Chapter Summaries

Feng led Seiji, Yagura, and Chino on an ANBU mission to secretly assassinate a general in the Land of Water’s capital. After gathering intelligence, Feng, Seiji, and Yagura began a nighttime reconnaissance of the General’s Residence.

• Feng questioned whether his rookie squad was ready, but Ken assured him their abilities were sufficient and ordered them to proceed.
• Feng briefed Seiji, Yagura, and Chino that they had to eliminate a general without leaving any trace, and the squad traveled to the capital.
• Feng assigned the team to gather intelligence, investigating the residence’s defenses while Seiji planned their retreat route and Yagura and Chino investigated the general.
• Chino and Yagura reported that the general opposed Lord Water and threatened his rule, making Lord Water the likely source of the assassination order.
• Feng led Seiji and Yagura into the General’s Residence at night, where they used sensory techniques to survey its interior.

Seiji, Wind, Yagura, and Chino assessed the General’s Residence and devised a stealth plan to kill their target without exposing the Hidden Mist. They agreed to wait for a rainy night before carrying out the operation.

• Seiji used his sensory technique to map the General’s Residence and identify its guards and the likely location of the target.
• Yagura and Seiji shared their findings with Wind and Chino, revealing that the target’s room was guarded by five powerful ninja.
• Chino suggested using drugged Hidden Mist to incapacitate the guards, but Yagura warned that its chakra might alert them.
• Seiji proposed using the mist as a distraction while Chino approached through rainwater with the Water Transformation Technique, and Yagura offered to copy her attack with his Water Mirror Technique.
• Wind approved the plan, and the group decided to refine its details and wait for a rainy night.

Seiji and his teammates waited for rain before carrying out their plan to assassinate the general, while Seiji began forming ideas about reforming the Ninja World. They killed the general and his five rogue ninja guards, then returned to their inn without leaving evidence.

• Seiji and his teammates refined their assassination plan and gathered intelligence while waiting for rain, and Seiji grew increasingly convinced that the Ninja World's political system needed change.
• A torrential downpour arrived after five more days, giving Seiji, Yagura, Chino, and Feng cover to approach the general's residence.
• Feng spread the Hidden Mist Technique over the courtyard while Chino and Yagura launched a surprise attack on the five rogue ninja guards.
• Seiji killed the two Jonin guards with Ten Finger Drilling Bullets after Chino and Yagura's attacks, and the team silenced and concealed all five bodies.
• Feng entered the residence and killed the sleeping general with Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique.
• Seiji and the others erased traces of the operation, took the guards' bodies away in a scroll, and returned to their inn.

After completing their S-rank mission, Feng went to collect the bounty while Yagura, Seiji, and Hozuki Chino explored the capital. News of the general’s death spread through the city, and the three enjoyed their first free time together before returning to the village.

• After returning from the mission, the team rested and planned to visit the Underground Exchange before heading back to the village.
• The next morning, Feng went to collect the bounties while Yagura, Seiji, and Hozuki Chino took time off to explore the capital.
• The townspeople spread conflicting rumors about the general’s death, while the general’s son discovered his body and the news leaked across the city.
• The daimyo became more satisfied with Third Mizukage Hyou and decided to increase Kirigakure’s military funding.
• Yagura and Seiji eagerly browsed the city’s shops and food stalls as Hozuki Chino watched them with amusement.
• Yagura asked Seiji to buy him takoyaki, but Seiji teased him to call him Brother first, so Yagura appealed to Hozuki Chino.

Seiji, Chino, Yagura, and Feng divided the bounty from their completed mission and returned to Kirigakure. Feng reported their success to Ken, who praised the rookie team, before Feng left to enjoy his vacation.

• Yagura finally called Seiji “Brother Seiji,” and the three ate their way through the streets before meeting Feng.
• Feng beat Yagura for leaving him behind, then split the twenty-million-ryo bounty among the team.
• Chino stopped nine-year-old Yagura from ordering alcohol and made him promise to behave.
• The four traveled back to Kirigakure, where Seiji, Yagura, and Chino went home while Feng reported to Ken.
• Ken praised the team's mission performance, and Feng withdrew to begin his vacation.

After completing his first S-rank mission, Seiji received an ancient Kaguya Clan scroll from Genji and discovered secrets about the clan’s connection to the Hyuga. The revelations gave Seiji a new possible path for evolving his bloodline, though he still lacked a way to contact the Hyuga Clan.

• Seiji returned home and reunited with Genji, who praised him for completing his first S-rank mission.
• Genji gave Seiji a scroll containing the Kaguya Clan’s history and secrets, originally intended for Seiji’s father, Genshi.
• Seiji opened the scroll with his Shikotsumyaku and learned that the Kaguya and Hyuga descended from Hamura and that their bloodlines might complement each other.
• Seiji read that generations of Kaguya and Hyuga had exchanged bloodline knowledge, strengthening the Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku, though they never achieved the prophesied ultimate power.
• Seiji realized that his evolving Otsutsuki bloodline and Hyuga ancestry might let him pursue that power, and he began considering how to learn more about the Hyuga.

Seiji’s friends Chino and Yagura visited his home and discovered that Elder Genji was his grandfather by adoption. Yagura challenged Seiji to a spar, and Seiji countered Yagura’s opening strike with his Shikotsumyaku.

• Seiji considered absorbing the Hyuga bloodline but decided to focus first on Isshiki’s gift and his own developing Dojutsu.
• Chino and Yagura visited Seiji, unaware that his home belonged to Elder Genji.
• Genji welcomed the visitors, and Seiji introduced Chino as a Hozuki and Yagura as a Karatachi.
• Seiji explained that Genji was his adoptive grandfather as he showed Chino and Yagura around the grounds.
• Yagura challenged Seiji to a spar and attacked with his Coral Staff as soon as Seiji accepted.
• Seiji used Dance of the Larch to catch the staff on his bone spikes and kicked at Yagura’s abdomen.

Seiji sparred with Yagura and Chino, who used coordinated Water Release attacks and a surprise ambush to injure him. After surviving Chino’s powerful Water Gun Technique, Seiji got back up and declared that he would fight seriously.

• Yagura rushed Seiji without understanding Shikotsumyaku and was kicked away, so Chino healed his wound with Water Transformation Healing Technique.
• Seiji attacked Yagura and Chino with Ten Finger Drilling Bullets, but Yagura countered with Water Mirror Technique while Chino fired Water Hail.
• Yagura and Chino coordinated Water Dragon Bullet Technique, and Seiji shattered one dragon with Dance of the Clematis: Flower before landing beside the other’s impact pit.
• Chino revealed that she had hidden in the water as her real body, struck Seiji with Great Water Arm Technique, then fired Water Gun Technique at him.
• Seiji blocked the Water Gun Technique with layers of bone shields, fell injured, and said he would get serious as the spar continued.

Seiji defeated Chino and Yagura in a sparring match, then joined them for grilled fish in Kirigakure. The three enjoyed their meal together after Seiji released Yagura from the Water Prison.

• Seiji used a Water Release technique to sweep Chino and Yagura into the courtyard lake, where his Water Clone trapped Yagura in a Water Prison.
• Seiji feinted with the Water Prison Technique against Chino, then defeated her with a bone blade at her neck.
• Seiji and Chino praised each other and discussed the lessons Seiji had gained from the battle before remembering and releasing Yagura.
• Yagura suggested that the three go to a new grilled fish restaurant, and Seiji and Chino eagerly agreed.
• Seiji, Yagura, and Chino ate grilled fish at Matsukawa Grilled Fish Restaurant, where owner Matsukawa Ryuhei served them.

Seiji, Yagura, and Chino shared their plans for the future, and Seiji revealed his family history and ambitions to his companions. The chapter ended with Seiji promising to teach them a secret chakra-compression technique.

• Yagura said he planned to become a Jonin, join the Shadow Guard, and eventually compete to become Mizukage.
• Yagura explained that his father had served under Second Mizukage Gengetsu and died alongside the Shadow Guard, while his mother later passed away from grief.
• Chino described how her parents had died from injuries inflicted by the Iwagakure Blast Corps and vowed to become Kirigakure's greatest medical ninja to protect Seiji and Yagura.
• Seiji revealed that his father, Kaguya Genji, had been the Shadow Guard captain and the only member to return from the ambush that killed Yagura's father.
• Seiji explained that Kaguya Musashi had driven his family from the Kaguya Clan and revealed that his bloodline had evolved and that he possessed chakra of every attribute.
• Seiji said he intended to become Mizukage, strengthen Kirigakure, improve his chakra, and teach Chino and Yagura his chakra-compression technique.

After five years of missions and training, Seiji became Kirigakure’s ANBU First Division captain as war loomed. He challenged his new subordinates to test his strength, and two squad captains stepped forward.

• Seiji’s Sixth Squad completed difficult missions, earning Seiji, Chino, and Yagura fame as the Hidden Mist Three Stars.
• Seiji’s Chakra quality and Ōtsutsuki bloodline advanced, while he reached Elite Jonin; Chino and Yagura reached Jonin, with Yagura surpassing Chino.
• Seiji reported that tensions across the Ninja World were rising, and Captain Ken promoted him to captain of the ANBU First Division, naming Hua his deputy and Kagami the new Sixth Squad captain.
• Seiji recalled how Wind and Mist died during a mission against Third Raikage A and Kumogakure ANBU, after which he led the Sixth Squad to a 100% mission completion record.
• Seiji introduced himself to the First Division and challenged anyone dissatisfied with his appointment to defeat him in a spar.
• Two men, apparently the First and Second Squad captains, stepped forward to test Seiji’s skills.

Seiji faced Suikazan Fuguki and Murasaki after they challenged his authority as a division captain, inviting them to attack him together. He countered Suikazan Fuguki’s assault with an Earth Clone and a combined Earth and Fire technique, leaving the fight’s outcome unresolved.

• Suikazan Fuguki and Murasaki challenged Seiji, and he offered to fight them both at once.
• Murasaki identified Seiji as a Kaguya Clan member who had awakened the Shikotsumyaku, and Suikazan Fuguki attacked with Hair Needle Senbon.
• Seiji raised Earth Flow Walls to block the needles, then tunneled behind Suikazan Fuguki using Earth Release.
• Suikazan Fuguki pierced Seiji, but the target was an Earth Clone that bound his hair as Seiji prepared another attack.
• Seiji launched Earth Dragon Bullet and Fire Dragon Bullet together as the Combination Technique: Earth Dragon Flame Bullet against Suikazan Fuguki.

Seiji battled Suikazan Fuguki and Murasaki, breaking free from their water-and-ice trap with Shikotsumyaku. He launched a powerful Fire and Wind combination technique at them, leaving the fight unresolved as the flames bore down.

• Seiji's Earth Dragon Flame Bullet forced Suikazan Fuguki to evade, while Murasaki blocked it with an Ice Crystal Wall and freed his ally.
• Seiji and Suikazan Fuguki clashed with water techniques, and Seiji followed with bone bullets that Suikazan Fuguki blocked with his hardened hair.
• Suikazan Fuguki trapped Seiji and the spectators in a Water Trumpet sphere, and Murasaki froze the sphere with Ice Age, imprisoning Seiji.
• Seiji shattered the ice prison with Dance of the Seedling Fern and announced the start of a second round.
• Seiji combined Fire Dragon Flame Bullet with Great Breakthrough, sending a searing Fire Dragon Flame Bullet toward Suikazan Fuguki and Murasaki.

Seiji defeated Suikazan Fuguki and Murasaki, then assigned missions and ordered his depleted squads to recruit replacements. The next morning, he visited the Anbu reserve training department with Suikazan, Yagura, and Chino, where a group of trainees caught his attention.

• Seiji used the smoke from his flames to surprise and defeat Suikazan Fuguki and Murasaki with his clones.
• Seiji ordered Murasaki to take the Second Squad on a mission to the capital of the Land of Water and told Suikazan and Yagura to join him in recruiting trainees the next morning.
• Seiji ate breakfast with Genji, then went to the Anbu reserve training department with Suikazan, Yagura, and Chino.
• A masked Anbu from the Third Division verified Seiji's written order and led the group to the training grounds.
• Seiji watched the trainees sparring and immediately noticed one particular group.

Seiji reviewed the records of Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi and approved them as potential members of Yagura’s unit. He also approved Suikazan Fuguki’s request to recruit Juzo Biwa, whose future rise as a wielder of Kubikiribōchō remained unknown.

• Seiji watched Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi spar and judged their combat experience valuable despite their Chunin-level strength.
• Chino brought Seiji the files for Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi, whose records showed strong performance and perfect mission completion rates.
• Seiji gave the files to Yagura, who approved the two recruits and used Body Flicker to test them himself.
• Suikazan Fuguki asked to recruit Juzo Biwa, and Seiji approved after reviewing the young Chunin’s file.
• The chapter noted that Juzo Biwa would later become a wielder of Executioner’s Blade, Kubikiribōchō, among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Madara Uchiha learned that five-year-old Nagato of the Uzumaki Clan could serve as a vessel for his Rinnegan and sent White Zetsu, Tobi, and Black Zetsu to implant the eyes. Nagato awoke unaware of the operation, while Madara resumed his sleep and his plan continued.

• Yagura returned to Seiji after testing Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi, and Seiji told Kagami he had found the final member of the Sixth Squad.
• White Zetsu reported to Madara Uchiha that they had found Nagato, a talented five-year-old boy with red hair, in the Land of Rain.
• Madara Uchiha replaced his own eyes with spare Sharingan and sent the Rinnegan with White Zetsu and Tobi to Nagato.
• Black Zetsu used a possessed Hidden Rain Village ninja and genjutsu to incapacitate Nagato at home while his parents, Ise and Fuso, were away.
• White Zetsu implanted Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan in Nagato, and the eyes regressed into ordinary eyes without Madara's chakra.
• Nagato awoke believing he had fallen asleep from exhaustion, unaware that his eyes had been replaced.

Murasaki retrieved urgent intelligence that Hanzō had challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi after confronting the Third Kazekage, raising the prospect of war. Ken ordered Seiji to observe the coming battle, while Hiruzen accepted Hanzō’s challenge despite Danzō’s objections.

• Murasaki decoded Dark Crow’s intelligence in the Land of Water’s capital and sent it to Kirigakure by Ninja Hawk.
• Seiji read the report that Hanzō had stopped the Third Kazekage in the Land of Rivers and publicly challenged Hiruzen to a battle at the Rain-Fire Border on July 7.
• Ken ordered Seiji to gather a team, observe the battle, and assess Kirigakure’s position in the coming war.
• Danzō urged Hiruzen to attack Amegakure, but Hiruzen decided to meet Hanzō on time.

Seiji prepared to observe the battle between Hanzō of the Salamander and Sarutobi Hiruzen, taking Genji’s advice about Hanzō’s ambitions and receiving a secret mission from Jian. At the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, the two leaders began their battle as Seiji’s group watched.

• Seiji asked Genji about Hanzō’s challenge, and Genji warned that Hanzō might target the Land of Wind or the Land of Fire depending on the outcome.
• Seiji gathered Yagura, Chino, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Munashi Jinpachi, Juzo Biwa, and Ao, then received a sealed secret mission from Jian to open after observing the battle.
• Seiji’s group traveled by merchant ship to the Land of Fire and reached the border on July 7.
• Hanzō of the Salamander and Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived with their respective companions as observers gathered to watch.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned a swarm of shuriken with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, and Hanzō charged into it with his kusarigama.

Hanzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi escalated their duel after testing each other with weapons and ninjutsu. Hiruzen landed a lightning attack that numbed Hanzo’s arm, and both of Hiruzen’s Shadow Clones prepared to press the advantage.

• Hanzo deflected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s shuriken, broke through an Earth Flow Wall with a Chakra blade, and forced Hiruzen into close combat.
• Hiruzen used Earth Release to endure Hanzo’s sickle and retreat, then removed his Hokage attire and challenged Hanzo to show his true strength.
• Hanzo unleashed Exploding Water Colliding Wave, and Hiruzen countered with Earth Flow Rampart before attacking from above with Great Flame Technique.
• Hanzo evaded the flames with Water Body Flicker, but a hidden Shadow Clone struck him from behind with False Darkness, grazing his left arm and numbing it.
• Hiruzen and his second Shadow Clone appeared together and began forming hand seals to continue their attack.

Hiruzen Sarutobi countered Hanzō’s feints and summoned Enma, then used Earth and Fire Release techniques to trap Ibuse and drive Hanzō into a defensive Water Release. The battlefield filled with steam and smoke, obscuring what happened next.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi struck Hanzō’s Water Clone with a Lightning Water Dragon Bullet, but Hanzō appeared behind him and kicked him hard enough to send him flying.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Monkey King Enma, while Hanzō summoned Salamander Ibuse.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Adamantine Staff to push Ibuse away and gain distance.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi trapped Ibuse in a swamp and hardened the mud with a Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
• Hanzō dodged Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, but Hiruzen followed with Great Fire Annihilation.
• Hanzō ordered Ibuse underground and defended himself with Water Formation Wall as Hiruzen’s flames filled the battlefield with steam and smoke.