Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya sealed Isobu into Hatake Kakashi and confirmed Kakashi could serve as the Three-Tails’ Jinchuriki, while Nara Kaikei continued trying to obtain Mount Myōboku’s Sage Art Inheritance. Jiraiya still wanted to learn Kaikei’s Camouflage Concealment, so Kaikei proposed a spar as the price for teaching it.

• Jiraiya pleaded with Nara Kaikei to teach him Camouflage Concealment, but Kaikei demanded Mount Myōboku’s Sage Art Inheritance in exchange.
• Jiraiya examined Hatake Kakashi, declared him suitable as Isobu’s Jinchuriki, and sealed Isobu into him with the Four Symbols Seal.
• Jiraiya advised Kakashi to have the seal examined by Kushina Uzumaki after returning to the village.
• Isobu demanded that Kakashi teach it the Shadow Clone Technique, then asked to learn the Summoning Technique instead; Kakashi explained that it required a blood contract.
• Nara Kaikei offered to teach Jiraiya Camouflage Concealment if Jiraiya could beat him in a spar.

Nara Kaikei and Jiraiya began their spar after agreeing that Five-Tails Kokuō would stay out of it. Kaikei used concealment, clones, and Shadow techniques to test Jiraiya, who was caught by a Shadow Binding Technique but countered with his hair.

• Jiraiya agreed to spar with Nara Kaikei for a chance to learn [Camouflage Concealment], then rested and planned how to counter Kaikei's abilities.
• Nara Kaikei told Uchiha Shisui and the others to watch from a safe distance, and he and Jiraiya began their duel.
• Jiraiya opened with Fire Style: Flame Bullet, while Nara Kaikei avoided it with [Flat Shadow Technique] and concealed his main body using [Camouflage Concealment].
• Jiraiya attacked underground with Fire Style and Earth Style, but Kaikei evaded with a clone and took to the sky invisibly.
• Kaikei's [Shadow Clone] fired [Spiral Shadow Mimic Bullet], which created another clone that caught Jiraiya with [Shadow Binding Technique].
• Jiraiya countered the binding by extending his hair and striking at the [Shadow Clone] with "Lion Dance of the Lion!"

Nara Kaikei’s shadow clone fought Jiraiya with a mix of shadow techniques, fire, and speed, eventually knocking him unconscious with a chakra-enhanced punch. Kaikei received an A-Rank Ninja Scroll and was surprised that Jiraiya had fallen before using Sage Mode.

• Jiraiya bound the shadow clone with his hair, defeated it with Lion’s Mane, and countered the clone’s shadow bullets with Needle Jizo.
• The shadow clone restrained Jiraiya with a Spiral Shadow Binding Bullet and burned his hair with Great Fire Annihilation.
• Jiraiya used Water Dragon Bullet Technique to suppress the flames and fill the area with steam.
• The shadow clone used Swift Release to rush through the steam and struck Jiraiya’s abdomen with Chakra Enhanced Strength, knocking him unconscious.
• The shadow clone disappeared before it could finish the attack, and Kaikei revealed himself after receiving an A-Rank Ninja Scroll.

After his Shadow Clone knocked Jiraiya unconscious, Nara Kaikei arranged his treatment and heard Jiraiya ask for a rematch to win the right to learn [Camouflage Concealment]. Kaikei agreed in principle but said Jiraiya would need to offer an additional stake, leaving Jiraiya wondering what he could wager.

• Nara Kaikei found that his Shadow Clone had knocked Jiraiya unconscious and confirmed that Jiraiya had several broken ribs.
• Nara Kaikei ordered Shizune and Nohara Rin to treat Jiraiya, who soon regained consciousness.
• Jiraiya asked Nara Kaikei to cancel the result and allow another sparring match after he recovered.
• Jiraiya explained that he was supposed to return to the Land of Fire to defend its coastline against Kirigakure, but planned to recuperate in the Land of Hot Water.
• Nara Kaikei said a second match would cost extra because Jiraiya had proposed it, and Jiraiya struggled to think of a suitable stake.

After sending Jiraiya and Kakashi back to camp, Nara Kaikei opened Jiraiya’s A-Rank Ninja Scroll and gained Sage Art: Thousand Needles of the Hair, which offered useful insights for his research into a permanent Sage Mode. Over the following days, his research advanced unevenly, and his latest family mission reward turned out to be a Nintaijutsu scroll for Swift Release.

• Nara Kaikei ordered Shisui, Hyuga Clan, Shizune, and Nohara to escort the injured Jiraiya and Kakashi back to camp.
• Nara Kaikei opened Jiraiya’s A-Rank Ninja Scroll and obtained Sage Art: Thousand Needles of the Hair instead of the Mount Myōboku Sage Mode he had hoped for.
• Nara Kaikei realized the Sage Art could help him study how Sage Chakra activates and amplifies human cells for his planned permanent Sage Mode.
• Over several days, Nara Kaikei continued experiments at Kikyo Castle, making little headway with Sage Chakra synthesis while his Wood Release research progressed smoothly.
• Samui mastered the Hemostasis Technique and Mist Servant Technique, began learning Shadow Clone Technique, and continued training to earn Matatabi’s recognition.
• Nara Kaikei submitted a Swift Release research scroll for his second family S-Rank Mission and received a Nintaijutsu scroll.

Jiraiya challenged Nara Kaikei to another sparring match and wagered the A-Rank Telescope Technique against Kaikei’s Camouflage Concealment. Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta to hold Kaikei back while he gathered Natural Energy, but Kaikei took to the sky on a Shadow Creature.

• Jiraiya insisted on sparring despite his broken ribs not having fully healed because the village was urging him to return to the battlefield.
• Jiraiya offered the Telescope Technique as his stake, and he and Nara Kaikei agreed that the loser would surrender it or Camouflage Concealment.
• Nara Kaikei and Jiraiya left camp for an uninhabited area and began their match without spectators.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta and asked him to hold Nara Kaikei back while he refined Chakra and absorbed Natural Energy.
• Gamabunta fired Water Release: Iron Cannon Ball, but Nara Kaikei escaped into the sky on a Shadow Creature.

Nara Kaikei fought Gamabunta and Jiraiya, damaging Gamabunta before Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima to help him enter Sage Mode. Jiraiya’s sage-enhanced fire attack clashed with Nara Kaikei’s water techniques, and a new S-Rank Mission targeting Sage Jiraiya appeared on Nara Kaikei’s panel.

• Gamabunta attacked Nara Kaikei with Tongue Battle Bind, but Nara Kaikei dodged and blasted Gamabunta’s tongue while targeting Jiraiya with a Spiral Shadow Kill Cannon.
• Gamabunta dodged the projectile by lowering itself and Jiraiya, who then summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima.
• Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima used the Two-Lives Technique to help Jiraiya enter Sage Mode, and Jiraiya asked them to maintain it for his sparring match.
• Jiraiya and Gamabunta unleashed Sage Art: Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Bullet, and Nara Kaikei used a Shadow Clone and Water Release techniques to resist the flames.
• Nara Kaikei joined his clone’s defense with Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, then noticed a new S-Rank Mission titled [Sage Jiraiya] on his panel.

Nara Kaikei fought Jiraiya in Sage Mode, using a high-pressure water attack to wound Gamabunta and force him to retreat. As Jiraiya prepared another Sage Art, Kaikei called down lightning with Kirin.

• Nara Kaikei used a Shadow Clone and Water Severing Wave to pierce Gamabunta, disrupting the toad oil feeding Jiraiya’s flame attack.
• Jiraiya sent the injured Gamabunta back to Mount Myōboku, then faced Kaikei with Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima.
• Sage Fukasaku sensed faint Natural Energy in Nara Kaikei, while Sage Shima warned Jiraiya about Kaikei’s Shadow Clone firing shadow bullets.
• Jiraiya dodged the shadow bullets and launched Sage Art: Thousand Needles of the Hair, which Kaikei blocked with Shadow Armor Technique.
• Jiraiya and the two Great Sages prepared Sage Art: Goemon, while Nara Kaikei summoned lightning from the sky with Kirin.

Nara Kaikei defeated Jiraiya in a sparring match after countering his Sage Arts with Kirin, and Jiraiya agreed to surrender and provide the Telescope Technique scroll. The two left open the possibility of another match, with Kaikei insisting that Jiraiya bring a wager.

• Jiraiya, Sage Shima, and Sage Fukasaku launched Sage Art: Goemon, but Kaikei summoned Kirin from the storm clouds before their attack could land.
• Jiraiya shielded himself with Sage Art: Needle Jizo, which survived Kirin but was badly damaged, and then called off the fight.
• Kaikei and Jiraiya argued over the match, and Jiraiya admitted defeat rather than risk the battle escalating further.
• Jiraiya agreed to prepare the Telescope Technique scroll, triggering Kaikei's reward for completing the S-rank ninja battle mission.
• Kaikei invited Jiraiya to spar again and told him to bring a wager.

Jiraiya considered how to learn more about Nara Kaikei while the Toad Sages questioned Kaikei about his Natural Energy techniques. Kaikei asked to learn Mount Myōboku’s methods for harnessing Natural Energy, and Sage Fukasaku refused a direct exchange but invited him to Mount Myōboku.

• Jiraiya reflected on his sparring matches with Nara Kaikei and the intelligence he had gathered about Kaikei’s speed, strength, and control of Natural Energy.
• Sage Shima asked Nara Kaikei how he had learned to manipulate atmospheric lightning, and Kaikei said he had studied methods from the Temple of Fire.
• Nara Kaikei asked Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima about Mount Myōboku’s techniques for absorbing Natural Energy and preventing petrification.
• Nara Kaikei offered to trade [Kirin] for Mount Myōboku’s Sage Art methods, but Sage Fukasaku declined the exchange.
• Sage Fukasaku invited Nara Kaikei to come to Mount Myōboku if he truly wanted to learn Sage Arts.

Sage Fukasaku invited Nara Kaikei to Mount Myōboku to learn its Sage Mode, but Kaikei privately decided not to go because he feared meeting the Great Toad Sage. After seeing Jiraiya’s weakness when Sage Mode ended, Kaikei considered how his motionless true body could help him overcome Sage Mode’s limits, then received a scroll containing Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode.

• Sage Fukasaku invited Nara Kaikei to Mount Myōboku after recognizing his aptitude for controlling Natural Energy, and Kaikei said he would consider it while secretly refusing the idea.
• Jiraiya joked about Kaikei becoming his junior brother, and Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima struck him before ending their Two-Lives Technique and returning to Mount Myōboku.
• Nara Kaikei noticed Jiraiya’s exhausted state after Sage Mode ended and realized his motionless true body could help him divide Sage Mode’s stillness and fighting requirements.
• Nara Kaikei created a Shadow Creature to carry Jiraiya back to camp, where Jiraiya handed him the Telescope Technique and asked to spar again.
• Nara Kaikei opened the scroll he had received for completing Sage Jiraiya and obtained the S-Rank Jutsu Sage Mode Mount Myōboku.

Nara Kaikei studied Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode and used its Sage Chakra fusion method to create an A-Rank Sage Art Mask. The mask held stable Sage Chakra, though using it carried the risk of bodily mutation and loss of control.

• Nara Kaikei learned the Sage Chakra fusion ratio from the Sage Mode: Mount Myōboku scroll and teleported back to his underground laboratory.
• Nara Kaikei examined Jiraiya’s Telescope Technique scroll and considered setting it up as the laboratory’s surveillance system.
• Nara Kaikei told White Zetsu to accumulate Chakra while he prepared to test Sage Chakra fusion with a Nature Mask.
• Nara Kaikei successfully fused Natural Energy and Chakra in a blood-red mask, creating an A-Rank Sage Art Mask.
• The panel warned Nara Kaikei that adding more Chakra or Natural Energy could destabilize the mask and that using its Sage Chakra risked bodily mutation and loss of control.

Nara Kaikei tested Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode with a Shadow Clone and discovered that it caused severe toad-like mutations. After promising not to use Shadow Clones for future training, he prepared to test the mode’s power while avoiding a dangerous return of Sage Chakra.

• Nara Kaikei created a blood-red Sage Art Mask and reasoned that its stabilized Sage Chakra could only be used by a sage.
• Nara Kaikei sent a Shadow Clone to absorb Natural Energy and enter Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode.
• The Shadow Clone developed a pale green, spotted face, a huge nose, sharp teeth, eye shadow, and horizontal pupils, then recoiled at its reflection.
• Nara Kaikei realized that the clone’s Sage Chakra could become dangerous if it returned to his body, so he apologized and promised to use Shadow Creatures for future sage training.
• The Shadow Clone demanded that Nara Kaikei test Sage Mode’s power with him while warning him not to let the clone turn him into a petrified toad.

After testing Sage Mode in a spar against his Sage Mode Shadow Clone, Nara Kaikei confirmed that Sage Chakra greatly strengthened his abilities and considered ways to extend Sage Mode. He realized his Chakra Crystal could continuously supply chakra for Sage Chakra fusion, offering a path to permanent Sage Mode.

• Nara Kaikei sparred with his Sage Mode Shadow Clone and confirmed that Sage Chakra could dramatically amplify his techniques and combat strength.
• Nara Kaikei concluded that Sage Art Masks could act as disposable reserves to replenish Sage Chakra and extend Sage Mode.
• Nara Kaikei considered using sealing techniques to create better Chakra batteries but decided to postpone that research.
• Nara Kaikei reasoned that his Chakra Crystal could absorb Natural Energy, convert it into chakra, and continuously supply him with Sage Chakra.
• Nara Kaikei concluded that drawing chakra from the Chakra Crystal at a sustainable rate could let him maintain permanent Sage Mode.

Nara Kaikei tested how Sage Chakra affected White Zetsu’s Wood Release and discovered that combining it with White Zetsu Cells could produce living trees that absorbed Natural Energy. The experiments left him suspecting Hashirama Senju’s Wood Release fused Water, Earth, and Yang Release, though he remained unsure whether Hashirama understood its nature.

• Nara Kaikei controlled White Zetsu and noted that its Chakra reserves were too limited for extensive experiments.
• Nara White Zetsu entered Sage Mode, fused Natural Energy with its Wood Release Chakra, and found that Mount Myōboku’s sage arts caused bodily mutations.
• Nara White Zetsu used Sage Chakra for Wood Release and found its techniques faster, less costly, and harder than before.
• At Nara Kaikei’s direction, Nara White Zetsu tested Wood Release with plant seeds and then with White Zetsu Cells as growth material.
• Nara White Zetsu created a living tree with Wood Release, and Nara Kaikei observed it slowly absorbing Natural Energy.
• Nara Kaikei and Nara White Zetsu speculated that Hashirama Senju’s Wood Release incorporated Yang Release and Natural Energy, while admitting they could not know whether Hashirama understood how it worked.

Nara Kaikei successfully synthesized Wood Release Chakra with a mask and created Mud Release by reversing the Water and Earth Chakra ratios. He considered new Kekkei Tōta experiments and began writing a Wood Release Chakra manufacturing scroll before planning to meet Tsunade.

• Nara Kaikei studied White Zetsu Cells and found that they, rather than ordinary Water-and-Earth Wood Release, gave Wood Release its special reactions with Natural Energy.
• Jiraiya left the Land of Hot Water with Hatake Kakashi and Nohara Rin after confirming that Kakashi and Isobu were stable together, and Konoha sent Kakashi to the Mist Village Battlefield.
• Nara Kaikei used Water Release, Earth Style, and a Blank Mask to successfully create a Wood Release Mask.
• Nara Kaikei reversed the Water and Earth Chakra ratios to create a Mud Style Mask, then tested it and found that it turned solid earth into mud.
• Nara Kaikei considered using Mud Release or Wood Release to support future Kekkei Tōta research after experiments with Kai Release and Flame Release proved unstable.
• Nara Kaikei began writing a Wood Release Chakra Manufacturing Method scroll and planned to meet Tsunade.

Nara Kaikei secretly returned from the Land of Hot Water and surprised Tsunade at the Nara Pharmaceutical Research Institute. He revealed that he had researched Wood Release, leaving Tsunade stunned after he demonstrated it.

• Nara Kaikei appeared in Tsunade's office using [Shadow Stealth Jutsu] and confirmed his identity with [Illusion Technique: Lacquer Eye].
• Nara Kaikei admitted he had snuck back from the front lines, and Tsunade angrily confronted him for leaving his command post.
• Nara Kaikei ended the illusion and returned to the underground laboratory with [Flying Thunder God: Shadow Stream Blade], leaving Tsunade to realize he had visited before.
• Tsunade stormed into the underground laboratory and demanded that Nara Kaikei explain himself while Pakura worried they might fight.
• Nara Kaikei demonstrated Wood Release by binding Tsunade with [Silent Killing Restraint Technique], then handed her a scroll and said he had researched Wood Release.

Nara Kaikei gave Tsunade his Wood Release Chakra Manufacturing Method and used Shadow Manipulation to teach her how to produce Wood Release. He explained that he planned to develop a stronger version incorporating Yang Release, and suggested she learn sealing techniques and Senjutsu as well.

• Tsunade was astonished that Nara Kaikei had already developed a Wood Release Chakra Manufacturing Method, and he offered to teach her through a crash course.
• Nara Kaikei explained that his current Wood Release fused Water and Earth, while Hashirama Senju's might also have incorporated Yang Release.
• Tsunade accepted Nara Kaikei's Yin Release Chakra, and he controlled her body to demonstrate Wood Release and teach her the Four Pillars House Technique and Wood Transformation.
• Nara Kaikei taught Tsunade about combining Wood Release with sealing techniques to perform powerful techniques, then demonstrated the Silent Killing Restraint Technique.
• Nara Kaikei urged Tsunade to learn real Senjutsu and described Jiraiya's Sage Mode, prompting Tsunade to think of Shikkotsu Forest and Katsuyu.

Nara Kaikei asked Tsunade about Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Art inheritance and the origins of Hashirama Senju’s Sage Arts. Tsunade confirmed that Katsuyu was a genuine sage and offered to take Kaikei to Shikkotsu Forest after the war, then asked whether he wanted to become its heir to the Summoning Contract.

• Tsunade said she could not summon the complete Katsuyu and still struggled to use Summoning Technique because of her hemophobia.
• Nara Kaikei explained that he considered several techniques pseudo Sage Arts and asked whether Tsunade had mastered [Raikō: Senju Satsu].
• Tsunade admitted that she had not mastered [Raikō: Senju Satsu], though she had learned [Sage Clan Guiding Technique], [Immortal Clan Breathing Technique], [Arhat Fist], and [Adamantine Fist].
• Nara Kaikei asked whether Shikkotsu Forest had a Sage Art inheritance, hoping to learn whether Hashirama Senju’s Sage Arts came from there.
• Tsunade confirmed that Shikkotsu Forest had a Sage Art inheritance and offered to take Nara Kaikei there after the war.
• Nara Kaikei offered to use Tsunade’s blood as a summoning medium, and Tsunade asked if he wanted to become Shikkotsu Forest’s heir to the Summoning Contract.

Tsunade offered Nara Kaikei the chance to inherit Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Arts through a contract with Katsuyu, and he accepted after their intimate exchange. After signing the contract scroll, Nara summoned Katsuyu, who appeared and asked whether he was her summoner.

• Tsunade offered Nara Kaikei Shikkotsu Forest’s Summoning Contract and explained that its Sage Mode could help his Wood Release.
• Nara Kaikei kissed Tsunade, but she refused his advances and insisted they return to business.
• Tsunade brought out Shikkotsu Forest’s contract scroll and told Nara to sign it and summon Katsuyu.
• Nara Kaikei left his blood imprint on the scroll and performed the Summoning Technique.
• Katsuyu appeared as a palm-sized blue-and-white slug and asked Nara whether he was her summoner.