Chapter Summaries

Li Chuan negotiated with Orochimaru for information about Konoha's Forbidden Scroll, then staged a convincing fight when Konoha's rescue team arrived. Orochimaru escaped, and Li Chuan remained unharmed while considering how to learn the Eight Inner Gates from Might Guy.

• Li Chuan told Orochimaru that he knew his plans for Sasuke and offered information in exchange for help locating the Forbidden Scroll; Orochimaru agreed to gather intelligence and meet him in a week.
• When Orochimaru asked for his Kusanagi Sword back, Li Chuan denied having it and attacked him with a tree as Kakashi, Might Guy, Tenzo, and the Anbu arrived.
• Might Guy opened the Sixth Gate and joined Li Chuan's assault, while Orochimaru summoned Triple Rashomon and escaped after the gates were destroyed.
• Kakashi and Tenzo checked Li Chuan for injuries, and Li Chuan said he had only been holding Orochimaru back.
• Might Guy invited Li Chuan to spar, and Li Chuan accepted while hoping to learn more about the Eight Inner Gates.

After Orochimaru’s attack, Li Chuan earned Third’s gratitude and an offer of guidance from Konoha’s Jonin. Five days later, as the Chunin Selection Exam’s preliminary matches began, Li Chuan noticed new teams among the survivors and considered recruiting Karin.

• Li Chuan told Third that Orochimaru was after Sasuke’s Sharingan, so Third sent Kakashi and Might Guy to protect Sasuke without disrupting the exam unless Orochimaru appeared.
• Third praised Li Chuan for holding Orochimaru back and revealed that he had studied ninjutsu for less than a year; Li Chuan asked for training, and Third offered to arrange guidance from Konoha’s Jonin.
• Five days later, Li Chuan observed the Genin who had passed the Forest of Death and noticed that teams from Amegakure and Kusagakure had joined the survivors.
• Li Chuan recognized Karin as an Uzumaki descendant with the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura and considered bringing her under his command for her sensory and sealing abilities.
• Gekko Hayate announced the preliminary match rules, while Kabuto Yakushi withdrew from the competition, citing his injuries.

Li Chuan watched the Chunin Exam preliminaries conclude, healing several badly injured contestants before the finalists were chosen. Two days later, he met Kabuto Yakushi at the Valley of the End to learn the Forbidden Scroll’s location, where Orochimaru’s Sound Four ambushed him.

• Rock Lee defeated Misumi Tsurugi, and Neji Hyuga severely injured Hinata before Kurenai, Gekko Hayate, Might Guy, and Kakashi stopped him.
• Li Chuan healed Hinata with unfamiliar magic, astonishing the gathered ninjas, and later used Healing Magic to treat other injured contestants.
• The preliminaries ended with thirteen finalists, including Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, and Kankuro.
• After confirming Tenzo had left to report to the Third Hokage, Li Chuan Apparated to the Valley of the End and met Kabuto Yakushi.
• Kabuto told Li Chuan where the Forbidden Scroll was guarded, then revealed that Kaguya Kimimaro, Sakon and Ukon, Tayuya, Kidomaru, and Jirobo had surrounded him.

Li Chuan fought Orochimaru’s subordinates at the Valley of the End, using his full strength and a mix of magic and ninjutsu to seize the initiative. He knocked out Tayuya and Kidomaru and stunned Jirobo, while Kabuto Yakushi, Kimimaro, and the remaining Sound Ninja were still in the fight.

• Kabuto Yakushi and the Sound Ninja confronted Li Chuan and demanded that he surrender, so Li Chuan transformed into Muscle Man form to test his full power.
• Li Chuan summoned a storm and used three Great Waterfall Jutsu attacks followed by Lightning Style to scatter his opponents and their summons.
• Li Chuan charged Tayuya with the Kusanagi Sword, cut through her flute, blocked attacks from Kimimaro, Kidomaru, and Kabuto Yakushi with Protego, then kicked Tayuya unconscious.
• Li Chuan used Apparition to get behind Kidomaru and knock him out, causing their summoned beasts to vanish.
• Jirobo sent his mud-and-stone giant after Li Chuan, but Li Chuan cut apart its arm and used Stupefy to knock Jirobo unconscious, making the giant disappear.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Chuan faces off against Kabuto, Kimimaro, and Sakon & Ukon.
• Li Chuan demonstrates his strength, skill, and versatility in combat, using taijutsu, Water and Lightning Ninjutsu, and magic.
• Kabuto uses Medical Ninjutsu to disable Li Chuan's limbs, and Kimimaro attacks with his bone drill.
• Li Chuan counters with the Fire Temple's Raijin - Thousand-Armed Killing technique.

Character Developments

• Li Chuan showcases his prowess in various combat styles and his ability to adapt to new situations.
• Kabuto reveals his strategic thinking and knowledge of Li Chuan's abilities, using this to devise a plan to defeat him.
• Kimimaro displays his powerful bone manipulation techniques and durability.

Significant Themes

• The importance of versatility and adaptability in combat.
• The strategic use of knowledge and intelligence in battle.
• The consequences of underestimating an opponent.

Character Interactions

• Li Chuan demonstrates his disdain for Jirobo's intelligence, highlighting his arrogance and confidence in his abilities.
• Li Chuan and Kabuto engage in a battle of wits, with Kabuto attempting to outmaneuver Li Chuan strategically.
• Kimimaro and Li Chuan clash physically, showcasing their powerful techniques and durability.

Li Chuan fought Kabuto Yakushi, Kimimaro, and Ukon, using his healing abilities and Killing Curse to defeat them. Orochimaru ended the confrontation, and Li Chuan left; Orochimaru then revealed that Li Chuan’s space-time ninjutsu made him too difficult to capture.

• Li Chuan recovered from Kabuto Yakushi’s injuries while Acala kept Kabuto and Kimimaro at bay.
• Kimimaro prepared to use Sawarabi no Mai, but Kabuto Yakushi stopped him because it could worsen his illness and kill him within days.
• Ukon revealed himself from Li Chuan’s shoulder and threatened to destroy his body, but Li Chuan killed him with the Killing Curse.
• Orochimaru appeared and called the attack a joke, and Li Chuan departed after Orochimaru dismissed Ukon’s death.
• Kabuto Yakushi asked why Orochimaru had not captured Li Chuan, and Orochimaru explained that Li Chuan could escape using space-time ninjutsu similar to the Flying Thunder God.

Li Chuan spent the days before the Chunin Exams learning from Konoha’s jonin while helping train their disciples. After Tenzo’s mission changed, Li Chuan met Naruto and his new mentor, Jiraiya, at Ichiraku Ramen.

• Li Chuan trained with Konoha jonin including Might Guy, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai, learning their techniques and discovering he had all five chakra natures.
• Li Chuan saw Gekko Hayate with a purple-haired woman and reflected that changes involving Sasuke and Kabuto had kept Hayate from receiving a dangerous mission.
• Tenzo told Li Chuan that his surveillance and protection assignment had ended and invited him to Ichiraku Ramen before leaving for a patrol mission.
• Li Chuan and Tenzo met Naruto and Jiraiya at Ichiraku Ramen, where Naruto introduced Jiraiya as his training guide.

Li Chuan built rapport with Jiraiya and Naruto over ramen, then covered their bill after Jiraiya slipped away. Back at the Sarutobi Clan villa, Li Chuan told Zabuza they would soon be able to act and obtain the ninjutsu from the Forbidden Scroll.

• Jiraiya greeted Li Chuan formally, then warmed to him when Li Chuan praised The Tale of the Determined Ninja.
• Li Chuan encouraged Naruto to read Jiraiya's book, while Jiraiya hinted that Naruto's meal might be his last before disappearing from the ramen shop.
• Ayame presented Naruto with the bill for nine bowls, and Li Chuan put the cost on his tab and pointed Naruto toward Jiraiya's escape route.
• Naruto chased after Jiraiya, while Tenzo realized Li Chuan had detected Jiraiya leaving with exceptional perception.
• Li Chuan returned to the Sarutobi Clan villa, where Zabuza noted the Third trusted him and Li Chuan said they could act in a few days to obtain the Forbidden Scroll's ninjutsu.

During the Konoha Crush Plan, Li Chuan broke into Konoha's confidential archives and took the Scroll of Sealing. Danzo confronted him with two Jonin, and Li Chuan escaped the archives into the plaza to fight them in open space.

• Li Chuan dispelled the genjutsu at the Chunin Exam, left a Shadow Clone behind, and Apparated near Konoha's confidential archives.
• Li Chuan subdued the guards with close-range magic and learned that the Scroll of Sealing was in Room 308 on the third floor.
• Li Chuan reached the room, opened the Scroll of Sealing, and confirmed that Orochimaru had not deceived him about its contents.
• Danzo arrived with Yabusa Shino and Yamanaka Fu and ordered them to take Li Chuan down.
• Li Chuan blasted apart a wall with Confringo and jumped into the plaza to avoid fighting them in the cramped room.

Li Chuan fought Danzo while Haku and Zabuza distracted Danzo’s subordinates, using magic and a shield to withstand Danzo’s Wind Release. After Danzo destroyed the shield, Li Chuan’s decoy Shadow Clone vanished, and Danzo sensed a dangerous presence behind him.

• Yabusa Shino sent a swarm of poisonous insects at Li Chuan, who froze them with a Freezing Charm.
• Yamanaka Fu tried to take over Li Chuan’s body, but Haku attacked him with ice senbon, and Zabuza arrived to cover the plaza in mist.
• Li Chuan charged Danzo while Haku and Zabuza held off Yamanaka Fu and Yabusa Shino.
• Danzo used Wind Release to dispel the mist and trade attacks with Li Chuan, who fired Explosion Spells at him.
• Li Chuan used a Smoke Screen Spell and charged behind a dragon-headed shield, but Danzo’s Vacuum Wave destroyed it and struck a Shadow Clone.
• Danzo realized Li Chuan had used a Shadow Clone and sensed a dangerous presence behind him.

Li Chuan stole Danzo’s blood and returned to the arena, where he realized the Third might die using the Reaper Death Seal against Orochimaru. He intervened to stop the Third, warning that the seal would kill them both.

• Li Chuan wounded Danzo, escaped with Zabuza and Haku, and planned to use Hidan to destroy Danzo’s stolen Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Li Chuan returned to the arena and found the Third fighting Orochimaru and the reincarnated First and Second Hokage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Li Chuan realized Orochimaru no longer had the flying Kusanagi Sword that might have saved him from the Reaper Death Seal.
• Li Chuan decided to intervene because he felt indebted to the Third and Asuma, then Apparated beside the Third as he prepared the seal.
• Li Chuan warned the Third that using the Reaper Death Seal would kill both him and Orochimaru, and Orochimaru recognized the technique.

Li Chuan rescued Third from Orochimaru’s barrier, and Third assessed the invasion as Konoha’s forces began gaining the upper hand. Orochimaru fled with the Sound Four, while Third ordered the Anbu to protect the village rather than pursue him.

• Li Chuan used Apparition to rescue Third from the barrier, and Orochimaru chose not to stop them.
• Third asked the Anbu about the invasion and learned that Jiraiya had stabilized the southern gate while Konoha’s forces fought the attackers.
• Kakashi and Might Guy defeated Baki, and the Sand and Sound ninja who had attacked the Chunin Exams arena were dealt with.
• Orochimaru fled toward Konoha’s outskirts with the Sound Four and the reincarnated First and Second Hokage.
• Third stopped the Anbu from pursuing Orochimaru and ordered them to support the village and drive back the Sand Ninja.

Li Chuan treated injured Konoha and Sunagakure fighters after the invasion, earning the Third's gratitude. The Third offered to take him as his fourth official disciple, and Li Chuan eagerly accepted.

• The Third thanked Li Chuan for saving him and asked him to treat the other severely injured ninja, and Li Chuan established a treatment site in the Chunin Exams arena.
• Li Chuan healed more than three hundred injured ninja and villagers while pretending to be exhausted, and he insisted on treating Sunagakure fighters as well as Konoha's people.
• Baki thanked Li Chuan for treating Sunagakure ninja, while Konoha captured Baki's forces, including Gaara, and the Anbu later found the Fourth Kazekage's corpse.
• The Third invited Li Chuan to the Hokage's office and offered to make him his fourth official disciple.
• Li Chuan accepted the offer by addressing the Third as his teacher and serving him tea.

Li Chuan accepted Third's offer to become his disciple, recognizing that Third hoped the arrangement would help Konoha recover from Orochimaru's attack while giving Li Chuan access to powerful ninjutsu. After the public ceremony, Li Chuan traveled with Third and the Land of Fire's nobles to meet the daimyo, but first secretly met with Kabuto Yakushi.

• Li Chuan considered why Third wanted to make him a disciple and decided that they both stood to benefit from the arrangement.
• Li Chuan planned to learn more ninjutsu from Third, including the Flying Thunder God Technique, and considered the possibility of becoming Hokage in the future.
• Konoha held a memorial service for the ninja killed in Orochimaru's attack.
• Third publicly made Li Chuan his fourth disciple in a ceremony that pleased most of Konoha's ninja and villagers.
• Li Chuan led Third and the Land of Fire's nobles toward the capital to report to the daimyo and discuss Konoha's recovery.
• Before leaving Konoha, Li Chuan secretly met with Kabuto Yakushi.

After arranging to meet Kakuzu and Hidan, Li Chuan studied the Eight Inner Gates and opened its first two gates. He hired the pair for a secret killing mission, offering three hundred million ryo without revealing the target.

• After the meeting with the daimyo, Li Chuan stayed in the capital while Third and Konoha's higher-ups began negotiations with the Land of Wind.
• Li Chuan planned to tell Chiriku about becoming Third's disciple, meet Kakuzu and Hidan in three days, and meet Orochimaru in the Land of Rice a week later.
• Li Chuan studied the Eight Inner Gates from the Scroll of Sealing and opened the Gate of Opening and the Gate of Healing within three days.
• At the Bounty Hunter Guild, Li Chuan told Kakuzu and Hidan that he wanted them to kill someone but refused to reveal the target.
• Li Chuan offered Kakuzu and Hidan three hundred million ryo, and Kakuzu eagerly agreed to follow his instructions.

Li Chuan hired Kakuzu and Hidan to use Danzo’s blood in a Jashin Ritual, then killed Hidan with the Killing Curse after Hidan attacked him. Hidan’s death revealed that his immortality did not protect his soul.

• Li Chuan stopped in a clearing and asked Hidan to perform a Jashin Ritual using Danzo’s blood, while Kakuzu pressured Hidan to accept the job.
• Hidan completed the ritual and repeatedly stabbed himself, but refused to continue after ten deaths despite Kakuzu’s threats and Li Chuan’s offer of payment.
• After the one-minute cooldown ended, Li Chuan stabbed Hidan to complete the eleventh kill and promised Kakuzu five hundred million ryo.
• Hidan became furious, drew a new ritual symbol, and tried to use his Curse Killing Technique on Li Chuan before Kakuzu could stop him.
• Li Chuan used the Elder Wand to cast Avada Kedavra at Hidan, killing him and discovering that Hidan’s immortality did not protect his soul.

Li Chuan killed Hidan, paid Kakuzu to record his ninjutsu, and escaped when Kakuzu attacked him after the deal. Kakuzu discovered that Li Chuan had tricked him with fake money, while Li Chuan returned to the Prince of the Land of Fire's residence.

• Li Chuan killed Hidan after Hidan violated their agreement and tried to use the Curse Killing Technique on him.
• Li Chuan paid Kakuzu five hundred million ryo for the mission, then offered another five hundred million for Kakuzu's Five Elemental Ninjutsu; Kakuzu negotiated an additional two hundred million to include his composite ninjutsu.
• After Kakuzu finished writing down his techniques, he released his Earth Grudge Fear creatures and attacked Li Chuan, saying he needed to kill his former employer and take his head back to the organization.
• Kakuzu's powerful elemental attacks broke Li Chuan's Shield Charm, so Li Chuan used a Smoke Screen Spell and Apparition to escape.
• Kakuzu found only one hundred ryo in each of the twelve boxes and roared that he would kill Li Chuan.
• Li Chuan appeared in a room in the Prince of the Land of Fire's residence and wondered whether the Copy Spell had worn off.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Chuan uses the Copy Spell to create fake 100-million-ryo notes for a transaction.
• Danzo is repeatedly assassinated in his base, losing multiple Sharingan in the process. He suspects the Mysterious Man (Li Chuan) and his subordinates Zabuza and Haku.
• Li Chuan meets with Orochimaru, revealing he saved Orochimaru's life during the Third Hokage's summoning of Shinigami. He proposes a deal.

Character Developments

• Li Chuan: Shows cunning and strategic thinking, manipulating Danzo and Orochimaru to serve his interests.
• Danzo: Loses multiple Sharingan, including the powerful Mangekyo Sharingan, making him vulnerable and desperate for information about the Mysterious Man.
• Orochimaru: Suspicious of Li Chuan's intentions but intrigued by his proposed deal.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and power struggles within Konoha's political landscape.
• The value and consequences of knowledge and secrets (e.g., the Scroll of Sealing, the Reaper Death Seal).
• The importance of trust and understanding in alliances and relationships.

Character Interactions

• Li Chuan and Danzo: Li Chuan manipulates Danzo's fear and desperation to keep him in check.
• Li Chuan and Orochimaru: Li Chuan attempts to gain Orochimaru's trust and cooperation through a proposed deal, while Orochimaru is cautious and suspicious of Li Chuan's true intentions.

Li Chuan offered Orochimaru intelligence about the Sharingan and Rinnegan in exchange for two ninjutsu Orochimaru had created. After learning the secrets behind the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and Pain’s Rinnegan, Orochimaru questioned whether Uchiha Madara had survived, but Li Chuan said that answer would cost extra.

• Li Chuan proposed exchanging valuable intelligence for two ninjutsu created by Orochimaru, who agreed to judge the information before choosing what to give him.
• Li Chuan explained that the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan could be awakened by merging a close relative’s Mangekyo Sharingan with one’s own, and said Uchiha Madara had achieved it using his younger brother’s eyes.
• Li Chuan told Orochimaru that combining the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan with Wood Release could eventually produce the Rinnegan.
• Orochimaru suspected that Uchiha Madara had given his Rinnegan to Pain, and Li Chuan suggested Madara could have survived through Izanagi and questioned whether the Second Hokage had really buried his body.
• Orochimaru asked whether Uchiha Madara was still alive and why he had given Pain his eyes, but Li Chuan reserved those answers for a separate deal.

Li Chuan traded information with Orochimaru for two ninjutsu, then returned to his base in Sokovia with the Soft Body Modification Technique. He confirmed that it let him carry inanimate objects between worlds, but living things could not make the trip.

• Li Chuan told Orochimaru about the Sharingan, Rinnegan, and Akatsuki to pique his interest, then traded for the Soft Body Modification Technique and Orochimaru's Substitution Technique.
• Orochimaru gave Li Chuan the two scrolls, and Li Chuan left using Apparition.
• Kabuto Yakushi asked Orochimaru about the information and Sasuke, and Orochimaru ordered him to keep lurking in Konoha while delaying the plan to take Sasuke.
• Li Chuan spent his remaining five days learning the Soft Body Modification Technique and swallowed a box containing supplies and a rabbit before returning to Sokovia.
• Li Chuan retrieved the box and found that its inanimate contents had crossed worlds, while the rabbit had vanished.