Recaps

A massacre unfolded at the Fire Daimyo’s capital while Tsunade and Shizune gambled away their lodging money in the Land of Waves. A boy named Naoki Senju arrived and, after enduring Tsunade’s killing intent, collapsed in her arms, leaving her confronted with the Senju name and its legacy.

• Masked black-clad ninja attacked a lavish estate in the Fire Daimyo’s capital, where a middle-aged man used Water Release to repel one attacker.
• Tsunade lost her money gambling, and Shizune pleaded with her to stop before they lost their lodging money too.
• Two sword-carrying samurai entered the gambling house with Naoki Senju, seized the owner, and handed the money to the boy.
• Naoki introduced himself to Tsunade as a Senju, triggering her overwhelming killing intent and knocking the samurai and owner down.
• Naoki resisted Tsunade’s killing intent long enough to declare that the Senju Clan would not be slaughtered, then collapsed with blood coming from his mouth and nose.
• Shizune treated Naoki with the Mystical Palm Technique and wondered whether he could help Tsunade overcome her dispirited state.

Naoki Senju woke under Tsunade’s care and revealed that he was Tobirama Senju’s descendant, prompting Tsunade to learn about his family and its destruction. After the news devastated her, Naoki held her as the two remaining members of the Senju Clan found comfort in each other.

• Tsunade treated Naoki Senju’s injuries and asked about his Senju lineage.
• Naoki told Tsunade that his father was Shinji Senju and his grandfather was Tobirama Senju.
• Naoki explained that his family lived in the Land of Fire’s daimyo capital under the Soga surname and that Tobirama had forbidden them from returning to Konoha or learning ninjutsu.
• Naoki revealed that the Senju Clan in the daimyo’s capital had been wiped out, and Tsunade collapsed in grief.
• Naoki caught Tsunade in an embrace, which Shizune briefly witnessed before quietly closing the door.

Tsunade fed the injured Naoki Senju and questioned him about the Senju Clan massacre, then agreed to teach him ninjutsu. After Tsunade left for a gambling house, Naoki persuaded Shizune to stay and teach him about ninja.

• Tsunade spoon-fed Naoki Senju and urgently asked what he knew about the Senju Clan massacre.
• Naoki told Tsunade that ninja had been involved and that his dying father had sent him away with two guards, while warning him not to seek revenge or enter the ninja world.
• Tsunade suspected Konoha ninja might have been involved, invited Naoki to stay with her, and promised to teach him ninjutsu once he recovered.
• Tsunade massaged Naoki to help him heal, then left to gamble and asked Shizune to teach him basic ninja knowledge.
• Shizune came looking for Tsunade, but Naoki explained her gambling habits and persuaded Shizune to sit with him and begin teaching.

Tsunade learned from Naoki Senju that other Senju Clan members were listed in the family genealogy, giving her hope that the clan could survive. She decided to resume their search soon, while Naoki anticipated his recovery and future plans.

• Tsunade returned to the inn drunk and found Shizune laughing and playing with Naoki Senju.
• Tsunade told Shizune to prepare sobering soup and warned Naoki to keep his background secret from everyone else.
• Tsunade asked whether Naoki knew of other Senju Clan members, and he said their names appeared in the genealogy without their whereabouts.
• Tsunade wept with gratitude, and Naoki comforted her before Shizune saw them together and quietly left the soup by the door.
• Tsunade told Naoki they would set out again after one more day of rest, then massaged him before leaving.
• Naoki revealed that his body had already recovered most of the way and looked ahead to confronting Danzo.

Tsunade used Naoki Senju’s money to fund their travels and charged him for private shinobi lessons, then began training him in the basics. After a punishing day of study, Naoki looked forward to learning chakra molding the next day.

• Shizune told Naoki Senju that Tsunade had gambled away their travel funds, including his banknotes.
• Shizune explained that Tsunade and she made money by selling Tonton to thug samurai and letting the pig escape.
• Tsunade offered Naoki private lessons for one hundred thousand ryo per session and took a million ryo as compensation.
• Tsunade taught Naoki about chakra, shinobi origins, and basic hand seals, while strictly correcting his mistakes.
• Tsunade healed Naoki’s bruises and told him to rest before trying to mold chakra the next day.

Tsunade took Naoki Senju into a cave to help him mold chakra, and he succeeded in minutes. Testing his chakra nature caused him to awaken Wood Release, leaving Tsunade stunned as a towering tree burst through the mountain.

• Tsunade led Naoki Senju, Shizune, and Tonton to a cave and secured it with trigger-type sealing tags.
• Naoki Senju followed Tsunade’s instructions and molded chakra in just over ten minutes.
• Tsunade examined Naoki and gave him Chakra Sensing Paper made from wood associated with the First Hokage’s Wood Release.
• Naoki infused the paper with chakra, which split, crumbled, and became wet before a seedling erupted and grew into a towering tree.
• Tsunade escaped the collapsing cave with Naoki and recognized his power as her grandfather’s Wood Release.

Naoki Senju awakened Wood Release, and Tsunade promised to help him pursue justice for the Senju Clan before suggesting that Orochimaru could teach him. The group headed to the Land of Hot Water to find Orochimaru, where Tsunade lost another round of gambling and Naoki arranged a hot spring stay.

• Naoki Senju manifested Wood Release, and he and Tsunade knelt before the towering tree in remembrance of Hashirama.
• Naoki told Tsunade that Uchiha Itachi would exterminate the Uchiha Clan in the future, and Tsunade reacted with anger and disbelief.
• Tsunade comforted Naoki and promised that those responsible for harming the Senju Clan would not escape justice.
• Tsunade told Naoki that Orochimaru, her former teammate, could guide his Wood Release training.
• In the Land of Hot Water, Tsunade lost her money at a roadside casino, and Naoki arranged a hot spring inn before the cousins began roughhousing.

Tsunade taught Naoki Senju the offensive Water Release: Wild Water Wave, and he learned it far faster than she expected. She then asked whether he should specialize in a few ninjutsu or study many, and Naoki chose specialization.

• Tsunade demonstrated her improved Water Release: Wild Water Wave, cutting through a tree and the ground beside the hot spring.
• Naoki Senju copied the technique on his first try, startling Tsunade, though his power and accuracy still fell short of hers.
• Naoki checked his remaining chakra and prepared to practice again, but Tsunade stopped him to discuss his future training.
• Tsunade asked whether a ninja should specialize in a few techniques or learn a broad range, and Naoki answered that specializing was wiser.
• Tsunade praised Naoki's answer and cited powerful ninja who had built their strength around specialized abilities.

Tsunade began training Naoki Senju in chakra control so he could eventually learn advanced ninjutsu and medical ninjutsu. After using a wall to practice tree climbing, Naoki secretly watched Tsunade in the hot spring, then resumed training; the next morning, Tsunade and Shizune found him standing on the hot spring’s surface.

• Tsunade told Naoki Senju he needed to improve his chakra control before learning advanced ninjutsu, and she began teaching him tree climbing practice.
• Naoki struggled to climb the tree without cracking its trunk, then used a courtyard wall and successfully walked to its top.
• Naoki spotted Tsunade bathing in the neighboring hot spring, but she sensed him and warned him with a teasing scold.
• Naoki returned to training and made progress controlling chakra as he practiced climbing the tree.
• The next morning, Tsunade and Shizune went to wake Naoki and found him standing on the hot spring water.

Naoki Senju impressed Tsunade by mastering Water Walking overnight, then began learning Wood Release: Wood Clone from her. Tsunade reflected on the Senju Clan’s future and her distrust of Konoha as Naoki declared he would surpass the First Hokage.

• Naoki Senju demonstrated that he could walk on water, astonishing Tsunade with how quickly he had mastered the technique.
• Naoki pretended to be weak from chakra exhaustion, and Tsunade examined him before telling him to rest.
• Tsunade accepted a red sea bream from the hot spring proprietor and shared it with Naoki, Shizune, and Tonton.
• Tsunade took Naoki to the damaged courtyard and taught him the hand seals and properties of Wood Release: Wood Clone.
• Naoki said he intended to surpass the First Hokage, while Tsunade considered his lack of faith in Konoha and the Senju Clan’s sacrifices.

Naoki Senju began learning Wood Release and successfully created a Wood Clone while Tsunade and Katsuyu watched over him. Katsuyu planned to report his awakening to the Katsuyu Sage, and the chapter ended with Tsunade embracing Naoki and Shizune noticing that Tsunade had come out of her slump.

• Naoki Senju decided that awakening Wood Release tied him to Konoha and resolved to protect Tsunade and the Senju Clan from its corrupt elders.
• Naoki Senju began experimenting with the Wood Clone technique, and Tsunade summoned Katsuyu to monitor his chakra and prevent a backlash.
• Katsuyu recognized Naoki Senju's Wood Release, then returned to Shikkotsu Forest to inform the Katsuyu Sage and invited Tsunade to bring Naoki there.
• Naoki Senju successfully created a Wood Clone that looked just like him, and Tsunade hugged him and thanked him for his hard work.
• Naoki Senju teased Tsunade, who playfully squeezed him, while Shizune watched and remarked that Tsunade had come out of her slump.

Danzo ordered Root to finish destroying the Senju Clan and leave Tsunade dead if possible after learning Naoki had escaped and joined her. Meanwhile, Naoki, Tsunade, and Shizune gambled in Tanzaku Town until Naoki placed a huge bet that exposed the casino to a major loss, and an unknown ninja appeared as the casino turned hostile.

• A Root ninja reported that Naoki Senju escaped the attack on the Senju Clan, while Root had collected seventy-three of its seventy-four members’ bodies.
• Danzo learned Naoki was traveling with Tsunade and ordered Root to annihilate the Senju Clan, with Tsunade also targeted if the chance arose.
• At a Tanzaku Town casino, Tsunade and her companions lost millions of ryo, and Tsunade began wanting to leave.
• Naoki pushed his remaining million ryo in chips onto eighteen, and the dealer realized the unrigged dice beneath the cup showed the winning total.
• The casino owner halted business and had ronin drive out the gamblers as an unusual presence appeared; Tsunade noticed Naoki’s signal and avoided looking up.

Naoki Senju searched a casino in the Land of Rice Fields for Orochimaru and confronted the Fuma Clan ninja hiding there. After defeating their opening attacks, he left the clan members willing to surrender and reveal Orochimaru’s location.

• Naoki Senju exposed the casino owner’s deception and demanded that the ninja behind the operation come forward.
• Naoki Senju named Orochimaru, and the Fuma Clan ninja denied knowing him despite their suspicious reaction.
• A Fuma Clan ninja used the Antlion Technique, and Naoki Senju told Tsunade and Shizune to let him handle the battle.
• Naoki Senju washed away the spiders and webs with Water Release: Waterfall Basin Technique, then knocked down attackers with Water Release: Water Whip.
• The Fuma Clan ninja surrendered and said they knew where Orochimaru was.

Naoki Senju and Tsunade interrogated the Fuma Clan about Orochimaru and learned that his subordinates remained behind to watch the clan. After Tsunade announced herself as Orochimaru’s old acquaintance, she recovered their casino winnings and chased Naoki when he teased her about being old.

• The Fuma Clan told Naoki Senju that Orochimaru had taken their secret techniques and left, but an adolescent revealed that Orochimaru’s subordinates still monitored the clan.
• Tsunade told the Fuma Clan to inform Orochimaru that she had come to visit, then left with Naoki Senju and Shizune.
• Naoki Senju retrieved their original ten million ryo, eighteen million ryo in winnings, and three million ryo in ill-gotten gains from the casino owner’s cash shipment.
• Tsunade took the briefcases and promised to help Naoki learn Ninjutsu, then left with the money when he pointed out that she had not won at the casino.
• Tsunade overheard Naoki call her old and chased him, while Shizune picked up the briefcases and followed them.

Tsunade took Naoki Senju and Shizune to train in the wilderness, where Shizune defeated Naoki in taijutsu. Meanwhile, Danzo's Root operatives learned where Naoki was and prepared to kill him, with Tsunade and Shizune also marked as possible targets.

• Tsunade returned from gambling, and Naoki persuaded Shizune to join him for taijutsu practice.
• Tsunade led Naoki and Shizune to an uninhabited stretch of wilderness, where they agreed to spar without ninja tools or ninjutsu.
• Shizune beat Naoki in taijutsu while Tsunade watched and considered withholding treatment for his injuries.
• Root operatives reported that Naoki was training in the Gobi and received Danzo's order to kill him, with Tsunade and Shizune also killable if circumstances allowed.

Naoki Senju used the Body Flicker Technique to outmaneuver Shizune during their spar, then Tsunade treated his injuries. An ambush by unidentified black-clad ninjas interrupted them, and Naoki left the protected Shizune to fight beside Tsunade, blaming Danzo and Root.

• Naoki Senju dodged Shizune’s attacks with the Body Flicker Technique, and Tsunade told her he had cheated by using ninjutsu.
• Tsunade scolded Naoki and treated his bruises with Shizune’s help.
• Tonton warned them of danger, and Naoki pulled Tsunade and Shizune clear of a barrage of kunai and explosive tags.
• Tsunade struck back with Heavenly Foot of Pain, injuring three black-clad attackers who had approached the rubble.
• Naoki enclosed Shizune and Tonton within a Wood Locking Wall, then went to join Tsunade and vowed to kill Danzo and Root.

Tsunade unleashed the Strength of a Hundred Technique and fought to protect Naoki Senju while Root prioritized killing him. Katsuyu shielded Naoki from a barrage of attacks, and he turned the fight around by countering Root’s combined Water and Wind Release with Water Formation Pillar.

• Tsunade released her Yin Seal, summoned Katsuyu, and ordered her to protect Naoki Senju and Shizune.
• Tsunade killed a Root ninja with one punch, then broke free of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio’s attempts to restrain her as Root redirected its assault toward Naoki.
• Root’s ninjutsu barrage nearly overwhelmed Naoki, but Katsuyu blocked attacks, treated his injuries, and used acid to wound several Root members.
• Naoki blocked a Water Dragon Bullet and Vacuum Great Sphere with Water Formation Pillar, reversing the momentum of his fight.

Naoki Senju ambushed Root with powerful Water and Wood Release techniques, killing or crippling many of them before Tsunade finished a would-be attacker. After the battle, Tsunade clung to Naoki, shaken by how close she had come to losing him.

• Naoki used Hidden Mist Technique to conceal his position, then cut five Root ninja in half with Water Severing Wave.
• Root ninja surrounded Naoki, but his apparent body was a Wood Clone that impaled them with wooden spikes.
• Naoki unleashed Wood Release: Cutting Technique from above, piercing Root ninja through their defenses and draining his chakra.
• A Root ninja sneaked up behind Naoki, but Tsunade trapped him with Water Prison Technique and punched him into bloody water.
• Tsunade hugged Naoki tightly and admitted through her actions how terrified she had been of losing him.

Naoki Senju comforted Tsunade after the battle and pressed his romantic feelings on her, while she struggled to keep their closeness from becoming too intimate. After Tsunade escaped his advances, Naoki reaffirmed his resolve to revive the Senju Clan, and Tsunade went to retrieve Shizune.

• Naoki held and comforted a tearful Tsunade, then confessed his love and kissed her forehead.
• Tsunade warned Naoki that he was too young to understand love and that the battle had put him in danger.
• Naoki left a mark on Tsunade's neck, but she used the Substitution Technique to escape and laughed when he kissed a log.
• Naoki reflected that reviving the Senju Clan required increasing its population, unlike Uchiha Sasuke's pursuit of power and dominance.
• Tsunade ordered Naoki to search for survivors with Wood Clones while she went to get Shizune, and warned him not to act too familiar around her.

Naoki Senju examined the Root casualties and used Wood Release to dispose of their bodies, leaving Danzo a threat. On his way back, Guren ambushed him with Crystal Release, and Naoki recognized her just before she launched another attack.

• Naoki Senju examined the corpses killed by his Cutting Technique and concluded that the technique was nearly impossible to survive.
• Naoki used orange seeds and Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence to grow trees that dragged the Root bodies underground as fertilizer, sending Danzo a warning.
• Naoki sensed an unknown pursuer, conserved his remaining chakra, and tried to move toward Tsunade for support.
• Guren attacked Naoki with Crystal Release: Crystal Shuriken and Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Blade, destroying the stone pillar behind which he had taken cover.
• Naoki identified his pursuer as Guren, but she immediately used Crystal Release: Crystal Falling Dragon Technique.

Naoki Senju fought Guren, whose Crystal Release countered his Water and Wood Release, and used a toxin-laced Wood Clone to disable her. He caught Guren as she fell and left her unconscious but alive.

• Naoki Senju defended himself from Guren's crystal attacks and used a Wood Clone to draw her attention.
• Guren mistook Naoki Senju's clone for the original and decided she could not let the Konoha ninja return alive.
• Guren crystallized the shuriken and sent crystal dragons toward Naoki Senju's hiding place.
• Naoki Senju's Wood Clone pierced Guren with thorny vines before she crystallized it, and the toxin weakened her.
• Naoki Senju destroyed the crystal dragons, explained the datura-based poison, and caught Guren as she fell unconscious.

Naoki Senju captured Guren after defeating her and carried her across the Gobi. After revealing he was Tsunade’s younger brother, he persuaded her to owe him three favors, leaving their relationship on uneasy terms.

• Naoki Senju carried the unconscious Guren across the Gobi after using up most of his chakra defeating her.
• Guren woke and pretended to remain unconscious, but Naoki Senju exposed her act and struck her when she resisted.
• Naoki Senju questioned Guren about Orochimaru, and she denied serving him until Naoki Senju identified himself as Tsunade’s younger brother and the head of the Senju Clan.
• Guren recognized Naoki Senju as the powerful Water Release ninja she had heard about from the Fuma Clan.
• Naoki Senju claimed Guren owed him three favors for attacking him and for his help, and Guren agreed after he promised not to demand that she betray Orochimaru or risk her life.

Naoki Senju carried the recovering Guren and revealed that his unusual clone was connected to Wood Release, before confronting Orochimaru, who disclosed that Root had attacked him and Tsunade. Tsunade arrived with Shizune, and Orochimaru promised the attack would not happen again as Naoki met him properly.

• Naoki Senju explained Wood Release to Guren after she asked how his clone kept fighting after a fatal blow.
• Naoki Senju sensed Orochimaru nearby, and Orochimaru emerged and asked how Naoki had detected him.
• Orochimaru told Naoki Senju that Root, controlled by Shimura Danzō, had sent the ninjas who attacked him and Tsunade.
• Tsunade and Shizune arrived, and Naoki Senju handed Guren to Shizune for treatment with datura poison antidote.
• Tsunade confronted Orochimaru, who promised to send Root a portrait of Naoki Senju so the attack would not happen again.
• Tsunade introduced Orochimaru as her former teammate and one of the Sannin, and Naoki Senju greeted him as Lord Cold-Blooded.

Orochimaru brought Tsunade, Naoki Senju, Shizune, and Guren to his secluded base in the Land of Rice Fields, where Tsunade settled in and began planning for her return to Konoha. The chapter ended as Guren balked at Tsunade’s enormous order for medicinal supplies and Naoki offered to help.

• Orochimaru concealed his interest in Naoki Senju and led the group toward his base after Shizune neutralized Guren’s poison.
• When Guren collapsed while trying to follow Orochimaru, Naoki caught her and placed her on a Wood Clone.
• The group arrived at Orochimaru’s secluded village base, and Orochimaru went to organize Wood Release materials while Tsunade resolved to settle scores with Konoha.
• Naoki took Tsunade’s hand and promised to protect her, while she told him to wait until he learned Wood Release before discussing Konoha.
• Guren showed Tsunade her new residence and received a list requesting one hundred jin of each of many rare medicinal ingredients.
• Guren trembled at the scale of Tsunade’s order, and Naoki offered to help her obtain the supplies.

Naoki Senju and Tsunade discussed working with Orochimaru to obtain supplies for Medical Ninjutsu research, while Tsunade became eager to investigate the lobster’s supposed longevity. After Tsunade wrecked the courtyard chasing Naoki, Guren brought him a Wood Release scroll, and he built a new house on the ruins.

• Guren said she needed Orochimaru’s approval before agreeing to Naoki Senju’s proposal, then went to arrange the equipment and supplies she could obtain.
• Naoki Senju told Tsunade that Guren’s Crystal Release could make their project profitable and warned that Orochimaru would agree to cooperate.
• Tsunade reminded Naoki Senju to be cautious with Orochimaru, then insisted on approaching him herself because she wanted to begin her Medical Ninjutsu research.
• Naoki Senju asked Tsunade to keep him company that night and fled using the Body Flicker Technique when she retaliated, leaving the courtyard and gate shattered.
• Guren returned with a Wood Release scroll from Orochimaru, and Naoki Senju used the Four Pillars House Technique to build a wooden residence over the ruined courtyard.