Chapter Summaries

Uka Senju practiced the Katsuyu Summoning Technique and received a training plan from Senju Tsukika. Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan leaders debated how to respond to the Senju’s renewed Wood Release, and their meeting ended in a bitter dispute over Madara and Kagami.

• Uka Senju tested Katsuyu’s defensive Ninjutsu and learned that physical attacks could not harm her.
• Katsuyu explained her abilities to Uka, then returned from the training ground.
• Senju Tsukika told Uka to practice summoning Katsuyu at different sizes and outlined his future training in Wood Release, elemental techniques, swordsmanship, and Taijutsu.
• Uka repeatedly practiced the Summoning Technique until Katsuyu began returning on her own.
• The Uchiha clan head asked six clan leaders how they should respond after confirming that the Senju had Wood Release again.
• Uchiha Setsuna criticized the Uchiha for yielding to the Senju, and an elderly clan leader angrily blamed Madara for the clan’s decline and Kagami’s lost chance to become Hokage.

Uchiha Yukito argued that the Uchiha should support the Senju against Hiruzen Sarutobi’s interference, while the clan debated whether to exploit the Senju-Sarutobi conflict. A quarrel between Yukito and Uchiha Setsuna escalated into a fight, and the Uchiha Clan Head engulfed the meeting hall in flames.

• Uchiha Setsuna put away his kunai after remembering Kagami had saved his life, and Uchiha Yukito called on the clan to oppose Hiruzen Sarutobi’s interference in the Senju Clan.
• Uchiha Hikaku rebuked Yukito for losing his temper and sent him back to his seat so the clan could hear everyone’s views.
• A clan member proposed using the Senju-Sarutobi conflict to strengthen the Uchiha and asked whether they should accept an offer from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Yukito warned that the Uchiha would face disaster if they joined the conflict, and Setsuna challenged his loyalty to the Senju, prompting Yukito to attack him with a Great Fireball.
• Setsuna countered Yukito’s Fire Style techniques, and the Uchiha Clan Head unleashed Majestic Destroyer Flame, engulfing the hall and everyone inside.

Senju Uka pushed himself through intense training until he could summon the Katsuyu Sage at any size, then recovered and reviewed a Wood Release Ninjutsu scroll with Senju Tsukika. The chapter left him considering which technique to learn first and understanding that his attacks needed stronger vines and roots than Hashirama’s.

• Senju Uka trained relentlessly through the morning and learned to summon the Katsuyu Sage at whatever size he wanted.
• Senju Tsukika sent Senju Uka to soak in a medicinal bath and then led him to lunch.
• Senju Uka brewed tea and brought out the Wood Release Ninjutsu scroll, unsure which technique to choose.
• Senju Tsukika explained that Senju Uka needed to strengthen his vines and roots because his Wood Release lacked Hashirama’s overwhelming suppression and Chakra absorption.

Uka Senju practiced Wood Release: Tree Spear under Senju Tsukika’s guidance, learning to improve the spears’ hardness before working on their range and number. After refining his Chakra, he strengthened the spears enough to meet Tsukika’s target, and she directed him to continue training their control and then practice growing a tree.

• Senju Tsukika explained why Uka Senju should begin with direct-damage Wood Release techniques and suggested Earth and Water Release as guides for later techniques.
• Uka Senju used Wood Release: Tree Spear for the first time, producing three weak spears that his Kunai easily cut through.
• Uka Senju practiced for an hour, gradually hardening the spears, and Senju Tsukika told him to rest and refine Chakra.
• While recovering, Uka Senju considered how to improve the spears’ hardness and found an approach to try.
• Uka Senju’s next attempt made the spears strong enough to stop a Senbon after it penetrated about a centimeter, meeting Senju Tsukika’s target.
• Senju Tsukika instructed Uka Senju to practice the spears’ angle, distance, and number, then use Chakra to grow a tree.

Uka Senju spent his morning off helping Senju Chiharu prepare breakfast, then used Wood Release to rapidly grow the cherry sapling in their backyard. He left the tree six meters tall and leafy as breakfast aromas came from the kitchen.

• Uka Senju woke early despite having the morning off and decided to help Senju Chiharu make breakfast.
• Uka Senju tried to shape steamed buns, then smeared flour across Chiharu’s face and ran from the kitchen.
• Uka Senju washed his hands and went to the backyard, where he used Wood Release Chakra to stimulate the cherry sapling’s growth.
• After an hour, Uka Senju had grown the cherry tree to six meters tall as breakfast began to smell ready.

Uka Senju used Wood Release to bring Senju Chiharu’s cherry tree into bloom, then began training the Shadow Clone Technique and discovered his clones shared his reluctance to work. Meanwhile, Kumogakure’s Third Raikage received reports that the Senju had openly broken with the Third Hokage and withdrawn from Konoha’s forces.

• Uka Senju made the cherry tree bloom and sent blossoms falling around a delighted Senju Chiharu.
• Senju Toka watched Uka and Chiharu from the house and approved of their closeness.
• Uka Senju summoned a Shadow Clone that complained about training and dispelled itself.
• Uka Senju summoned another Shadow Clone, gave it a Wood Release: Substitution Technique scroll, and continued practicing the basic techniques.
• Kumogakure’s intelligence chief told the Third Raikage that the Senju had fallen out with the Third Hokage, rumors of Uka’s Wood Release were spreading, and Senju personnel had left Konoha’s forces.

The Third Raikage learned that the Senju Wood Release user's parents were killed by him and ordered Kumogakure to prepare a careful assassination while using bounties to test the waters. The Third Tsuchikage chose to stay out of the conflict, offering limited help to the Senju while secretly placing a bounty on the Wood Release user.

• The Third Raikage ordered Kumogakure's front line to advance into the Land of Rice Fields and learned that the Wood Release user's parents were Senju Toka's younger brother and his wife, whom he had killed.
• The Third Raikage decided to help Hiruzen Sarutobi eliminate the Wood Release user, instructing his intelligence chief to wait for a sure chance and kill him in one strike.
• The Third Raikage ordered a ten-million bounty on the Wood Release user, with larger bounties to be added when he became a Chunin and a Jonin.
• The Third Tsuchikage confirmed the Senju-Sarutobi falling-out and the Wood Release user's connection to the Senju, then ordered his forces to hold position and avoid the conflict.
• The Third Tsuchikage allowed his forces to help the Senju if necessary and secretly arranged a ten-million bounty on the Wood Release user using the Land of Lightning's identity.

Senju Uka trained with Senju Tsukika, then used his day off to prepare fishing bait and visit Harumi at the Relief Hall. He met Senju Nobusada there and asked about Nobusada’s brothers and school.

• Senju Tsukika sparred with Senju Uka and explained how his repeated knee strikes had left him open to defeat.
• Senju Uka reflected on his recent progress in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and swordsmanship after training through the morning.
• Senju Uka mixed a large batch of grain bait and told Senju Tsukika he planned to go fishing after visiting Harumi.
• Senju Uka passed clan members training along the way to the Relief Hall and thought the clan had begun making its moves.
• Senju Nobusada greeted Senju Uka at the Relief Hall, and Uka ruffled his hair before asking where his older brothers were and why he was not at school.

Uka Senju visited Senju Harumi to check on her recovery and gave her grenades as a gift. After catching up with his classmates, he left with Senju Nobusada to take care of another important matter.

• Uka Senju teased Senju Nobusada about his rivalry with his twin younger brothers, then asked where Harumi was.
• Senju Harumi arrived and greeted Uka after Nobusada mentioned her.
• Uka apologized for Harumi being caught up in the previous incident and gave her a scroll containing grenades from his workshop.
• Harumi invited Uka and Nobusada to her quarters, where they talked for three hours.
• Harumi passed Uka an envelope for Inuzuka Furin, and Uka dragged the reluctant Nobusada away to handle his remaining business.

Uka Senju supplied Senju Nobusada with a scroll and grenades, then used bait and explosives to gather fish for energy. Five days later, the Senju leaders reviewed their preparations for southern operations and discussed support from the Uzumaki Clan and the daimyo.

• Uka Senju gave Senju Nobusada a scroll and grenades for him and his brothers as they prepared to begin their ninja careers.
• Uka Senju lured fish with bait, then blew them up with grenades and used a Water Formation Wall to shield himself.
• Five days later, Uka Senju shortened his exercise routine because of the rain and studied a new Ninjutsu under shelter.
• Sawagen Senju reported that the southern front handover and the new four-clan force's reorganization were complete, and described plans for the battlefield and trade association.
• Mito Uzumaki reported that Uzumaki ninja and barrier plans were ready, while Miko arranged orphans, tax revenue, and private support for the Senju.

Senju Toka and the elders discussed Root’s likely plans, threats against Uka, and ways to protect him from a thirty-million bounty. They agreed to reveal some of Uka’s abilities early to distinguish his Wood Release from Hashirama’s and reduce the danger he faced.

• Senju Toka arranged for Miko to thank the daimyō and for the Senju to cover the expenses of his collection work.
• The Second Elder reported that Root had gained over a hundred subordinates and was likely planning to attack the divided Land of Grass for recruits.
• Senju Toka said bounty hunters had already targeted Uka near the river, prompting the elders to send intelligence to the Uchiha and assign future samurai attackers to Uka as training.
• The Second Elder warned that Uka’s thirty-million bounty could rise and proposed revealing some of his abilities early to discourage further targeting.
• Senju Toka and the elders agreed to reveal that Uka’s Earth, Water, and Wood Release differed from Hashirama’s.

Senju Toka and the clan elders agreed to have Uka display Wood Release at the academy assessment while Moshige researched Tobirama's dangerous technique. Toka ordered Uka to win first place, and he fled after accidentally offending her.

• The second elder proposed using Uka's academy assessment to showcase Wood Release and attract future subordinates, and Senju Toka agreed to tell him to win decisively.
• Mito Uzumaki reported that Moshige could not master the Flying Thunder God Technique but could develop Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Formation.
• The second elder persuaded Mito Uzumaki to let Moshige research Tobirama's other technique, despite Hashirama's disapproval and its threat to the Pure Land.
• Senju Toka asked Senju Chiharu about the meeting, and Chiharu said the Senju should leave the consequences of the technique to future generations.
• Senju Toka ordered Uka Senju to take first place in the academy assessment, use Wood Release, and leave his creations behind.
• Uka Senju accidentally passed gas beside Senju Toka, used the Substitution Technique to evade her anger, and ran toward the kitchen.

Uka Senju woke to a family life more than ten years after his memories of being a young shinobi, his wife Chiharu, and their daughter Yūgumo had returned. After discovering that his status still showed him as nine years old, he panicked and used the Substitution Technique, leaving Chiharu baffled.

• Uka remembered that he had married Chiharu and that Yūgumo was their daughter, then spent the day with his family.
• Uka learned that Yūgumo had inherited his Wood Release but lacked strong physical talent.
• Uka checked his system panel and found that he was still listed as nine years old, with his old skills and 4982 energy.
• Uka suspected a supernatural resurgence, substituted a log for himself, and readied kunai by the window.
• Chiharu saw Uka hiding with weapons and wondered what had happened.

Senju Uka experienced Senju Chiharu’s Genjutsu: Homecoming and was terrified by its suggestion effect, then asked her to explain how it worked. Chiharu tested him with Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique, but Uka broke free and hugged her, leaving her blushing and gently patting his back.

• Senju Uka panicked after Genjutsu: Homecoming shifted his surroundings, then put away his kunai when he realized Senju Chiharu was no longer lying beside him.
• Senju Chiharu explained that forcibly breaking Homecoming had triggered its suggestion effect, and Uka admitted through his actions that he had overestimated his ability to resist it.
• Senju Chiharu proposed testing Uka with Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique, and he agreed.
• Senju Uka saw Chiharu as Sadako digging out his heart and lungs, then broke free of the genjutsu by stirring his Chakra.
• Senju Uka hugged Chiharu, and she blushed before gently stroking his hair and patting his back.

Uka Senju entered the forest for Senju Tsukika’s seven-hour test to bring back six ninja beast ears, while also seeking energy. After baiting predators at a river, he attacked three tiger-like ninja beasts with Wood Release, skewering one and badly wounding another as the largest tiger stood guard.

• Senju Tsukika sent Uka Senju into the forest at 9:34 and ordered him to return by 16:35 with the left ears of six ninja beasts, while a team followed to observe him.
• Uka Senju traveled into the forest’s depths, found a water source, and killed two wild boars to use as bait.
• After killing several ordinary predators, Uka Senju sensed three large ninja beasts and set a trap before hiding near the river.
• Uka Senju used Wood Release: Tree Spear against two tigers feeding on the bait, skewering the smaller one and leaving the tigress with a severe abdominal wound while the largest tiger watched.

Uka Senju fought and killed three tiger ninja beasts, then assessed how their strength affected the energy he gained. After harvesting the tigers, he resumed fishing while two Senju guards recorded and judged his performance.

• Uka Senju used Wood Release to attack the tigers, but the wounded tigress struck back with Earth Spears and destroyed his decoy.
• Uka Senju killed the tigress with his saber, dodged the big tiger’s attacks, and skewered it with Violent Spear Tree.
• Uka Senju collected energy from the cub, tigress, and big tiger, then concluded that young and weak creatures yielded more energy.
• Uka Senju cut up the tigers for meat and planned to turn the tigress’s hide into a fur cover for his aunt.
• Two Senju ninja recorded Uka Senju’s combat choices and noted his behavior while he skinned the tigers.
• Uka Senju finished cleaning the battlefield, returned to fishing, and threw blood and organs into the river to attract animals.

Uka Senju spent his day off with Senju Maki, getting to know his future fiancée before their engagement banquet. After discussing his upcoming assessment and training, they realized his free days would be limited to the seventh of each month.

• Uka Senju reflected on his corrective training and resumed practicing Tobirama's Sensory Technique, while deciding not to pursue the Hyūga's Byakugan for now.
• Uka welcomed Senju Maki to his home for a planned date, and she arrived carefully dressed and made up.
• Uka served Maki orange juice, and they chatted while waiting for the sun to weaken before going out.
• Maki asked about Uka's recent training, and he explained that his corrective training had ended after a mistake in battle.
• Uka told Maki about his coming assessment, their engagement, and his expected training; Maki asked whether he would only be free on the seventh, and he agreed.

After their first date, Uka Senju returned to school for a clan-arranged assessment, where he reunited with Inuzuka Furin and Inuzuka Sawa. As they walked to the academy, they discussed their intensified clan training and the pressure to place well in the assessment.

• Uka Senju and Senju Maki spent their first date walking in the forest and picnicking, and Uka agreed when Maki asked if the twenty-seventh could belong only to her.
• Uka Senju trained at home before breakfast, and Senju Toka warned him to fight properly in the upcoming assessment.
• Uka Senju left for school while Senju Tsukika followed him and his unseen teacher and bodyguard watched over him.
• Uka Senju reunited with Inuzuka Furin and Inuzuka Sawa on the way to school, and told Furin he had come to see her as well as take the assessment.
• Uka Senju, Inuzuka Furin, and Inuzuka Sawa walked toward school discussing their training and their clans' demands that they place in the top twenty.

Uka Senju reunited with his classmates at Konoha Ninja Academy as Teacher Katsuyo explained the major exam’s rules. The written exam began that afternoon, while the combat assessments were set for the next day, and Katsuyo worried that the class would soon break apart along clan lines.

• Uka Senju greeted Yuhi Katsuyo at the Academy gates and drew attention from students because of his Wood Release.
• Kurama Shimei revealed that Kurama Ten'in had lost a bet, and Uka Senju and Inuzuka Sawa joined Ten'in in knocking Shimei to the floor.
• Yuhi Katsuyo explained the written exam and the two-round combat assessment, including the arena defenses and qualifying rules.
• Uka Senju and his friends chatted instead of studying, while Yuhi Katsuyo reflected that many students would soon leave the class as clans separated.

Uka Senju faced open hostility from Inubashiri Yōki, the Chunin proctor for a written exam, but threatened him into backing down before the test began. After the exam, Uka and his classmates wondered why Yōki had only recently arrived at the academy and mocked his poor judgment.

• Uka Senju untied Inuzuka Furin's Ninja Dog after making it spend lunch staring at a chicken leg, and Furin slapped the puppy when it barked at him.
• Inubashiri Yōki introduced himself as the written-exam proctor and warned students against using Ninjutsu to cheat, while clearly targeting Uka's group.
• Uka threatened to kill Inubashiri Yōki if he stepped out of line, and Yōki suppressed his anger and handed out the exam papers.
• The students completed the two-hour exam and submitted their papers before returning to their seats to prepare for the next test.
• Senju Harumi asked Uka about Inubashiri Yōki, and Hyūga Homura recalled seeing him arrive at the academy with a large bag about a week earlier.
• Kurama Shimei mocked Inubashiri Yōki for failing to read the situation, prompting laughter from the students by the window.