Chapter Summaries

Uka Senju used three homemade grenades to catch fish and fill the last of his energy gauge, but a figure surfaced from the river beside him. He realized he was in trouble again.

• Uka Senju waited all day for fish to bite and worried that he would have to wait another week before collecting more energy.
• Uka Senju took three grenades from his tackle box and checked the area with a Sensory Technique.
• Uka Senju threw the grenades into the river, blasting fish to the surface.
• Uka Senju walked across the water and collected fish while his energy gauge filled.
• A figure surfaced near the bank, and Uka Senju dropped a fish and feared he would be punished again.

Uka Senju told Tamaki Nara that he had accidentally blasted a Sarutobi shinobi out of the river, then suspected the man had been spying on the Senju. When Tamaki received orders to keep Uka in the interrogation room until Lady Toka arrived, he prepared for trouble by reaching for his hidden explosives.

• Tamaki Nara questioned Uka Senju, who joked with false names before describing how he had thrown three bombs into the river and found a person floating up.
• Uka said he had used Sensory Ninjutsu to check that no people or summoned beasts were nearby, then suspected the Sarutobi shinobi had concealed himself to spy on the Senju.
• Uka worried about what his aunt would do after he had blown up a person, but saw that his energy bar had reached 100%.
• Tamaki received an order to keep Uka in the room until Lady Toka came to get him, and hinted that it came from above.
• Uka crushed a white bug and reached for a scroll containing a powerful thunderbomb, while Tamaki realized he had understood her hint and feared what he might do.

Senju Toka learned that Uka Senju had been taken by Anbu after an explosion at the river, and the Shared Life Insect he had been given sent an urgent signal. As the Senju elders debated the incident, the Second Elder decided to go to the Hokage himself and bring Uka back.

• Senju Mizuki reported that Uka Senju had blown up someone by the river and Anbu had taken him away.
• Senju Toka discovered that Uka's Shared Life Insect had died and prepared to go retrieve him.
• Senju Mizuki explained that Uka had pulled someone from the water after three explosions, but Anbu arrived before he did.
• A messenger said the Hokage wanted Senju Toka to collect Uka, prompting her to warn the elders that the circumstances were suspicious.
• The Second Elder stopped Senju Toka and said he would visit the Third Hokage and bring Uka back himself.

The Senju Second Elder visited the Hokage’s office to retrieve Uka Senju and used the visit to unsettle Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzo, and the other elders with embarrassing family stories. After two hours in the holding cell, Uka was released and escorted out, still wary of what had happened.

• The Senju Second Elder left a clan meeting to collect Uka Senju, who had been detained after blasting a Sarutobi ninja unconscious while fishing with explosives.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo welcomed the Second Elder and agreed that Uka could go home once the incident was handled.
• The Second Elder accepted responsibility for speaking to Senju Toka and said Uka could pay any compensation, then steered the conversation toward old family gossip.
• The Second Elder embarrassed Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura with stories about their parents and clans.
• After two hours, Tamaki Nara received orders to release Uka Senju and escorted him out of the holding cell.
• Uka Senju left with his scroll in hand, believing he would likely be safe as long as his aunt was unharmed.

Uka Senju returned with the Second Elder after an explosion and learned that the Senju clan was gathered to discuss him. The Second Elder hinted that he knew Uka had been deliberately causing explosions, while Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Shimura Danzō about provoking the old man.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Uka Senju tea leaves and let him leave with the Second Elder, who advised Uka to avoid making trouble.
• On the way to the Senju Clan Compound, Uka explained that he had crushed the Shared Life Insect because Anbu's account of events seemed suspicious, and the Second Elder coached him to claim he had panicked.
• The Second Elder told Uka that the clan was meeting and promised to speak up for him, then criticized Shimura Danzō and praised Hiruzen Sarutobi's caution.
• The Second Elder hinted that he knew Uka had been causing explosions on purpose and told him to continue for another year before gradually stopping, leaving Uka alarmed.
• After Uka and the Second Elder left, Hiruzen Sarutobi sealed his office against sound and demanded that Shimura Danzō explain why he had provoked the Second Elder.

Shimura Danzō argued that the Senju Clan should disband so their physical talents could spread through Konoha, but Hiruzen Sarutobi refused to interfere in the teacher’s family. Hiruzen approved Danzō’s plan to form Root, while Danzō left determined to pursue his vision without Hiruzen’s support.

• Danzō explained that he had surveilled the Senju Clan to learn whether it would disband and had used Uka to try to draw Senju Toka out.
• Danzō told Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu that Senju blood could pass its physical talents to ordinary people and transform Konoha over generations.
• Hiruzen rejected interfering with the Senju, insisting that only the clan could decide its future, and ordered Danzō to stop pursuing that plan.
• Danzō failed to win Homura and Koharu’s support, but Hiruzen agreed to provide people to help form Root.
• Danzō left vowing to fulfill Tobirama’s wishes through Root, while Hiruzen told Homura and Koharu to keep their discussion secret.

After reporting to the Second Elder, Uka Senju reviewed his Gene System and used the energy he had gathered to manufacture a Wood Release bloodline enhancement. He left the furnace running and went to dinner with Chiharu while the countdown continued.

• Uka Senju recalled the Second Elder's warning and concluded that his unusual fish-frying might have raised suspicion, but that the system remained undiscovered.
• Uka checked his status panel and reviewed how the Gene System could analyze bloodlines and manufacture enhancements.
• Uka loaded Senju blood samples into the furnace and chose Wood Release Bloodline Version, which required 250,000 energy and could raise his Sage Body by three percent.
• Uka considered how the bloodline ability could help him grow stronger and planned to gather more energy as he advanced.
• Chiharu called Uka to dinner, and he left the running furnace to join her.

Uka Senju learned from Senju Chiharu that the Senju’s younger generation opposed going into seclusion because they had lost their families for Konoha and feared the clan would be forgotten. He realized the clan’s divided future depended on the Relief Home generation’s majority, while Lady Toka stayed neutral to prevent another Uchiha-like tragedy.

• Uka asked Chiharu how the clan had reacted after his accident, and she said the elders had debated the Senju’s future before his actions interrupted them.
• Chiharu told Uka that she would not let the Senju disband, explaining that many Relief Home children had lost their families in service to the village and resented Tobirama’s order to go into seclusion.
• Uka realized that the Relief Home generation had become the Senju majority and that its views, not just the elders’ decisions, shaped the clan’s future.
• Chiharu explained that Lady Toka remained neutral to give the Senju another option and prevent the internal conflict that had destroyed much of the Uchiha clan.
• Uka concluded that he and Lady Toka no longer needed to intervene in the seclusion dispute.

Senju Toka learned the truth about Uka’s actions and arranged for Chiharu to secretly guard him against possible threats. After going to bed, Uka opened his system and saw that the Wood Release Bloodline Version was ready.

• Senju Toka read Uka’s report, confirmed it matched the Second Elder’s information, and told him to learn Tobirama’s Sensory Ninjutsu from Chiharu.
• Senju Toka showed Chiharu the report, revealing why Uka had been praised and why he had kept the truth secret.
• Senju Toka gave Chiharu a signal flare and told her to follow Uka discreetly, watching for threats from Anbu, Shimura, and Sarutobi.
• Senju Uka went to his room, opened the system, and saw a tube of blue liquid emerge from the furnace as the Wood Release Bloodline Version finished being made.

After receiving the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai potion, Uka Senju woke with more Chakra and a new Wood Release skill. He began planning how to develop it into a close-combat style that could complement his Senju Nintaijutsu.

• Uka selected the potion and passed out after a sudden burst of pain during the injection.
• Uka woke at 3:30 a.m., checked his system status, and found that he had gained Wood Release and increased Chakra and skill proficiency.
• Uka considered the strengths and limits of his Wood Release, distinguishing his Earth-and-Water-based ability from Hashirama’s.
• Uka decided to focus on close-combat techniques by combining Wood Release with his Senju Nintaijutsu.
• Uka planned to shape Wood-style Chakra into hardened wooden spikes, imitating the offensive and defensive uses of Shikotsumyaku.

Uka developed a Wood Release Battle Armor Technique and made portable armor belts, then joined Senju Chiharu and Senju Toka for breakfast. Senju Toka gave him a new Shared Life Insect before he left for the day.

• Uka found that Wood Release Chakra would not circulate through his Nintaijutsu pattern, so he formed it into a protective layer instead.
• Uka developed a Battle Armor Technique and created an upgraded dark-green suit of wooden armor that could be as strong as iron.
• Uka kept several armor sets and transformed them into belts that became full suits of armor when infused with Chakra.
• Uka went downstairs and ate breakfast with Senju Chiharu and Senju Toka, reassuring Chiharu that he had not meant to hide sensitive information from her.
• Senju Toka gave Uka a new Shared Life Insect, which he stored in his Ninja Tool Pouch.

Uka Senju enjoyed breakfast, showed off the new hengdao he had commissioned, and walked to school, where he met his Inuzuka friends and learned about their Ninja Dogs. The three reached the school gates together after discussing the dogs’ training and care.

• Senju Toka told Uka to go to school on his own because she had a meeting, while Senju Chiharu served him extra soup dumplings.
• Uka walked toward school with his new fifty-centimeter Tang hengdao, which Senju Toka and Senju Chiharu had also adopted in full-sized versions.
• Uka met Inuzuka Sawa and Inuzuka Furin on the way and joked with them about fishing.
• Uka met Sawa’s black puppy, Black Wolf, and played with Furin’s white-and-brown puppy.
• Sawa explained that the Ninja Dogs had completed their initial training and described their slower development as the three walked to the school gates.

Uka Senju and his friends arrived at the Ninja Academy and renewed their rivalry with Sarutobi Genshi’s group after Inuzuka Sawa splashed hot water out the window. The two sides agreed to settle matters in Practical Combat Class later that week.

• Uka Senju, Inuzuka Sawa, and their friend climbed the Teaching Building to reach class before the bell.
• Inuzuka Sawa tossed hot water from Aburame Yoshino’s cup out the window and shouted back when Sarutobi Genshi cursed at him.
• Uka Senju’s classmates encouraged the exchange as students gathered at the windows to watch the rival groups.
• Sarutobi Genshi threatened Inuzuka Furin’s Ninja Dog, prompting Sawa to challenge him to a fight in Practical Combat Class.
• Sarutobi Genshi accepted the challenge and said they would see who came off worse.

Kurama Shimei provoked Hatake Bunkei and Aburame Kaun into confronting the Sarutobi brothers after they had agreed to fight later in Practical Combat Class. Senju Uka joined the confrontation, and the boys began fighting as students watched from the windows.

• Kurama Shimei told Hatake Bunkei that Sarutobi Genshi had insulted him and Aburame Kaun, and Bunkei confirmed the remark with his friends.
• Aburame Kaun and Hatake Bunkei jumped from the third floor to confront the Sarutobi brothers, while Senju Uka followed after telling the others to stay behind.
• Aburame Kaun demanded to know whether Sarutobi Genshi had insulted them, and Sarutobi Gensei defended his clansman and challenged them to act.
• Senju Uka urged his friends to stop wasting time, and Aburame Kaun punched Sarutobi Gensei as Hatake Bunkei charged Sarutobi Genwa.
• Sarutobi Gensei kicked Aburame Kaun and called for help, while Sarutobi Genshi rushed in and Senju Uka swung at Gensei.

Uka Senju defeated Sarutobi Gensei after breaking through his Wind-Fire Combination Ninjutsu with a chakra-enhanced punch. He returned to class with Aburame Kaun and Hatake Bunkei, while Senju Harumi asked him about his improving Nintaijutsu.

• Uka Senju used a combo to send Sarutobi Gensei flying, but Gensei escaped with the Substitution Technique.
• Sarutobi Gensei attacked Uka with a Wind-Fire Combination Ninjutsu, and Uka charged through it and shattered it with one punch.
• Uka left Gensei behind and headed to class with Aburame Kaun and Hatake Bunkei after they defeated their opponents.
• Aburame Kaun told Inuzuka Sawa he had avenged him, while Black Wolf barked his thanks.
• Senju Harumi asked Uka about his Nintaijutsu, and he advised her to keep practicing its chakra flow.

On the first day of the new semester, Yuhi Katsuyo announced that students would move on to advanced lessons and devote afternoons to training. As he began teaching Shinobi World Common Knowledge, many clan students in the back rows fell asleep, including Uka Senju, who had stayed up studying Wood Release.

• Sarutobi Gensei, Sarutobi Genshi, and Sarutobi Genwa recovered from their fight with Uka Senju and went to the Infirmary.
• Yuhi Katsuyo entered the classroom and announced that cultural classes would take place in the mornings while afternoons were reserved for training.
• Yuhi Katsuyo outlined the new semester’s lessons and warned students who had not mastered the basics to practice on their own.
• The front-row students took notes while many students in the back rows prepared to nap; Uka Senju spread special equipment over his desk after studying Wood Release through the night.
• Yuhi Katsuyo began explaining common ninja weapons, poisons, and antidotes to a classroom where most of the back rows were already asleep.

Shimura Danzō established Root with more than one hundred recruits and began organizing its departments, using Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals to secure their loyalty. He left the chapter directing an ambitious expansion, ordering Base No. 1 to be completed and raising its year-end target to fifteen hundred people.

• Shimura Danzō introduced Root to the recruits, explained their life in the shadows, and asked if anyone wished to withdraw; no one left.
• Shimura Danzō named the new department Root and sent Tanuki and Owl to apply the Seals to the recruits.
• Shimura Danzō reviewed Root’s organization, learned the Seals had been applied, and heard that Hanadanuki, Bei, and two newcomers had begun working at the Ninja Academy.
• Shimura Danzō ordered work in the Small Countries paused, Base No. 1 accelerated, students selected from the current class, and orphan recruitment expanded across the Land of Fire.
• Shimura Danzō changed Root’s year-end target for Base No. 1 from one thousand recruits to fifteen hundred, then signed the order.

Shimura Danzō investigated why the Senju Compound seemed to be under lockdown after Root stopped receiving reports from Daiki. At the Ninja Academy, Senju Uka learned his class would train at Training Ground Nine, while Kurama Shimei’s reminder of Uka awakening Uchiha Hitomi’s Sharingan drew the class’s attention.

• A Root agent told Shimura Danzō that White Sparrow had received no information from Daiki and suspected the Senju Compound was under lockdown.
• Shimura Danzō ordered Owl to have Tanuki test the compound’s entrances and investigate records for signs that the Senju had recalled many people.
• Yuhi Katsuyo ended the morning class and told the students to meet him at Training Ground Nine after lunch.
• Senju Uka asked Kurama Shimei which training ground the teacher meant, and Kurama Shimei reminded him that Uka had awakened Uchiha Hitomi’s Sharingan there.
• The class turned to look at Senju Uka after Kurama Shimei’s remark, and Uka wondered why his desk mate had brought up the incident so loudly.

Senju Uka shared his lunch with Inuzuka Furin’s ninja dog, Brown and White, which devoured his food and splashed soup on him. Meanwhile, Shimura Danzō learned that the Senju Compound was heavily guarded and heard of a group of about a hundred people entering through its northwest barrier using wartime identification tags.

• Senju Uka asked Brown and White what it wanted, and Inuzuka Furin translated that the dog was hungry and wanted his food.
• Uka gave Brown and White a drumstick, but the dog lunged into his lunch and splashed soup over his face.
• Furin apologized and offered Uka some of her lunch, while Uka reassured her and let Brown and White finish the stolen food.
• A Root shinobi told Shimura Danzō that the Senju Compound was heavily guarded and that White Sparrow had been detained near the west gate.
• Another Root shinobi reported that about a hundred people had entered through a disturbance in the northwest barrier at four in the morning, using wartime identification tags.

Shimura Danzō reacted to a violent surge of the Nine-Tails’ Chakra from the Senju compound by sending Root agents to investigate. At Training Ground Nine, Uka Senju struggled to adapt his swordsmanship to his new Battle Armor Technique, while Yuhi Katsuyo announced a major school exam and its rewards.

• Shimura Danzō heard that the Senju had tightened security, then felt a wave of malice and Chakra erupt from the Senju compound and ordered two Root agents to investigate the fight involving Mito Uzumaki.
• Yuhi Katsuyo led the students through Konoha Strong Fist Style training at Training Ground Nine.
• Uka Senju practiced his swordsmanship while trying to imagine how to combine it with his Battle Armor Technique, and Hatake Bunkei questioned his changed movements.
• Uka Senju told Hatake Bunkei he was imagining how Senju fighting might work with Shikotsumyaku-like abilities.
• Yuhi Katsuyo announced a major exam in a month, with resource rewards for high ranks and independent training privileges for students who achieved a perfect academic score and placed in the practical exam’s top twenty.