Chapter Summaries

Genma and Ito Yoko fought on the dark mountaintop, where she revealed Divine Concealment’s hidden abilities and Genma discovered he could make his own blade vanish. The duel continued with both weapons unleashing invisible force, leaving Genma wounded at the waist.

• Ito Yoko attacked Genma after Divine Concealment failed to acknowledge him, and they fought until Genma outmaneuvered her Blade Momentum strikes and held his blade to her throat.
• Ito Yoko demonstrated that Divine Concealment could turn invisible, and Genma dodged its unseen attacks while trying to understand its reach.
• Ito Yoko adopted a Kamikumo Sangen Iaijutsu stance, but Genma chose to face her instead of fleeing.
• Genma made his own Divine Concealment vanish during an attack, and Ito Yoko recognized that he had discovered how to use it.
• Ito Yoko struck Genma with invisible blasts of force, and his attempted block only partly stopped the second attack, cutting his waist and drawing blood.

Genma fought Ito Yoko on the snowy mountain, using Divine Concealment’s invisible and lengthening blade to overcome her attacks. After wounding her and forcing her to drop her weapon, he faced the difficult choice of whether to kill her or lower his guard to treat his own injuries.

• Genma used Divine Concealment to make his blade invisible and tried to lengthen it as he countered Ito Yoko’s attacks.
• Despite his injuries, Genma took the initiative and struck Ito Yoko’s shoulder with a forceful thrust.
• Genma dodged Ito Yoko’s counterattack and wounded her leg with a lengthened slash.
• Exhausted and bleeding, Genma held his blade on Ito Yoko as she began to sob and he wondered whether to kill her.

Genma treated his and Ito Yoko’s wounds on the snowy summit, then faced a pack of Snow Leopards drawn by their blood. He charged through the encirclement with Shadow Clones carrying Ito Yoko, but the beasts attacked from beneath the snow and closed in again, leaving him unsure whether he could save her.

• Genma stopped trying to kill Ito Yoko and treated his injuries while she bandaged herself in the freezing snow.
• When Ito Yoko began shivering and murmuring about the cold, Genma swallowed a Ration Pill and treated her alongside himself through the night.
• Genma heard cries outside and saw a large pack of Snow Leopards gathering around the summit.
• Genma made four Shadow Clones, had two carry and guard Ito Yoko, and led the group into a charge through the Snow Leopards.
• Genma unleashed the Great Fireball Technique, burning many Snow Leopards and opening a path, but more leapt from beneath the snow and the fleeing beasts returned.
• As the Snow Leopards pressed in again, Genma struggled to keep moving while carrying Ito Yoko and wondered whether he would have to abandon her.

Genma and his Shadow Clone fought through a vast pack of Snow Leopards and tried to reach the enormous one that seemed to be directing them. A huge black shadow descended and scattered the battle, leaving Genma facing the fleeing giant Snow Leopard.

• Genma sent a Shadow Clone to help hold off the Snow Leopards while he and the clone discussed their plan.
• Genma raised an Earth Flow Wall that crushed many Snow Leopards, then fought alongside his Shadow Clone as the pack swarmed them.
• Genma and his Shadow Clone fought toward an enormous Snow Leopard, suspecting that killing it could stop the relentless pursuit.
• A black shadow descended with a massive shockwave, dispelled the Shadow Clone, pinned down the Snow Leopards, and sent the enormous one fleeing.
• The giant Snow Leopard ran toward Genma, who raised his blade to kill it.

Genma killed Snow Leopard but was captured by a giant bird, which questioned him about the Grey Heron scent on him. After Genma explained what happened in the Land of Birds, the bird laughed at his plan to make the Grey Heron his summoning beast, and Genma angrily demanded to know what was so funny.

• Genma killed Snow Leopard, but a giant bird seized him and carried him away.
• The giant bird pinned Genma down and demanded to know where he had picked up the Grey Heron scent.
• Genma said he found the Grey Heron by a lake in the Land of Birds, then tried to escape underground.
• The giant bird caught Genma, slammed him into the ground, and threatened him until he recounted his encounter with the Grey Heron.
• Genma declared that he planned to subdue the Grey Heron as his summoning beast, and the giant bird laughed.
• Genma demanded to know what the giant bird was laughing at.

Genma stood up to a giant bird that considered him food and argued that he could help Grey Heron find companions. He proposed using feathers or scraps of flesh to grow new members of the bird’s kind, leaving the giant bird startled and intrigued.

• Genma challenged the giant bird’s mockery and argued that he could still become powerful once he recovered.
• Genma explained that his intentions toward Grey Heron were mutual assistance and questioned how much the giant bird knew about humans.
• Genma claimed that medical ninjutsu could use feathers or fragments of flesh to grow new birds of Grey Heron’s kind.
• The giant bird asked whether humans had mastered resurrection ninjutsu, and Genma clarified that the new creatures would be born without memories.

Genma tried to persuade the giant bird to spare him and fight fairly, but it agreed only to postpone eating him in exchange for food. While preparing breakfast in the cave, Genma examined the bird’s belongings and finally saw the creature in its full, majestic form.

• Genma argued that the giant bird should judge humans by watching him and challenged it to a fair fight.
• The giant bird dismissed Genma’s promises but agreed to wait until the next day if he made it good food.
• Genma stayed in the cave overnight because trying to leave in the moonlight made him feel a sharp edge at his back.
• At dawn, Genma cooked Mala Tang and searched the cave, finding enormous teeth, feathers, trees, and iron rods.
• The giant bird unfolded its spotted, egg-like resting posture, and Genma saw its full appearance for the first time.

Genma cooked Mala Tang for a giant Haedongqing and its hungry chick, while the wary bird tested his food and chose a sour flavor. As Genma served a second pot, his unexplained sense of danger and inability to consider escape remained.

• Genma recognized the giant bird as a Haedongqing when it approached with its chick calling for food.
• The bird made Genma taste the first pot of Mala Tang, then told him to wait before eating more.
• The giant bird asked Genma to cook meat without vegetables and requested a sour flavor.
• Genma prepared a second pot with meat, seasonings, wine, and vinegar while feeling a persistent danger that discouraged him from escaping.
• The bird hurried over as Genma opened the pot, and Genma tasted the fragrant stew first.

Genma spent the day cooking for the giant bird and its child, then discovered the black stick it gave him was a poop-scooping tool that made him stronger. After burying the bird’s droppings, he challenged it, and it prepared to fight him.

• Genma cooked repeated batches of Mala Tang and meat as the giant bird and its child kept asking for more.
• The giant bird ordered Genma to clean its cave with a black stick, then took its child out and warned him not to flee.
• Genma realized the stick was a poop-scooping staff and used it to bury two piles of the giant bird’s droppings.
• Genma confronted the giant bird and challenged it to a fight.
• The giant bird laughed and said Genma could not wait to die.

Genma discovered that his black staff was actually his Heart's Blade and faced the giant bird in battle. He tricked the bird with Shadow Clones and vanished, but the bird struck the place where he had disappeared.

• Genma used Blade Momentum to break the black grime covering his staff and revealed a blade that was his Heart's Blade.
• The giant bird confronted Genma outside the cave, but Genma refused to back down and challenged it to fight.
• The giant bird attacked with hurricanes of wind and snow, forcing Genma to create Shadow Clones and escape underground.
• Genma used his clones to confuse the bird about which version was real, then joined two clones to form a triangle while another clone fled alone.
• The giant bird struck the fleeing clone, while Genma and the other two clones vanished; realizing it had been tricked, the bird unleashed another devastating attack at their last location.

Genma escaped the giant bird and returned to the Land of Iron with Heart's Blade. After cleaning the weapon, he discovered it was Divine Concealment and prepared to leave, asking the receptionist to pass a message to Gozan Sanban about his return and Ito Yoko.

• Genma used a Flying Thunder God Kunai to escape the giant bird and return to the Land of Iron with Heart's Blade.
• Genma learned that his Shadow Clones had rescued Ito Yoko from snow leopards, left her a note and an account of their help, and worried she might search for him and encounter the giant bird.
• Genma asked the receptionist to tell Gozan Sanban that he had returned safely with Heart's Blade.
• Genma soaked and scrubbed Heart's Blade until its silvery-white surface and gray metallic patterns emerged.
• Genma used Blade Momentum to make Heart's Blade disappear and realized it was Divine Concealment.
• The receptionist told Genma that the brothers' businesses had expanded, and Genma encouraged him to train capable people so they could return home within a year.

Genma returned to the Land of Iron to learn more about Divine Concealment and showed the blade to Gozan Sanban. Gozan recognized it and reacted with intense excitement, leaving Genma to wonder what history connected the old man to the blade.

• Genma recovered in Konohagakure, practiced swordsmanship with Hatake Sakumo, and researched Divine Concealment with him.
• Genma returned to the Land of Iron and learned that Ito Yoko had been searching for him through shops connected to him.
• Genma cautiously made his way to Gozan Sanban's dojo, where Gozan asked to see his Heart's Blade.
• Genma drew Divine Concealment and handed it to Gozan Sanban, who recognized the blade and stroked it with nostalgic excitement.

Genma learned from Gozan Sanban that Divine Concealment could help its wielder understand nature and cultivate senjutsu, though Gozan Sanban could not teach him how to use it. Gozan Sanban offered to take Genma to meet the elders and told him how far Ito Yoko had gone searching for him, prompting a conversation about Genma’s feelings and the person he loved in Konohagakure.

• Genma asked Gozan Sanban why the wielder of Divine Concealment could become a Divine Samurai.
• Gozan Sanban explained that Divine Concealment reacted with Nature Energy and could help its wielder understand nature and learn senjutsu.
• Genma asked Gozan Sanban to teach him how to use Divine Concealment, but Gozan Sanban admitted he did not know how.
• Gozan Sanban offered to take Genma to meet the elders and revealed that Ito Yoko had searched Sword Mountain for him for three days and nearly died.
• Genma told Gozan Sanban he did not have romantic feelings for Ito Yoko and said he already loved someone in Konohagakure.

Genma and Gozan Sanban returned to the Ito family to discuss the unknown giant bird on Sword Mountain, and Genma presented Heart’s Blade to Ito Genshō. Ito Genshō recognized the sword as Divine Concealment, and Gozan Sanban asked him to teach Genma how to use it.

• Gozan Sanban decided to take Genma to the Ito family after hearing about the giant bird that had attacked him on Sword Mountain.
• Genma and Gozan Sanban reached the Ito residence, where they overheard Ito Yoko pressuring Ito Sasuke to wear an outfit before the maid led them around the courtyard.
• Ito Genshō received Genma and Gozan Sanban in his cottage and asked what urgent matter had brought them.
• Genma showed Ito Genshō Heart’s Blade, and Ito Genshō recognized the drawn sword as Divine Concealment.
• Gozan Sanban asked Ito Genshō to teach Genma how to use Divine Concealment.

Genma rejected Ito Genshō’s suggestion that he marry Yoko, and the elders offered him a special training that could raise his strength to theirs. When the training’s conditions and their need for his help became clear, Genma chose to face the five old samurai in a test rather than marry into the family.

• Ito Genshō asked Genma about Yoko, but Genma said he already loved someone and had saved her out of respect for the seniors.
• Mifune helped Genma explain that the decision should rest with both of them, and Ito Genshō agreed not to force the marriage.
• Ito Genshō and Mifune revealed that they planned to give Genma the one-of-a-kind Ultimate Creation God Training, which could bring him to their level.
• Genma questioned what the elders wanted in return and learned they needed his help, while Ito Genshō also urged him to marry Yoko and move to the Land of Iron.
• Ito Genshō challenged Genma to face the five old men if he refused to marry Yoko, and Genma accepted the test.

Genma discovered that Ito Genshō had arranged for him to meet Ito Yoko, who tearfully told him how she had searched for him for three days. Genma tried to reject her by explaining that he already liked someone in Konohagakure, but Ito Yoko refused to give up and planned to follow him there.

• Genma realized Ito Genshō had deliberately arranged for him to meet Ito Yoko and tried to flee, but a maid held him back.
• Ito Yoko told Genma she had searched for him for three days and survived on raw Snow Leopard meat and melted snow.
• Genma apologized for making Ito Yoko worry and said he had saved her because he feared the seniors' blame, then could not show himself after an accident.
• Ito Yoko said she had fallen for Genma and would not hand him over to someone else, despite his reminder that he already liked a girl in Konohagakure.
• Genma asked whether Ito Yoko would really pursue him to Konohagakure, and she declared that she would ask Ito Genshō to let her go there.

Genma told Kurenai and Hatake Sakumo about Ito Yoko and the Land of Iron’s plans, then began the Special Jonin promotion missions. After completing twenty B-rank missions in a month, he arrived early to take on the remaining assignments as urgency over the Nine-Tails incident mounted.

• Genma told Kurenai about Ito Yoko and the special training mission, and Kurenai scolded him before checking on his safety and trying his Divine Concealment.
• Genma told Hatake Sakumo that the Land of Iron planned to cultivate him, and Sakumo pledged his support.
• Minato arranged for Genma to join the first group of Special Jonin candidates, who needed to complete thirty B-rank and ten A-rank missions.
• Genma completed twenty B-rank missions in a month, while Dieyewasi completed ten.
• Genma arrived early at the Mission Assignment Office to take more promotion missions, and the clerk remarked on his efficiency and diligence.

Genma sought permission to take multiple missions at once, and Hatake Sakumo backed him after testing his judgment. After Genma completed two B-rank missions and passed the Third Hokage’s review, he was officially allowed to accept multiple B-rank missions.

• Genma asked the mission clerk about taking multiple missions at once, but stopped asking when the clerk hinted the precedent might be confidential.
• Hatake Sakumo arrived from a mission and questioned whether Genma would stay alert while handling several B-rank missions consecutively.
• Genma explained that he wanted to test the approach carefully, and Hatake Sakumo agreed to guarantee him to the Third Hokage if he submitted detailed reports.
• Hatake Sakumo instructed the clerk to arrange two B-rank missions on the same route, and Genma signed the documents and left.
• After Genma completed both missions, the Third Hokage reviewed his report, tested him, and officially permitted him to accept multiple B-rank missions.

Genma completed his required missions and became a Special Jonin, then used his vacation and breaks to train with the Ito family’s elders in the Land of Iron. After his training and missions brought him into the Jonin ranks, he learned that Ito Yoko had arrived in Konohagakure, leaving him facing an awkward reunion.

• Genma completed thirty B-rank and ten A-rank missions, earning promotion to Special Jonin and a month-long vacation.
• Genma sparred with Ito Genshō and learned how the elder wove the Kamikumo Sangen Iaijutsu’s opening stances into ordinary combat.
• Genma trained with four elders from the Ito family, whose battles helped refine his swordsmanship and practical fighting ability.
• Genma continued taking missions in Konohagakure, sometimes joining S-rank assignments, and spent his breaks training in the Land of Iron.
• Raiton told Genma that guests from the Land of Iron had arrived in Konohagakure, including Ito Yoko.

Genma told Kurenai that Ito Yoko had come to Konohagakure, and he considered seeking an exchange visit to the Land of Iron rather than meeting her. When Genma and Kurenai unexpectedly encountered Ito Yoko, Kurenai insisted they approach her, leaving the three of them on the verge of a tense conversation.

• Genma told Kurenai that Ito Yoko had arrived in Konohagakure for an exchange, and Kurenai asked whether Yoko might come looking for him.
• Genma said he wanted to apply for an exchange visit to the Land of Iron, and Kurenai teased him about avoiding Yoko before warning him not to fall for her.
• Genma and Kurenai ate dumplings together and then walked toward the training grounds.
• Genma spotted Ito Yoko in a purple kimono with white hair and tried to lead Kurenai away.
• Kurenai held Genma's hand and insisted they speak with Ito Yoko, while Genma urged them to be friendly.