Chapter Summaries

Jiang Rui joined Hui Lingzi’s carriage party as they traveled toward the port, learning that she was returning to the Land of Water after sixteen years in the Land of Fire. He agreed to protect her until the port, suspecting that Muto Koji’s role involved more than guarding her.

• Jiang Rui dodged a kunai and offered to protect Hui Lingzi’s caravan in exchange for a ride.
• Hui Lingzi invited Jiang Rui into the carriage despite Muto Koji’s anger, and Jiang Rui introduced himself as Rimuru.
• Hui Lingzi said the group was headed to the Land of Waves and that she was returning home to the Land of Water.
• Hui Lingzi revealed she had spent sixteen years in the Land of Fire and implied that her stay there had not been her choice.
• Hui Lingzi warned Jiang Rui not to entertain improper thoughts about her, citing High Ninja Koji’s protection.
• Jiang Rui offered to protect Hui Lingzi alongside Muto Koji until they reached the port.

Jiang Rui protected Hui Lingzi’s caravan from bandits with a powerful Water Release technique, earning her approval while making Muto Koji wary. As the caravan neared its destination, Jiang Rui began secretly spreading moisture and told Hui Lingzi he planned to become the next Water Shadow.

• Jiang Rui let bandit scouts draw their group toward the caravan so he could confront the attackers.
• Jiang Rui used Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique and secretly manipulated water blades to defeat the bandits.
• Hui Lingzi quietly approved of Jiang Rui’s display, while Muto Koji questioned whether he came from Mist.
• Jiang Rui kept watch through the journey as the guards grew more respectful and Muto Koji’s wariness eased.
• Jiang Rui spread moisture toward Hui Lingzi’s side of the carriage and told her he intended to become the next Water Shadow.

Jiang Rui killed Muto Koji, secured Hui Lingzi’s agreement to leave Konoha’s protection, and set sail for Mist. The ship departed the Land of Waves with Jiang Rui carrying new loot and plans to become Water Shadow.

• Jiang Rui killed Muto Koji after confirming the Konoha squad had already withdrawn, then told Hui Lingzi he had eliminated her guard.
• Hui Lingzi agreed to report Muto Koji’s death as Mist’s doing, preventing Konoha from sending more people and weakening its claim over the Land of Waves.
• Hui Lingzi said she hoped Jiang Rui would become Water Shadow, while keeping her belief in him to herself.
• Jiang Rui left Hui Lingzi at the harbor, bought food, and boarded a ship bound for Mist.
• Jiang Rui discovered Muto Koji had dropped a golden card and obtained Beginner Throwing Mastery as the ship sailed away.

Jiang Rui sailed to the Land of Water, endured three days of seasickness, and reached Kirigakure hoping to meet the Water Shadow. His request was accepted with little fuss, leaving him waiting while the village reviewed his form.

• A middle-aged sailor shared an orange with Jiang Rui and told him that war in the East had drawn many ninja toward the coast.
• Jiang Rui reaffirmed his ambition to become the future Water Shadow and completed his sea journey three days later, despite his seasickness.
• After landing, Jiang Rui followed a squad of Kirigakure ninja to the village entrance and requested an audience with the Water Shadow.
• The guards directed Jiang Rui to register, and he wrote that he had come to recognize relatives.
• A staff member accepted Jiang Rui's request and said the Water Shadow would review it before someone escorted him to meet the leader.

Jiang Rui claimed Hōzuki ancestry and persuaded the Third Mizukage to let him join Kirigakure so he could avenge his parents. He completed the faction-joining quest, but still needed a teacher and an assessment before becoming a Mist ninja.

• Jiang Rui told a Kirigakure ninja that he was an orphan seeking the Hōzuki Clan, and the ninja brought him to the Third Mizukage.
• Ito Rei introduced Jiang Rui to the Third Mizukage, who recognized his Water Transformation Technique and considered his possible Hōzuki lineage.
• Jiang Rui said Konoha ninjas had killed his parents and asked to join Kirigakure to avenge them.
• The Third Mizukage agreed that Jiang Rui could join the village, and Paradise rewarded him with Water Clone and unlocked a quest to join the Mist Hidden Assassination Tactics Special Unit.
• The Third Mizukage explained that Jiang Rui still needed a teacher and had to prove his strength and determination.

Jiang Rui became the Third Mizukage’s disciple and was sent with senior sister Ito Rei to test his strength. Their spar ended with Jiang Rui revealing a powerful Water Gun Technique that destroyed a tree, and Ito Rei scolding him for risking injury.

• Ito Rei volunteered to teach Jiang Rui, but the Third Mizukage named himself Jiang Rui’s teacher and introduced Ito Rei as his senior sister.
• The Third Mizukage instructed Ito Rei to assess Jiang Rui’s strength and told Jiang Rui to return in three days for a mission.
• Ito Rei attacked Jiang Rui at the training ground, quickly overwhelming him with her speed and strength.
• Jiang Rui used the Water Gun Technique, blasting through a tree and startling Ito Rei and the other young ninja.
• Ito Rei grabbed Jiang Rui and scolded him for nearly hurting someone, while Jiang Rui protested that nobody had been hit.

Ito Rei judged Jiang Rui better suited for the front lines, while the Third Mizukage considered his talent and unclear origins before postponing a decision about his assignment. Meanwhile, Jiang Rui developed new abilities by experimenting with Water Clones and Great Sage, ending the chapter eager to explore his new Avatar skill.

• Ito Rei told the Third Mizukage that Jiang Rui was powerful but better suited for the front lines than the assassination unit.
• The Third Mizukage considered Jiang Rui's Water Style talent, possible Hozuki Clan origins, and apparent interest in the Mizukage's direct unit, then deferred deciding his assignment until the mission ended.
• Jiang Rui experimented with the Water Gun Technique, created a Water Clone, and used Great Sage to control the clone in combat.
• Great Sage developed the Split talent and the Avatar derivative skill, allowing Jiang Rui to create another self and later fuse it back into his body.
• Jiang Rui considered using a powerful Avatar while keeping his original body weak, then decided to go to sleep.

Jiang Rui trained with Ito Rei and met Karatachi Yagura and Ishikawa Tatsuya at the training grounds. After Ishikawa Tatsuya teased Jiang Rui and Ito Rei, Jiang Rui challenged them to a two-on-two spar that left him trading blows with Ishikawa Tatsuya.

• Ito Rei dragged Jiang Rui to the training grounds for taijutsu practice and basic ninja lessons.
• Jiang Rui asked about the child practicing with a staff, and Ito Rei identified him as Karatachi Yagura.
• Jiang Rui pulled Ito Rei over to meet Karatachi Yagura and Ishikawa Tatsuya, who teased them with nicknames and mentioned Ito Rei crying.
• Jiang Rui challenged Ishikawa Tatsuya, and Karatachi Yagura volunteered to fight him.
• Jiang Rui proposed a two-on-two spar, and Karatachi Yagura agreed.
• Jiang Rui dodged Karatachi Yagura's Wind Style ninjutsu, then attacked Ishikawa Tatsuya with his weakened Water Gun Technique as Ishikawa Tatsuya countered and sent a Water Clone after Ito Rei.

Jiang Rui used a Water Clone to spar with Ishikawa Tatsuya and Karatachi Yagura, surprising them with his water techniques before the instructors conceded. The Third Mizukage and Genji discussed keeping Jiang Rui under observation and preparing to send the Seven Ninja Swordsmen against Konoha.

• Jiang Rui used a Water Clone and Water Release to hold off Ishikawa Tatsuya and Karatachi Yagura, while Ito Rei countered the torrent with an Earth Wall.
• Jiang Rui revealed that he had been controlling a clone from home, then introduced himself to Karatachi Yagura and asked to train with him.
• Ishikawa Tatsuya conceded the spar and criticized Jiang Rui's speed, strength, and hand-seal speed, while Ito Rei ordered more taijutsu training.
• The Third Mizukage and Genji discussed Jiang Rui's Hozuki identity, the ninja sword scroll, and possibly placing him in the direct forces or Anbu.
• The Third Mizukage and Genji discussed Konoha's battles and agreed that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen should draw their blades.

Jiang Rui received his assessment mission to eliminate suspected Konoha spies living in the Land of Water, and Ito Rei gave him an Anbu mask before he set out. He left for the mission with the Mizukage’s confidence and Ito Rei’s concern for his safety.

• Jiang Rui noticed Kirigakure’s streets and training grounds were quieter as the village prepared for war, then reported to the Mizukage’s office for his assessment mission.
• Jiang Rui and Ito Rei briefly roughhoused before the Third Mizukage gave him a scroll containing the mission details and intelligence source.
• Ito Rei explained that Jiang Rui’s target was a married couple, Ichimiya and Suzu Keiko, suspected of being Konoha spies who had lived as civilians in the Land of Water for years.
• Ito Rei admitted she had investigated the couple and that their strength might be higher than the outdated intelligence suggested, but Jiang Rui said he could handle High Ninjas.
• Ito Rei gave Jiang Rui a Kirigakure Assassination Squad mask early because the Mizukage believed it would help him carry out the mission as an Anbu.

Jiang Rui infiltrated a residence and killed two Konoha ninja, then found their young child and refused to kill him despite Great Sage’s urging. He left the child alive and challenged Great Sage’s idea of what it meant to be a Demon Lord.

• Jiang Rui entered the residence, where a male and female ninja ambushed him, but he killed them with a water attack and a Water Blade.
• Jiang Rui sensed a child inside, discovered the two ninjas had been living as a family, and found two Lightning Style scrolls in the house.
• Jiang Rui aimed his Finger Gun at the frightened boy but could not bring himself to kill him.
• Great Sage argued that killing the child would prove Jiang Rui could follow the Anbu code, but Jiang Rui said the child was not a mission target and prepared to leave.
• Jiang Rui asked Great Sage what a Demon Lord was and said a Demon Lord would not fear challenges, including revenge.

After sparing the boy, Jiang Rui reunited with Ito Rei and learned she was leaving on a mission. The Third Mizukage assigned Jiang Rui to work with Karatachi Yagura as the war began, leaving him to prepare for his first battlefield mission.

• Jiang Rui decided the boy’s fate was his own concern and left the room after sparing him.
• Ito Rei gave Jiang Rui her old mask and invited him to barbecue before leaving on a mission.
• Ishikawa Tatsuya and Karatachi Yagura joined Jiang Rui and Ito Rei for the meal, and Ishikawa noted Jiang Rui would soon serve as a ninja.
• A masked messenger summoned Jiang Rui to the Third Mizukage, who gave him a sealing scroll and told him to work with Karatachi Yagura and the others.
• The Third Mizukage told Jiang Rui that the war had begun and that he would temporarily join a team for a mission.

Jiang Rui joined an Anbu operation to hunt targets and prevent them from sending intelligence, while confronting how his growing attachment to people was changing his plans. He headed toward the docks to find his assigned targets, lamenting that he had failed to become an egoist.

• Jiang Rui arrived at the meeting point early but found the other operatives already gathered, including Kaguya Tsuki, Karatachi Yagura, and Ishikawa Tatsuya.
• The Third Mizukage distributed mission scrolls and ordered the squads to eliminate targets and prevent intelligence from reaching the enemy.
• Ishikawa Tatsuya explained that he could identify many targets through Anbu records and assigned Yagura several names while sending Jiang Rui to targets near the docks.
• Ishikawa warned Jiang Rui to use extreme measures if his targets had boarded a ship and told him not to fail.
• Jiang Rui raced toward the docks, reflecting that his growing concern for others had made him fail at becoming an egoist.

Jiang Rui sent a clone to hunt down suspects at the harbor, but Great Sage’s unexpectedly charming performance left him questioning his own identity. After regrouping with his squad, he learned they had a troublesome mission that night.

• Jiang Rui sent a clone to the harbor to find Akira Ishida and other suspects, and the clone killed two men who tried to flee.
• The clone questioned the remaining dockworkers about their identities and families until a man mistook it for Rimuru.
• Great Sage removed the clone’s mask and greeted the man with a radiant smile, leaving Jiang Rui stunned by how cute the clone looked.
• At noon, Jiang Rui complained to Karatachi Yagura and Ishikawa Tatsuya that his clone seemed prettier and cuter than he was.
• Ishikawa Tatsuya gave the squad the afternoon to rest before a troublesome mission that night, while Great Sage told Jiang Rui he was no longer a boy.

After the Seven Ninja Swordsmen went missing, Jiang Rui learned that Kirigakure was preparing to investigate and possibly go to war with the Land of Fire. He volunteered to join the mission so he could save his senior sister, whose fate was unknown.

• Jiang Rui spent half a month carrying out missions and gained a reputation as a Kirigakure prodigy after killing an enemy High Ninja.
• The Water Shadow announced that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had lost contact, and Kirigakure's leaders debated whether to act while the situation remained unclear.
• Genji proposed forming a squad from the major clans to investigate, noting that four Yuki Clan members were already missing.
• Jiang Rui asked to join the squad and said he wanted to save his senior sister because he still owed her a barbecue meal.
• Kaguya Tsuki reacted with approval as the hall fell silent.

Jiang Rui accepted a secret Anbu mission to investigate the missing squads and rescue them, despite Water Shadow’s concerns. After learning new Water Style techniques, he prepared to head toward the battlefield, hoping to find Ito Rei and recover the fallen Mizuki Clan members.

• Jiang Rui insisted to Water Shadow that he be allowed to search for Ito Rei’s missing squad rather than return as a rogue ninja, and Water Shadow agreed.
• Jiang Rui requested to go alone or follow another squad in secret, suspecting a traitor among the village’s leadership; Water Shadow assigned him to investigate Hidden Cloud Village and Konoha’s movements and rescue the missing squads.
• Water Shadow gave Jiang Rui the Water Mirror Technique scroll and Second Water Shadow’s ninjutsu notes before he departed.
• Jiang Rui completed his special assassination tactics unit quest and received the Hiding in Mist Technique and Silent Killing Technique, then accepted a new quest to help his faction win the war.
• Great Sage learned the Water Mirror Technique and some of Hozuki Gengetsu’s Water Style, but Jiang Rui could not learn Steaming Danger Tyranny without Oil Style.
• Jiang Rui prepared to head to the battlefield, aiming to find Ito Rei, retrieve the Mizuki Clan members’ corpses, and learn Ice Style.

Jiang Rui traveled by ship toward the battlefield, determined to end the war early and locate Ito Rei. He reached the Land of Iron and found her group injured and hiding in a cave with urgent intelligence that Konoha and Kumogakure had formed an alliance.

• Jiang Rui spoke with the ship's captain, who had once lived in Kirigakure and lost his ninja wife and daughter, and told him he did not plan to return.
• Jiang Rui used All Things to search for Ito Rei, spent nearly all his magic power, and found her location in the Land of Iron.
• Ito Rei treated her wounds and helped a wounded middle-aged man while their group sheltered from the rain in a cave.
• A young man guarding the cave said they had been unable to use the Water Mirror Technique for seven days and had received no response from the village.
• Ito Rei told the young man to escape with their intelligence if they died: Konoha and Kumogakure had formed an alliance.

Jiang Rui killed a Kumogakure squad near the Land of Iron and then hurried toward the coast, where Ito Rei and Jun Ze were trying to escape with a wounded ally. The chapter ended as Jun Ze prepared to hold off Kumogakure’s Anbu while Ito Rei was meant to carry their intelligence to the Water Shadow.

• Jiang Rui defeated a Kumogakure squad, analyzed its Lightning Style Chakra, and gained only a small increase in Strength.
• Ito Rei carried the wounded middle-aged ninja while Jun Ze and a scar-faced woman helped the group flee their pursuers.
• Jiang Rui guessed the escapees would head for the coast and changed direction to intercept them.
• Jun Ze and Ito Rei reached a Kumogakure ambush, where the Anbu captain struck Ito Rei and sent her flying.
• Jun Ze told Ito Rei to escape with the deployment routes and defense maps while he held off the captain.

Rimuru rescued Ito Rei and Jun Ze from Kumogakure’s pursuit, then overwhelmed the enemy forces with immense water and lightning attacks. A divided body of Jiang Rui reached Kirigakure and reported that Konoha and Kumogakure had allied, prompting the Third Mizukage to summon the major clans.

• Jun Ze and Ito Rei fought their way toward the coast while Kumogakure’s forces pursued them.
• Rimuru arrived, paralyzed several pursuers, and protected Ito Rei and Jun Ze behind a Water Prison Wall.
• Rimuru revealed that they were at the Land of Water’s border and unleashed towering waves and Water Dragons against the Kumogakure ninjas.
• Rimuru pursued the burly Kumogakure leader and killed him with a kunai strike and Water Blade Storms.
• Jiang Rui’s divided body informed the Third Mizukage that Konoha and Kumogakure had allied and that Ito Rei and Tengcheng Jun Ze carried deployment maps.
• The Third Mizukage summoned the major clans.

Jiang Rui protected Ito Rei and Tōsei Kunizawa after defeating the pursuing ninjas, then hid with them among the reefs while waiting for aid from the Land of Water. As he absorbed seawater and reviewed his gains, Ito Rei acknowledged his talent and Jiang Rui resolved to show the ninja world the Sea God’s power.

• Jiang Rui secretly devoured one enemy and finished off the remaining ninjas, then collected their loot cards.
• Jiang Rui comforted the grieving Ito Rei, whose tears stopped when he awkwardly complimented her appearance.
• Tōsei Kunizawa gave his name, and Jiang Rui told him and Ito Rei they needed to hold out for three days.
• Jiang Rui’s group hid in a recess among the reefs, where he guarded them and used black mist to devour seawater.
• Great Sage reported Jiang Rui’s improved attributes and the abilities and items he had gained from the defeated ninjas.
• Ito Rei cleaned and altered her damaged clothes, praised Jiang Rui’s genius, and Jiang Rui vowed to make the ninja world recognize the Sea God.