Recaps

Yuzuru learned that Obito’s group was preparing to capture the Tailed Beasts and directed Nagato to let Obito act while continuing the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan. When other nations arranged a visit to the Land of Water, Yuzuru and Mei Terumi planned to host them on an island and use outdated technology to distract them, while Yuzuru promised a reminder of his power. Later, Kaguya told Yuzuru she had begun to understand Isshiki’s eyes and that the Ten-Tails had appeared on Earth.

• Konan told Yuzuru that Nagato had reported Obito was preparing to capture the Tailed Beasts, and Yuzuru ordered Nagato not to take the initiative.
• Mei Terumi showed Yuzuru intelligence that other nations planned to visit the Land of Water, apparently to gather information about the academy.
• Yuzuru proposed hosting the visitors on a deserted island and displaying phased-out surveillance equipment, training tools, and cargo vehicles to divert their attention.
• Mei Terumi agreed to Yuzuru’s plan, and Yuzuru said he would make the visitors remember the threat he posed.
• Kaguya told Yuzuru she had started figuring out Isshiki’s eyes and that the Ten-Tails had been summoned to Earth; Yuzuru declined her offer of help.

Yuzuru and Mei Terumi hosted the four villages' Kage at the Sea Region Academy and presented its technology and business opportunities. The Kage became especially interested in Second-Generation Scientific Ninja Tools after learning the Land of Water had purchased fifty sets.

• After returning from two days with Kaguya, Yuzuru recovered by eating and resting with Tsunade and the others.
• Two weeks later, the four villages' Kage and their guards arrived at the Land of Water, where Mei Terumi welcomed them alongside Yuzuru, disguised as Mr. Arashi.
• Yuzuru opened Yomotsu Hirasaka and led the wary visitors to the Sea Region Academy's island, where he showed them its facilities and introduced its technology-sharing conference.
• Yuzuru presented obsolete products and described business partnerships, then displayed civilian equipment and Second-Generation Scientific Ninja Tools.
• Yuzuru revealed that the tools could use Kekkei Genkai Ninjutsu and said Mei Terumi had bought fifty sets for national defense, alarming the other Kage.

Yuzuru used the villages’ fear of Kirigakure gaining an advantage to sell Scientific Ninja Tools, presenting the deal as a way to preserve balance while restricting the supply. Rasa sought the same tools for Sunagakure, but the price and Kirigakure’s generous funding left him shaken.

• After the talks ended, the villages approached Yuzuru to buy Scientific Ninja Tools, and he planned to profit from being their sole supplier.
• Yuzuru refused Rasa’s invitation to visit and waited for the Kazekage to come to him instead.
• Rasa asked to purchase Second-Generation Scientific Ninja Tools, and Yuzuru claimed their production was limited and large-scale sales could turn them into weapons of war.
• Yuzuru agreed to sell Sunagakure fifty sets, matching Kirigakure’s purchase, and showed Rasa Kirigakure’s transaction receipt.
• Rasa read that Kirigakure’s purchase totaled 600 million ryo, with the Land of Water’s Daimyo contributing 350 million, and trembled at the cost and Sunagakure’s poorer finances.

Rasa struggled to pay for Sunagakure’s order of Scientific Ninja Tools, so Yuzuru, posing as Mr. Arashi, suggested that the village’s desert oil might serve as payment. Rasa left hoping the academy would accept it, while Yuzuru promised to report the proposal and give him an answer the next day.

• Yuzuru told Rasa that Sunagakure had to pay the six hundred million ryo price for the Scientific Ninja Tools, and Rasa asked for a loan.
• Rasa explained that Sunagakure could not afford the tools, but Yuzuru refused to make an exception and Rasa asked for two days to find the money.
• Yuzuru stopped Rasa from leaving and asked whether Sunagakure had discovered a pungent, flammable black liquid in its desert.
• Rasa confirmed that Sunagakure had the liquid, and Yuzuru said he would ask the academy whether it could count toward payment.
• Rasa left worried, while Yuzuru said he would tell him the academy’s decision the next day.

Yuzuru planned to acquire the Land of Wind’s oil through trade, then met with Fourth Raikage A and Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, who wanted to buy Scientific Ninja Tools. He defended the six-hundred-million price by arguing the tools would deter war and that the villages were paying for their own security.

• After Sunagakure’s party left, Yuzuru planned to obtain all the oil in the Land of Wind through trade.
• Fourth Raikage A and Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki arrived to ask Yuzuru about buying Scientific Ninja Tools.
• Yuzuru gave them the purchase list, and A protested when he saw the six-hundred-million price.
• Yuzuru explained that selling the same fifty tools to each village would balance Kirigakure’s arsenal and help prevent war.
• When A argued that peacekeeping tools should cost less, Yuzuru replied that the villages needed the security and were not doing the academy a favor.

Yuzuru secured deals with Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha, selling them Scientific Ninja Tools for six hundred million ryō each while preparing further chaos through the Akatsuki. Two days later, the buyers collected their equipment, and Rasa was left uncertain whether Sunagakure could trade its crude oil for anything valuable.

• Yuzuru told A and Ōnoki that the academy would not take responsibility for them, and both Kage agreed to buy the equipment for six hundred million ryō each.
• Yuzuru concluded the same deal with Hiruzen Sarutobi and considered the money a way to weaken the other villages financially.
• At Mei Terumi's home, Yuzuru told Mei Terumi, Pakura, and Konan that the Akatsuki could move out and spread fear while the villages were destabilized.
• Two days later, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha collected their Scientific Ninja Tools, while Sunagakure stayed behind to ask about trading crude oil.
• Yuzuru warned Rasa that crude oil was difficult to process and that the academy had not settled on its value.

Yuzuru secured Sunagakure’s crude oil and metal resources for the academy, leaving Rasa scrambling to obtain the money Sunagakure owed. Yuzuru and Mei Terumi planned to absorb the Land of Wind and use Akatsuki against the other major countries.

• Yuzuru told Rasa the academy would pay thirty million for Sunagakure’s crude oil and buy its metals at one percent above market price.
• Yuzuru sent Kabuto Yakushi and a Sunagakure guard to inspect the metals and oil sites, while Rasa agreed to wait two more days for the Scientific Ninja Tools.
• Yuzuru told Mei Terumi that Sunagakure had agreed to the deals and that its failure to raise six hundred million revealed the divide between the village and the Land of Wind’s daimyo.
• Yuzuru and Mei Terumi discussed having Temari work with Mei and eventually manage the Land of Wind after unification.
• Mei Terumi crossed the Land of Wind off her map, and Yuzuru said they would use Akatsuki against the other three major countries.

Yuzuru and Mei Terumi planned to secure oil and mineral resources in the Land of Wind, then Yuzuru negotiated a deal with Rasa that would provide Sunagakure with revenue and its people with jobs. Rasa accepted the proposal and thanked Mr. Arashi for his help.

• Yuzuru and Mei Terumi discussed sending the Akatsuki against other countries and agreed to send Kabuto to oversee operations in the Land of Wind.
• Kabuto returned with reports confirming the Land of Wind had abundant oil and metal resources.
• Yuzuru offered Rasa forty million for the oil and two hundred million for the mineral deposits, with the Academy covering mining costs and equipment.
• Yuzuru proposed hiring adult residents of Sunagakure for the oil fields and mines, allowing the village to tax part of their wages.
• Rasa saw the deal as a way to address Sunagakure's financial crisis and thanked Mr. Arashi on behalf of the village.

Yuzuru secured Sunagakure’s agreement to hand over mineral and oil resources, then began plans to undermine the village and escalate its conflict with the daimyo. He also set the Akatsuki in motion while helping Nagato prepare for future dangers.

• Rasa signed agreements granting Yuzuru’s academy access to the Land of Wind’s metal resources and oil fields, and promised Sunagakure’s protection for them.
• Yuzuru assigned Kabuto to prepare the resource operations with Orochimaru’s help and ordered Minato and Shisui to assist with stationing troops.
• Yuzuru planned to provoke conflict between Sunagakure and the daimyo by steering the village’s ninja away from missions and toward work in the mines and oil fields.
• After Rasa paid for the Scientific Ninja Tools and returned to Sunagakure, Yuzuru met Nagato and told the Akatsuki to make money and spread panic without exposing their base or Amegakure.
• Nagato gave Yuzuru a Rinnegan he had removed, and Yuzuru replenished Nagato’s vitality before Nagato gathered the others to begin their plans.

Kabuto and Minato oversaw resource extraction in the Land of Wind while Yuzuru reunited with another Tsunade in the sage land. After a week away, the Academy's Tsunade began to suspect that something was wrong.

• Kabuto brought people to the Land of Wind to gather resources, and Minato accompanied them in disguise while Rasa accepted their presence as a deterrent.
• Months later, Tsunade summoned Yuzuru to the cabin in the Void Bamboo Sea and eagerly showed him her seal-less Water Release.
• Yuzuru and Tsunade spent seven days together in the cabin, while the Academy's Tsunade felt inexplicably uneasy and anticipated seeing Yuzuru again.
• When Yuzuru remained absent for a week, the Academy's Tsunade asked Kurenai where he was, then dreamed of their intimate encounters.
• The Academy's Tsunade saw the other Shizune the next morning and realized that the timing might explain her unease.

Tsunade arrived at the Void Bamboo Sea and found Yuzuru with her future self, leading to a week of conflict and intimacy before he left with renewed focus. Over the following month, Yuzuru expanded his plans in the Land of Wind, and Sunagakure’s leaders embraced the growing income from sending their ninja to work in mines and oil fields.

• Tsunade used Reverse Summoning to reach the Void Bamboo Sea, found Yuzuru with her future self, and joined them after they took her down.
• A week later, Yuzuru left the Void Bamboo Sea while the two Tsunades slept, and they later argued about how much the future Tsunade indulged him.
• After recovering, Yuzuru returned to work, delegated the Ministry of Education to Konan and Shizune, and traveled between the Land of Wind and the Sea Capital.
• Yuzuru arranged for more than half of Sunagakure’s ninja to work in mining areas and oil fields, earning the village over ten million in tax revenue in a month.
• Kabuto established four mines and three oil fields in the Land of Wind, while Sunagakure’s leaders sent more ninja to work and praised Rasa for the profits.

Two years later, the Sea Capital’s Academy had drawn thousands of talented students away from the ninja villages, while Yuzuru and Mei Terumi expanded their economic and political influence. After Mei brought news of Konoha’s upcoming Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, Yuzuru decided to wait and see whether Kumogakure and Iwagakure would participate.

• Naruto and the other students turned twelve, and their education at the Academy helped them develop new values and question the Shinobi World.
• Yuzuru and Mei Terumi discussed the Sea Capital’s growth and how its investments had strengthened its influence in the Land of Wind.
• Yuzuru explained that he had leaked Sunagakure’s income to provoke the Land of Wind’s daimyo into a conflict with the village.
• Mei Terumi reported that Konoha had scheduled Joint Chunin Ninja Exams for two months later and asked whether the Sea Capital should participate.
• Yuzuru said they would wait to see if Kumogakure and Iwagakure joined, and dismissed Sunagakure as no threat.

Yuzuru and Mei Terumi discussed Konoha’s joint Chunin Exams and decided to use the event to display the Sea Capital’s strength. Yuzuru selected two teams to compete and planned to accompany them, leaving their preparations underway.

• Mei Terumi told Yuzuru that Akatsuki had killed two Iwagakure jonin, and they discussed the reports on Kakuzu and Hidan.
• Yuzuru proposed sending Hozuki Suigetsu, Yuki Haku, and Kaguya Kimimaro to the joint Chunin Exams, and Mei Terumi noted that the team would be unusually powerful.
• Yuzuru assured Mei Terumi that he would accompany the team, then asked about the Chinoike Clan’s loyalty.
• Yuzuru chose a second team consisting of a Chinoike Clan member, Chōjūrō, and Hotaru, whom Utakata had been teaching.

Mei Terumi learned that Iwagakure and Kumogakure would attend the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Sunagakure’s newfound prosperity had weakened its focus on training ninja. Sunagakure’s leaders dismissed their lack of prepared candidates, a complacency that served Yuzuru’s plans.

• Mei Terumi and Yuzuru discussed the surprising attendance of Iwagakure and Kumogakure, suspected intelligence gathering, and decided to proceed with their plan.
• In the Land of Wind, workers sent metal ores and oil to the Land of Water as steady wages improved life for many Sunagakure residents.
• Rasa, Chiyo, Ebizo, and other officials worried that Sunagakure had too few trained ninja for the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
• A senior official argued that Sunagakure’s talented young people had gone to the Sea Region Academy and that the Academy’s presence protected the village, easing the officials’ concerns.
• Chiyo ordered the village to select capable Genin and train them for a month, and the officials accepted the plan.
• Sunagakure’s leaders put aside their worries, while Yuzuru welcomed the false sense of security and declining fighting spirit.

As Kirigakure’s group traveled to Konoha for the Chunin assessment, Yuzuru planned to find Kinoe, later known as Yamato, and take him from Root. The assessment began with Haku and the others easily clearing the first round and entering the Forest of Death, while Yuzuru searched for Kinoe.

• Yuzuru sent Zabuza, Ameyuri, Haku, and the others to Konoha, warning Zabuza to stop Ameyuri from picking fights.
• Yuzuru masked himself and followed the group, intending to find Kinoe in Root and give him to Akatsuki.
• The Kirigakure group arrived in an electric vehicle, and Utatane Koharu escorted them to their accommodations ahead of the assessment.
• Yuzuru returned to the Senju Clan compound and read the clan’s handwritten records while he waited for the assessment to begin.
• Haku and the others filled in the first-round papers with nonsense, then entered the Forest of Death for the second assessment.
• Yuzuru watched the second assessment begin and started searching for Kinoe, believing he had a month to find him.

Yuki Haku led Kimimaro and Hozuki Suigetsu through the Forest of Death, planning to showcase their abilities and Scientific Ninja Tools while collecting scrolls. After defeating one team in an ambush, they confronted three Cloud Ninja, and Kimimaro killed one with his Shikotsumyaku.

• Yuki Haku explained that the team should demonstrate its strength and Scientific Ninja Tools, and said they would assist Lord Yuzuru when needed.
• Haku stopped Hozuki Suigetsu from swimming, and the trio rested beside a river before setting out toward the tower the next morning.
• Haku blocked a team's traps with ice, and Kimimaro and Suigetsu killed the three attackers and took their Earth Scroll.
• Haku recognized a team of Cloud Ninja, and Suigetsu and Kimimaro charged into battle while Haku watched.
• Kimimaro used Shikotsumyaku to pierce a Cloud Ninja's heart with a finger bone.

Suigetsu, Haku, and Kimimaro reached the exam assembly point, where the group noticed the frail-looking Konoha Jonin Hayate and prepared for an extra elimination round. Suigetsu’s match against an Iwagakure ninja began, and he nearly defeated his opponent with Hiramekarei.

• Kimimaro chose to keep Kabutowari after considering whether to switch to the Exploding Blade Shibuki.
• Haku, Suigetsu, and Kimimaro arrived at the assembly point with the Heaven Scroll and joined Zabuza and Ameyuri.
• Ameyuri noticed a dangerous-looking participant from Sunagakure, and Yuzuru warned the trio to conceal their strength and rely more on Scientific Ninja Tools.
• Hayate began an additional elimination round to narrow the remaining competitors to sixteen.
• Suigetsu drew an Iwagakure ninja as his opponent and used Bone Pull and the Hydrification Technique to nearly cut him in half with Hiramekarei.

Suigetsu and Haku won their exam matches while Ameyuri reflected on the brutal lives shinobi endured. Meanwhile, Yuzuru located Root and later openly confronted Konoha, where Anbu trapped him in a Four Violet Flames Formation.

• Suigetsu defeated his Iwagakure opponent, then mocked him into thanking Suigetsu for supposedly saving his life.
• Yuzuru found Root's entrance, marked Danzo with a spacetime anchor, and decided to draw Yamato out by damaging Konoha's buildings.
• Haku defeated a Kusagakure opponent with Ice Release, though Gekko Hayate had to shield the injured shinobi from some of Haku's Senbon.
• Ameyuri told Suigetsu and Kimimaro that shinobi were treated like livestock, and Zabuza silently agreed with her view.
• After the exam's second round ended, Yuzuru appeared openly in Konoha and demanded that Hiruzen Sarutobi come to him.
• Anbu surrounded Yuzuru and activated the Four Violet Flames Formation, but he dismissed their effort as unimpressive.

Minazuki Yuzuru attacked Konoha and defeated Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the Shinigami who answered Hiruzen’s Reaper Death Seal. After destroying Hokage Rock, Yuzuru was confronted by Arashi, who transported them both away.

• Yuzuru fought Hiruzen and Enma, freezing Enma until he abandoned his staff form and vanished.
• Yuzuru defeated Danzo twice with ice attacks, forcing him to use Izanagi and retreat.
• Hiruzen summoned the Shinigami with the Reaper Death Seal, but Yuzuru challenged it with Sage Mode and his Nine Tomoe Sharingan, driving it back to the Pure Land.
• Yuzuru froze the four shinobi maintaining the Four Violet Flames Formation, shattered them, and used a giant ice figure to destroy Konoha buildings and Hokage Rock.
• Arashi appeared and used Storm Release: One Beam to cut the ice figure in two before space distortions transported him and Yuzuru away.
• Konoha’s Anbu carried the unconscious Hiruzen to the hospital.

Minazuki Yuzuru staged a battle in Konoha, then used a giant ice ball to create chaos while Mr. Arashi and the Academy's other guardian defended the village. Two days later, Hiruzen Sarutobi woke and demanded that Danzo send his Wood Release ninja to help rebuild Konoha.

• Minazuki Yuzuru and Mr. Arashi reappeared through Konoha's barrier, and Yuzuru staged his defeat before unleashing a gigantic ice ball over the village.
• Mr. Arashi and the Academy's other guardian split and destroyed the ice ball, while people on the ground exploited the steam and confusion to commit crimes; Yuzuru protected the Senju Clan compound.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu learned that Yuki Haku had contacted the Sea Region Academy's guardians, and the guardians left after helping Konoha.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu concluded that Jiraiya was the only remaining candidate to lead Konoha.
• Two days later, Hiruzen Sarutobi woke in Konoha Hospital, learned what had happened, and ordered Danzo to send his Wood Release ninja to help rebuild the village.

Danzo reacted to Hiruzen’s plan for succession by plotting against Jiraiya, while Hiruzen prepared to retire and disband Root. As Konoha rebuilt after the destruction, Yamato completed the housing work and was confronted by a masked man.

• Mitokado Homura told Danzo that Hiruzen wanted him to give up his ambitions, and Danzo erupted in anger before resolving to kill Jiraiya.
• Danzo ordered Kinoe to join the Hokage’s missions, help the Anbu rebuild Konoha, and send him intelligence about Jiraiya.
• Hiruzen officially released Yamato from Root, assigned him to the Anbu, and told him to rebuild homes with Wood Release.
• Hiruzen told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu that he would step down when Jiraiya returned and ordered them to disband Root.
• Three days later, Suigetsu, Haku, and Kimimaro discussed Konoha’s reconstruction and the possibility of Jiraiya becoming the next Hokage.
• After completing the last residential area’s reconstruction, Yamato was approached by a man wearing a white mask.

A masked figure abducted Yamato, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to blame Danzo and conclude that Danzo had to be stopped. Meanwhile, Yuzuru remained with Kaguya on the moon, where they discussed having a child before Kaguya drew him back into their embrace.

• A masked figure used Wood Release and Mangekyō genjutsu to capture Yamato after killing two Anbu who tried to protect him.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Yamato was missing, and Hiruzen accused Danzo of taking him.
• Hiruzen ordered the two dead Anbu's families to receive the highest death benefits and decided Danzo was finished.
• Danzo learned Yamato was missing and vowed to find him and use him to clear his path to becoming Hokage.
• Yuzuru and Kaguya discussed having a biological child, but Yuzuru said he wanted to keep their love between them, and Kaguya responded by pulling him close.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha after surviving several assassination attempts and found Hiruzen Sarutobi determined to make him the Fifth Hokage. Danzo resolved to oppose Jiraiya’s appointment, while Jiraiya continued to resist accepting the position.

• Jiraiya and Gamabunta defeated another group of assassins, and Gamabunta urged Jiraiya to watch Minazuki Yuzuru closely.
• Jiraiya and Gamabunta discussed Konoha’s crisis, the disappearances of Tsunade and others, and Jiraiya’s reluctance to become Hokage.
• Two days later, Jiraiya returned to Konoha and went to visit Hiruzen Sarutobi in the hospital.
• Danzo learned Jiraiya had returned and vowed to prevent him from becoming Hokage, even if he had to bring him down.
• Jiraiya questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s choice of him as the Fifth Hokage, but Hiruzen insisted that Jiraiya was the only option.

Jiraiya agreed to become Konoha’s Fifth Hokage after Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him seven days to find Tsunade or take office. A week later, Jiraiya was officially named Hokage, while Zabuza, Ameyuri, Haku, Suigetsu, and Kimimaro struggled to keep their reactions hidden.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Jiraiya seven days to find Tsunade and convince her to become the Fifth Hokage, or return and take the position himself.
• Jiraiya agreed to become Hokage, and Hiruzen Sarutobi told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to help him while warning them not to pursue their own ambitions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the Root Base through the Telescope Technique and warned Danzo that this was his last chance.
• A week later, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down in Konoha’s square and announced Jiraiya as the Fifth Hokage.
• Jiraiya greeted the cheering villagers as ninja from other villages watched and discussed Konoha’s strength.
• Zabuza, Ameyuri, Haku, Suigetsu, and Kimimaro tried to keep from laughing as they watched the ceremony.

After recovering from Kaguya’s draining, Yuzuru spent a week with Tsunade in Amenominaka before they returned to find that Jiraiya had become the Fifth Hokage. Yuzuru explained that Konoha had been left with few alternatives and that making Jiraiya Hokage had been part of his plan.

• Yuzuru returned home exhausted after Kaguya drained his energy, and Kurenai recognized what had happened.
• Tsunade brewed Yuzuru a restorative tonic, and he recovered within three days before spending the night with Kurenai and Hikari.
• Yuzuru joined Tsunade in Amenominaka, where they spent roughly a week together.
• The two Tsunades teased each other after Yuzuru and Tsunade returned, while the two Shizunes watched them.
• Shizune told Yuzuru and both Tsunades that Jiraiya had become the Fifth Hokage.
• Yuzuru said he had intended to make Jiraiya Hokage so the Akatsuki’s coming activity would keep him occupied and limit the threat he posed.