Recaps

Hyuga Haruka challenged Uchiha Kōki in a Ninja Academy match, hoping to prove himself against the rival he had chosen. Kōki’s precise Shuriken technique trapped Haruka, leaving their fight unresolved as the teacher marveled at Kōki’s skill.

• Hyuga Haruka, a Branch Family prodigy burdened by his Cursed Seal, regarded Koki as a rival and hoped defeating him would prove his worth.
• Koki initially forfeited, but after Haruka accused him of looking down on him, he agreed to fight.
• Teacher Higashikawa Haruto began the match after both students formed the Seal of Confrontation.
• Haruka charged, while Koki retreated and used Shuriken to control the distance between them.
• Koki’s Shuriken collided in midair and formed a blockade that trapped Haruka, astonishing the class and Higashikawa Haruto.

Hyuga Haruka and Koki fought to a standstill until their powerful clash injured Koki’s hand, prompting him to use One-Handed Hand Seals and unleash a Great Fireball Technique. As the fireball hurtled toward Hyuga Haruka and the students, Higashikawa Haruto raised an Earth-Style Wall to shield them.

• Hyuga Haruka disguised himself as a shuriken and surprised Koki, then the two exchanged a rapid series of blows.
• Hyuga Haruka struck Koki with a forceful punch, and their chakra-filled fists collided, sending both fighters flying back.
• Koki’s right hand went numb from the impact, and he used One-Handed Hand Seals to perform the Great Fireball Technique.
• Koki’s fireball raced toward Hyuga Haruka and the students, and Higashikawa Haruto shouted an Earth-Style Wall into place to protect them.

After Koki’s dangerous Ninjutsu nearly injured the class, he and Haruka apologized and reconciled. Haruka later asked Koki to teach him Ninjutsu, but ran off after Koki encouraged him to escape his caged fate.

• Teacher Higashikawa rescued Haruka from Koki’s Great Fireball and shielded the students behind an earthen wall.
• Koto Inuzuka and Gekko Hayate checked on Koki, who regretted losing control, while Teacher Higashikawa decided he had not attacked deliberately.
• Koki apologized to Haruka, who admitted defeat and forgave him, and the two completed the Seal of Reconciliation.
• Haruka apologized for judging the Uchiha Clan and asked Koki to advise him on Ninjutsu; Koki agreed and urged him to spread his wings, prompting Haruka to run away.

Koki's reputation after the practical class disrupted his peaceful school life, but Shisui comforted him on the way home. Koki reunited with Itachi outside the school and walked home with him and Shisui.

• Koto Inuzuka and Gekko Hayate noticed Koki paying close attention in class, while Hyuga Haruka kept watching him.
• Shisui waited outside the classroom and took Koki's schoolbag as they headed home.
• Koki told Shisui that the attention and challenges caused by his reputation had left him exhausted, and Shisui tried to cheer him up.
• Koki found Itachi waiting in the cold, wrapped his scarf around him, and warmed his hands.
• Koki, Shisui, and Itachi walked home together, talking about school and Itachi's new Ninjutsu.

Yakushi Nonō visited Koki, Shisui, and Itachi and invited them to the orphanage, where Koki’s support had helped the children. Koki entered a darkened room and found the children carrying in a large cake, leaving him delighted and surprised.

• Nonō reassured Koki that the orphanage was fine and asked him to visit because the children missed him.
• Koki agreed to go with Nonō, and Shisui joined after Nonō assured him they would not be long.
• Koki, Shisui, Itachi, and Nonō hurried to the orphanage, where Koki praised its newly refurbished sign.
• Koki found the courtyard empty and followed Nonō inside, where children emerged from the darkness carrying a large cake.

Koki celebrated his birthday with Nonō and the orphanage children, sharing cake and games before telling them a story. When Itachi grew jealous of Koki holding the children, he pretended to feel ill so Koki would focus on him, and Koki took him home.

• Nonō and the children surprised Koki with a birthday cake, and Koki wished for his family and friends to stay safe and happy.
• Koki offered Nonō the first slice of cake, then Shisui helped serve the rest.
• Koki and the children started a playful cream fight, and Koki smeared cake on Itachi’s face.
• Itachi grew jealous when Koki held the children, then pretended he felt ill so Koki would pick him up and comfort him.
• After reassuring Koki that he felt better, Itachi went home with him while Koki said goodbye to the children.

Koki learned that Nonō had found the gray-haired boy he had been searching for and named him Kabuto Yakushi. After Kabuto quietly clung to Koki as he tried to leave, the story ended with Koki looking back in surprise.

• Koki left the orphanage with Itachi and Shisui, but Nonō called him back with a birthday present.
• Nonō brought out a shy, blind boy she had found at Kikyo Mountain after years of searching for the child Koki described.
• Koki gave the boy the glasses he had prepared and named him Kabuto Yakushi.
• Nonō agreed to care for Kabuto, and Koki turned to leave.
• Kabuto grabbed Koki's clothes and gave him a cautious smile, surprising Koki.

Koki gave in to Kabuto’s desperate pleas and decided to take him home for a few days, despite knowing Itachi would be jealous. As they left the orphanage, Itachi clung to Koki in tears while Kabuto and Itachi exchanged hostile glares.

• Kabuto told Koki he liked him and insisted on going home with him when Koki tried to leave the orphanage.
• Koki left Kabuto with Nonō, but his cries made Koki turn back and agree to take him home for a few days.
• Koki met Itachi and Shisui outside the orphanage and explained why Kabuto was coming with them.
• Itachi burst into tears and hugged Koki, who comforted him and promised not to do it again.
• Shisui led Kabuto along as Itachi glared at him, and Kabuto glared back.

After returning from a successful mission, Kakashi and Obito reunited with Mikoto, Rin, and the family at home. Koki warmly welcomed them, and the chapter ended with him teasing Kakashi before embracing him.

• Rin told Mikoto about the mission while Kakashi and Obito helped prepare dinner.
• Mikoto sent Kakashi and Obito out of the kitchen to keep Rin company.
• Koki arrived home with Itachi, saw Kakashi and Obito, and rushed to hug Obito.
• Koki teased Kakashi by pretending to ignore him, then ran to embrace him.
• Kakashi caught Koki and carried him inside, embarrassed by Koki's teasing.

Koki brought the orphan Kabuto home for a week, and Mikoto welcomed him warmly before the family sat down to dinner. After hearing that Kakashi and Obito’s mission had been dangerous, Koki was surprised when Mikoto agreed to let him go on missions, while Rin’s affection for Kakashi left Obito’s feelings uncertain.

• Rin welcomed Koki home, and Mikoto called everyone to dinner.
• Koki explained that he had brought Kabuto home temporarily; Mikoto found him clothes from Itachi’s wardrobe and led him back to the table.
• Koki asked Rin about her mission, and Kakashi and Obito claimed it had been safe despite having been injured in an enemy trap.
• Koki asked Mikoto to let him go on missions, and she agreed, prompting him to decide to apply for early graduation.
• Itachi placed food in Koki’s bowl, and Rin placed beef on Kakashi’s plate, leaving Kakashi looking at Koki and Koki watching Obito in an awkward silence.

After Kakashi rejected the beef at dinner, Koki left the awkward gathering and sat outside, where Obito found him and insisted he was not in love with Rin. Obito then teased Koki about Kakashi and Rin getting together, prompting Kakashi to appear and clarify that he had explained things to Rin and she understood.

• Kakashi said he did not like beef, and the dinner grew subdued as Rin reacted sadly and he left his serving untouched.
• Koki hurried out and sat beneath the courtyard walkway, where he shivered in the winter cold without a coat.
• Obito draped his coat over Koki and firmly told him he was not in love with Rin.
• Obito teased Koki by saying Kakashi and Rin would make a good couple, while Kakashi listened from around the corner.
• Kakashi appeared and told Koki not to listen to Obito, then said he had explained everything to Rin and she understood.

Kakashi and Obito gave Koki a fireworks display and their mission earnings as gifts, easing the tension after they teased him. Koki accepted their gifts and ended the night feeling cherished, sleeping beside Itachi.

• Kakashi drew close to Koki to check for a fever, but Obito pushed Koki into him and made their foreheads collide.
• Koki grew angry and started to leave, but Kakashi and Obito stopped him and revealed their fireworks surprise.
• Koki watched the fireworks with Kakashi, Obito, Mikoto, his younger brother, and Kabuto, then thanked Kakashi and Obito for the display.
• Obito gave Koki a rabbit-shaped bag filled with money and bankbooks containing their mission pay from the past three years.
• Koki tearfully accepted the gift and hugged Kakashi and Obito, then slept peacefully beside Itachi.

Fugaku and Mikoto hosted a large birthday celebration for Koki, with clan members and the Military Police Force gathering while patrols continued on a shift system. As guests arrived, Kabuto said he missed Koki, so Mikoto sent Shisui and Kabuto to wake him.

• Fugaku welcomed guests while Yashiro confirmed that the Military Police Force's patrols had been arranged.
• Yashiro explained that a shift system let the Military Police Force members attend the celebration without disrupting patrol duties.
• Kakashi, Shisui, and Obito welcomed guests at the gate, and Mikoto watched them proudly.
• Kabuto told Mikoto that he missed Koki, and Fugaku worried that Koki was still asleep.
• Mikoto stopped Fugaku from getting angry and sent Shisui and Kabuto to wake Koki.

Koki woke on his birthday after dreaming that he mistook Itachi’s cheek for food and gnawed on it. As Shisui helped him get ready, Koki worried about the crowd gathered to celebrate, but Shisui promised to handle everything.

• Koki dreamed about winning mahjong and eating a pig’s trotter while he slept beside Itachi.
• Shisui and Little Kabuto entered Koki’s room and found him sucking on Itachi’s cheek as Itachi lay quietly in his arms.
• Shisui told Koki it was his birthday and urged him to get up before Fugaku became angry.
• Koki noticed the marks on Itachi’s cheek, realized he had caused them in his sleep, and hid in embarrassment.
• Shisui gave Koki a rice ball and reassured him that he would take care of the birthday gathering.

Kakashi and Shisui left Koki after visiting him, but a flamboyantly dressed woman sent by Madam Mikoto seized him to dress him. Meanwhile, Tsunade and Shizune met Jiraiya on their way to Koki's birthday party, and Tsunade chased him after he teased her.

• Kakashi brought Koki honey water, then left to return to his duties, and Shisui followed him out.
• Koki headed out with the two children, but a woman sent by Madam Mikoto rushed at him to dress him.
• Tsunade and Shizune walked toward Koki's birthday party and ran into Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya teased Tsunade about her clothes and marriage, so she chased him while Shizune reminded her they had to reach the party.

Tsunade caught up with Jiraiya and beat him before they agreed to travel together to Koki’s birthday party. At the Uchiha home, Koki was being made up when Izumi arrived and asked to take Itachi and Kabuto outside to play.

• Tsunade chased Jiraiya, knocked him down, and punched him until he pleaded for mercy.
• Jiraiya invited Tsunade to go with him to Koki’s birthday party, and she agreed to travel with him.
• At the Uchiha home, a woman began preparing Koki’s appearance on Mikoto’s instructions while Itachi and Kabuto watched.
• Izumi arrived, greeted Koki, and told him she had seen Nonō bring many children over.
• Izumi asked Koki if Itachi and Kabuto could come outside and play with her.

Izumi revealed her jealousy of Itachi and her desire to keep Koki to herself, while Fugaku organized the growing gathering at the Uchiha residence. Tsunade and Jiraiya arrived, ending with Tsunade punching Jiraiya for asking to take sake home.

• Koki sent Itachi and Izumi to the courtyard, but Kabuto refused to leave and stayed with him.
• Once they were away from Koki, Itachi accused Izumi of pretending and said she had been deliberately separating him from his brother.
• Izumi admitted she acted on purpose and declared that Koki belonged to her because she did not want to share his warmth with Itachi.
• Fugaku asked Yashiro to arrange extra tables, food, warm clothing, entertainment, and fireworks for the unexpected crowd, and promised to double the workers' wages.
• Fugaku and Mikoto welcomed Tsunade and Jiraiya, and Tsunade punched Jiraiya after he eagerly asked to fill his sake gourd and take some home.

Tsunade arrived at the Uchiha residence to speak privately with Koki, while Kakashi summoned Pakkun to keep Tonton company. Koki admired his elegant makeover with Kabuto, and Tsunade entered the room after ordering the women to leave.

• Tsunade declined a drink and asked Mikoto to take her to Koki, while Jiraiya went inside with Fugaku.
• Tonton excitedly approached Pakkun, and Pakkun complained that Kakashi had summoned him to entertain a pig.
• Koki saw his polished appearance in the mirror and thanked the woman who had made him up.
• Koki asked Kabuto whether he looked good, and Kabuto stared at him in fascination.
• Tsunade entered with Shizune, ordered the two women to leave, and closed the door after Koki assured her Kabuto could stay.

On Koki’s birthday, Tsunade tried to get ten million from him by claiming she had found a gold mine, and he agreed to invest. Orochimaru then slipped into the room, teased Koki for believing her, and said he had come to give him a generous gift.

• Tsunade claimed she had found a gold mine and asked Koki to invest ten million in developing it.
• Koki agreed to give Tsunade the money, knowing his system would eventually return it doubled.
• Tsunade accidentally hit Koki too hard on the shoulder and then offered him water.
• Orochimaru entered the room unnoticed and mocked Koki for believing Tsunade’s story.
• Koki asked Orochimaru what he had come for and how he had entered, and Orochimaru said he had brought a generous gift without explaining how he got inside.

Orochimaru attacked Tsunade with snakes, but Koki stepped in and stopped them. Tsunade asked Koki to become her disciple again, and he recalled why he had given up studying Medical Ninjutsu under her.

• Orochimaru unleashed a swarm of snakes at Tsunade after she told him to stop being mysterious.
• Koki stepped in front of Tsunade and cut down the snakes, then rebuked Orochimaru for attacking her.
• Tsunade asked Koki whether he was truly unwilling to become her disciple.
• Koki remembered how he had once studied Medical Ninjutsu eagerly, but found its precise techniques and demanding clinical work difficult.
• Koki recalled that caring for Tsunade while keeping up with his academy work left him exhausted, so he ultimately gave up studying under her.

Tsunade apologized to Koki and persuaded him to let her explain the Mystical Palm Technique once more. Little Kabuto unexpectedly performed the technique after hearing the explanation, and Tsunade tried to recruit him as her disciple, leaving Koki to decide what would happen next.

• Tsunade admitted she had neglected Koki and asked him for one last chance to explain the Mystical Palm Technique, and Koki agreed.
• Tsunade explained the technique while Koki listened, but Little Kabuto suddenly produced the technique's blue-green glow in his palm.
• Tsunade, Shizune, and Orochimaru were astonished by Little Kabuto's talent, and Tsunade offered to make him her disciple.
• Little Kabuto stayed close to Koki, and Tsunade promised he could avoid returning to the orphanage and still see Koki often.
• Little Kabuto waited for Koki's approval as everyone turned to him, and Koki struggled with the decision.

Koki struggled to decide whether Kabuto should study under Tsunade or return to the orphanage, until Orochimaru offered to take him and provoked Tsunade. Koki chose Tsunade as the safer teacher, but Kabuto secretly resolved to gain power and earn Koki’s recognition while the two Sannin remained at odds.

• Koki weighed whether Kabuto would be better off training with Tsunade or living a quiet life at the orphanage with Nonō.
• Orochimaru offered to take Kabuto as his student, prompting Tsunade to confront him and attack the snakes he summoned.
• Koki picked up Kabuto, shielded his eyes, and ordered Orochimaru to clean up the dead snakes after the clash.
• Orochimaru’s intervention convinced Koki that Tsunade was the more responsible teacher, and he prepared to announce his decision.
• Kabuto watched Orochimaru while secretly yearning for power so he could stay beside Koki and prove his worth.

Jiraiya returned to find Tsunade withdrawn and gambling while Orochimaru obsessively pursued forbidden research. After Koki beat him for giving Itachi Icha Icha Paradise, Jiraiya asked Koki to come to Mount Myōboku, but Koki refused.

• Jiraiya entered the room and reflected on how Tsunade and Orochimaru had changed since his return from the Land of Rain.
• Koki recognized Jiraiya and attacked him for giving Itachi Icha Icha Paradise, leaving Jiraiya battered.
• Jiraiya tried to invite Orochimaru out, but Tsunade's glare made him claim he had meant to practice Ninjutsu.
• Jiraiya asked Koki when he would visit Mount Myōboku, explaining that the Great Toad Sage's prophecy made Koki crucial to the Shinobi World.
• Koki refused to go and complained that Jiraiya kept asking him to become his disciple.

Jiraiya told Koki that the Great Toad Sage had named him the Child of Prophecy, but Koki rejected the role and rushed to check on Itachi. After Itachi awakened his Sharingan, Koki comforted him and worried that the early awakening would worsen his brother’s incurable Kekkei Genkai Disease; he continued to hope Orochimaru could find a treatment.

• Jiraiya pursued Koki and insisted that the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy made him the Child of Prophecy, but Koki refused to accept the role.
• Koki heard people talking about Itachi and hurried outside, while Little Kabuto asked Orochimaru to take him as a student and Orochimaru agreed.
• Koki found Itachi with an awakened two-tomoe Sharingan and embraced him as Itachi wept; Koki then angrily rebuked Fugaku for celebrating without noticing Itachi’s distress.
• Koki comforted Itachi in private and reassured him that he had never been angry about his eyes.
• Koki feared Itachi had a Kekkei Genkai Disease that the Sharingan might worsen, and he reflected on funding Orochimaru’s research in hopes of finding a cure.

Koki struggled with grief and fear, and Itachi tried to show that he could be someone his brother relied on. Hatake Sakumo arrived after hearing what had happened, and Koki broke down in his embrace.

• Koki hid his tears while bringing Itachi water, but Itachi noticed his distress and hugged him.
• Itachi told Koki he had grown up and wanted Koki to trust and rely on him, then resolved to become strong enough to protect him.
• A knock interrupted the brothers, and Koki opened the door to find Hatake Sakumo, who had rushed over after speaking with Fugaku.
• Sakumo called Koki a little crybaby, and Koki wept in his uncle's arms, finding comfort in his embrace.