Recaps

Tsunade took command after Orochimaru explained that Akatsuki’s core included powerful missing-nin, and she prepared to face Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu. Later, Naoki told her that he had informed Hashirama Senju about the destruction of the Senju and Uchiha clans, while Tsunade wondered whether Hashirama had urged them to contact the Senju Clan’s former allies.

• Naoki Senju recognized Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu as the two Akatsuki members who had arrived to hunt Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade that Akatsuki had five core members before Uchiha Itachi joined, and that its members were powerful, difficult-to-handle missing-nin.
• Tsunade took command and ordered Orochimaru, Naoki, and Shizune to follow her orders.
• Tsunade stopped Naoki from undressing her and asked what he and Hashirama Senju had discussed.
• Naoki explained that he had told Hashirama about the destruction of the Uchiha and Senju clans, and Tsunade asked whether Hashirama had told them to contact the Senju Clan’s former followers.

Naoki Senju told Tsunade that he and Hashirama Senju had agreed to help her become the Fifth Hokage while punishing those involved in the Senju Clan deaths. At a secret base in the Land of Wind, Tsunade’s group prepared to ambush Akatsuki after scouts detected its members approaching.

• Tsunade pressed Naoki Senju to reveal Hashirama Senju’s real opinion, and Naoki said they had agreed that no one connected to the Senju Clan deaths would escape.
• Uchiha Itachi showed Kakuzu a powerful Sharingan, then left the Land of Rivers base with him as Zetsu emerged and followed them.
• Naoki Senju struggled to master Sage Mode and identified chakra control as his problem, so Tsunade offered to train him in medical ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru reported that Akatsuki members had entered the Land of Wind and would reach the base within a day.
• Tsunade ordered Orochimaru to check weapons and evacuate his subordinates, Shizune to prepare medicines and poisons, and Naoki to inspect the traps for their ambush.

Tsunade, Naoki, and Orochimaru prepared an ambush for Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu at Orochimaru’s base in the Land of Wind. Their explosive-tag trap injured Kakuzu and destroyed one of his hearts, while Itachi escaped nearly unharmed, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Black Zetsu followed Itachi and Kakuzu toward Orochimaru’s base after sensing familiar chakra in the earth.
• Tsunade and Naoki finished laying explosive-tag traps, and Shizune and Guren reported that the Akatsuki pair had reached the first perimeter.
• Itachi and Kakuzu approached the base cautiously, then hundreds of explosive tags detonated around them after someone snapped their fingers.
• Kakuzu survived the blast but lost a heart, while Orochimaru launched his sea of snakes at Itachi’s hiding place.
• Itachi escaped the snakes by transforming from a flock of crows, while Kakuzu’s cloud-patterned robe was blasted to shreds.

Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the Third Kazekage and tried to make him fight Uchiha Itachi. As Naoki Senju attacked Kakuzu with Wood Release, Orochimaru sealed the Third Kazekage into a mindless puppet, and Itachi re-formed from crows after being struck by the Kazekage’s attacks.

• Orochimaru summoned the Third Kazekage with Impure World Reincarnation and ordered him to fight for him.
• The Third Kazekage refused Orochimaru’s command and attacked him with black iron sand while Uchiha Itachi watched.
• Kakuzu completed his Earth Grudge Fear transformation and prepared to attack Orochimaru, but Naoki Senju’s wooden spikes struck him from above.
• Orochimaru bound the weakened Third Kazekage with Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands and used a sealing tag to turn him into a puppet.
• Uchiha Itachi recognized the Wood Release as the legendary First Hokage’s technique, then faced the puppet Third Kazekage’s iron sand attacks.
• Uchiha Itachi re-formed from crows in front of Orochimaru and answered that genjutsu had no effect on the reincarnated Kazekage.

Uchiha Itachi exposed Orochimaru’s disguise but was badly wounded and forced to face the Third Kazekage. Meanwhile, Naoki Senju unleashed the Second Hokage’s legendary Hard Vortex Water Blade against Kakuzu, who endured the attack and began hardening his body.

• Uchiha Itachi trapped the disguised Orochimaru in genjutsu, then turned to help the Senju Clan member with Wood Release.
• The Third Kazekage ambushed Uchiha Itachi with iron-sand senbon, and the real Orochimaru revealed that the genjutsu victim was Kabuto Yakushi wearing a stolen face.
• Orochimaru taunted Uchiha Itachi as the Third Kazekage charged him with iron-sand weapons.
• Naoki Senju split Kakuzu’s combined flame-and-wind attack with Water Severing Wave and plunged toward him with Hard Vortex Water Blade.
• Kakuzu recalled the Second Hokage’s deadly pursuit of him alongside Kinkaku and Ginkaku as Naoki’s waterspout tore through him and his Earth Grudge Fear creatures.
• Kakuzu drew his remaining wind- and fire-attribute creatures into his body and used Multiple Hardening Technique to resist the waterspout.

Naoki Senju overwhelmed Kakuzu with his immense Water Release, destroying another of Kakuzu’s hearts before Kakuzu recovered and attacked. As Kakuzu launched his Tentacle Fist, Naoki countered with Monster-Strength-Fist.

• Guren was convinced by the scale and power of Naoki Senju’s Water Release.
• Uchiha Itachi battled Orochimaru with successive Fire Style attacks, while Orochimaru used the Third Kazekage’s iron sand to defend.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu watched the battle and wondered whether Naoki’s Wood Release meant Asura had appeared.
• Naoki increased the power of Hard Vortex Water Blade, cutting through Kakuzu’s defenses and destroying another of his hearts.
• Kakuzu’s black tentacles consumed his wind-attribute Earth Grudge Fear, restoring his limbs and strengthening the tentacle monster.
• Kakuzu charged at Naoki with Tentacle Fist, but Naoki seized the tentacles and struck with Monster-Strength-Fist.

Naoki Senju fought Kakuzu with Monster Strength Fist and destroyed his final heart. Kakuzu died in the desert, while Naoki was left injured.

• Naoki Senju punched through Kakuzu's tendril limbs and smashed his face, but Kakuzu severed his right hand to escape the blow.
• Kakuzu chose to stand and fight instead of fleeing, and Naoki Senju met his charge head-on.
• Kakuzu struck Naoki Senju with Earth Flow Spears, but Naoki used a Wood Clone to take the attack.
• Naoki Senju tangled Kakuzu's tendrils with vines and landed three punches on the same spot, breaking through his Hardening Technique.
• Naoki Senju pulled out and crushed Kakuzu's final heart, killing him.

Uchiha Itachi defeated Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation of the Third Kazekage and headed toward Naoki Senju’s battlefield. The two met and began fighting, leaving their confrontation unresolved as Naoki unleashed Wood Release.

• Uchiha Itachi used Fire Style to demagnetize the Third Kazekage’s iron sand, then trapped Orochimaru in Genjutsu.
• Uchiha Itachi made Orochimaru release the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, and the Third Kazekage returned to his coffin.
• Uchiha Itachi left to rescue Naoki Senju, while Naoki headed to rescue Itachi, and they met on the way.
• Naoki Senju attacked Uchiha Itachi with Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, forcing White Zetsu and Black Zetsu to retreat underground.

Naoki Senju revealed his identity to Uchiha Itachi and acknowledged that Konoha had wronged the Uchiha and Itachi in the massacre. He blamed Danzo and urged Itachi to leave the Akatsuki and return to Konoha, where Naoki planned to support Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage.

• Black Zetsu hoped Naoki Senju would kill Uchiha Itachi and provoke the Akatsuki into retaliating.
• Naoki introduced himself as the Second Hokage's grandson and Tsunade's student, while Itachi wondered whether his undercover role had been exposed.
• Naoki asked whether Itachi would make the same choice before the Uchiha massacre, and Itachi said he would.
• Naoki admitted that Konoha had wronged the Uchiha, Itachi, and Sasuke Uchiha, then promised to fight for the clan.
• Naoki named Danzo as the massacre's mastermind and said he would support Tsunade as Fifth Hokage.
• Naoki urged Itachi to leave the Akatsuki and return to Konoha.

Naoki Senju and Uchiha Itachi exchanged intelligence and discussed Itachi’s loyalty to Konoha and his wish to keep the Uchiha massacre’s truth from Sasuke. Itachi agreed to continue investigating the Akatsuki, and Naoki prepared to disguise him before he left.

• Uchiha Itachi gave Naoki Senju a crow for communicating with him and warned him that the Akatsuki was targeting Orochimaru.
• Uchiha Itachi handed Naoki a scroll containing intelligence on Akatsuki bases, operatives, and members, including Kakuzu and Orochimaru.
• Uchiha Itachi asked Naoki not to reveal to Sasuke that he had carried out the mission against the Uchiha Clan, so Sasuke could direct his hatred at him.
• Naoki gave Uchiha Itachi medicine to ease physical strain, and Itachi promised to uncover the Akatsuki’s objectives and strength for Konoha.
• As Uchiha Itachi prepared to leave, Naoki stopped him and proposed disguising him in another staged act so the Akatsuki would not suspect him.

Naoki Senju escaped detection by Black Zetsu after Uchiha Itachi fled, then returned to find Orochimaru unharmed and confronted by Tsunade. Orochimaru revealed that Madara-Uchiha was Akatsuki’s true leader.

• Black Zetsu pursued the wounded Uchiha Itachi after Itachi escaped Naoki Senju’s Deep Forest Emergence with black flames and crows.
• Naoki Senju retrieved the Akatsuki intelligence scroll Itachi had given him and pretended to be badly injured when he reached Orochimaru.
• Naoki Senju blamed Orochimaru for Itachi’s escape, while Orochimaru praised Itachi and hinted that he would pursue him again.
• Tsunade reprimanded Naoki Senju for confronting Kakuzu alone, then embraced him before questioning Orochimaru about Akatsuki.
• Orochimaru admitted that he had betrayed Akatsuki as a core member and revealed that its true leader was the supposedly dead Madara-Uchiha.

Orochimaru told Tsunade and Naoki Senju that a masked man calling himself Madara Uchiha was alive, and Naoki focused their attention on the Akatsuki threat. At the Akatsuki base, Uchiha Itachi pretended to collapse after returning badly wounded, while Black Zetsu informed the Masked Man that Naoki had awakened Wood Release and used Deep Forest Emergence.

• Orochimaru told Tsunade and Naoki Senju that the masked man had Madara Uchiha's chakra and Mangekyō Sharingan, and Tsunade worried he might threaten Konoha.
• Naoki Senju argued that Madara's lack of action suggested he was weakened or unable to act personally, then asked how they should prepare for the Akatsuki's next move.
• Uchiha Itachi returned to the Akatsuki base badly injured and, following Naoki Senju's instructions, pretended to lose consciousness when Konan questioned him.
• Pain's Deva Path examined Uchiha Itachi, confirmed his severe injuries, and ordered Konan to arrange treatment and question him after he woke.
• Black Zetsu told the Masked Man that Naoki Senju had killed Kakuzu, awakened Wood Release, and forced Uchiha Itachi to use Amaterasu to escape Deep Forest Emergence.
• The Masked Man recognized Deep Forest Emergence as a serious counter to his ability and vanished from the secret chamber.

Konan learned from Uchiha Itachi that Naoki Senju had killed Kakuzu and awakened Wood Release, while Danzo had concealed the truth about his strength. At Akatsuki’s base, Pain accepted Kisame Hoshigaki as a new member and ordered Itachi moved somewhere safer, suspecting the Masked Man might target him.

• The medical-nin told Konan that Uchiha Itachi had regained consciousness but still needed quiet rest, and Konan questioned Itachi about the mission.
• Uchiha Itachi reported that Naoki Senju had killed Kakuzu and awakened Wood Release, while concealing his private conversation with Naoki.
• The Masked Man proposed Kisame Hoshigaki as a replacement for Kakuzu, and Pain agreed to let Kisame join as Nanto.
• Konan accused Danzo of concealing intelligence and possibly conspiring with Orochimaru, so Pain ordered her to demand compensation and prepare for a new core member.
• Pain told Konan that Itachi had not betrayed Akatsuki and ordered her to move him somewhere safer in case the Masked Man attacked.

Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, Tsunade, and Naoki Senju traveled toward Kirigakure as Mei Terumi prepared to become the Fifth Mizukage. After Orochimaru used two captured Kirigakure Anbu to test control techniques, he planned to infiltrate the inauguration ceremony, while Tsunade questioned Naoki about letting Uchiha Itachi escape.

• Kabuto Yakushi told Orochimaru that Mei Terumi and Ao had overthrown Karatachi Yagura and ended Kirigakure's Bloody Mist policy.
• Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to prepare disguises so they could attend the Fifth Mizukage's inauguration.
• Naoki Senju defeated two Kirigakure Anbu and brought them aboard, where Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi applied Cursed Seals and Sealing Jutsu to control them.
• Tsunade asked Naoki Senju why he had let Uchiha Itachi escape, and Naoki said Itachi could become a useful ally.
• Orochimaru revealed that he planned to use the inauguration ceremony to infiltrate Kirigakure, prompting Tsunade to give Naoki a scrutinizing look.

Naoki Senju and Tsunade traveled with Orochimaru toward his offshore base as Kirigakure tightened security for the Fifth Mizukage’s inauguration. Orochimaru refused Tsunade’s offer to return to Konoha and revealed his plans for the Sound Ninja Village, while other outsiders approached the Land of Water.

• Orochimaru said Kirigakure’s Bloody Mist policy made the region a rare chance to find surviving bloodline ninja, and Naoki Senju welcomed his help.
• Naoki Senju and Orochimaru dealt with Kirigakure Anbu patrols as their boat sailed toward Orochimaru’s offshore base.
• Tsunade teased Naoki Senju about his inability to learn medical ninjutsu, then asked Orochimaru if he would return to Konoha.
• Orochimaru refused Tsunade’s offer and revealed that he planned to establish the Sound Ninja Village, while Tsunade wished him success.
• Jiraiya celebrated in a tavern in the Land of Hot Water as the Masked Man and a bandaged swordsman with a masked girl approached the Land of Water.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Naoki Senju reached the Land of Water, where Tsunade explained why the great shinobi villages tolerated their daimyo. Meanwhile, Mei Terumi survived an assassination attempt in Kirigakure and ordered the Anbu to watch the village’s old guard.

• Orochimaru explained that Kirigakure’s restrictions on land travel made the Land of Water’s interior safer than its seas.
• Tsunade told Naoki Senju that Hanzo of the Salamander had seized control of the Land of Rain, but his rule had brought years of war and a population collapse.
• Tsunade took Naoki Senju and the others to an izakaya, where Shizune’s enormous seafood meal left Naoki paying the bill.
• Naoki Senju gave Tsunade his empty wallet, and Tsunade hurried after him asking him to accompany her to the casino.
• Mei Terumi revealed that Kirigakure ninja had attacked her and ordered Ao to have the Anbu keep the village’s old guard under constant watch.

Orochimaru proposed infiltrating Kirigakure, and Tsunade agreed to use the mission to assess the village and demonstrate her strength. As Mei Terumi purged Kirigakure’s old guard, she noticed an Anbu’s role in capturing their leader and recruited him to work by her side.

• After escorting Tsunade and Naoki Senju out of the casino, Orochimaru told them that Kabuto Yakushi had prepared identities for infiltrating Kirigakure.
• Tsunade agreed to go, despite Orochimaru’s inability to guarantee a safe retreat, and decided to show the Shinobi World the strength of the Konoha Sannin and Wood Release.
• Mei Terumi launched another purge in Kirigakure while Ao watched the battle with his Hyuga Byakugan.
• Ao explained that an Anbu had used the Hidden Mist Technique to bypass the old guard’s ambush and capture their leader, causing the old guard to surrender.
• Mei Terumi summoned the sky-blue-haired Anbu and appointed him to work by her side; he gave his real name as Chōjūrō.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, Naoki Senju, and Kabuto Yakushi disguised themselves as Water Country nobles and a daimyo representative to infiltrate Kirigakure. As their carriage neared the village, other forces had also gathered there, setting the stage for a coming crisis.

• Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Naoki Senju used stolen human-skin masks and disguises to assume new identities, while Kabuto Yakushi prepared their carriage.
• Tsunade struggled with her restrictive disguise, and Naoki Senju reassured her as the group prepared to travel to Kirigakure.
• Kabuto Yakushi arrived as their coachman and addressed them by their assumed names: Lord Kamishiro, Lady Chiba, and Lord Kaede Shiin.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade that she was posing as Aya Chiba, and Naoki Senju as Hoshino Shiin Kaede, one of her suitors.
• Orochimaru explained that he was posing as a representative of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, and the group’s carriage approached Kirigakure as other forces gathered there.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, Naoki Senju, and Kabuto Yakushi entered Kirigakure disguised as nobles, with Orochimaru posing as the powerful official Nobunaga Kamishiro. After the gate guards reported their arrival, the group continued toward the Mizukage’s inauguration, unaware that Kirigakure’s leadership would see them as victims headed for the underworld.

• Two Kirigakure gate guards discussed the Fourth Mizukage’s signed permit and the deadly purge led by the incoming Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi.
• The guards questioned the approach of a carriage, and the senior ninja advised his junior not to inspect nobles too closely.
• Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Naoki Senju left the carriage and approached the gate disguised as nobles, while Kabuto Yakushi stayed with the carriage.
• Orochimaru presented himself as Nobunaga Kamishiro and declined an offer to meet Mei Terumi, praising Kirigakure’s end to the Bloody Mist policy.
• The senior gate guard recognized the group, let them enter, and went to report Nobunaga Kamishiro’s arrival to Mei Terumi.
• The guard wondered why Nobunaga Kamishiro, the Chiba Clan, and the Kaede Shiin Clan had come together, unaware that all three were victims.

Tsunade and Naoki Senju toured Kirigakure under close Anbu surveillance while waiting for word from Orochimaru. In a secluded corner, Kisame Hoshigaki met the mysterious Masked Man, who told him the time had come.

• Tsunade and Naoki Senju explored Kirigakure, while Orochimaru left for the guest accommodations with Kabuto Yakushi.
• Tsunade pretended to be tired in a shop and had Naoki escort her away, provoking jealousy among the young male nobles.
• Tsunade and Naoki reached their quarters, where she confirmed Kirigakure's Anbu had been monitoring them and said they would wait for Orochimaru's word.
• Kisame Hoshigaki arrived at an address in a secluded part of Kirigakure, and the Masked Man appeared behind him and said the time had come.

Kisame Hoshigaki joined the Akatsuki early and was ordered by the Masked Man to watch Uchiha Itachi before defecting from Kirigakure. As Naoki Senju and Tsunade discussed reforming Konoha in a hot spring, Naoki accidentally toppled their bamboo screen and provoked Tsunade's fury.

• The Masked Man told Kisame Hoshigaki to join the Akatsuki as Nanto and keep Uchiha Itachi from leaving alone.
• Kisame Hoshigaki accepted the ring and defected from Kirigakure, stirring anger among its leaders as Mei Terumi's succession ceremony approached.
• Naoki Senju asked Tsunade about her study of Kirigakure's reforms and urged her to let him help reform Konoha.
• Naoki Senju leaned against the bamboo screen, which broke and fell into the hot spring, exposing Tsunade.
• Tsunade shouted at Naoki Senju and struck the water, while the soundproof barrier kept their commotion from being overheard.

As Kirigakure prepared for Mei Terumi’s inauguration as Fifth Mizukage, Tsunade and Naoki Senju reviewed the village’s weakened forces and discussed the demanding requirements for becoming a Jonin. An envoy summoned them to the ceremony, where Naoki’s planned surprise was about to unfold.

• Yuki Haku happily welcomed the snowfall with Zabuza, remembering how he had taken her in on a snowy evening.
• Kirigakure announced that Mei Terumi’s inauguration would be held at the Ninja Academy, and Naoki Senju reflected on the village’s chance to rebuild.
• Tsunade told Naoki Senju that Kirigakure had forty-nine Jonin and seventy-seven Special Jōnin, while explaining the requirements for Jonin promotion.
• Tsunade offered to appoint Naoki Senju as a Jonin without an examination, and he accepted the prospect of being supported by a wealthy woman.
• A Kirigakure reception envoy summoned Tsunade and Naoki Senju to the inauguration, where Naoki’s Wood Clone was set to deliver a surprise.

Naoki Senju and Tsunade attended Mei Terumi’s succession ceremony in Kirigakure, where a staged account of the Bloody Mist era rallied the crowd behind the new Mizukage. Mei’s carefully orchestrated rise left Naoki and Tsunade wary of her political skill.

• Naoki and Tsunade entered a private reception room at the Ninja Academy while villagers gathered to celebrate Mei Terumi.
• Kirigakure covered the Academy in mist, then revealed a bloody stage play depicting the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, and the Bloody Mist policy.
• The play showed ninja defeating Yagura and ending the Bloody Mist, lifting the crowd from despair into fervent cheers.
• Ao praised Mei Terumi’s reforms and introduced her as the Mizukage who had saved Kirigakure.
• Mei Terumi appeared on the platform, declared herself the Fifth Mizukage, and received roaring cheers.
• Naoki and Tsunade exchanged grave looks, recognizing Mei’s skillful methods and the challenge she posed.

Naoki Senju and Tsunade began their escape plan as the Three-Tails went berserk, while Kabuto Yakushi infiltrated Kirigakure Prison. After Mei Terumi ordered the arrest of suspected impostors, Ao reported that the prison guards had been killed and prisoners were escaping toward the docks.

• Naoki Senju realized their identities had been exposed and told Tsunade to start the plan early; she sent Katsuyu to notify the Katsuyu inside the Three-Tails.
• The Three-Tails became agitated and battered Kirigakure’s barrier, forcing the understaffed Sealing Squad to call for reinforcements.
• Kabuto Yakushi entered Kirigakure Prison to search for records about shinobi with kekkei genkai and killed a guard who confronted him.
• Mei Terumi completed her inauguration and ordered Ao to arrest three suspected impostors, believing they were elite shinobi from another village.
• Ao told Mei Terumi that the Three-Tails had gone berserk and that prisoners had killed the guards and were fleeing toward the docks.

Mei Terumi deployed Kirigakure’s forces to capture infiltrators while Utakata fought the rampaging Three-Tails. After Ao captured an Iwagakure squad, he realized the disturbance might be a diversion and rushed back to warn Mei Terumi.

• Mei Terumi ordered Ao to capture the infiltrators and deal with the Three-Tails while she handled the prison.
• Utakata arrived at the lake, released the Sealing Squad from its task, and attacked the Three-Tails with his Bubble Technique.
• Utakata entered Tailed Beast Cloak mode and charged the Three-Tails, beginning a savage fight.
• Ao’s Anbu surrounded an Iwagakure squad near the lake, capturing four and killing five of its members.
• Ao learned that only two Iwagakure ninja remained inside Kirigakure and realized the Three-Tails’ rampage might have distracted the village from an attack on Mei Terumi.
• Ao left four Anbu to guard the captives and hurried back to Kirigakure to protect Mei Terumi.