Recaps

After Koki pushed through an exhausting training session, Minato gave him a graduation present: a finely crafted kunai engraved with his name. The kunai secretly let Minato locate Koki and rush to his aid, a safeguard Minato chose not to explain.

• Koki repeatedly got back up and continued training until Minato stopped him for the day.
• Minato helped the exhausted Koki to his feet, and Koki insisted he could walk home on his own.
• Minato gave Koki a kunai he had made himself as a graduation present, saying it was only for him.
• Koki accepted the kunai gratefully, unaware that Minato's matching kunai could reveal Koki's location and help Minato reach him in danger.

Madara questioned White Zetsu about Kumogakure’s movements, Nagato, and Obito, then grew interested in Uchiha Kōki as a possible replacement for Obito in his plan. He ordered White Zetsu to provoke a clash between Kumogakure and Konoha and to send Kōki to the Land of Rain, leaving a wider scheme underway.

• White Zetsu reported that Kumogakure ninja were secretly plotting near Konoha and likely had hostile intentions.
• Madara told White Zetsu to keep watching the Kumogakure ninja and asked about Nagato and Obito.
• White Zetsu described Obito’s recent changes and suggested Uchiha Kōki would be better suited to Madara’s plan.
• Madara learned that Kōki had recently graduated from the Ninja Academy and would soon leave the village on a mission.
• Madara ordered White Zetsu to set Kumogakure and Konoha against each other and arrange for Kōki to go to the Land of Rain.

The chapter contrasts the Land of Rain’s rise under Hanzō with his later decline into fear and suspicion. In Hanzō’s guarded palace, Danzo taunts him about the young people threatening his position, and Hanzō is left wondering what will become of his country.

• Hanzō led Amegakure into war against three great nations, and the village won renown despite Konoha’s eventual victory.
• Hanzō later became greedy and mistrustful, surrounding himself with guards and suspecting those around him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi had Orochimaru revive Danzo and made a deal with Hanzō to keep him hidden and safe.
• Danzo taunted Hanzō about young people who would soon take his place, and Hanzō slapped him and ordered him to be quiet.
• Danzo silently vowed to return to Konoha and reclaim his power, while Hanzō wondered about the Land of Rain’s future and his lost courage.

Sasori of the Red Sands woke from a nightmare furious at the noise next door and summoned Hanzo of the Salamander to demand progress on his assignment. Hanzo asked for more time and left after Sasori granted him one final chance.

• Sasori of the Red Sands woke from a nightmare and decided the people making noise next door should be killed.
• Sasori summoned Hanzo of the Salamander and threatened to find another partner if he failed to complete his assignment.
• Hanzo recalled his past battle with the puppet old hag, who had adapted to his poison and discovered its weakness.
• Hanzo restrained his anger and asked Sasori for more time to finish the task.
• Sasori gave Hanzo one more chance and warned him of the consequences if he failed again.

Hanzo of the Salamander pressured Hiruzen Sarutobi to send Uchiha Kōki to Amegakure by threatening Danzo’s safety. Sasori revealed that he had killed the missing Third Kazekage and planned to turn his corpse into a puppet.

• Hanzo of the Salamander slapped Danzo and ordered a subordinate to tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that Uchiha Kōki must come to Amegakure or Danzo’s safety could not be guaranteed.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi read Hanzo’s demand and worried that sending Kōki would endanger him and anger the Uchiha Clan, while Danzo’s safety also concerned him.
• Sasori gazed at a photograph of someone he had cherished, then opened a hidden chamber behind a wall.
• Sasori revealed the corpse of the missing Third Kazekage and mocked him as a trophy.
• Sasori decided to make the Third Kazekage’s corpse into his most perfect puppet.

Sasori turned the Third Kazekage’s corpse into a deadly Human Puppet and added it to his collection of 297 puppets. Afterward, he was summoned to Hanzō’s residence, where he went to meet him.

• Sasori modified the Third Kazekage’s corpse with poison, weapons, and a Regeneration Core to create a powerful Human Puppet.
• Sasori admired his 297 Human Puppets and stored the Third Kazekage puppet in a scroll.
• A ninja told Sasori that Hanzō had been waiting for him.
• Sasori followed the ninja to Hanzō’s residence and entered to meet him.

Sasori accepted Hanzō’s demand after reading Hiruzen Sarutobi’s reply, which required Koki’s safety and Danzo’s protection. In Amegakure, Yahiko and Konan rescued Yamamoto Yūto from a group of ninja and agreed to take him into their organization.

• Sasori read Hiruzen Sarutobi’s letter agreeing to Hanzō’s request while insisting that Koki be kept safe and Danzo protected.
• Sasori told Hanzō to bring his grandmother, and Hanzō laughed at the prospect of revenge.
• Yahiko and Konan intervened when several ninja tried to steal Yamamoto Yūto’s food and defeated them.
• Yamamoto Yūto told Yahiko and Konan that he had no home and asked to join their organization.
• Konan urged Yahiko not to leave the child behind, and Yahiko agreed to take Yamamoto Yūto with them.

Koki’s squad received an A-rank mission to escort the daimyo’s son, Kohaku, to the Land of Fire. After Kohaku became fixated on Koki, Minato warned the team not to underestimate the mission and ordered them to meet at the Konoha Gate the next morning.

• Koki enjoyed a mahjong game with Kakashi and Obito before Minato summoned the squad to the Hokage building.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Minato’s squad the mission of escorting the daimyo’s son to the Land of Fire, and Minato accepted after reviewing the details.
• Kohaku arrived and arrogantly dismissed the ninja, prompting Koki to rebuke him.
• Kohaku became intensely attracted to Koki, while Koki felt unsettled by his stare and Shisui stopped Kohaku from approaching.
• Minato led the squad away and instructed them to meet at the Konoha Gate at seven the next morning.

Koki prepared to leave Konoha on his first mission, while his family and friends worried over him and packed far too much equipment. Minato and Hayate accompanied him out of the village, leaving the group excited to begin their mission.

• Obito and Shisui packed Koki's luggage with scrolls, medicine, and ninja tools, while Kakashi advised him on staying safe outside the village.
• Mikoto stopped Obito and Shisui from trying to pack kitchen supplies, and Koki promised everyone he would return safely.
• The next morning, Shisui gave up on bringing a pot but carried the scrolls Obito had packed for Koki.
• Kakashi and Obito insisted on seeing Koki off at the Konoha Gate, where Minato and Hayate were waiting.
• Minato reassured Kakashi and Obito that he would keep Koki safe, and the gatekeeper let the group leave Konoha.

Koki endured Kohaku’s constant demands and attention as Minato’s team escorted the daimyo’s son toward the capital of the Land of Fire. As the mission neared its end, Minato warned the team to stay alert, and Koki resolved not to become complacent.

• Kohaku repeatedly interrupted the journey with demands and pestering, angering Koki and alarming Shisui, Minato, and Hayate.
• With the capital of the Land of Fire two days away, Koki felt relieved and appreciated the team’s comfortable stay at a hot spring inn.
• Minato gathered Koki, Shisui, and Gekko Hayate and warned them that the A-rank mission could still take an unexpected turn.
• Koki recalled how Naruto’s team had accepted a supposedly C-rank escort mission that turned out to involve Zabuza, then reminded himself to remain vigilant.

After a late-night soak, Koki found Kohaku waiting in his room and confessing his feelings. Koki rejected both his romantic confession and his offer to become a personal ninja, leaving Kohaku to face the clear distance between them.

• Koki relaxed alone in the hot spring, then returned to his room and sensed someone inside.
• Koki entered with a kunai and found Kohaku on his bed, tearfully asking him not to hate him.
• Kohaku confessed that Koki was the first person to make his heart flutter and asked for a chance, but Koki said he did not feel the same way.
• Kohaku invited Koki to become his personal ninja at the daimyo's residence, but Koki refused and told him they belonged to different worlds.
• Koki gestured toward the open door, making clear that Kohaku should leave.

Kohaku tried to hug Koki, but Koki dodged him and Shisui and Minato arrived, angered by Kohaku's possessive behavior. Koki sent Kohaku away, leaving him crying outside the closed door.

• Kohaku asked to hug Koki, then lunged at him when Koki refused, but Koki dodged using the Body Flicker Technique.
• Kohaku crawled after Koki until Shisui appeared at the doorway and asked whether Koki was all right.
• Kohaku claimed Koki belonged to him, and Koki pushed him away and denied that they had a relationship.
• Minato arrived and warned Kohaku to stop, while Koki tried to calm the tense situation.
• Koki shoved Kohaku out and slammed the door, and Kohaku ran back to his room in tears.

Koki and his companions reached Kyoto and visited Kohaku’s luxurious daimyo residence after Kohaku promised not to pester him. The group waited in the main hall as servants brought tea and pastries, while Koki reflected on how Kohaku’s privileged upbringing had shaped him.

• Minato and Shisui kept Kohaku away from Koki during the journey, while Kohaku grew listless and resentful over Koki’s distance.
• The group entered Kyoto, where Koki admired the busy streets and browsed the stalls.
• Kohaku invited Koki and the others to the daimyo residence, promising not to pester him, and Koki agreed after Minato’s approval.
• Kohaku led the group through the grand residence to the main hall, then left them to wait.
• The maids served the guests fine tea and pastries, and Koki marveled at the residence’s luxury and considered Kohaku’s privileged upbringing.

Daimyo Morita approved Konoha’s new budget request, then listened as Kohaku confessed that he had fallen for Koki. He ordered a personal ninja unit formed and planned to bring Koki into it so Kohaku could stay near him.

• Morita agreed to grant Konoha’s budget request but warned that he would resist future excessive demands.
• Kohaku entered the meeting and told Morita he had fallen for Koki.
• Kohaku described meeting Koki, and Morita realized his son’s feelings seemed to be for a boy.
• Morita ordered an elite ninja unit created under his direct command and proposed that Koki join it.
• Kohaku excitedly embraced Morita, who resolved to help his son stay close to Koki.

Third Raikage A considered Ōnoki’s repeated request for an alliance against Konoha as tensions rose over the missing Third Kazekage. He ordered stronger border defenses and surveillance while awaiting intelligence about Konoha’s strength.

• A’s council discussed the Third Kazekage’s disappearance and the growing conflict between Sunagakure and Konoha.
• A secretary reported that Ōnoki had again asked the Land of Lightning to join Iwagakure in attacking Konoha.
• A’s son urged an alliance, arguing that Konoha’s growing power threatened them and that the crisis offered an opportunity.
• A weighed the risks of war and said they should await the scouting team’s intelligence before planning with Iwagakure.
• A ordered stronger border defenses and surveillance of Konoha and Iwagakure, warning his people to watch Ōnoki closely.

A asked the Raikage why he would not send him and Killer B to Konoha, but his father urged patience and careful preparation. Meanwhile, White Zetsu spies followed Koki around Kyoto, gossiping and getting distracted by his shopping, then remembered they still had to arrange a meeting between him and shinobi on a reconnaissance mission near Konoha.

• A questioned the Raikage about why he and Killer B could not go to Konoha, and the Raikage warned him not to underestimate Konoha or act rashly.
• More than ten White Zetsu watched Koki, joked about his looks and the people around him, and followed him when he left home.
• A White Zetsu disguised as a maid told the others that the daimyō's son seemed fond of Koki, and the White Zetsu speculated about Koki's other admirers.
• One White Zetsu bought milk tea and grilled meat while the others argued about neglecting Lord Madara's surveillance mission.
• The White Zetsu followed Koki and his companions through Kyoto's shops and game rooms, then realized they still needed to arrange for Koki to encounter the shinobi scouting near Konoha.

Koki enjoyed his stay in Kyoto while Kumogakure and Iwagakure prepared to act against Konoha. After recognizing a disguised White Zetsu at a handicraft stall, he decided to use White Zetsu as a vessel for Orochimaru and began by asking the stall owner the price of an item.

• A Kumogakure scouting squad approached Konoha but retreated after Konoha’s patrols noticed something amiss.
• Ōnoki prepared for war and ordered continued reconnaissance after learning that the Raikage had agreed to join the attack on Konoha.
• Koki toured Kyoto with Minato and Shisui, inspected his shops, and set out to buy presents for Kakashi and Obito-nii.
• Koki recognized the old woman at a handicraft stall as White Zetsu, who had been assigned to leak supposed intelligence after losing at rock-paper-scissors.
• Koki considered giving White Zetsu, fused with Hashirama Cells, to Orochimaru as a compatible vessel, then picked up an item and asked its price.

Koki and his companions entered a desolate mountain valley after following an old woman's directions, then uncovered an ambush by Iwagakure ninja. The Iwagakure force revealed itself, and Koki taunted them as the two sides faced off.

• Gekko Hayate warned Koki that the old woman might have misled them, but Koki continued into the dangerous mountain pass.
• Koki and Shisui activated their Sharingan and spotted a suspicious mouse before Shisui warned that enemies were underground.
• Koki, Shisui, Minato, and Hayate escaped a massive underground explosion and searched the valley for their attackers.
• Koki provoked the hidden Iwagakure ninja, who emerged from the ground with their leader's red-eyed mouse summon.
• Koki identified the group as Iwagakure and mocked their height and manner, provoking an angry response from one of the ninja.

Koki and his companions fought a group of Iwagakure Jonin, and Koki killed one with a swift sword strike through an earthen wall. Watching the battle from hiding, Kakkō was shocked by the Konoha Genin squad’s strength and began doubting his judgment.

• Koki provoked the Iwagakure Jonin leader, who attacked him and his companions with Earth Release: Rock Spikes Technique.
• Hayate used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to cleave through the rock spikes, while Koki countered the Iwagakure Ninja with a Great Fireball Technique.
• Koki threw a Kunai at an Iwagakure Jonin’s earthen wall, then killed him with a fast tachi strike that pierced his heart.
• Kakkō watched the fight from behind a boulder and judged that the Iwagakure Jonin should easily defeat the Konoha Genin squad.
• Kakkō saw Koki kill a battle-hardened Jonin in one exchange and began to question his assessment of the Konoha squad.

Koki fought Kakkō, the leader of the Iwagakure ninja, while Shisui and Minato kept the other enemies occupied. Koki dodged Kakkō’s barrage of boulders, and Minato killed Kakkō with a kunai, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Kakkō confronted Koki after the Iwagakure ninja grew frightened, and learned that Koki belonged to the Uchiha Clan.
• Kakkō attacked Koki with Earth Release techniques, first hurling a boulder that Koki countered with a chunk of cliff.
• Kakkō summoned more boulders, and Koki used his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to dodge through the barrage.
• Shisui hurried to help Koki and defeated the Iwagakure Jonin fighting him.
• Minato appeared behind Kakkō and pierced his heart with a kunai, killing him.

After Minato killed Kakkō, he and Koki’s team found a letter revealing that Kumogakure and Iwagakure had allied and reached Konoha’s borders, while Sunagakure was also preparing to attack. The letter further warned that Kumogakure had sent a Jinchūriki, leaving Konoha threatened on multiple fronts.

• Minato killed Kakkō before Koki could act, then apologized for moving too quickly when he saw Koki was in danger.
• Shisui bandaged Koki’s minor wound and embraced him, promising to protect him.
• Minato searched Kakkō’s body and found a secret letter, which he read with Koki, Shisui, and Hayate.
• The letter revealed an alliance between Kumogakure and Iwagakure, whose forces had already reached Konoha’s borders.
• The letter said Sunagakure had sent a large force against Konoha and Kumogakure had dispatched a Jinchūriki.

After learning that the nations were mobilizing their Jinchūriki for war, Minato’s team rushed back to Konoha, but an emergency distress signal drew Minato, Koki, and Shisui toward a battle site. There, three Kumogakure ninja, including Yugito, prepared to trap wounded Konoha ninja in the mist.

• Koki reflected on how the villages burdened their Jinchūriki, including Kumogakure’s Blue B and Yugito, Sunagakure’s Gaara, Konoha’s Naruto, and Mizukage Yagura Karatachi.
• Minato ordered Hayate to return to Konoha with a report while Koki and Shisui followed him toward the emergency signal.
• Minato, Koki, and Shisui reached a ruined mountain ridge where three Kumogakure ninja waited in a thick mist.
• The blond Kumogakure ninja remarked on a masked Konoha boy’s Water Release, and the white-haired ninja connected the technique to Tobirama Senju.
• Yugito said the wounded Konoha ninja had only one escape route and that the Kumogakure team could prevent their escape by holding its position.

Obito and Kakashi struggled to survive after a mission turned into a battle with three powerful Kumogakure ninja led by Yugito. Minato, Shisui, Koki, and Hayate arrived to help, but a confident woman appeared before them as they reached the mist.

• Obito protected the exhausted Kakashi and urged him to hold on until reinforcements arrived, reminding him of their promise to protect Koki.
• Yugito stopped the anxious blond ninja from charging into the mist and declared she would kill any Konoha ninja who came to help.
• Minato explained Jinchūriki to Koki and Hayate as he, Shisui, and the others tracked Obito and Kakashi’s distress signal.
• Minato reached the mist with Shisui, Koki, and Hayate, and a black-haired woman appeared on a tree before them.

Yugito confronted Minato, Koki, and their ally, then attacked Minato with her claws and blue flames. Minato evaded her using the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Yugito called on Matatabi to gather chakra as the fight escalated.

• Yugito taunted the three Konoha ninja and threatened to kill them as her chakra pressure filled the hill.
• Yugito charged through the treetops and launched a surprise attack on Minato, but he dodged her claws.
• Minato continued evading Yugito’s attacks by teleporting to chakra-marked kunai he had scattered around the forest.
• Yugito asked how Minato avoided her strikes, and the white-haired ninja explained the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Yugito called on Matatabi to gather chakra, and a dark blue, demon-cat-patterned tail appeared behind her.

Yugito revealed her Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, prompting Minato to activate Sage Mode and meet her attack. Meanwhile, Koki lured a blond ninja away from the main battle, and the chapter ended with the man pursuing him as Koki appeared to tire.

• Yugito transformed into a Perfect Jinchuriki, and Minato recognized her overwhelming power as a Tailed Beast Transformation.
• Minato entered Sage Mode to face Yugito, who attacked him with Rat Tail Ball, and their techniques collided in a massive explosion.
• A blond ninja attacked Koki while Koki watched Minato and Yugito fight, and Koki countered with a Shuriken.
• Koki feigned fear and fled with the Body Flicker Technique, leading the blond ninja away from the battle.
• The blond ninja pursued Koki across the hillside and laughed as Koki's pace slowed.