Chapter Summaries

After the rescue, Jiang Rui chose to remain behind and promised to recover Tengcheng Tiancao’s body, while Ito Rei and Jun Ze returned to Kirigakure. Jiang Rui watched their ship leave and wondered whether drinking seawater for days had lowered the ocean.

• The Raikage ordered his pursuit force back to Kumogakure and sent Hiruzen Sarutobi a message demanding payment for its losses.
• Jun Ze asked Jiang Rui whether he had seen the bodies of a woman and a middle-aged Mist ninja, then walked away disappointed when Jiang Rui said he had not.
• Ito Rei told Jiang Rui that Jun Ze’s surname was Tengcheng and that their captain, Tengcheng Tiancao, had died buying them time.
• Jiang Rui said he would stay behind and retrieve Tengcheng Tiancao’s body, while Ito Rei protested that she wanted to go with him.
• A ship carrying Anbu arrived, and Jiang Rui handed Ito Rei and Jun Ze over before watching them depart.

Jiang Rui searched for Kumogakure’s forces in the Land of Iron, then received a mission from the Third Mizukage to sabotage the alliance between the Land of Fire and Kumogakure. At a tavern near the Land of Rice Fields, he noticed three suspicious people discussing Mist and quietly sent water beneath his feet.

• Jiang Rui used Great Sage to deduce Kumogakure’s possible routes and decided to search toward the Land of Rice Fields.
• Jiang Rui encountered rogue ninja and wandering ninja while traveling, gaining attributes as rumors spread that a Mist Anbu was hunting Mist rogue ninja.
• Avatar delivered the Third Mizukage’s mission for Jiang Rui to sabotage the alliance between the Land of Fire and Kumogakure.
• Jiang Rui entered a tavern near the Land of Rice Fields and overheard ordinary patrons say the area might soon become a battlefield.
• Jiang Rui noticed a blond-haired man speaking with the tavern owner and saw the man and his companions leave after mentioning Mist.
• Jiang Rui watched the three suspicious men leave and sent a stream of water beneath his feet.

Jiang Rui was lured into accepting a mission that made him an enemy of a three-person group, and their ambush nearly killed his incarnation. After defeating the assassin and claiming his loot, Jiang Rui set out to track the surviving pair.

• Raka and his companion used mist and a shared mission about destroying Akatsuki to persuade Jiang Rui to join the assassination faction.
• Jiang Rui realized the group was exploiting opposing factions to avoid the penalty for killing, but Raka’s name-based attack left him weakened as an assassin stabbed him.
• Jiang Rui’s Water Clone unleashed compressed Water Blades, killing Rainy Night while Raka fled with his companion.
• Jiang Rui learned that his incarnation had been killed, then retrieved its remains and the assassin’s golden loot card.
• Jiang Rui suspected the group had support from a larger force and ordered Great Sage to track the fugitives.

Jiang Rui hunted down Raka after discovering that Raka had killed one of his clones, eventually disguising himself to bypass Raka’s name-based control spell and kill him. He absorbed Raka’s Sequence 9 Apprentice abilities and learned that Raka’s powerful curses depended on knowing a target’s True Name.

• Jiang Rui decided not to pursue Nagato and instead sent a clone after Raka while he hunted Raka himself.
• Raka repeatedly immobilized Jiang Rui by calling out “Rimuru” and tried to lure him deeper into the Land of Fire.
• After his pursuing clone was killed, Jiang Rui created a Water Clone as bait and disguised himself as Brent to approach Raka from the side.
• Raka’s curse failed against the clone, and he mistook Jiang Rui for an ally after Jiang Rui showed him a Cloud Hidden forehead protector.
• Jiang Rui killed Raka and absorbed his Sequence 9 Apprentice, gaining the ability to learn magic and cast Soul Curse after obtaining a target’s True Name.

Jiang Rui ambushed Raka, took the assassin’s loot, and headed toward Kumogakure’s troops, but he instead ran into Jiraiya and was captured by Konoha. Recognized as the Mizukage’s disciple, he was placed under restraint and custody while Jiraiya sought instructions.

• Jiang Rui examined the assassin’s loot, kept the Blood Weeping Blade, and followed the trail toward Kumogakure’s troops.
• At the Mizukage Building, the Third Mizukage heard that Jiang Rui’s avatar had been captured by Konoha.
• Jiang Rui encountered Jiraiya near a Konoha camp and tried to hide his Kirigakure Mask, but Jiraiya grabbed him.
• A Konoha intelligence agent identified Jiang Rui as a Mist Anbu elite capable of killing a High Ninja.
• Jiang Rui revealed that he was the Mizukage’s disciple, and Jiraiya ordered his Chakra suppressed and him locked up while he consulted his teacher.

Jiang Rui learned that Konoha was considering how to use or release him amid rising tensions with Kirigakure and Kumogakure, then escaped his tent and unleashed a massive tsunami over the battlefield. He ended the chapter atop a Water Throne as the waves crashed toward the Kumogakure ninjas.

• Jiang Rui asked to see Jiraiya and inferred that Konoha and Kumogakure were preparing to face each other across the basin.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the advisors debated whether to release Jiang Rui or use him to negotiate with Kirigakure, while Hiruzen received a message that shocked him.
• Jiang Rui offered to help Jiraiya against Kumogakure, but Jiraiya denied that Konoha was at war with its supposed ally.
• Jiang Rui escaped his tent at night using a Water Clone and flew over the battlefield.
• Jiang Rui used Split to create a black mist, summoned a towering surge of seawater, and formed a Water Throne above the battlefield.
• Jiang Rui raised his hand as the tsunami crashed toward Kumogakure's ninjas and thought of home.

Jiang Rui devastated the Kumogakure force with a flood and fought a lightning-armored High Ninja, then searched the camp for corpses. He returned to find Jiraiya and Konoha ninja surrounding him beside the brute’s corpse.

• Jiang Rui flooded the battlefield, killed several High Ninja with water attacks, and evaded the lightning-armored brute’s blows.
• Jiraiya ordered his forces to surround the battlefield and kill any surviving Cloud Ninja they encountered.
• Jiang Rui fled the fight when Konoha reinforcements approached and searched the Kumogakure camp for corpses.
• Jiang Rui killed twelve Cloud Ninja and four Mist ninja who were holding Yuki Clan members hostage, then absorbed the bodies into black mist.
• Jiang Rui returned carrying Tiancao’s corpse and found Jiraiya and a group of Konoha ninja surrounding him beside the brute’s corpse.

Jiang Rui used a towering water elemental to bluff Jiraiya and escape after claiming he had come to recover a friend’s body. The Third Mizukage ordered Jiang Rui’s role in the destruction of a Cloud Ninja force concealed, then warned that the Raikage would pursue him personally.

• Jiang Rui hid inside a massive water elemental and faced Jiraiya’s Konoha forces, while his Avatar sought help from the Third Mizukage.
• Jiang Rui told Jiraiya he had come to reclaim his friend’s corpse, then fled as the water elemental collapsed and Jiraiya blocked the surge with an Earth Wall.
• Jiraiya summoned a toad to relay intelligence to Hiruzen, who agreed with Mitokado Homura to blame Mist for the deaths and focus on Amegakure.
• Jiang Rui’s Avatar told the Third Mizukage and the gathered Mist officials that Konoha had finished off the Cloud Ninja force, while disputing how many enemies he had killed.
• The Third Mizukage instructed Jiang Rui to deny killing any Cloud Ninja and revealed that the Raikage would hunt him down personally.

Jiang Rui continued hunting down surviving Cloud Ninjas after gaining Omni Water Manipulation, hoping to advance before the Raikage arrived. He encountered Song Sicheng, a terrified survivor from his own Supernatural Paradise faction, and the chapter ended with Jiang Rui confronting him.

• The Water Shadow ordered an invasion of the Land of Fire and set out with Kaguya Tsuki, Ito Rei, and others to meet Jiang Rui.
• Jiang Rui reviewed his boosted attributes and new Omni Water Manipulation ability, then killed another attacker with an ice-infused water blade.
• Jiang Rui decided to keep hunting Cloud Ninjas instead of retreating toward Kirigakure, guided by the Great Sage's search.
• Jiang Rui found Song Sicheng after his teammates were killed, but hesitated because killing someone from his faction would cost him 500 Extraordinary Points.
• Jiang Rui appeared behind Song Sicheng, who panicked and begged for his life.

Jiang Rui questioned Song Sicheng, a frightened newcomer from Xia Country, then left him behind and spent the night gathering techniques and information. After Great Sage warned that the Raikage could track him down within three days, Jiang Rui weighed whether to seek the Raikage out or prepare for advancement first.

• Jiang Rui learned that Song Sicheng was from Xia Country and asked whether he knew Town Mountain River, but Song Sicheng had no useful information.
• Jiang Rui advised Song Sicheng to report to the authorities if he survived, then vanished into the darkness as others watched nearby.
• Jiang Rui spent the night absorbing secret techniques and passive abilities before finding an inn and bathing.
• Jiang Rui asked Great Sage whether the Raikage could find him, and Great Sage estimated the Raikage could locate him within three days.
• Great Sage urged Jiang Rui to buy intelligence and advancement materials before facing the Raikage, while Jiang Rui considered running if he could not win.

Jiang Rui visited the Underground Exchange to turn in a bounty and buy information, while his growing reputation made it harder to find targets. He accepted two new assignments, including one involving a Cloud Ninja, and prepared to deal with whoever was hunting him or Konoha.

• Jiang Rui entered the Underground Exchange through a restroom and drew wary attention because of his reputation as Hozuki Rimuru.
• Jiang Rui complained that his target information had been inaccurate, then turned in three heads and received payment plus free information about Raikage A in Xuanye Town.
• Jiang Rui exchanged his bounty money for as many High Ninja targets as the exchange had available.
• Jiang Rui asked the Great Sage whether he could defeat a Kage-level opponent, but decided to avoid that risk until Raikage A arrived.
• The exchange manager offered Jiang Rui two targets, including a Cloud Ninja on a mission, and Jiang Rui resolved to kill them if they were seeking trouble with him or Konoha.

Jiang Rui chased a powerful Kumogakure ninja who had kicked her from an inn, trading attacks with him as he tried to lead her toward the Raikage. The old man finally pierced through Jiang Rui’s head, leaving her fate uncertain.

• Jiang Rui pursued the fleeing Kumogakure ninja after his lightning attack and kick sent her crashing through an inn window.
• Jiang Rui’s ability failed to identify him as Suzuki Iwa, and she used lightning and water attacks to keep chasing him.
• The old man deliberately led Jiang Rui toward the Raikage while secretly notifying him, but Jiang Rui’s attacks wounded him as they fought through the village.
• The old man punched Jiang Rui into a crater, trapped her with Earth Style and explosive tags, and then attacked her with an Earth Dragon Bullet.
• Jiang Rui countered with a water dragon and a bladed waterspout, but the old man pierced through her head with four fingers.

Jiang Rui fought the Third Raikage, but the Raikage’s speed overwhelmed his body and repeatedly destroyed his Water Transformation. After the Great Sage explained how prediction could counter the speed gap, Jiang Rui surrendered control so it could take over.

• The Third Raikage emerged after defeating the old man’s Water Blade Storm and identified Jiang Rui as a promising Mist ninja.
• The old man raised earth walls to trap Jiang Rui and the Raikage battered him, but Jiang Rui survived by using Water Transformation.
• The Raikage explained that the Water Shadow had revealed Jiang Rui too early and continued countering his attacks with afterimages and overwhelming speed.
• The Great Sage told Jiang Rui that the Raikage was several times faster and proposed taking control to predict his movements; Jiang Rui agreed.

Jiang Rui used a clone and the Great Sage to kill the newly appointed Anbu Minister, but the Third Raikage overwhelmed him with his speed and lightning armor. Jiang Rui survived by turning into a puddle and stalled for time while the Great Sage completed its analysis, leaving his advancement imminent.

• Jiang Rui tried to escape the Third Raikage, but the Raikage and his subordinate repeatedly countered his movements and transformed him into liquid.
• Jiang Rui feinted with a clone, stabbed the newly appointed Anbu Minister, and used the Raikage’s distraction to knock him into rubble.
• The Third Raikage unleashed his lightning armor, pierced the Great Sage, and vowed to kill Jiang Rui.
• Jiang Rui endured the Raikage’s attacks while he and the Great Sage discussed his poor ability to track the Raikage’s movements.
• After the Raikage tore him apart with an afterimage attack, Jiang Rui stayed in puddle form and slowly flowed south while the Raikage guarded him.
• The Great Sage announced that its analysis was complete.

Jiang Rui advanced his Monster sequence to Monster Lord and then fused Apprentice with Child of Light to obtain Sequence 8, Light Prayer. He ended the chapter confident that the new priest sequence would help him face Raikage.

• Jiang Rui chose the direct Monster Lord advancement rather than fusing his sequences, and bought Abyssal Ash for 500 Extraordinary Points.
• During the advancement, Jiang Rui saw a terrifying vision of a distorted, tentacled mouth until Great Sage activated shielding.
• Great Sage explained that the vision was an illusion that could cause mental contamination, and confirmed Jiang Rui had successfully advanced to Monster Lord.
• Jiang Rui learned that sequence fusion could avoid separate material costs, though it required specific formulas and materials.
• Jiang Rui fused Apprentice with Child of Light for 300 Extraordinary Points and obtained Sequence 8, Light Prayer.

Jiang Rui completed his advancement, gaining a second Priest Sequence and sharply increased attributes, then returned to face Thunder Shadow. He taunted Thunder Shadow while planning to stall until his mana recovered, relying on regeneration and Great Sage’s advice to survive.

• Jiang Rui reviewed his upgraded status, noting his new light-priest abilities, True Name Impartation, and dramatically increased attributes.
• Great Sage announced that Jiang Rui’s advancement was complete and returned him to the Prime Material Plane.
• Thunder Shadow mistook Jiang Rui’s reappearance for a provocation and punched at him, but Jiang Rui dodged.
• Jiang Rui beckoned to Thunder Shadow and challenged him to attack head-on, while secretly intending to stall and recover mana.
• Great Sage advised Jiang Rui to draw out the fight as his body regenerated health and mana.

Jiang Rui tried to keep the Raikage occupied until the Third Mizukage's forces could arrive, while an Avatar Jiang Rui encountered complications guiding the Mizukage. The chapter ended with the Raikage still pursuing Jiang Rui and Avatar Jiang Rui reflecting on Kirigakure's fragile politics and the Mizukage's preparations.

• Jiang Rui fled through the forest and tried to draw the Raikage south while waiting for the Third Mizukage's troops.
• The Raikage pursued Jiang Rui through the trees, smashed through obstacles, and struck him with a lightning-charged punch when Jiang Rui slowed.
• Avatar Jiang Rui ran into a problem while guiding the Mizukage, prompting him to consider why the Mizukage had personally left Kirigakure to help him.
• Avatar Jiang Rui learned that Elder Genji's clones helped relay intelligence between the battlefield and the village while the Mizukage's own clones concealed his absence.

After learning that Konoha and Kumogakure had strengthened their alliance, Jiang Rui was assigned to lead a squad southwest to reinforce Sunagakure. The Water Shadow and Mist’s powerful clansmen showed their support for Jiang Rui as a possible successor, and Kaguya Tsuki pledged the Hozuki Clan’s backing.

• The Water Shadow told Jiang Rui that Konoha and Kumogakure had grown closer despite Jiang Rui’s exploits, and that their pursuit of him had also been meant to restrain Mist.
• The Water Shadow ordered Jiang Rui to lead a squad toward Kunye Town and reinforce Sunagakure while he led the main troops against Kumogakure’s forces and the Raikage.
• Jiang Rui realized the mission and the assembled Mist clansmen’s support could be part of the Water Shadow’s effort to prepare him as a successor.
• Kaguya Tsuki introduced himself as head of the Hozuki Clan and told Jiang Rui that the clan would always back him.

Jiang Rui escaped the Third Raikage’s pursuit by using Soul Curse to immobilize him briefly, after persuading him to name his child Yeyue Ai if Jiang Rui survived. He fled toward the Water Shadow, determined to accept the mission to help Sunagakure and change the course of the war.

• Jiang Rui fled from the Third Raikage while deciding that helping Sunagakure could earn Twist Value and shift the war’s balance.
• Jiang Rui stopped to ask A whether his child had been born and proposed that A name the child Yeyue Ai if Jiang Rui survived.
• A agreed, explaining that Jiang Rui’s escape would be a lasting disgrace but that he respected the young ninja’s talent.
• Jiang Rui challenged A to kill him, then used True Name Impartation and Soul Curse to disrupt A’s Chakra and hamper his movement for 2.78 seconds.
• Jiang Rui escaped while A recovered and pursued him toward the place he had vanished.

Jiang Rui ran out of mana after nearly eight hours of evading the Third Raikage and finally lay down, trusting his regeneration to keep him alive. The Raikage remained determined to kill him despite admitting that Jiang Rui’s healing and Water Style were unlike anything he had seen.

• Jiang Rui crossed into open grassland, used his silence skill repeatedly to escape the Third Raikage, and exhausted his mana.
• Jiang Rui stopped running and lay on the ground, while the Raikage stood over him and prepared to strike.
• Jiang Rui pointed out that the Raikage had chased and struck him for nearly eight hours without killing him, but the Raikage dismissed his appeal to time.
• The Raikage compared Jiang Rui’s resilience to the Second Mizukage’s Water Transformation Technique and called it disgusting.
• The Raikage insisted that Jiang Rui still had to die and brought a lightning-charged fist down on him.