade's locked apartment, used a spare key to enter, and found her asleep in bed with an empty wine bottle.
• Zhang Yu smacked Tsunade awake and reminded her that Konoha was waiting for her ceremony.
• Tsunade tried to go back to bed, but Zhang Yu gave her ten minutes to wash up and get dressed.
• Tsunade realized Zhang Yu was teasing her about smelling, then demanded that he leave so she could dress.

Tsunade prepared to return to Konoha and complete the succession ceremony that would make her the Fifth Hokage, while Zhang Yu told her he was interested in controlling the Hokage. Tsunade, Hashirama, and Tobirama left for the ceremony as news of her appointment spread through the village.

• Zhang Yu received a shoulder massage from Haku, while Madara had Izuna massage his shoulders and Hashirama failed to persuade Tobirama to do the same for him.
• Shizune told Zhang Yu that Konoha's advisers, clan heads, and jonin representatives were ready for Tsunade's succession ceremony.
• Tsunade questioned why Zhang Yu did not want to become Hokage, and he said he was interested in controlling the Hokage without explaining further.
• Tsunade left for the succession ceremony with Shizune, Hashirama, and Tobirama, while Zhang Yu stayed at the tavern and Madara declined to go.
• News of Tsunade's return and impending appointment spread through Konoha, reassuring villagers worried after the Konoha Crush Plan.

Tsunade returned to Konoha and officially became its Fifth Hokage. After the ceremony, she skipped her waiting duties to eat at the Undead Tavern and asked Zhang Yu if she could live there.

• Tsunade arrived in Konoha to cheers, and Konoha High Command scheduled her succession ceremony for two days later.
• Tsunade asked Zhang Yu for sake, but he gave her ice water and stopped her from drinking before the ceremony.
• Tsunade accepted the Hokage hat at the crowded succession ceremony as Hashirama and Tobirama watched through the chat group's video.
• Tsunade left Shizune and the waiting officials to visit the Undead Tavern, where she ate a large meal in her Hokage robes.
• Tsunade told Zhang Yu she wanted to live at the tavern, and he refused before she pleaded with him to reconsider.

Tsunade won unanimous approval to live at Zhang Yu’s tavern with Shizune, and she began teaching Karin Medical Ninjutsu. After nearly half a month of peace in Konoha, Zhang Yu received a quest to organize a summer festival and gathered the tavern’s residents to plan it.

• Tsunade persuaded everyone at the tavern to vote in favor of her and Shizune staying, and Zhang Yu agreed to let them move in.
• Tsunade heard about Karin’s past in Kusagakure, examined her, and took her on as a disciple to teach her Medical Ninjutsu with Shizune’s help.
• Nearly half a month passed as Tsunade settled into her Hokage work and the tavern returned to its usual routine.
• Zhang Yu received a quest to organize a summer festival, with rewards including 100,000 gold coins and a chance to copy an employee’s strength.
• Zhang Yu called the tavern’s residents into his office to begin planning the festival, which was one week away.

Zhang Yu assigned the tavern staff to prepare a lavish summer festival and set out to invite guests across Konoha. He headed first to the Hyuga Clan, intending to deliver an invitation to Hinata.

• Zhang Yu announced the festival and tasked Madara and Hashirama with organizing an extravagant fireworks display.
• Zhang Yu assigned Izuna and Zabuza to prepare snacks and drinks, Indra and Asura to handle barbecue and staple foods, and Haku, Karin, and Yugao to decorate the venue.
• Zhang Yu put Tobirama in charge of the budget and alcohol, while Tobirama argued with Hashirama and Madara over their fireworks funds.
• Zhang Yu took system-provided invitations and left the tavern to invite people, beginning with the Hyuga Clan so he could see Hinata.

Zhang Yu delivered the Undead Tavern’s summer festival invitation to Hyuga Hiashi and challenged the Caged Bird Seal’s role in the Hyuga Clan’s division. After demonstrating how Neji could not retaliate against an injury, Zhang Yu accepted a mission to resolve the threat of internal strife and demanded that Hiashi explain the seal.

• Hinata and Neji sparred at the Hyuga estate while Hyuga Hiashi assessed Hinata’s Gentle Fist and a clan member announced Zhang Yu’s arrival.
• Hyuga Hiashi welcomed Zhang Yu, accepted his invitation to the summer festival, and brought him to the training ground, where Neji and Hinata resumed sparring.
• Zhang Yu criticized Hiashi for leaving the conflict between the Main Family and the Branch Family unresolved, triggering a mission to resolve the Hyuga Clan’s internal strife.
• Zhang Yu punched Neji, who was angry but did not dare strike back, and used his reaction to illustrate the Branch Family’s resentment under the Caged Bird Seal.
• Hyuga Hiashi defended the seal as protection for the Byakugan, and Zhang Yu called it backward and stupid before asking what reason justified it.

Zhang Yu offered to remove Neji’s Caged Bird Seal after Hiashi admitted it had become a way for the Main Family to control the Branch Family. He learned the removal method and began performing it on Neji, leaving the result unresolved.

• Zhang Yu challenged Hiashi to explain why only the Branch Family bore the Caged Bird Seal, and Hiashi admitted it controlled them.
• Hiashi said he could try to stop the next generation from receiving the seal but believed existing seals could not be removed.
• Zhang Yu claimed he could remove Neji’s seal safely, and Neji agreed to try.
• Zhang Yu bought the exclusive removal method from the System Shop and memorized it.
• Neji removed his Forehead Protector as Zhang Yu formed forty-eight hand signs and gathered green Chakra in his palm.

Zhang Yu removed Neji’s Caged Bird Seal without harming him, freeing him from the Main Family’s control. He then pretended to be exhausted and rested in Hinata’s arms while Hyuga Hiashi and Neji went to prepare lunch.

• Zhang Yu precisely severed the Caged Bird Seal’s structure on Neji’s forehead, leaving his brain, Byakugan, and Chakra pathways unharmed.
• Hyuga Hiashi confirmed the seal was completely gone, and Neji realized the Main Family could no longer control him through it.
• Zhang Yu feigned exhaustion and collapsed into Hinata’s arms, claiming he could not move for half an hour.
• Hyuga Hiashi sent Neji to arrange lunch and told Hinata to let Zhang Yu rest without moving him.
• Zhang Yu said he felt better leaning against Hinata, who adjusted her arms and admitted she wanted the moment to last longer.

After removing Neji’s Caged Bird Seal, Zhang Yu was left too weak to move without help, so Hinata supported him and brought him to her room to rest. Hinata stayed beside him, growing nervous about what her family might think, when someone knocked and called out to her.

• Hyuga Hiashi returned to Hinata’s cottage, saw Hinata supporting Zhang Yu, and learned that the Caged Bird Seal had been removed safely.
• Zhang Yu pretended to be too weak to stand, and Hyuga Hiashi told Hinata to take care of him before leaving.
• Hinata helped Zhang Yu into her room, where he rested on her bed and teased her about repaying him for saving Neji and the Hyuga Clan.
• Hinata sat beside Zhang Yu and worried about her family discovering him in her room.
• Someone knocked at Hinata’s door and called out that they were her younger sibling.

Hanabi Hyuga visited Hinata and met Zhang Yu, whose conjured pastries quickly won her over. After asking Zhang Yu to teach her Ninjutsu, Hanabi tearfully pleaded for him to take her as his disciple, leaving him at a loss.

• Hanabi rushed into Hinata's room, noticed Hinata's flushed face, and asked why Zhang Yu was resting on her bed.
• Zhang Yu offered Hanabi a conjured pastry, and she and Hinata ate several more as Hanabi asked him questions.
• Hanabi asked Zhang Yu to teach her Ninjutsu so she could make snacks and defeat everyone, including her father.
• Hanabi pleaded with Zhang Yu to take her as his disciple, and he was left unsure how to respond.

Zhang Yu accepted Hanabi as his disciple and invited Hinata to train at his tavern, while Hyuga Hiashi considered how to end the divide between the Main and Branch Families. Hiashi gave Neji his father’s farewell letter, revealing that Hizashi had chosen to die in Hiashi’s place of his own free will.

• Zhang Yu agreed to train Hanabi at his tavern, and Hinata accepted his invitation to train alongside her.
• Hyuga Hiashi saw Hinata and Hanabi happily laughing with Zhang Yu and led them to a feast after checking that he had recovered.
• After the meal, Hiashi kept Hanabi behind to discuss her discipleship and summoned Neji.
• Hiashi gave Neji the farewell letter Hizashi had left before going to Kumogakure.
• Neji read that Hizashi had chosen to die in Hiashi’s place to protect his brother, the Hyuga Clan, and Konoha, and began to cry.

Neji learned the truth about his father’s death, released some of his hatred toward the Main Family, and accepted that Zhang Yu had removed his Caged Bird Seal. Hinata then asked Zhang Yu to help the other Branch Family members, but the chapter ended before he answered.

• Neji read Hyuga Hiashi’s explanation of Hizashi’s final choice and said he no longer blamed Hiashi for his father’s death, though he still opposed the Main and Branch Family system.
• Hyuga Hiashi and Neji agreed not to ask Zhang Yu to remove more seals because the first removal had left him weak, and Hiashi said no new Branch Family children would receive the seal.
• Hinata overheard them and insisted on asking Zhang Yu herself whether there was another way to remove the other Branch Family members’ seals.
• That night, Hinata asked Zhang Yu to remove the remaining Caged Bird Seals and began to cry; she explained that she had come on her own because Hiashi and Neji feared for Zhang Yu’s health.

Zhang Yu revealed that he had been pretending to struggle and could make Unsealing Scrolls to remove the Hyuga Branch Family’s Caged Bird Seals. After preparing dozens of scrolls, he gave Hyuga Hiashi instructions for their distribution and warned that removing the seals would not resolve the clan’s deeper divisions.

• Zhang Yu told Hinata that he had pretended to be weak and could make scrolls to remove the Caged Bird Seals, but said Hyuga Hiashi should vet recipients.
• The next morning, Hinata found dozens of Unsealing Scrolls on the table and joined Zhang Yu, Hyuga Hiashi, and Neji in the courtyard.
• Zhang Yu explained how to use the scrolls and assured Neji they would cause no harm or aftereffects.
• Hyuga Hiashi ordered the clan to compile a list of Branch Family members and distribute scrolls only to those deemed trustworthy.
• Zhang Yu warned Hyuga Hiashi that removing the seals would not end conflict unless the Main Family and Branch Family addressed their underlying rift.

As the Hyuga Clan prepared to remove the Caged Bird Seal, Hyuga Hiashi proposed that Zhang Yu marry Hinata when she was older. Zhang Yu said the choice belonged to Hinata, and she declared that she was willing and would never leave him.

• Hyuga Hiashi promised to call a clan meeting and redefine the Main Family and Branch Family's duties without relying on the Cursed Seal.
• Hinata thanked Zhang Yu for making the unsealing scrolls, and Hyuga Hiashi and Neji observed how close the two were.
• Hyuga Hiashi asked Neji whether Zhang Yu and Hinata suited each other, and Neji said they were a perfect match.
• Hyuga Hiashi proposed marrying Hinata to Zhang Yu when she grew up, while making clear he would not force Zhang Yu to agree.
• Zhang Yu said the marriage depended on Hinata's wishes, and Hinata declared that she was willing and would not leave him.

Zhang Yu delivered the summer festival invitations to the Hyuga Clan and discussed the Caged Bird Seal, while Hiashi accepted Hinata’s feelings and treated her marriage to Zhang Yu as settled. Neji asked Zhang Yu to resurrect his father, Hizashi, and the system revealed a hidden pairing achievement after Zhang Yu called Neji his brother-in-law.

• Hiashi declared Hinata’s marriage to Zhang Yu settled, and Tobirama arrived to request Hyuga Clan members’ help with the summer festival.
• Zhang Yu gave Hiashi, Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji festival invitations and said the scrolls for addressing the Caged Bird Seal were ready.
• Neji knelt before Zhang Yu, who called him his brother-in-law and assured him they would be family.
• Neji asked Zhang Yu to bring his father, Hizashi Hyuga, back to life, and Zhang Yu listened as Neji explained how much he wanted to see him again.
• The system unlocked a hidden pairing achievement with an initial reward of 200,000 gold coins and explained that targets had to accept CP Gold Medals and voluntarily become partners.

Zhang Yu agreed to resurrect Hizashi Hyuga after Neji asked him, bringing Neji and Hyuga Hiashi to tears. Hyuga Hiashi pledged the clan’s loyalty to Zhang Yu, who began preparing to perform the resurrection.

• Zhang Yu realized that the CP pairing rules let people form multiple partnerships and considered pairing several characters for gold medals.
• Zhang Yu agreed to resurrect Hizashi Hyuga when Neji asked, telling him they were family and he could repay him gradually.
• Hyuga Hiashi and Tobirama returned and learned Zhang Yu had agreed to bring Hizashi back.
• Hyuga Hiashi thanked Zhang Yu, pledged the Hyuga Clan’s loyalty, and offered Hanabi’s future marriage to him.
• Zhang Yu said recalling the dead would take some time, and Hyuga Hiashi told him to proceed with the technique.

Zhang Yu summoned Hizashi Hyuga back to life, reuniting him with Hyuga Hiashi and Neji. As the family embraced, Zhang Yu pretended to collapse into Hinata's arms, leaving everyone worried that the revival had exhausted him.

• Zhang Yu used elaborate hand seals and secretly ordered the system to summon Hizashi Hyuga.
• Hizashi Hyuga appeared alive and embraced his brother, Hyuga Hiashi, after they recognized each other.
• Neji reunited with his father and told him he had read the letter explaining Hizashi's choice to sacrifice himself.
• Hinata watched the reunion with growing affection for Zhang Yu.
• Zhang Yu feigned weakness and collapsed into Hinata's arms, prompting the others to worry that reviving Hizashi had drained him.

Zhang Yu collapsed after reviving Hizashi, and Hinata helped him rest in her room. Meanwhile, Hizashi learned what had happened, discovered Neji’s Caged Bird Seal had been removed, and had his own seal removed with an Unsealing Scroll.

• Hiashi sent Hinata to help Zhang Yu into her room, where Zhang Yu rested with his head on her lap.
• Hiashi explained the Undead Tavern, the resurrected figures, and Zhang Yu’s deeds to Hizashi.
• Hizashi found that Neji’s Caged Bird Seal had been removed and learned Zhang Yu had made scrolls to free the Branch Family.
• Hiashi promised to revise the clan rules, and Hizashi rejoiced that the Branch Family’s children would no longer be controlled by the seal.
• Hiashi activated an Unsealing Scroll on Hizashi’s forehead, breaking the Caged Bird Seal without pain or damage to his Byakugan.

Zhang Yu resurrected Hizashi Hyuga, removed the Caged Bird Seals from him and Neji, and gave the Hyuga brothers badges that would keep Hizashi in the world. The brothers reunited and began speaking about Hizashi’s death, while Zhang Yu discovered that their strengthening bond could earn him repeated system rewards.

• Hizashi Hyuga confirmed that his Caged Bird Seal was gone, and Hyuga Hiashi stopped him from thanking Zhang Yu until Zhang Yu had rested.
• After Zhang Yu came out with Hinata, Hizashi Hyuga thanked him, and Zhang Yu told Hizashi to stay by Neji’s side.
• Zhang Yu explained that two golden badges would stabilize Hizashi’s connection to the world, so Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga accepted and bound the badges.
• The system awarded Zhang Yu 250,000 gold coins for the Hyuga brothers’ CP pairing, and it confirmed that stronger relationships could earn repeat pairing rewards.
• Hyuga Hiashi asked Hizashi Hyuga how he had died, and Hizashi recalled sacrificing himself in Hiashi’s place when Kumogakure sought a Main Family member’s body.

Zhang Yu joined the Hyuga family for a feast celebrating Hizashi Hyuga’s return and the brothers’ reconciliation. As the family toasted him, Hizashi approved of Hinata marrying Zhang Yu, while Hanabi declared she would marry him when she grew up.

• Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga reaffirmed their bond, and Hizashi promised Neji he would not leave him again.
• Hyuga Hiashi invited Zhang Yu to a lavish feast, where the family thanked him for reviving Hizashi and protecting the Hyuga Clan.
• Hyuga Hiashi, Hizashi Hyuga, and Neji repeatedly toasted Zhang Yu, while Hinata and Hanabi shared food with him.
• After drinking heavily, Hizashi Hyuga praised Hinata’s match with Zhang Yu and enthusiastically approved their marriage.
• Hanabi asked what marriage meant, then said Hinata could marry Zhang Yu first and she would marry him when she grew up.

Zhang Yu stayed overnight at the Hyuga residence after strengthening the brothers’ relationship, then completed his mission and continued delivering summer festival invitations. At Ino’s flower shop, he gave her an invitation, and she teased him about remembering exactly how long it had been since they last met.

• Hizashi and Hiashi agreed that Hinata and Hanabi could marry Zhang Yu, and the brothers’ improved relationship earned Zhang Yu 50,000 gold coins.
• Hiashi and Neji took the drunken Hizashi home, while Zhang Yu agreed to stay overnight at the Hyuga residence.
• The next morning, Hinata and Hanabi saw Zhang Yu off, and Hanabi asked him to teach her Ninjutsu and bring her snacks at the tavern.
• Zhang Yu received 500,000 gold coins and an undead summon for resolving the Hyuga Clan’s threat of internal conflict, bringing his balance to one million coins.
• Zhang Yu delivered a summer festival invitation to Ino at her flower shop, and Ino teased him for remembering that seven days and three hours had passed since their last meeting.