Chapter Summaries

Soji learned that Sato Taro had been driven from the Land of Snow after opposing Kazahana Dōtō’s coup, but refused to get involved. Nadare Rōga appeared to kill Sato Taro and revealed that Kazahana Dōtō planned to depose and kill King Kazahana Sōsetsu.

• Sato Taro told Soji he had served King Kazahana Sōsetsu and had spent the past year fleeing Kazahana Dōtō’s hunters.
• Soji learned that Nadare Rōga had pursued Sato Taro after he failed to expose Kazahana Dōtō’s treachery.
• Soji refused Sato Taro’s implied request for help, saying he would not take on the Land of Snow dispute.
• Nadare Rōga appeared and told Sato Taro that Kazahana Sōsetsu had considered him dead and would soon be killed.
• Nadare Rōga defended his betrayal, saying Kazahana Dōtō offered him more than Kazahana Sōsetsu could.

Soji fought Nadare Rōga after the man threatened him and Sato Taro, revealing that his Ice Release was a Kekkei Genkai rather than an effect of Chakra Armor. Nadare Rōga died from his injuries, and Soji asked Sato Taro whether others in the Land of Snow used similar imitation Ice Release.

• Sato Taro prepared to face Nadare Rōga alone, but Nadare Rōga threatened Soji as well to protect Kazahana Dōtō's plan.
• Nadare Rōga attacked with ice shuriken, and Soji countered with Ice Release—Extreme Cold Thrust, exposing the difference between his Kekkei Genkai and the Chakra Armor's abilities.
• Soji turned Nadare Rōga's horned white whale ice sculptures against him, leaving him critically injured.
• Nadare Rōga died after threatening Soji and trying to rise, and Soji asked Sato Taro if others in the Land of Snow used imitation Ice Release.

Soji agreed to help Sato Taro return to the Land of Snow and investigate Kazahana Dōtō, then traveled there with him after accepting long-term missions in Konoha. After a three-day blizzard delayed their arrival, Soji and Sato Taro finally entered the country on foot through the storm.

• Soji decided to go to the Land of Snow to deal with Kazahana Dōtō and the other users of pirated Ice Release, and promised to accompany Sato Taro.
• Soji left Konoha the next day with Sato Taro aboard the Golden Eagle and heard about the Land of Snow's advanced technology and political situation.
• The Golden Eagle reached the Land of Snow, but a powerful blizzard forced Soji and Sato Taro to wait at the border.
• After the blizzard continued for three days, Soji chose to proceed on foot, and Sato Taro followed him into the storm.

Soji and Sato Taro used the Land of Snow’s red-scarf rescue signal to board a train bound for the capital. During the journey, Soji recognized two Snow Ninjas in Chakra Armor and learned they were supervising a group of craftsmen.

• Soji and Sato Taro endured the blizzard until Sato Taro spotted a cave where hanging a red scarf would summon a train.
• Sato Taro produced a red scarf, and Soji hung it at the cave before creating an ice house for them to wait in.
• A train cleared snow from its tracks with Chakra and stopped to pick them up, then carried them toward the capital.
• The train’s attendant served hot soup and warned them to stay in the first five carriages because the rear fifteen carried cargo.
• About an hour into the ride, seven or eight craftsmen and two Snow Ninjas boarded, and Soji recognized their Chakra Armor.
• The female Snow Ninja complained that Nadare Rōga had not returned from pursuing Soji, while the male Snow Ninja said Nadare Rōga was the strongest of the three.

Soji discovered that Kazahana Dōtō’s Snow Ninja were secretly converting the Snow Country Train into a war chariot and decided to expose the plot to the king. He and Sato Taro headed to confront the craftsmen and guards, while Tsurubane Fubuki still believed Soji was a fellow Snow Ninja.

• Tsurubane Fubuki questioned Soji about his identity and Chakra Armor, then believed his lies about being a newly promoted Snow Ninja on a mission from Kazahana Dōtō.
• Soji sent a Shadow Clone onto the train roof, where it saw craftsmen reinforcing the carriages with iron plates and loading Kunai into the frames.
• Soji told Sato Taro that the train was being secretly converted into a military vehicle, and Sato Taro realized Kazahana Dōtō was plotting a takeover.
• Soji decided to restrain the craftsmen and Snow Ninja so King Kazahana Sōsetsu could see the modified train and learn of the conspiracy.
• Soji and Sato Taro reached the sixth carriage, where Tsurubane Fubuki and Tōma Tōri guarded the entrance and questioned their arrival.

Soji confronted the Snow Ninja Tsurubane Fubuki and Tōma Tōri on the train, then fought them on its roof to protect the craftsmen who could testify against Kazahana Dōtō. He killed Tōma Tōri and froze Tsurubane Fubuki when she tried to flee, leaving both Snow Ninja dead.

• Soji revealed himself as an enemy, and he and the Snow Ninja jumped onto the train roof after the windows shattered.
• Soji confirmed that he had killed Nadare Rōga and explained that he had drawn the Snow Ninja outside to keep them from harming the craftsmen.
• Tsurubane Fubuki's Ice Release failed against Soji, and he blocked Tōma Tōri's punch before killing him with an Ice Spear.
• Tsurubane Fubuki attacked with snowflake darts, but Soji reversed their direction and sent them back toward her.
• Tsurubane Fubuki tried to escape with her Chakra Armor, but Soji caught her in the air, froze her, and shattered her into ice crystals.

Soji and Sato Taro uncovered a Land of Snow train employee who had sent a signal flare to warn Kazahana Dōtō’s faction. After the receptionist confessed to firing it but refused to reveal the message, Soji prepared to interrogate him using Yin Release.

• Soji ordered Sato Taro to bring the craftsmen to the Land of Snow capital so they could explain Kazahana Dōtō’s conspiracy to the king.
• Soji spotted a signal flare near the locomotive and led Sato Taro and the craftsmen to search for the person who had fired it.
• Soji seized the receptionist and accused him of sending the signal; Sato Taro identified himself to the drivers, who agreed to keep the train bound for the capital.
• Soji broke the receptionist’s hands while demanding to know who received the signal and what it said.
• Soji explained that the receptionist had let the craftsmen and Snow Ninja board without warning, exposing his betrayal; the receptionist admitted firing the flare and threatened them in Lord Dotō’s name.
• Soji prepared to use his Yin Release to torment the receptionist’s soul after the man refused to disclose the signal’s message.

Soji learned that Kazahana Dōtō’s conspiracy had been exposed and feared he would launch his coup early, so he rushed toward the capital to protect Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki. Dōtō began his rebellion by sending his forces to surround the Royal Palace, where Sōsetsu went out to confront him.

• Soji tortured the middle-aged receptionist with Yin Release-infused ice needles until he revealed that his signal flare had informed Kazahana Dōtō the plan was exposed, but he knew nothing of Dōtō’s next move.
• Soji suspected Dōtō would stage an early coup and told Sato Taro and the craftsmen to travel to the capital by train while he flew ahead on his Ice Wings.
• Kazahana Dōtō learned the modified train plan had failed, gathered the Snow Ninja, samurai, and ministers loyal to him, and ordered them to surround the Royal Palace.
• A minister warned Kazahana Sōsetsu that Dōtō was leading forces toward the palace, and Sōsetsu struggled to believe his younger brother had betrayed him.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu handed the frightened Kazahana Koyuki to a samurai for protection and left the palace to confront Dōtō.

Kazahana Dōtō’s forces overwhelmed the Royal Palace, and he tried to kill Kazahana Sōsetsu after learning the Hexagonal Crystal could open the Rainbow Ice Wall. As Dōtō struck, an Ice Spear blocked his blade, leaving the attacker’s identity unknown.

• Kazahana Dōtō revealed his ambition to seize the throne and ordered his forces to attack Kazahana Sōsetsu and the Royal Palace.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu and his loyal samurai and ministers made a final stand, but Dōtō’s rebels killed them until Sōsetsu stood alone.
• Dōtō demanded the secret of the Rainbow Ice Wall, and Sōsetsu accidentally confirmed that the Hexagonal Crystal was its key.
• Dōtō questioned Sōsetsu about Princess Koyuki and sent his forces to search the Royal Palace for her.
• Dōtō raised his katana to kill Sōsetsu, but an Ice Spear struck the blade and knocked it away.

Hyuga Soji arrived at the Land of Snow’s Royal Palace and stopped Kazahana Dōtō’s coup by defeating most of his forces. After Kazahana Sōsetsu spared the surviving samurai and Snow Ninja, they returned to his side, leaving Dōtō isolated.

• Hyuga Soji saved Kazahana Sōsetsu from Kazahana Dōtō’s sword and explained that Sato Taro had sent him to expose the coup.
• Soji used Byakugan: Pressure to pin down the charging samurai and Snow Ninja, then killed two-thirds of them with Ice Release: Rain Ice Technique.
• Kazahana Dōtō resisted the pressure with his Chakra Armor but was shaken by Soji’s strength.
• Soji prepared to attack the remaining forces, but Kazahana Sōsetsu pleaded for him to spare them because they had been used by Dōtō.
• Soji stopped, and the surviving samurai and Snow Ninja surrendered and returned to Kazahana Sōsetsu, leaving Dōtō isolated.

Soji pursued Kazahana Dōtō to the Rainbow Ice Wall after Dōtō took Kazahana Koyuki hostage and demanded the Hexagonal Crystal. Soji used fake crystals to stall him, but when Dōtō refused to release Koyuki, Soji killed his remaining confidants to stop him from testing the key.

• Kazahana Dōtō revealed that he had captured Kazahana Koyuki and demanded the Hexagonal Crystal in exchange for her at the Rainbow Ice Wall.
• Soji flew to the Rainbow Ice Wall, while Kazahana Sōsetsu and Sato Taro gathered their allies and followed to help rescue Koyuki.
• Soji presented fake Hexagonal Crystals, and Koyuki recognized them as imitations but kept quiet to protect Soji's plan.
• Dōtō held a Kunai to Koyuki's throat and accepted the fake crystals, but refused to release her before testing the key.
• Soji killed Dōtō's remaining confidants with Ice Spears, stopping Dōtō from reaching the stone pillar and testing the crystals.

Soji fought Kazahana Dōtō while trying to rescue Kazahana Koyuki without using attacks that could harm her. When the real Hexagonal Crystal fell free and Dōtō discovered his own was fake, he threw Koyuki away and unleashed his strongest attack at her.

• Kazahana Dōtō attacked Soji with Black Dragon Storm Kill, but Soji evaded it with his Ice Wings.
• Soji attacked Dōtō at close range, but Dōtō used Kazahana Koyuki as a shield and struck Soji's Ice Spear apart.
• Soji used Gentle Fist and continued pressuring Dōtō, who repeatedly shielded himself with Koyuki as the fight damaged his Chakra Armor.
• The real Hexagonal Crystal slipped into view on Koyuki, and Dōtō realized the crystal he carried was fake.
• Soji cut the cord holding the real Hexagonal Crystal and rushed to retrieve it, while Dōtō threw Koyuki away and attacked her with Twin Dragon Blizzard.

Soji rescued Kazahana Koyuki and let Kazahana Dōtō open the Rainbow Ice Wall, where the supposed secret treasure proved to be a Geothermal Generator. Dōtō made one last attempt to seize the throne, but Soji killed him as vast Natural Energy began leaking from the wall.

• Soji caught Kazahana Koyuki before she hit the ground, evaded the Twin Dragon Blizzard, and sent her to hide while he faced Dōtō.
• Kazahana Dōtō inserted the Hexagonal Crystal into the stone pillar and activated the Rainbow Ice Wall, lighting the surrounding crystals with rainbow colors.
• The wall released heat that melted the snow and revealed a Geothermal Generator, crushing Dōtō’s hopes of gaining power.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu arrived and reunited with Koyuki, while Dōtō charged at them in a final attempt to claim the throne.
• Soji intercepted Dōtō and killed him with Void Strike, and Natural Energy began leaking from the Rainbow Ice Wall.

After killing Kazahana Dōtō, Soji was overwhelmed by Natural Energy released from the Rainbow Ice Wall and discovered how it had entered his body. He learned to control it and entered a new Sage Mode, marked by long white hair and a snowflake between his brows.

• Soji killed Kazahana Dōtō, and Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki thanked him for saving them and the Land of Snow.
• As the Land of Snow residents gathered around him, Soji sensed an unknown energy flooding his body and ordered everyone to move away.
• Soji recognized the energy as Natural Energy and reasoned that it had accumulated at the Rainbow Ice Wall over many years.
• Soji meditated, synchronized his breathing with his surroundings, and gradually learned to control the Natural Energy.
• As Soji continued cultivating, his Ice Mask shattered, his hair grew long and white, and a snowflake mark appeared between his brows, revealing his Sage Mode.

After entering Sage Mode with unexpected ease, Soji stopped the blizzard across the Land of Snow and was hailed as a god by its people. He asked King Kazahana Sōsetsu to keep his identity secret and help calm the crowd, then considered what to say to them.

• Soji entered Sage Mode effortlessly and discovered he could control icy and snowy weather.
• Soji stopped the blizzard with a single sentence, prompting the people of the Land of Snow to kneel and worship him as a god.
• Soji found that Sage Mode had greatly increased his flight speed and approached Kazahana Sōsetsu, Kazahana Koyuki, and Sato Taro.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu pointed out that Soji’s mask had broken, and Soji saw his white hair and snowflake mark before putting on a new mask.
• Soji asked Kazahana Sōsetsu and Sato Taro to conceal his identity, then asked the king to help discourage the people’s excessive reverence.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu told Soji the crowd would believe whatever he said, and Soji began planning what to tell them.

Soji encouraged the people of the Land of Snow to rely on themselves, then discovered that Natural Energy from the Rainbow Ice Wall let him sustain Sage Mode and greatly increased his strength. After revealing his identity as Hyuga Soji, he heard Kazahana Sōsetsu’s unexpected request: to become engaged to Koyuki.

• Soji urged the people of the Land of Snow to stand on their own, and they rose with renewed determination.
• Soji tested Sage Mode and found he could dispel it and enter it again instantly, while Natural Energy continued to fill his body.
• Over three days, Soji learned that energy leaking from the Rainbow Ice Wall replenished his Natural Energy and tested Sage Mode’s powerful boosts to his ninjutsu, speed, and strength.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu visited Soji, who removed his Ice Mask and introduced himself as Hyuga Soji.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu asked Soji to enter into a marriage engagement with his daughter, Koyuki.

Kazahana Sōsetsu proposed that Soji become the god and true master of the Land of Snow, with the nation serving him in exchange for his protection. Soji accepted the idea in principle but balked when he learned the arrangement depended on an engagement to eight-year-old Kazahana Koyuki.

• Soji spat out his tea when Kazahana Sōsetsu proposed an engagement to Kazahana Koyuki.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu explained that the Land of Snow needed a figure of faith after Kazahana Dōtō’s rebellion and wanted Soji to become its god.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu said Soji’s power and ability to control blizzards made him the only suitable choice, and offered the Land of Snow’s service to him.
• Soji was tempted by the offer and agreed to protect the Land of Snow, then asked what conditions came with it.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu named Soji’s engagement to Kazahana Koyuki as the second condition, leaving Soji hesitant and frustrated.

Soji met with Kazahana Sōsetsu and agreed to become engaged to Kazahana Koyuki after confirming she genuinely wanted it. He and Koyuki signed the engagement contract, leaving Soji with a betrothal to the princess and a claim to the Land of Snow’s future.

• Soji asked Kazahana Sōsetsu whether Koyuki knew about the proposed engagement, and the king said she had agreed to it.
• Soji insisted on speaking with Koyuki himself to make sure she was willing and had not been forced.
• Koyuki told Soji she wanted the engagement, and Soji agreed after explaining that he had initially planned to refuse.
• Soji and Koyuki talked together for several hours until Kazahana Sōsetsu came to get them.
• Soji accepted the king’s conditions, and he and Koyuki signed the engagement contract.

Soji promoted himself as the Snow Emperor in the Land of Snow while growing closer to his young fiancée, Kazahana Koyuki, and promising to protect her. As his return to Konoha approached, he continued training Sage Mode and demonstrated the devastating Sage Art: Rotating Ice Lotus.

• Soji agreed to stay in the Land of Snow and help Kazahana Sōsetsu promote his power, earning the title Snow Emperor among the people.
• Soji and Kazahana Sōsetsu agreed that the publicity would continue for another three to five days before Soji returned to Konoha.
• Soji told Kazahana Sōsetsu that he and Kazahana Koyuki spent time together, and promised to protect her for the rest of his life.
• Soji practiced Sage Mode and created a five-kilometer field of ice with his Sage Art: Rotating Ice Lotus.

Soji left the Land of Snow for Konoha after mastering Sage Mode, but his flight across the Land of Earth drew Iwagakure’s attention. He encountered Ōnoki in midair, and the Third Tsuchikage demanded to know why he had entered the country.

• Soji said goodbye to Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki, reminded Sōsetsu to continue some of Kazahana Dōtō’s research, and flew away on the Golden Eagle.
• The Golden Eagle mocked Soji for being engaged to Koyuki, and Soji struck it and promised to teach it to refine Sage Chakra.
• Soji rode openly through the skies above the Land of Earth, and Iwagakure’s Sensory Ninja reported his presence to Ōnoki.
• Ōnoki hurried out to confront the suspected Mizuki Ember as Soji continued toward Konoha, unaware that the Tsuchikage was approaching.
• Soji and Ōnoki stopped face-to-face in midair, and Ōnoki questioned why Soji had come to the Land of Earth.