Chapter Summaries

Yuexi defeated Hoi in the arena by using an ice technique to trap her after Hoi shattered her ice wall with a powerful punch. As the exam battles continued, Kasumi and Qing Yan faced off in a tense contest of underground ambushes and vigilance.

• Hoi attacked Yuexi at close range with powerful kicks, then smashed through Yuexi’s ice wall with a punch.
• Yuexi revealed that her body had been an ice clone, emerged from the shattered wall, and froze Hoi with the Crystal Burial Technique.
• Hoi was declared unable to fight and taken away for treatment, while Yuexi comforted her over the loss.
• Kasumi and Qing Yan began their match, with Kasumi hiding underground and Qing Yan closing his eyes to sense the earth and anticipate an attack.

Ming Jing outmaneuvered Kisaragi Saemon’s plan by using Shibuki no Jutsu to help Qing Yan catch Kasumi instead of Yuexi. After Qing Yan defeated Kasumi, Kisaragi Saemon conceded and revealed his disguise, and Ming Jing asked him to join his cause.

• Ming Jing widened the distance from Kisaragi Saemon, who used Wind Style: Gustatory Technique, but Ming Jing evaded it and cast Shibuki no Jutsu.
• Ming Jing and Kisaragi Saemon exchanged flashy taijutsu blows while Yuexi watched from the edge of the field.
• Kasumi ambushed Yuexi, but discovered he had grabbed Qing Yan instead.
• Qing Yan overpowered Kasumi and pinned him to the ground, forcing Kisaragi Saemon to concede.
• Kisaragi Saemon removed his disguise, and Ming Jing asked him to become his strength.

After winning their Chunin Exam match, Ming Jing arranged to meet Kisaragi Saemon’s team and then secretly discussed plans to take two Uchiha children out of Konoha. He and his companions needed a way through Konoha’s Defense Barrier, and Ming Jing thought of two people who might know its runes.

• Kisaragi Saemon surrendered, and Shiranui Genma declared Ming Jing’s team the winners.
• Ming Jing praised Hoi, Kisaragi Saemon, and Kasumi, then invited them to meet the next day at Zhonghua Cuisine Restaurant, which he revealed his family owned.
• Ming Jing drew Barrier Runes in a private room at the restaurant, sealing it off from the outside world.
• Ming Jing told Yuexi and Qing Yan that he planned to take two Uchiha children out of Konoha at Shisui’s request.
• Yuexi said Lord Hokage was probably the only person familiar with Konoha’s Defense Barrier runes, and Ming Jing said he had thought of two others who might know them.

Ming Jing and Yuexi went to the Uchiha Clan district to visit Izumi, where they learned she lived with her mother in a remote, modest home. Izumi was away on a solo mission, so they stayed with her mother and heard that Itachi had brought her snacks for his younger brother.

• Ming Jing asked Qing Yan to return to the arena and protect Yakumo and Hinata, then took Yuexi to the Uchiha Clan district.
• Three Uchiha boys blocked Ming Jing and Yuexi, and Ming Jing knocked the tall boy unconscious before frightening the other two into stillness.
• Ming Jing and Yuexi found Izumi's remote home and were invited inside by Izumi's mother, who said Izumi was away on a solo mission.
• Izumi's mother mistook Ming Jing and Yuexi for Izumi's teammates, and they learned Izumi rarely spoke to her about work and often returned home exhausted.
• Izumi's mother served them tea snacks and said Itachi had packed some for his younger brother, Sasuke.

Ming Jing visited Izumi and learned about her family and her bond with Itachi before asking her to lead him to the Uchiha shrine. There, Izumi told him the legend of the Torii, while Ming Jing resolved to preserve Izumi as one of Itachi’s remaining ties to the world.

• Ming Jing asked Izumi to help him find Itachi, and she said Itachi had been visiting the Uchiha Clan shrine to mourn Shisui.
• Izumi led Ming Jing and Yuexi through the Uchiha territory and told them her father had died in the Nine-Tails attack and that Itachi quietly protected her and her mother.
• Ming Jing considered Izumi’s fate and decided that saving her could give Itachi a bond he could not abandon.
• At the shrine, Izumi recounted her father’s legend of how the Torii was built to draw Goddess Amaterasu out of her cave.

Ming Jing asked Itachi for the village Defense Barrier’s runes so he could take Shisui’s entrusted spark to the Royal Capital. Itachi shared the barrier’s wording and helped settle compensation for the three Uchiha clan members Ming Jing had injured, and the group left the temple amid Izumi and Yuexi’s teasing.

• Ming Jing and Yuexi met Itachi at the temple, where Itachi confronted Ming Jing about injuring three Uchiha clan members.
• Ming Jing asked Itachi to speak with him alone, and the two went into the woods while Izumi and Yuexi speculated about their relationship.
• At a lake, Ming Jing explained that he wanted the Defense Barrier runes so he could take Shisui’s spark to the Royal Capital.
• Itachi gave Ming Jing the barrier’s wording, and Ming Jing recognized it as the Earth Extension Barrier.
• Itachi persuaded Ming Jing to pay for the injured Uchiha members’ medical expenses, and Ming Jing agreed to a limit of one hundred thousand per person.
• Back at the temple, Ming Jing scolded Izumi and Yuexi for their suggestive assumptions, leaving Itachi confused.

Ming Jing took Hinata on a date, tied a lucky red rope around her ankle, and shared ramen and a musical fountain performance with her. As they walked together, he was grateful to have met her but resolved to wait because Hinata was still too young.

• Ming Jing reunited with the children and led Hinata away, telling Yuexi that they were going on a date.
• Ming Jing bought Hinata a red lucky rope and tied it around her ankle, explaining that it symbolized fated lovers.
• Ming Jing and Hinata ate Charcoal Grilled Beef Ramen at Ichiraku, where the owner teased them about being in sync.
• Ming Jing walked with Hinata along Konoha's moat and created a musical fountain with Wind Release while singing to her.
• Ming Jing reflected on his transmigration and his feelings for Hinata, then decided to raise her properly and wait because she was too young.

Ming Jing brought an exhausted Hinata home and spent the morning playfully teasing her, while Yakumo and Yuexi interrupted them. As he prepared to leave to meet Zouemon and the others, Ming Jing worried about leaving Hinata alone with Yuexi.

• Ming Jing carried the sleeping Hinata to the Kurama Clan compound and put her to bed.
• Hinata woke beside Ming Jing, and he teased her until Yakumo entered and Hinata fainted from embarrassment.
• Ming Jing fanned Hinata while keeping Yakumo at a distance, then slipped away when Hinata woke.
• Yuexi brought Ming Jing water and delayed leaving while she oversaw the household cleaning.
• Ming Jing urged Yuexi to come with him to meet Zouemon and the others because he feared leaving her alone with Hinata.

Kisaragi Saemon, Hoi, and Kasumi arrived early at Zhonghua Cuisine Restaurant, where Kuroko Reiko welcomed them and showed them its elegant inner garden. They reached Lanting and admired its calligraphy before Ming Jing appeared to greet them.

• Kisaragi Saemon, Hoi, and Kasumi found Zhonghua Cuisine Restaurant temporarily closed and waited outside for their host.
• Kuroko Reiko greeted the three guests and explained that the restaurant had closed for the day to receive them.
• Kuroko Reiko led them through the inner garden, where Hoi admired the scenery and Kisaragi Saemon praised the lavish grounds.
• Kuroko Reiko brought them to Lanting, and Kisaragi Saemon recognized the calligraphy on its stone stele as Fujiwara no Sadanobu's work.
• A refined young gentleman arrived, explained the Three Brushes and Three Traces, and Kuroko Reiko greeted him as her Young Master.

Ming Jing hosted Kisaragi Saemon and the others to an extravagant meal at Lanting, impressing them with fine pottery, rare sake, and a stream-carried feast. The guests began sampling the dishes, while Hoi declined the sake after Yuexi spoke to her.

• Ming Jing greeted Kisaragi Saemon with relief and led him and the others into Lanting for lunch.
• Ming Jing and Kisaragi Saemon discussed calligraphy and Hon'ami Kōetsu while they waited for Yuexi and Qing Yan.
• Yuexi brought exquisite Kiyomizu-yaki tableware, and Qing Yan set down a jar of premium Born sake, astonishing Kisaragi Saemon.
• Ming Jing told Kuroko Reiko to serve the food, and eighteen dishes floated to the guests along a stream.
• Hoi enjoyed the food and gave up asking for sake after Yuexi spoke to her, while Kisaragi Saemon asked for a cup.

Ming Jing recruited Kisaragi Saemon into his service and assigned him to infiltrate the Land of Rivers disguised as its daimyo. Kisaragi agreed after Ming Jing promised to protect Hoi while he was away.

• After Yuexi took Hoi and Kasumi away, Ming Jing asked Kisaragi Saemon to join the Prime Minister's Residence as a spy.
• When Kisaragi asked what would happen if he refused, four figures appeared with kunai aimed at him, and he quickly pledged loyalty to Ming Jing.
• Ming Jing accepted Kisaragi's loyalty and sealed the pavilion with eight rune-inscribed wooden plaques before revealing the mission.
• Ming Jing ordered Kisaragi to impersonate the daimyo of the Land of Rivers, with companions assisting him and Ming Jing handling Nadeshiko Ninja Village.
• Kisaragi worried about leaving Hoi behind, and Ming Jing promised to protect her and offered to introduce her to his fiancée.

Ming Jing, Yuexi, and Qing Yan received their Konoha Chunin promotions and celebrated with Asuma. As Kisaragi Saemon left Konoha, he studied intelligence for Ming Jing’s plan to impersonate the Land of Rivers’ Daimyo.

• Ming Jing, Yuexi, and Qing Yan entered the conference room, where Mori Ibiki challenged their success and Yuexi calmly answered him.
• Mitokado Homura announced that the Third Hokage had approved their promotions and handed them Chunin vests and forehead protectors.
• Ming Jing asked how to replace damaged gear, then invited Asuma to celebrate and suggested he bring Kurenai Yuhi.
• Kisaragi Saemon, Hoi, and their companion departed Konoha, and Hoi wondered whether she would meet Ming Jing and Yuexi again.
• Kisaragi Saemon studied intelligence on the Land of Rivers and its Daimyo so he could eventually impersonate the Daimyo without being detected.

Asuma joined Ming Jing’s caravan as it departed Konoha for the Royal Capital, where Ming Jing faced a search by the Uchiha Police Force. The search found nothing, and Uchiha Shiraishi let the caravan leave while suspecting the Kurama Clan might be involved in the disappearance of two Uchiha members.

• Asuma told the Third Hokage that he and Ming Jing would leave for the Royal Capital the next day, and the Hokage gave him permission and ordered him to protect Ming Jing.
• Yuexi prepared five carriages of documents, goods, and belongings, and Ming Jing departed Konoha while working on government matters.
• Uchiha Shiraishi stopped Ming Jing’s caravan to search for two missing Uchiha clan members.
• Ming Jing allowed the Uchiha Police Force to search his carriage, but the search found nothing.
• Uchiha Shiraishi ruled out Akira Kurama as a suspect and ordered his men to report back and recommend increased surveillance of the Kurama Clan.

Taichi Odagiri brought Ming Jing news that Mount Iwate blocked the planned railway, forcing Ming Jing and his companions to inspect the site. Ming Jing rejected the idea of letting the mountain stop the project and declared that he would pierce through it himself.

• Taichi Odagiri arrived exhausted and explained that Sakai and Yamamoto had found Mount Iwate in the railway's path.
• Ming Jing reviewed the experts' proposals and budget with Yuexi, then chose to visit the mountain and inspect it in person.
• Ming Jing's group traveled for five days to Mount Iwate, where Sakai and Yamamoto apologized for failing to resolve the obstacle.
• Ming Jing reassured the experts, then declared that he would use his own strength to make a path through the mountain.
• Yuexi wondered if Ming Jing could split the mountain with ninjutsu, while Asuma doubted he could match the combined power of the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha.

Ming Jing visited Shin Abe in the Land of Artisans and commissioned three enormous drill bits. He then traveled to the Land of Rain, where he met Pain and warned him not to harm civilians, while Nagato and Konan discussed recruiting a partner for Kakuzu.

• Shin Abe recognized Ming Jing, who asked him to make three large drill bits within a month.
• Ming Jing left the Land of Artisans and visited a mountain in the Land of Rain to remember a friend.
• Pain confronted Ming Jing and asked why he had come, and Ming Jing said he was passing through and urged Pain not to hurt civilians.
• Nagato asked Konan whether she would meet Ming Jing, but she declined and said they needed to find companions and save money.
• Konan reported that Retsu, an A-rank rogue ninja from Kumogakure, could be approached, and Nagato suggested Kakuzu contact him himself.

Ming Jing inspected the canal office in Muchuan County and secretly observed life among its residents while preparing to work there for a month. Meanwhile, Kakuzu met the reckless Kumogakure rogue Retsu, whose first encounter with Akatsuki’s new partner turned hostile.

• Ming Jing visited the Imperial Grass River office and praised Muzhi Hexia’s work before saying he would spend the next month working in Muchuan County.
• Ming Jing disguised himself as a peddler and explored the city and countryside to learn about residents’ lives.
• Ming Jing clarified to Muzhi Hexia that he would not stay at the office and told him to continue his usual work.
• Black Zetsu introduced Retsu, a Kumogakure rogue ninja, as Kakuzu’s prospective partner and said he had to earn Kakuzu’s approval to join Akatsuki.
• Retsu mocked Kakuzu and challenged him, so Black Zetsu withdrew and told them to try fighting.

Ming Jing met old Asakura in the fields of Muchuan County and learned about the farmer’s pride in his rice. Yuexi arrived at the Canal Magistrate’s Office, publicly disciplined Muzhi Hexia to establish her authority, and learned that Ming Jing’s whereabouts were unknown.

• Old Asakura remembered how Ming Jing’s canal project had saved his family and given them three mu of farmland.
• Ming Jing spoke with Asakura in his fields, tasted a grain of rice, and asked how the farmer grew such a good crop.
• Yuexi landed in the Canal Magistrate’s Office courtyard, where Muzhi Hexia recognized her as the chief official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Yuexi asked where Ming Jing was, then confined Muzhi Hexia to his quarters for not knowing his superior’s whereabouts.
• After the guards left, Muzhi Hexia told Yuexi that her stern treatment would establish her authority and help draw fire away from Ming Jing.

Ming Jing and Yuexi uncovered a scheme to mix inferior rice into grain sold to the Land of Grass, prompting Ming Jing to summon Konoha Anbu and Masamune Yagyu. As the reinforcements set out, Kazuma Yagyu learned that Kiki was pregnant.

• At Xiantai Residence, the unnamed owner told Inuyama to gather intelligence and contact Akatsuki after Tsukishiro Yuexi confined Muzhi Hexia.
• Yuexi showed Ming Jing evidence that someone had profited from mixing rice and selling it as new rice, including to the Land of Grass Daimyo's Mansion.
• Ming Jing ordered Yuexi to assign Konoha a mission, requesting Kakashi and Mr. Yagyu to come to Muchuan County.
• The Third Hokage summoned Kakashi and tasked him with leading his squad to Muchuan County.
• Masamune Yagyu departed with O-Tenta Mitsuyo and his subordinates, telling Kazuma to stay home and care for Kiki.
• A disciple told Kazuma that Kiki was pregnant, and Kazuma rushed into the house.

Meiji hired Kakuzu to protect him as he fled to the Land of Lightning, fearing Akira Kurama’s attention. In Muchuan, Ming Jing dismissed Yamashita Hokai and ordered surveillance of Komuro Mountain after Hokai revealed a lead on the people behind the illicit dealings.

• Meiji negotiated with Kakuzu and agreed to pay twelve million for protection within three days as he left the Land of Fire.
• Kakuzu ended the call, then cut the head from Retsu’s corpse to collect the bounty.
• Ming Jing told Yamashita Hokai that he was unfit for his position and dismissed him.
• Yamashita Hokai admitted that Inuyama had contacted him and revealed that Inuyama lived atop Komuro Mountain.
• Yuexi proposed sending Muchuan County Police Department Patrol Officers to monitor Komuro Mountain, and Ming Jing approved.
• Yamashita Hokai accused Muzhi Hexia of informing the Prime Minister, and Muzhi Hexia admitted he had spoken up before returning to confinement.

Ming Jing assigned Kakashi and Yagyu Masamune to secure Muchuan County and investigate Xiantai Residence. While Kakuzu set out to find Meiji, Inuyama prepared to make sacrifices to ensure his master's escape to the Land of Lightning.

• A man in a black cloak with red clouds climbed Komuro Mountain toward its summit.
• Kakashi and Yagyu Masamune arrived in Muchuan County, and Ming Jing formally introduced them before assigning their missions.
• Ming Jing sent Kakashi's squad to monitor Xiantai Residence and capture anyone who tried to flee, while Yagyu's men were ordered to maintain order and hunt spies in the city.
• After Kakashi and Yagyu left, Yuexi comforted Ming Jing with a kiss, and he joked that he was ready to face Madara Uchiha.
• Kakuzu arrived at Xiantai Residence, learned that Meiji had already departed, and headed for the location on Inuyama's note.
• Inuyama trusted Kakuzu to protect his master and resolved to prepare everyone in Muchuan County to make sacrifices for Meiji's escape.