Chapter Summaries

Senju Uka returned to Konoha with his comrades, received his jonin promotion, and learned that his squad would be disbanded and reassigned. Elsewhere, Jiraiya returned from Mount Myōboku having learned senjutsu and accepted command of a new unit, while the chapter ended with Senju Toka assigning the returning shinobi to new posts.

• Senju Uka led his detachment from the Land of Forests to Akifuku, where Senju Chiharu accepted their mission report and assigned the teams different routes home.
• Senju Toka reviewed a newly trained unit of twenty-four chunin and ordered them stationed at Training Ground 13 under a new commander.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha after two years of training at Mount Myōboku, confirmed he had learned senjutsu, and accepted command of a new unit and its mission.
• Senju Uka and his companions arrived in Konoha, where Senju Toka promoted Uka and Kurama Shimei to jonin and announced that their instructor-led squads would be disbanded.
• Senju Toka assigned Hatake Banwa and Senju Fukami to the southern battlefield, formed a new squad under Yūhi Shinku, and appointed Kurama Shimei captain of Mixed Company 134.

Uka Senju returned to Konoha, where he received command of a new squadron and an A-S mission to restore the Merchant Ninja Organization by eliminating the faction aligned with Sarutobi. After reuniting with his aunt, teammates, and fiancée, he began describing his journey to Maki, who asked about the dangers he faced.

• Senju Toka appointed Kurama Shimei commander of an expanded Wood Release Squad and dissolved the returning detachment's teams.
• Uka Senju met privately with Senju Toka, learned about his squadron's personnel, and received orders to meet them and carry out a mission involving the divided Merchant Ninja Organization.
• Uka Senju read that Miyako Kōmei's faction sought the clan alliance's help against the disciple-led faction, which had allied with the Sarutobi side.
• Uka Senju and his teammates gathered for barbecue, said farewell to their comrades, and agreed to inspect the new squadron the next day.
• Uka Senju returned home and reunited with Senju Maki, then showed her photographs and described the Land of Forests and the sea.
• Senju Maki asked whether Uka Senju's mission had been dangerous and mentioned his encounter with the Hoshikage.

Uka Senju returned to Konoha, reunited with Maki and his family, took charge of a Senju squad, and prepared a mission to reclaim the clan’s resources. After several days of training and visits, he received bad news from Senju Toka and hurried to revise the mission budget with Kenchū Senju.

• Uka Senju reassured Maki about his mission and discussed his fight with the Hoshikage before they prepared dinner for Senju Toka.
• Senju Toka gave Uka a list of ninjutsu to study and heard his plan to train and depart with his new team within seven days.
• Uka returned to Konoha, rested at home, organized clan affairs, and met the twenty-four subordinates who would serve under him.
• Uka visited his elderly great-uncle, Senju Tsukika, and Mito Uzumaki, who gave him a letter for Senju Toka and a scroll containing Hashirama Senju’s insights into Senjutsu.
• Uka spent the following days training and visiting family, reunited with Tsunade, and later heard that Aburame Kaun had gone searching for insects to help him advance.
• On the seventh, Uka received bad news from Senju Toka and hurried to revise the mission’s supply budget with Kenchū Senju.

Uka Senju led a reinforced force out of Konoha toward the Merchant Ninja Organization, while Hiruzen Sarutobi realized the Senju meant to challenge Jiraiya’s larger unit without sending reinforcements. On the island, Jiraiya received the warning, enlisted Kamijō Chi’s help, and prepared to defend against the approaching Senju.

• Uka Senju assembled the Wood Release Squadron, a Shinobi Clan squadron, and medical and logistics personnel, then sent Yoshikazu Senju ahead to secure ships and lead the way.
• Uka Senju and his remaining force openly departed Konoha, prompting observers to report the movement to their clans.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that the Senju force was heading to suppress the Merchant Ninja leader and ordered Jiraiya to respond without expecting reinforcements, then changed his message to prioritize Jiraiya’s safe return.
• Shimura Danzō tested his newly completed mechanical arm and, with Utatane Koharu, continued Root’s partnership with the black-robed visitors while arranging cautious secret communications.
• Yoshikazu Senju’s advance team reached Tochisen Castle, requisitioned ships, cleared part of the docks, and prepared supplies for the voyage.
• Jiraiya received Hiruzen Sarutobi’s urgent warning, suspended his negotiations with Kamijō Chi, and ordered him to gather fighters and boats to monitor the approaching enemy.

Uka Senju led the Wood Release Squadron and allied fighters by ship toward Qizhan, where they planned to confront the Sarutobi forces and restore the Merchant Ninja leadership. After learning about the island’s defenses and the seasonal southerly winds, Uka’s group favored a direct assault, while Jiraiya finished preparing the opposing force in the island’s city.

• Jiraiya ordered Kamijō Chi to command the Merchant Ninja combat personnel and make sure his orders were carried out through him.
• Uka Senju’s fleet departed Tochisen Castle with Masamae Kamijō and his fighters aboard a separate ship, while Uka reflected on his stalled Senjutsu training and worked on Wind Release.
• Masamae Kamijō described Qizhan’s cliffs, settlements, population, and available forces, and Uka’s group reassessed the threat after learning the visiting fighters included many Jonin.
• Uka assigned Yoshikazu Senju to investigate and Aburame Kaun to eliminate watchers, then discussed a direct assault with Kenchū Senju after learning that summer southerly winds favored them.
• Jiraiya confirmed that his Large Unit had mostly gathered, heard that Kamijō Chi had assembled 243 Merchant Ninja combat personnel in the city and arranged surveillance across the island, and received assurances that the remaining preparations were ready.

Jiraiya coordinated reconnaissance with Kamijō Chi as Uka Senju’s fleet approached the offshore command posts. After a mishap injured sailors and Uka punished the responsible squad leader, Senju teams attacked and wiped out Command Ship No. 2; Jiraiya received word of the attack and prepared for what came next.

• Jiraiya ordered Captain Akai Masahiro to send three reconnaissance teams with Kamijō Chi’s men and assigned Konoha ninja to relay intelligence from offshore observation points.
• A lookout abruptly halted the three ships after spotting the target, injuring sailors and sending two people overboard; Uka Senju kicked Moku Nana through the cabin before ordering the ships anchored and the wounded treated.
• Yoshikazu Senju and Masamae Kamijō joined Uka Senju, while mixed Senju teams headed out to scout and prepare for an attack.
• Six teams ambushed Command Ship No. 2, killed its crew, and searched the dead for intelligence as the surviving boats raised the alarm.
• Konoha personnel at the remaining command ships sent teams to investigate, and survivors’ reports were relayed to Kisen Island by a ninja beast.
• A subordinate woke Jiraiya and reported that Command Ship No. 2 had been wiped out; Jiraiya finished putting on his armor and looked toward the messenger.

Jiraiya prepared Kisen Island for an expected attack while Uka Senju finalized a plan to strike through the island’s sole entrance, relying on Senju strength, strong winds, and rain. Four days later, Jiraiya received reports that all three front-line squads were attempting to break out and were likely already defeated.

• Jiraiya ordered rotating shifts, constant readiness, watch over the surrounding waters, and supplies for the island’s defenders.
• Kenchū Senju reported that Kisen Island was on alert and detailed the enemy forces, prompting Uka Senju to propose a direct assault supported by sabotage and harassment from Masamae Kamijō’s people.
• Masamae Kamijō accepted the plan and agreed to arrange contact with his island forces, while Uka assigned Yoshikazu Senju to prepare traps and Aburame Kaun to eliminate lookouts.
• Over the next four days, the Senju teams carried out their preparations as Jiraiya watched worsening weather and awaited developments.
• On May 13, a messenger reported that all three front-line squads were attempting to break out and were likely wiped out, while an old man beside Jiraiya seized and examined the reports.

Kamijō Chi warned Jiraiya that the enemy was attacking the outlying towns, prompting Jiraiya to mobilize his forces and secure the city. Uka Senju joined the ships with Wood Release, then flew ahead to attack the enemy camp, where Jiraiya recognized the threat and handed battlefield command to Utatane Kunio.

• Kamijō Chi reported that all five outlying towns had requested reinforcements and warned that the enemy had likely attacked, so Jiraiya ordered his forces to assemble and assigned defenses for the city and rear.
• Uka Senju used Wood Release to join the three ships into one reinforced vessel, and Masamae Kamijō reprimanded a subordinate who had tested the new hull.
• Uka Senju briefed the ship’s personnel, then took a large scroll and flew toward the island as the torrential rain intensified.
• Uka Senju dropped an explosive iron ball on the enemy camp, killing two cliff sentries, then attacked the responding jonin with Water Fang Bullet.
• Jiraiya and the other jonin counterattacked Uka Senju, but he evaded their techniques and continued striking from the air.
• Jiraiya concluded that the Senju forces were likely attacking that day, ordered his men back to prepare for battle, and put Utatane Kunio in command.

Jiraiya stayed behind to face Uka Senju while Utatane Kunio led the others down, and their duel escalated into a clash of giant summons and Wood Release. As the battle below prepared to begin, Yoshikazu Senju and Inuzuka Furin launched a coordinated attack from the modified ship.

• Jiraiya ordered Utatane Kunio to take command below, then used Wind Release to cover the group’s descent as Uka Senju attacked them.
• Uka Senju trapped Jiraiya with Water Release and Wood Release, but Jiraiya escaped with substitution techniques and counterattacked with Earth and Water Release.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, who collided with Uka Senju’s Wood Dragon; Jiraiya and Uka Senju then fought at close range while Gamabunta struggled against the construct.
• Uka Senju and Jiraiya continued their duel as the countdown reached its final seconds, while Gamabunta gradually gained ground against the Wood Dragon.
• Yoshikazu Senju coordinated more than thirty ninjas in a Great Waterfall Technique, and Inuzuka Furin gave the order to fire as the modified ship surged forward under Wind Release.

Uka Senju’s forces used a massive wave, collapsing cliffs, and grenades to overwhelm the Konoha and Merchant Ninja defenders at Kisen Island, while Uka’s ship passed through the gap. Jiraiya abandoned hopes of victory, sent Utatane Kunio and others to evacuate survivors, and prepared to face Uka with the three giant toads and Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima.

• Uka Senju escaped Jiraiya, detonated charges to collapse the cliffs, and dropped grenades behind the rockfall as the wave approached.
• Utatane Kunio ordered the lower-ranked ninja to retreat, but the wave caught most of them while the grenades slowed their escape.
• Uka Senju’s ship passed through the gap under protective growth, and his forces landed and began attacking survivors in the water.
• Uka Senju summoned Katsuyu Sage to face Jiraiya and the three giant toads while Yoshikazu Senju led the others against the remaining enemies.
• Jiraiya sent Utatane Kunio, Shūei Gyōji, and Fusamae Ōnishi to help evacuate survivors, then summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima to prepare a counterattack.

Uka Senju battled Jiraiya and his toad allies with Wood Release while Senju forces hunted down Jiraiya’s scattered Jonin. After reinforcements arrived and Jiraiya’s allies were defeated, Jiraiya withdrew, while Uka Senju invoked Katsuyu Sage as he flew into the air.

• Uka Senju unleashed Deep Forest Emergence, turning the battlefield into a forest and helping Katsuyu overwhelm the three toads as Jiraiya and the two sages countered with Sage Art: Goemon.
• Uka Senju used the forest to hinder Jiraiya and attack him, while Jiraiya and the sages fought their way toward Uka.
• Yoshikazu Senju’s group killed Fusamae Ōnishi and an Anbu opponent, then sent Kenchū Senju’s squad back toward Uka’s battlefield.
• Kenchū Senju, Sanan Senju, and their companion reached the forest and fired signal flares as Uka and Jiraiya continued fighting.
• Jiraiya stabbed Uka in the abdomen but was struck in return; after hearing the signal and recognizing the battle was lost, he agreed to retreat.
• Jiraiya’s sages vanished, and Uka Senju flew upward, called out “Katsuyu Sage,” and watched Jiraiya disappear under a pulling force.

Senju Uka and Katsuyu killed Gamahiro during the battle, while Gamabunta and Gamaken escaped to Mount Myōboku. After recovering, Uka spoke privately with Katsuyu, whose cryptic remarks suggested she had noticed something about him, leaving him to wonder how she had learned it.

• Katsuyu stopped her insects, and one crawled out of Gamahiro before Gamabunta could help him; Gamaken fled with Gamabunta, and Senju Uka gained energy from Gamahiro’s death.
• Kenchū Senju treated Uka’s abdominal wound while Katsuyu helped calm him, and Fukasaku returned to Mount Myōboku with Gamahiro’s body.
• Gamabunta grieved over Gamahiro, and Gamaken explained to Fukasaku how Katsuyu had emerged from Gamahiro’s body.
• Uka woke a few minutes later, learned that Yoshikazu Senju was pursuing the fleeing enemy, and sent his teammates away to speak with Katsuyu.
• Katsuyu hinted that Shikkotsu Forest had become too crowded and invited Uka to visit; after she vanished, Uka suspected she had uncovered something about him.

Uka Senju realized Katsuyu had discovered something about his energy absorption, while the Great Toad Sage interpreted a prophecy of Mount Myōboku’s ruin and began preparing against Uka. Uka reached the city on Kisen Island and ordered his forces to restore control as he headed toward the central building.

• Uka Senju learned that the toad corpse had been taken to Mount Myōboku and decided to hurry his own improvement.
• Fukasaku reported Katsuyu’s deliberate killing of Gamahiro to the Great Toad Sage, who connected the incident to Uka Senju and recent changes in Konoha.
• The Great Toad Sage foretold disaster involving the Wood Release user and Mount Myōboku, then sent letters to the snake and Katsuyu and ordered training intensified.
• Uka Senju and his men brought their ship to the city on Kisen Island and divided into teams to suppress its districts.
• Uka Senju ordered Wood 82 to mark the medical station’s location at the city gates, then killed looters as his group advanced toward the center.

Uka Senju assigned medical and logistics duties in the captured city while Gamamaru responded to a changed prophecy by seeking the White Snake Sage's support. Jiraiya returned to Konoha and met Orochimaru, urging him to join a meeting with their teacher about the coming war.

• Uka Senju told the medical and logistics squad leaders to establish a station and secure the city after its suppression.
• Gamamaru told Jiraiya that a Wood Release user had changed the prophecy and brought war, then asked him to arrange a meeting with his teacher.
• Fukasaku delivered Gamamaru's letter to the White Snake Sage, who agreed to support him in exchange for half and ordered Ryūchi Cave to gather information on the Senju and the Wood Release user.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha through a toad and met Orochimaru near the statues of the Hokage.
• Jiraiya told Orochimaru he had lost the battle and urged him to come meet their teacher so he could explain what had happened.

Jiraiya reported the defeat on Kisen Island and told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Great Toad Sage wanted to meet him over a prophecy naming Uka Senju as a threat to the Shinobi World. Hiruzen decided to visit Mount Myōboku and use the prophecy to strengthen Konoha’s position, while Orochimaru stayed behind.

• Orochimaru followed Jiraiya through Konoha as news spread that Jiraiya had returned alone and badly battered from the battle.
• Fukasaku delivered the Great Toad Sage’s letter to Katsuyu Sage in Shikkotsu Forest, and Katsuyu agreed to the request.
• Jiraiya explained the enemy’s weather-based attack on Kisen Island and described how he had retreated after failing to stop the waves and Wood Release reinforcements.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi criticized Jiraiya’s command decisions, then asked what important news he had brought back.
• Jiraiya said the Great Toad Sage’s changed prophecy identified Senju’s Wood Release user, Uka Senju, as the person who would bring endless war and ruin Mount Myōboku.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to meet the Great Toad Sage as soon as possible, seeing an opportunity to rally support against Senju, and told Orochimaru to remain in Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi met Gamamaru at Mount Myōboku and heard the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy and account of chakra’s origins. Meanwhile, Uka Senju secured Kisen Island, set a deadline for the Merchant Ninja to restore its rule, and prepared to make them pay for the operation’s supplies.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi left Konoha with Jiraiya and traveled to Mount Myōboku to meet Gamamaru.
• Uka Senju reviewed the pursuit and casualty reports, then ordered his unit to move into Jiraiya’s former camp and search the city for supplies.
• Uka Senju gave Masamae Kamijō one week to restore the Merchant Ninja Organization’s rule over Kisen Island and refused his attempt to delay.
• Uka Senju and Inuzuka Furin sorted supply and medicine records so the Merchant Ninja would cover the costs, while Yoshikazu Senju and Aburame Kaun arranged the camp move.
• Gamamaru told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the prophecy concerned a future war across the Shinobi World and warned that the Senju’s future Wood Release would surpass Hashirama Senju’s.
• Gamamaru recounted how the Ōtsutsuki came from outer space, how he and the Sage of Six Paths sealed one of them, and how the Sage spread chakra through Ninshu; Hiruzen wondered where the Sage and his brother had gained their power.

Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Gamamaru’s warning that Senju Wood Release could revive the God Tree, then secured Toad Clan contracts and prepared Konoha to act against Wood Release and seek support from the other Sacred Lands. Ten days later, Senju Uka finalized an agreement with Masamae Kamijō on Kisen Island.

• Gamamaru told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Senju Wood Release could inherit Ōtsutsuki power and bring the God Tree back, and Hiruzen decided the Senju Wood Release had to be killed immediately.
• Gamamaru offered individual Toad Clan contracts, promised to approach the other Sacred Lands, and instructed Hiruzen to warn the great nations about the prophecy without revealing its later details.
• Hiruzen returned to Konoha, told Jiraiya and Orochimaru what he had learned, and authorized Orochimaru to use more resources and captives for his forbidden technique while forbidding experiments on civilians or Konoha people.
• Hiruzen asked Jiraiya and Orochimaru to record information about their summoning-beast clans, then arranged for the prophecy to be spread and contacted Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
• Ten days later, Senju Uka handed Masamae Kamijō their finalized contract on Kisen Island and said their cooperation would begin.

Uka Senju completed the handover of the Merchant Ninja Organization and returned to Konoha, where he finally relaxed during a spring outing with Inuzuka Furin. As their peaceful day continued, Furin confided her frustration with her stalled training, and Uka comforted her.

• Uka Senju signed the agreement transferring the Merchant Ninja Organization to the Senju, leaving Masamae Kamijō with its name and control of Kisen Island.
• Uka Senju and his team sailed home, while a new Senju squadron took over the island's security and medicinal-herb supply.
• Uka Senju spent a rare day off by the river with Inuzuka Furin and Brown and White, relaxing while Furin watched over him.
• Uka Senju noticed that Furin was anxious about her training and encouraged her to calm her mind and look for the differences in her practice.
• Inuzuka Furin admitted she could recite her father's guidance but still could not find the breakthrough she needed, and Uka Senju comforted her.

Uka Senju helped Inuzuka Furin blow off steam by having her unleash her Lightning Release techniques at a river, then took her on a night stroll through Konoha. When Furin killed three men spreading rumors, Uka admitted responsibility and explained that shinobi clan leaders could legally pay a fine instead of being arrested; the two continued home as Uka reflected that strength mattered more than reputation.

• Uka Senju took an upset Inuzuka Furin to a river and encouraged her to use all the Lightning Release ninjutsu she knew until her chakra ran out, then cooked fish for them.
• Furin followed Uka's advice to review the different ways she had performed her techniques, and they stayed by the river until nightfall before strolling through Konoha.
• Furin overheard three men spreading rumors and killed them with a senbon and shuriken while Uka watched without stopping her.
• Fūei Uchiha investigated the deaths and questioned Uka, who admitted killing the men and agreed to pay a fine under the rules for shinobi clan leaders.
• Uka explained to Furin that clan leaders had an annual quota for killings that required only a fine, then reflected that he no longer needed to protect his reputation.

Uka Senju accepted an A-to-S-rank mission to capture flying summoning beasts on Summoning Island, while Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered surveillance of Wood Release and a crackdown on leaks about summoning beasts. An Anbu operative named Rei informed Inoue that Uka's unit was headed to the island, and Inoue secretly prepared to send the information to the Land of Lightning.

• Uka Senju learned that the Uchiha had fined him for killing three men, paid the fine through a Wood Release Squadron ninja, and moved on from the incident.
• Senju Toka gave Uka a mission to capture large flying summoning beasts, and he prepared to leave with his squad and five sealing specialists.
• Uka led thirty-six people out of Konoha toward Summoning Island while Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Anbu teams to monitor their movements and investigate leaks.
• An Anbu operative named Koyō used a hidden passage and disguises to meet Inoue, then reported that Uka's mission was headed to Summoning Island.
• Inoue hurried into a washroom and formed Hand Seals to summon a bird unique to the Land of Lightning.