Chapter Summaries

Shiranui Genma and the elders investigated how he could enter and leave Sage Mode, and Yagyū Uchijō suggested using Divine Concealment as the key. Genma successfully switched between Sage Mode and his normal state, leaving the elders eager for him to master the technique and teach them.

• Shiranui Genma asked whether the elders planned to cultivate sage arts, and they agreed to wait until he became more familiar with Sage Mode.
• Yagyū Uchijō proposed that Genma’s dream of achieving Man-Blade Unity held the clue and suggested imagining he no longer needed Heart's Blade or condensing it in his hand.
• Genma summoned Divine Concealment, which restored his normal appearance, and confirmed that he could bring the blade into his hand.
• Genma recalled the feeling from his dream, entered Sage Mode again, and then condensed Divine Concealment to leave the state.
• Miyamoto Hachizō urged Genma to master the ability quickly, and Genma promised to learn sage arts as soon as possible.

Genma struggled to use ninjutsu after entering Ancient Sage Mode, then followed Str’s suggestion and trained to fuse Nature Energy with Chakra. After half a year, he mastered Sage Art Chakra, gained major improvements in combat ability and physical traits, and returned to the Land of Iron to help the elders cultivate sage arts.

• Genma found that Sage Mode enhanced his swordsmanship and physique but did not let him use Five Element Ninjutsu, so Str suggested fusing Nature Energy with Chakra.
• Genma trained with Shadow Clones and, as his appetite and Chakra increased, the Land of Iron elders conjectured that Ancient Sage Art was transforming his body toward a legendary Sage Body.
• After about half a year, Genma mastered the fusion, maintained Sage Mode for days, used Flying Thunder God Kunai freely, and cast sage arts stronger than ordinary ninjutsu.
• Genma discovered that his body was becoming compatible with other attributes, including Wind Style, and that his natural perception had expanded even outside Sage Mode.
• Genma left a Shadow Clone behind and returned to the Land of Iron, where he found Gozan Sanban and five elders meditating.

Genma supervised the Five Elders of the Land of Iron as they began training in Sage Arts, then watched Ito Genshō nearly petrify from Nature Energy and saved him by dispersing it. The danger would worsen during Ito Genshō’s next attempt, leaving Genma considering a trip to Mount Myōboku to obtain a stick that could disperse Nature Energy.

• Gozan Sanban reminded the Five Elders to restrain their eager stares at Genma, and Gozan Sanban explained that their pursuit of Sage Arts came from an inherited obsession.
• The Five Elders used rock-paper-scissors to set their training order, while Genma stayed to supervise them alongside Ito Genshō.
• Ito Genshō meditated with his Heart's Blade as Nature Energy gathered around him, and Genma watched the energy through Sage Mode.
• Ito Genshō began to turn gray from Nature Energy, so Genma pressed his acupoints and dispersed the energy before it could petrify him.
• Genma realized Ito Genshō would be more vulnerable to Nature Energy during his next training session and considered going to Mount Myōboku for a stick that could disperse it.

Genma helped five elders survive failed attempts to cultivate ancient senjutsu, then watched as Gozan Sanban risked petrification while channeling Nature Energy through Pseudo Kamikakushi. Gozan Sanban succeeded and awakened Sage Mode, with black patterns spreading across his face.

• Genma helped Ito Genshō and four other elders disperse the Nature Energy from their bodies after their senjutsu attempts failed.
• Gozan Sanban entered the room with Pseudo Kamikakushi and drew Nature Energy through the blade into his body.
• Gozan Sanban began to petrify, and Genma hesitated to intervene because the elder had not opened his eyes to signal surrender.
• Gozan Sanban's aura changed, the petrification faded, and black patterns spread across his face as he opened his blue eyes.
• Gozan Sanban told Genma he had succeeded, and Genma checked his own Sage Mode markings in a mirror.

Shiranui Genma and Gozan Sanban discovered that their Sage Mode markings differed, so the Land of Iron elders went to search their family records for an explanation. While they waited, Genma and Gozan Sanban prepared to spar, with Genma planning to test a smaller version of his Divine Concealment mech.

• Shiranui Genma showed Gozan Sanban the black markings on his face, and the five elders noticed that their Sage Mode markings differed.
• Ito Genshō and the other elders left to search their family records for information about Sage Mode eye markings.
• Shiranui Genma suggested that Gozan Sanban test his strength in Sage Mode, and Gozan Sanban agreed to spar without damaging his house.
• Shiranui Genma prepared Divine Concealment and considered shrinking his mech to wear it on his body as Gozan Sanban drew Heart's Blade.

Shiranui Genma sparred with Gozan Sanban, whose Sage Mode and swordsmanship pushed Genma into a fierce duel. After the fight ended nearly in a draw, Gozan Sanban revealed that Sage Mode let him regain almost ninety percent of his youthful strength, and the two prepared to return.

• Gozan Sanban surprised Shiranui Genma with a rapid sword assault, then used rock dust to counter Genma's invisibility and forced him to remove his armor.
• Shiranui Genma and Gozan Sanban agreed to a pure swordsmanship duel and exchanged dozens of strikes before choosing to continue in the bamboo grove.
• Gozan Sanban and Shiranui Genma fought without restraint until the bamboo grove was left wrecked and both men were too exhausted to continue.
• Gozan Sanban said Sage Mode had let him use nearly ninety percent of his youthful strength, then stood up and said they should return.

Genma learned that the Five Elders were piecing together decayed records about what happened after mastering senjutsu, while his Sage Mode markings remained incomplete. After sparring with Minato to practice Flying Thunder God and his enhanced senses, Genma asked him about a Mount Myōboku method for dispersing Nature Energy, and Minato left to seek permission.

• The Five Elders struggled to read and reconstruct ruined ancient books, and Genma left them to their research.
• Weeks later, the Five Elders deciphered records stating that Sage Mode markings normally covered the entire face, while Genma's markings spread slightly whenever he used senjutsu.
• Genma sparred with Minato using Flying Thunder God, but Minato's greater mastery let him evade Genma's attacks.
• Minato noticed Genma's improved abilities, and Genma revealed that he had learned senjutsu and gained enhanced sensory abilities.
• Genma asked whether Minato could disperse Nature Energy from another person's body, and Minato said he would seek permission from Mount Myōboku's sages.

Genma received a black rod from Minato to help the Five Elders cultivate senjutsu, then decided to track down a reserved summoning beast and an associated giant bird. He visited Kurenai, where her father challenged him to a test as their ten-year agreement neared its end.

• Minato gave Genma a black rod from Fukasaku and advised him to strike anyone whose Nature Energy he could not disperse a few more times.
• Genma sent the rod to the Land of Iron, then realized a crow reminded him of a summoning beast he had reserved and a giant bird he wanted to confront.
• Genma waited outside Kurenai's home and repeatedly called Kurenai Yuhi his father-in-law, provoking his displeasure.
• Kurenai Yuhi asked Genma what he was doing at his house, then challenged him to prove his ability because the ten-year agreement was nearly due.
• Kurenai arrived, teased Genma for calling her father his father-in-law, and told her father to leave safely for his mission.

Shiranui Genma took Kurenai to an inn and rented a Couple's Suite, leaving her convinced he had brought her there for an intimate encounter. Genma insisted there was a misunderstanding, but Kurenai demanded an explanation as they headed to the room.

• Kurenai Yuhi left after Kurenai spoke to her, and Kurenai warned Genma not to visit her home before her father departed.
• Genma took Kurenai by the hand toward an inn, where she realized couples often rented rooms and grew embarrassed.
• Genma requested a Couple's Suite, showed the innkeeper his resident card, and paid five hundred ryo for the daytime stay.
• The innkeeper suggested meals and mixed bathing, but Genma declined and led Kurenai toward their room.
• Kurenai pinched Genma's ribs and demanded a reasonable explanation, while Genma insisted the situation was not what she thought.

Genma used a Couple's Suite and Shadow Clones to secretly take Kurenai to the Land of Birds, where they planned to find a giant bird. After meeting Shirogane Shinden, Genma asked him to lead them to the Land of Birds' Venerable Monk, whom Shinden warned was eerie.

• Genma and Kurenai played cards in a Couple's Suite while Genma prepared Shadow Clones to conceal their departure.
• Genma teleported with Kurenai to the Land of Birds, leaving the clones behind in the suite.
• Kurenai reminded Genma that they needed to tame the giant bird and wondered how Sagi and Toki were doing, prompting Genma to worry that Sagi might be targeted by Rogue Ninja.
• Shirogane Shinden greeted Genma and offered to take him to the Venerable Monk, also known as the current National Preceptor.
• Shinden warned Genma and Kurenai that the Venerable Monk could swallow without chewing and was rumored to swallow swords unharmed.

Genma and Kurenai went to investigate Mōzō, the Land of Birds’ National Preceptor, and began capturing his Rogue Ninja followers to prevent them from escaping. After one captive resisted questioning, Genma revealed his Sage Mode and declared that he would drag Mōzō’s men out one by one.

• Shentian guided Genma and Kurenai to Mōzō’s luxurious estate after explaining the monk’s unusual ability and position.
• Genma sent Shentian away with a Shadow Clone and told Kurenai he needed evidence against Mōzō before taking him down.
• Genma and Kurenai split up to capture Mōzō’s Rogue Ninja followers, then reunited with one captive each.
• Genma questioned his black-haired captive about Mōzō’s men, but the man refused to cooperate and threatened him.
• Genma activated Sage Mode, startling Kurenai, and said he would pull the hidden Rogue Ninjas out one by one.

Genma and Kurenai captured the Rogue Ninjas hiding in Mōzō's residence and learned that Mōzō had gone to meet the Daimyo. They hurried to the Daimyo's residence while Genma's Shadow Clones secretly transferred the prisoners to his and Tony's training base.

• Genma created four Shadow Clones and sent Kurenai with one to hunt down the hidden ninjas, giving her a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
• Genma and his Shadow Clones swiftly subdued the ninjas hiding around Mōzō's residence, while Kurenai helped capture them.
• Genma and Kurenai gathered and restrained fifteen ninjas, along with the man they had caught earlier, and learned that Mōzō had gone to seek an audience with the Daimyo.
• Genma and Kurenai rushed toward the Daimyo's residence, leaving three Shadow Clones to guard the prisoners.
• After Genma and Kurenai left, the Shadow Clones used the Flying Thunder God Array to transfer the Rogue Ninjas to Genma and Tony's training base.

Shiranui Genma brought seventeen Rogue Ninjas to the secret training base and arranged for them to be considered for training, then killed Mōzō in the Daimyo’s residence. He went with Kurenai to wait for Grey Heron at the lakeside, where the two shared a picnic and talked about Genma’s mysterious abilities.

• Shiranui Genma brought seventeen Rogue Ninjas to the training base, where Huazi told him Oku Chengyan was inspecting the medical department.
• Shiranui Genma sent a Shadow Clone to find Oku Chengyan while his real body infiltrated the Daimyo’s residence with Kurenai and located Mōzō.
• Shiranui Genma killed Mōzō, and the guards discovered the National Preceptor’s body and alerted the Daimyo.
• Shiranui Genma and Kurenai went to the lakeside to wait for Grey Heron and set up a picnic.
• Kurenai questioned Genma about his mysterious ninjutsu, and Genma replied that she was mysterious to him as well.

Genma comforted Kurenai after she struggled with his killing of Mōzō, then learned through his clone that Oku Chengyan had fallen for Yakushi Nonō. After waking beside Kurenai and sharing a kiss, Genma was interrupted by a sharp current of air descending from the sky.

• Kurenai wondered whether the monk had been the Rogue Ninja who attacked them, and Genma realized she was troubled by his killing Mōzō.
• Genma held Kurenai as she nestled into his arms, while his distant clone returned with memories from the Land of Fire.
• Genma learned that Oku Chengyan had developed feelings for Yakushi Nonō, and he chose not to interfere.
• Genma slept beside Kurenai and woke feeling refreshed, then kissed her as they teased each other.
• A sharp current of air descended from the sky and broke the intimate moment between Genma and Kurenai.

Genma confronted the Grey Heron after it interrupted his time with Kurenai, then used Sage Mode and Shadowless Armament Susanoo to overpower the giant bird. He left the Grey Heron battered and struggling to fly.

• The Grey Heron arrived at the lake and interrupted Genma and Kurenai, so Genma went to settle things with it.
• Genma reminded the Grey Heron of a promise it had made to him when he was a boy, and it recognized him but dismissed his challenge.
• Genma activated Sage Mode and cloaked himself in an invisible giant mecha, then struck the Grey Heron with an invisible punch.
• The Grey Heron tried to evade Genma's attacks, but a wall of air surrounded it and Genma battered its wings and face with repeated punches.
• Genma returned to his normal form after judging that the Grey Heron was too injured to fly properly.

Shiranui Genma persuaded Grey Heron to become his summoning beast by promising to help it find its companions, then completed their contract. Grey Heron recognized familiar energy fluctuations in the summoning seal, leaving Genma eager to learn where it had once lived.

• Genma explained how he had developed the Shadowless Armament Susanoo into an attack that struck with many transforming fists.
• Genma asked Grey Heron to become his summoning beast and promised to help it find its companions.
• Grey Heron accepted Genma’s promise, and Genma prepared a Summoning Scroll for their contract.
• Genma stopped Grey Heron from biting its enormous claw and used blood from near its head to complete the contract.
• Grey Heron said the contract’s energy reminded it of its former home, and Genma asked if it could take him there.

Genma healed and subdued the Grey Heron, then rode it with Kurenai toward its former home. As they flew through the clouds, Kurenai relaxed and enjoyed the ride while the Grey Heron carried them cautiously.

• Genma healed the Grey Heron's wounds with medical Chakra and asked it to take him to where it used to live.
• Genma brought Kurenai to the Grey Heron, and the pair climbed onto its back.
• Genma and Kurenai set off on the Grey Heron, with Genma joking about taking their future children flying.
• The Grey Heron lifted them into the sky, and Kurenai gripped Genma's hand before gradually relaxing.
• Genma asked the Grey Heron to fly steadily for the remaining ten minutes, and it sensed the riders' weight shift toward its neck.

Genma and Kurenai flew on Grey Heron, and the journey made Kurenai more comfortable with Genma’s affection. After landing, Genma told Grey Heron that it would be part of their family and offered it companionship and food.

• Genma teased Kurenai during the flight, and she admitted through her reactions that she wanted to share the experience with him.
• Grey Heron landed smoothly, and Genma kissed Kurenai before she shyly stopped their embrace.
• Kurenai asked why they had come, and Genma reminded her they were there to help Grey Heron.
• Genma told Grey Heron that it was their family’s summoning beast and invited it to introduce itself.
• Grey Heron asked whether they truly considered it family, and Genma reassured it that they would be its companions and help if it needed anything.

Shiranui Genma and Kurenai learned that Fūmaru had lost his grandfather and followed him toward the place where he first sensed energy fluctuations. Fūmaru led them up a mountain, leaving Genma puzzled about what they would find there.

• Fūmaru told Shiranui Genma and Kurenai that his grandfather had died, then asked what visiting a grave meant.
• Genma learned that Fūmaru's grandfather was connected to a nearby lake and decided to search the area for traces of the Grey Heron flock.
• Genma comforted Fūmaru and asked him to lead them to where he first sensed energy fluctuations.
• Fūmaru led Genma and Kurenai toward a towering mountain and began climbing it.

Genma, Kurenai, and Fūmaru reached a cave where Fūmaru had sensed energy fluctuations, but an unseen barrier blocked the entrance. Genma stopped Kurenai and Fūmaru from attacking it, wary that breaking it carelessly might destroy whatever lay inside.

• Genma and Kurenai followed Fūmaru up the mountain to a cave where he had sensed energy fluctuations.
• Fūmaru said he could not enter because an invisible wall stopped him, and Kurenai suggested it might be a barrier.
• Genma examined the cave entrance and sensed a dense concentration of Chakra behind the obstruction, but found no talismans or obvious way to break it.
• Kurenai slashed at the barrier while Fūmaru struck it with his wings, repeatedly attacking the same spot.
• Genma worried that damaging the barrier could trigger a defense and destroy the cave's contents, so he told Kurenai and Fūmaru to stop.
• Kurenai asked whether Genma knew how to break the barrier, and Genma admitted that he did not.