Chapter Summaries

Soji shattered Mizuki Fuukaze’s Ice Release attacks with his own techniques, including breaking free of the powerful Ice Prison Cataclysm. After Mizuki Fuukaze’s final move failed, Soji prepared to demonstrate a new ninjutsu.

• Soji destroyed Mizuki Fuukaze’s two ice dragons with Ice Release Gentle Fist and continued breaking the ice mirrors.
• Mizuki Fuukaze attacked from the remaining mirrors with ice needles, but Soji’s Frost Armor protected him as he destroyed them.
• Mizuki Fuukaze unleashed Ice Prison Cataclysm, freezing the moisture around Soji into a massive sphere.
• Soji used Ice Release Gentle Fist: Rotating Ice Condensation to shatter the ice prison and escape.
• Soji stopped the costly technique and prepared to have Mizuki Fuukaze appraise his next new ninjutsu.

Soji defeated Mizuki Fuukaze with his Ice Seal, then joined the Yuki Clan as Mizuki Ember and gained access to its Ice Release archives. The clan accepted him as one of their own, while Fuukaze prepared for Soji to represent them in a battle three months later.

• Soji sealed Mizuki Fuukaze's Chakra and movement with Ice Seal, then released the technique after Fuukaze conceded defeat.
• Mizuki Fuukaze introduced Soji as Mizuki Ember, a hidden super expert of the Yuki Clan, and told the clansmen that he would represent them in battle three months later.
• Mizuki Fuukaze took Soji to the clan treasury and gave him permission to study its Ice Release scrolls.
• Soji read the scrolls and officially settled into the Yuki Clan compound under the Mizuki Ember identity.
• Mizuki Fuukaze introduced Soji to the clan's higher-ups, who accepted him as a Yuki Clan member after hearing of his strength.
• Mizuki Fuukaze resolved to make Soji truly one of the Yuki Clan, even if he had not originally belonged to it.

Soji, now living as Mizuki Ember in the Yuki Clan, studied the clan’s Ice Release teachings and rapidly learned the first stage of the Melt into Ice technique. Mizuki Fuukaze discovered Soji’s progress and was astonished by how quickly he had advanced.

• The Yuki Clan announced that Mizuki Ember belonged to them, and Kirigakure’s leaders recognized the clan’s new Kage-level strength.
• Soji spent over a month studying the Yuki Clan’s scrolls and began practicing Melt into Ice, imagining later stages that could let him move across an entire ice-covered battlefield.
• After nearly another month, Soji mastered the technique’s first stage, though he still needed time to sink into ice completely.
• Mizuki Fuukaze struggled to manage visitors eager to learn about Ember and finally went to see Soji in the secret chamber.
• Mizuki Fuukaze watched Soji emerge from the ice and learned that he had reached the first stage in about a month, far faster than other clan members.

After leaving the Yuki Clan’s secret chamber, Soji toured Kirigakure with Mizuki Fuukaze and drew attention from the village’s clans and leadership. They rushed to investigate reports of a giant bird attacking people and found injured Kirigakure ninja, leading Soji to conclude the bird used Wind Release ninjutsu.

• Soji accepted Mizuki Fuukaze’s offer of a walk after nearly two months of training in the secret chamber.
• Mizuki Fuukaze arranged a residence and four attendants for Soji, while secretly trying to matchmake for him and bind him to the Yuki Clan.
• Soji and Mizuki Fuukaze toured Kirigakure as the Third Mizukage and other clans arranged to monitor Soji.
• After civilians reported a giant bird had taken someone, Soji and Mizuki Fuukaze hurried to a field east of the village.
• Soji and Mizuki Fuukaze found more than a dozen injured Kirigakure ninja and extensive destruction, and Soji deduced that the giant bird could use Wind Release ninjutsu.

Soji tracked a giant bird to a rocky island, where he discovered it was a Golden Eagle capable of using Wind Release. After fighting his way to the top of its stone pillar, he found the frightened little girl it had taken and stopped her from throwing another pebble at him.

• Soji learned the large bird had flown north with a little girl and set out to find them.
• A mist ninja told Soji that the girl was important to Genji, while Mizuki Fuukaze trusted Soji to rescue her.
• Soji crossed the sea to a rocky island and spotted the Golden Eagle circling above the girl.
• The Golden Eagle attacked Soji with its talons and Great Vacuum Orbs, but he used Ice Rock Dome and an Ice Spear to reach the pillar's summit.
• Soji found the girl throwing pebbles with her eyes shut and gently stopped her from throwing another.

Soji comforted the little girl who had jumped onto the Golden Eagle, then fought the intelligent bird while carrying her on his back. After his Ice Release attacks failed to bring it down, Soji prepared to test his newly developed ninjutsu, leaving the battle poised for his next move.

• Soji calmed the little girl and learned that she had jumped onto the Golden Eagle herself, while the bird had spared the villagers and ninjas who attacked it.
• Soji carried the girl on his back and faced the Golden Eagle as it attacked with powerful Wind Release ninjutsu.
• Soji blocked the Golden Eagle’s storm with an Ice Crystal Barrier, then tried Ice Release—Extreme Cold Thrust and Rain Ice Technique, but the bird evaded and countered both attacks.
• Soji announced that he would test his newly developed ninjutsu, and the Golden Eagle chose to stand its ground rather than flee its nest.
• Soji formed hand seals and prepared to unleash Ice Release Gentle Fist—Yin-Yang Two Forms.

Soji defeated the Golden Eagle with Yin-Yang Two Forms, which sealed its acupoints and left it unable to move. He asked it to become his Summoning Beast, and the Golden Eagle agreed by blinking twice.

• Soji trapped the Golden Eagle in Yin-Yang Two Forms and used Ice Release attacks to distract it while the Bagua closed in.
• The Bagua merged into the Golden Eagle, sealing its acupoints and causing it to fall onto the island.
• Soji descended the rock wall with the little girl and found the Golden Eagle alive but unable to move.
• Soji asked the Golden Eagle to become his Summoning Beast and offered it a way to answer by blinking.
• The Golden Eagle blinked twice to accept the contract, and Soji rejoiced at having tamed a Summoning Beast.

Soji signed a Summoning Beast contract with the Golden Eagle and flew back toward Kirigakure with the little girl he had rescued. He discovered she was the future Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, and chose not to kill her, leaving her calling him “Big Brother.”

• Soji signed a Summoning Beast contract with the Golden Eagle and helped it undo the Yin-Yang Two Forms Sealing Technique.
• Soji and the little girl rode the Golden Eagle toward Kirigakure, and he told her his alias was Mizuki Ember.
• The little girl introduced herself as Mei Terumi, and Soji realized she would become the future Fifth Mizukage.
• Soji considered pushing Mei Terumi off the Golden Eagle to prevent her future rise, but decided to spare her and praised her name.
• Soji persuaded Mei Terumi to call him “Big Brother” instead of “Brother Ember.”

Soji returned to Kirigakure with Mei Terumi after rescuing her and revealed that he had made the Golden Eagle his Summoning Beast. Genji thanked Soji and invited him and Mizuki Fuukaze to visit his residence in three days.

• The Golden Eagle descended at Kirigakure's gates, where the gathered ninja prepared to defend the village until they saw Soji and Mei Terumi riding on its back.
• Soji carried Mei Terumi down and told Mizuki Fuukaze that the Golden Eagle, Little Gold, was now his Summoning Beast before it flew away.
• Genji arrived, welcomed Mei Terumi back, and praised Soji for rescuing her.
• Soji carefully presented himself as a member of both the Yuki Clan and Kirigakure while speaking with Genji.
• Genji invited Soji and Mizuki Fuukaze to his residence, and Mizuki Fuukaze accepted on their behalf for three days later.

Soji and Mizuki Fuukaze met Karatachi Yagura at Genji’s residence, where Yagura asked for their support in becoming the Fourth Mizukage. Soji and Fuukaze agreed in their personal capacities, leaving the Yuki Clan’s official decision for a later meeting.

• Soji spent three days studying Ice Release techniques at the Yuki Clan residence before Mizuki Fuukaze brought him to Genji’s home.
• Soji and Fuukaze discovered Karatachi Yagura was also visiting Genji, and Genji introduced Yagura as Kirigakure’s Head of Anbu.
• Karatachi Yagura asked Soji and Fuukaze to support his bid to become the Fourth Mizukage, citing broad backing among the clans and Anbu.
• Soji said Yagura’s support was not yet enough and asked whether he feared they would inform the Third Mizukage; Yagura replied that he could make the Mizukage retire early if necessary.
• Soji pledged his personal support for Yagura, and Fuukaze followed suit while reserving the Yuki Clan’s decision for a clan meeting.

Karatachi Yagura revealed that half of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen supported him and secured the Yuki Clan’s backing in his bid to replace the Third Mizukage. Three months later, Soji arrived at the arena to represent the Yuki Clan against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, where the Hozuki and Kaguya Clans also gathered.

• Karatachi Yagura told Soji and Mizuki Fuukaze that Genji supported him and half of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were his allies.
• Soji left the Yuki Clan’s political affairs to Mizuki Fuukaze and returned to studying and training in Ice Release.
• Karatachi Yagura told Genji that the Yuki Clan supported him, planned to approach the Hozuki and Kaguya Clans, and promised to change the Third Mizukage’s policies.
• Three months later, Soji and the Yuki Clan arrived at the training ground for his fight against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
• The Hozuki and Kaguya Clans arrived, and Soji recognized the Kaguya Clan as his second target in Kirigakure and recalled its long history with the Hyuga Clan.

Soji reflected on the Kaguya Clan’s ties to the Hyuga and speculated that their bloodlines once helped each other avoid Bloodline Disease and reach Kage-level strength. At Kirigakure’s competition, two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen won their opening matches, and Soji watched to assess their blades.

• Soji reasoned that the Hyuga and Kaguya clans’ separation had cost both clans a way to strengthen their bloodlines, and decided he needed to meet the Kaguya Clan’s current leader while concealing his identity.
• Mizuki Fuukaze warned Soji that the Kaguya Clan fought relentlessly once provoked, making Soji worry they might report him.
• The Third Mizukage opened the competition, and Mei Terumi spotted Soji among the Yuki Clan members and smiled at him.
• The first wielder of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei defeated a Kirigakure Jonin from a small clan with a burst of Chakra.
• Munashi Jinpachi used the Exploding Blade Shibuki to defeat a civilian Kirigakure Jonin, who had outperformed him until the sword’s explosion left him badly injured.

A Kaguya Clan expert challenged Suikazan Fuguki and used Shikotsumyaku to overpower him and Samehada. The Kaguya fighter won, leaving the Seven Ninja Swordsmen with their first defeat in the matches.

• The Third Mizukage chose Suikazan Fuguki to fight the Kaguya Clan expert, who drew a bone from his shoulder before the match began.
• The Kaguya Clan expert used Willow Dance to cut Fuguki’s cheek, then taunted him about the clan’s six Dances.
• Fuguki unleashed Samehada, which bit flesh from the Kaguya fighter’s shoulder, but the wound quickly healed as the fighter’s bone blade pierced Fuguki’s thigh.
• The Kaguya Clan expert drew out his spine and used Dance of the Iron Vine—Vines to bind Samehada, drag Fuguki across the arena, and slam him to the ground.
• Fuguki and Samehada could not recover, and the Kaguya Clan expert won the match.

A Kaguya Clan warrior faced Kushimaru Kuriarare and Biwa Juzo together after defeating Suikazan Fuguki, using Shikotsumyaku to withstand their attacks. The battle remained unresolved as Biwa Juzo’s multi-directional assault also failed to break through his bone defenses.

• The Kaguya Clan warrior demanded another opponent, and the Third Mizukage sent Kushimaru Kuriarare and Biwa Juzo to fight him together.
• Kushimaru Kuriarare clashed with the warrior while Biwa Juzo joined in, and Kushimaru used Nuibari’s steel wire to restrain the warrior’s Bone Blade.
• The warrior blocked Biwa Juzo’s Kubikiribōchō with bones extended from his forearm, then grew more bone spikes across his chest and back.
• Kushimaru and Biwa Juzo planned a final coordinated attack, with Biwa Juzo charging first and using a Water Clone to deceive the warrior.
• Biwa Juzo appeared in three additional positions and attacked from multiple directions, but the warrior blocked the strikes with the bones on his back.

Biwa Juzo and Kushimaru Kuriarare nearly defeated the Kaguya Clan expert, but his final counterattack critically wounded them both, leaving all three fighters unable to continue. The next match began with a Hozuki Clan expert facing Raiga Kurosuki, whose Lightning Blades gave him a strong advantage.

• The Kaguya Clan expert used Dance of the Larch to wound Biwa Juzo, but Kushimaru Kuriarare trapped him with steel wires while Juzo struck his chest with Kubikiribōchō.
• The badly wounded Kaguya Clan expert used Dance of the Iron Vine—Flower to pierce Biwa Juzo and Kushimaru Kuriarare through their abdomens with one bone whip.
• The Third Mizukage sent Medical Ninjas to treat all three fighters, while the spectators and Soji reacted to the Kaguya Clan expert's counterattack.
• Soji declined to fight next, and a Hozuki Clan expert entered the arena to face Raiga Kurosuki.
• Raiga Kurosuki rushed into the arena to fight, and Soji noted that his Lightning Blades were a major disadvantage for the Hozuki Clan expert.

Soji, using the alias Mizuki Ember, defeated Jinin Akebino with ease and asked to face all seven of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He agreed to wait until Biwa Juzo and Kushimaru Kuriarare recovered, leaving the arena anticipating a larger battle.

• Raiga Kurosuki defeated the Hozuki Clan expert by using his lightning blades to disrupt the man's Water Release and strike him with lightning.
• Soji entered the arena with the Body Flicker Technique and told Jinin Akebino to bring his companions, but Jinin insisted on fighting him alone first.
• Soji disarmed and threw Jinin, then pinned Kabutowari's blade and hammer into the wall on either side of Jinin's head; Jinin admitted defeat.
• Jinin asked the Third Mizukage for permission to bring in the other swordsmen, and Soji chose to wait for the injured Biwa Juzo and Kushimaru Kuriarare to recover.
• Genji, the Third Mizukage, and Karatachi Yagura discussed Soji's overwhelming victory, while Mei Terumi admired him and vowed to catch up to her elder brother.

Soji faced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and declared that, in the name of Mizuki Ember, he would let them challenge him. He dominated the fight with Ice Release and Gentle Fist, but Munashi Jinpachi's explosive ambush left Soji in Frost Armor gripping Jinpachi's wrist.

• The final two members arrived, and Soji challenged the assembled Seven Ninja Swordsmen to fight him in the name of Mizuki Ember.
• Soji sent the owner of Twin Swords Hiramekarei flying with a kick, prompting Jinin Akebino to warn the others that Soji was as strong as the Third Mizukage.
• Soji pinned Biwa Juzo's Kubikiribōchō with an Ice Spear and kicked Suikazan Fuguki off balance when he attacked with Samehada.
• Soji dodged Raiga Kurosuki's lightning strike and used Ice Release Gentle Fist—Four Sky Palms to freeze Raiga's limbs and leave him unable to move.
• Soji blocked the owner of Twin Swords Hiramekarei's Chakra sphere with Ice Release—Ice Crystal Barrier, then taunted the swordsmen.
• Munashi Jinpachi struck Soji with Exploding Blade Shibuki, but Soji emerged in Frost Armor gripping Jinpachi's right wrist.

Soji used Ice Release and Gentle Fist to defeat Munashi Jinpachi, Biwa Juzo, and Kushimaru Kuriarare, leaving four members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to face him. As the fight continued, Soji’s techniques impressed the Yuki Clan and made Mizuki Fuukaze consider changing the clan’s approach to Ice Release.

• Soji revealed that he had baited Munashi Jinpachi into attacking, then knocked him unconscious with an Ice Release Gentle Fist strike.
• Suikazan Fuguki used Samehada to absorb the Ice Release sealing Raiga Kurosuki, while Samehada showed discomfort from the cold chakra.
• Soji defeated Biwa Juzo with Gentle Step Twin Lion Fist and froze Kushimaru Kuriarare’s trap and much of the arena with Ice Breath.
• Soji knocked out Kushimaru Kuriarare and made the injured Biwa Juzo surrender, leaving four members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to fight him.
• Raiga Kurosuki and the remaining swordsmen planned to keep their distance and protect Raiga as he attacked with his lightning blades.
• The Yuki Clan members watched Soji combine Ice Release with taijutsu, and Mizuki Fuukaze considered changing the clan’s traditions.

Soji used Ice Release and his Byakugan to counter Raiga Kurosuki’s lightning attacks and uncover Samehada’s dislike of Ice and Lightning Chakra. Samehada betrayed Suikazan Fuguki, breaking the Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s formation and leaving Soji poised to win.

• Raiga Kurosuki attacked Soji with lightning, while Suikazan Fuguki used Samehada to absorb Soji’s Ice Dragon Fang and the Lightning Ball it had swallowed.
• Soji unleashed Rain Ice Technique, but Raiga Kurosuki summoned lightning from storm clouds and forced Soji to dodge by predicting his movements with the Byakugan.
• Raiga Kurosuki’s Lightning Dragon Tornado clashed with Soji’s Ice Dragon Twin Kill, and Soji’s ice dragons broke through and charged at the swordsmen.
• Samehada avoided the lightning-charged ice dragons, and they struck Suikazan Fuguki, leaving him unconscious.
• Soji recognized Samehada’s dislike of Ice and Lightning Chakra and used its betrayal to break the four-man formation.

Soji defeated Jinin Akebino and forced the wielder of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei to surrender, leaving Raiga Kurosuki as his last opponent. After revealing that an Ice Clone had taken the full-release attack, Soji was caught by Raiga, who began a Lightning Release technique.

• Soji struck Jinin Akebino with freezing cold and sent Kabutowari crashing into him, freezing him against a wall and knocking him unconscious.
• The wielder of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei unleashed a full-release Chakra sphere, but Soji’s Ice Clone took the blast and froze him when it shattered.
• The wielder of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei asked how Soji had survived, then surrendered after Soji refused to reveal his ninjutsu secret.
• Soji explained that an Ice Clone had been hit, then turned to face Raiga Kurosuki as the final opponent.
• Soji struck Raiga Kurosuki’s abdomen, but Raiga grabbed his arm and announced Lightning Release—Lightning Burial.