Chapter Summaries

After helping Konoha drive Iwagakure from the Land of Grass, Shuichi rested and received Jiraiya’s novel as a reward. Elsewhere, Danzo’s Root clashed with Kumogakure’s AB Combo, and Danzo escaped at the cost of an arm.

• Namikaze Minato pursued the retreating Iwagakure forces and killed hundreds of ninja, prompting Iwagakure commanders to order their forces to flee if they encountered the Yellow Flash.
• Jiraiya reassured Shuichi that his decisions in the Land of Grass had saved many Konoha Ninja and gave him a copy of Tale of the Unyielding Ninja.
• A masked Root Member reported Kumogakure’s AB Combo to Danzo as both teams faced off at the border between the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Springs.
• A and Killer B attacked Root, while Danzo used Wind Release and considered withdrawing as the battle turned against him.
• A and Killer B struck Danzo with their combined attack, but a Root ninja took the blow; Danzo escaped after losing most of one arm.

Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to prepare Namikaze Minato for succession as Hokage, while Danzo resolved to seek power through Wood Release and the Nine-Tails. Minato later appointed Shuichi as a Jonin and offered to teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen praised Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique and told him to prepare for succession after Jiraiya recommended him.
• Danzo learned that his Root forces had suffered heavy losses against the AB Combo and decided to seek someone who could help him gain Wood Release and control of the Nine-Tails.
• Shuichi returned to training in Konoha and worked on developing new applications for Explosion Release.
• Minato gave Shuichi his Jonin appointment letter, making him Konoha's youngest Jonin.
• Minato told Shuichi that the Rasengan had been developed with Shuichi's compression idea and offered to teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Shuichi accepted Minato's offer and asked how Minato had overcome the technique's flaws through practice and improvements.

Minato explained Flying Thunder God Technique’s principles, combat risks, and limits to Shuichi, who quickly understood how its formulas and Chakra worked. Minato gave him formula-bearing talismans and a Trident Kunai, leaving Shuichi to decide whether the difficult technique suited his fighting style.

• Minato taught Shuichi how Flying Thunder God used perception, Fuinjutsu, and Chakra to open and traverse a spatial passage.
• Shuichi reasoned that the technique required three simultaneous actions and left the user temporarily unable to perform ninjutsu after transferring.
• Minato explained how he combined Flying Thunder God, taijutsu, and rapidly applied formulas, and why he designed his Trident Kunai for close combat.
• Minato described how formula durability and perception range depended on stored Chakra, while Shuichi inferred how living marks and Konoha’s Barrier enabled different forms of sensing and transfer.
• Minato gave Shuichi formula-bearing talismans and a Trident Kunai, and Shuichi considered whether to pursue Flying Thunder God or focus on other abilities.

Shuichi began learning the Flying Thunder God Technique from Minato, who soon left on an urgent mission. Later, Orochimaru revealed that he had accepted Danzo’s offer to join Root in exchange for access to forbidden jutsu and support for his Wood Release research.

• Minato gave Shuichi six prepared Flying Thunder God formula seals and explained how to use sensory techniques and repeated chakra flows to avoid danger during spatial jumps.
• Minato told Shuichi that he would leave the next day on an urgent mission and might be away from the village for some time.
• Several days later, Shuichi helped Orochimaru move equipment from his underground laboratory after Orochimaru received orders to return to Konoha.
• Shuichi and Orochimaru discussed Minato’s efforts to recruit Shuichi and Orochimaru’s understanding that the Third Hokage had chosen Minato as his successor.
• Orochimaru told Shuichi that Danzo had invited him to join Root and that he had accepted the offer.
• Orochimaru revealed that Danzo would let him study Konoha’s forbidden jutsu and support his research into Wood Release, including an attempt to create a replacement arm for Danzo.

Shuichi approved Orochimaru’s deal with Danzo and began testing the Flying Thunder God Technique after returning to the village. He discovered that greater Chakra output and multiple participants stabilized the spatial passage, though he planned to use the Second Hokage’s more Chakra-intensive method for now.

• Shuichi encouraged Orochimaru to accept Danzo’s offer of Wood Release research, Forbidden Jutsu, and Root-assigned missions.
• Shuichi resumed training after returning to the village, while Anko’s apprenticeship under Orochimaru was postponed until she graduated next year.
• Shuichi and a Shadow Clone successfully teleported using a marked kunai, then repeated the jump with increased Chakra output and landed more steadily.
• Shuichi deduced that Minato reduced the technique’s Chakra cost by making its spatial passage thinner, at the cost of greater instability.
• Shuichi tested the lower-cost method himself, nearly fell on landing, and found that adding participants improved stability by sharing the pressure.

Shuichi used his developing Flying Thunder God Technique to kill a rogue ninja and returned to Konoha, where Sarutobi Hiruzen briefed him on Kirigakure’s unusual activity and the village’s brutal, clan-dominated system. The chapter left Shuichi understanding why Kirigakure might be preparing for war, though the exact reason remained unknown.

• Shuichi reasoned that increasing his Chakra output could stabilize the Flying Thunder God’s spatial passage and make the technique safer to use.
• Shuichi teleported beside a fleeing rogue ninja and killed him with a close-range blow, then retrieved his marked kunai and returned to Konoha.
• At the Hokage’s Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen showed Shuichi intelligence reports that Kirigakure had reduced its missions and gathered within its village.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Shuichi that Momochi Zabuza had killed all his classmates and that Kirigakure might be preparing for war.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that Kirigakure’s clans controlled most advancement and leadership positions, while civilian ninja had to fight through the Ninja Academy for a chance to rise.

Shuichi analyzed how Kirigakure’s oppressive system and Zabuza’s actions could drive the village toward war, then joined coastal patrols as Konoha prepared for an attack. After his Mental Energy surged with his latest skill point, Shuichi rushed to assist Ishikawa Tatsuki and Kurenai’s team when distress signals appeared.

• Shuichi and the Third Hokage concluded that Zabuza’s actions had intensified Kirigakure’s internal conflict and could push it to launch an external war.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned young squads to patrol the eastern coast of the Land of Fire because Konoha lacked manpower.
• Shuichi patrolled with Aburame Shihei and Hyuga Akiha, warning them to stay alert as harbor traffic declined.
• Shuichi added a point to Spirit Boost, greatly increasing his Mental Energy, Chakra control, Chakra reserves, and sensory ability.
• Two distress signals appeared near Ishikawa Tatsuki and Kurenai’s team, and Shuichi raced to provide support while ordering his teammates to stay together and scout.

Might Duy sacrificed himself to protect Might Guy and his teammates, killing four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist before collapsing. Elsewhere, Ishikawa Tatsuki, Asuma, and Yūhi Kurenai fought Mist Anbu after firing a Signal flare, with reinforcements still needed.

• Might Duy arrived to shield Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and opened the Seventh Gate.
• Might Duy opened the Gate of Death and killed Jinin Akebino, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Munashi Jinpachi, and the Mist Jonin carrying Hiramekarei.
• Juzō Biwa, Fuguki, and Raiga Kurosuki fled after seeing their four companions die, while Might Duy collapsed and told Might Guy to live well.
• Ishikawa Tatsuki, Asuma, and Yūhi Kurenai held off four Mist Anbu after Asuma fired a Signal flare, and Tatsuki used Earth Return to deflect a Water Release attack.
• Yūhi Kurenai assigned herself the Anbu on the left, Asuma the one on the right, and told Tatsuki to support them.

Ishikawa Tatsuki, Asuma, and Kurenai fought a Mist squad until Raiga Kurosuki arrived and nearly overwhelmed them. Uchiha reinforcements appeared in time to block Raiga’s attack, leaving the battle poised to turn.

• Asuma’s fireball struck a Water Clone, while Kurenai’s genjutsu immobilized two Mist Ninja and Tatsuki’s attacks failed to hit the real targets.
• Tatsuki used burning Explosive Tags and a hidden Shadow Clone trap against the Mist Jonin, but the clone’s explosion struck the wrong enemies and only lightly injured the Jonin.
• Tatsuki threw a flashbang that blinded the Mist fighters and Kurenai, allowing Asuma to stab a Mist Chunin, though Asuma narrowly avoided being hit by the blast.
• Raiga Kurosuki arrived with more Kirigakure ninja and launched a Lightning Ball at Tatsuki and Kurenai.
• A Konoha Uchiha team arrived and countered Raiga’s attack with a Great Dragon Fire Technique.

Uchiha Fugaku’s reinforcements forced Raiga Kurosuki’s Kirigakure squad to retreat, but Shuichi pursued them alone, hoping to claim the Thunder Swords. He ambushed the retreating Mist Ninja in the Hidden Mist, killing two before the others realized what had happened.

• Uchiha Fugaku arrived with Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Tekka, and Raiga Kurosuki ordered the Kirigakure squad to retreat after sensing another powerful Konoha Ninja approaching.
• Shuichi arrived, learned from Fugaku that the enemy included one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and sent a Shadow Clone to apologize while his original body pursued them.
• Shuichi caught up with Raiga Kurosuki’s group and continued after them as they used the Hidden Mist Technique to conceal their movements.
• A Kirigakure Chunin and the Jonin who had fought Ishikawa Tatsuki attacked Shuichi in the mist, but he killed them both.
• The Kirigakure Sensory Ninja sensed the two allies’ Chakra disappearing and realized Shuichi had killed them.

Takeda Shuichi defeated Raiga Kurosuki and the Mist Ninja pursuing him, then claimed the Thunder Swords. He concealed Raiga’s death and planned to report that the swordsman had escaped.

• Shuichi used a Shadow Clone and Chidori Stream to ambush the Mist Ninja, then clashed with Raiga Kurosuki and tested his Thunder Swords.
• Shuichi overpowered Raiga’s lightning attack with a Wind Release-infused Rasengan and left him fatally wounded.
• Shuichi used the Thunder Swords to kill the remaining Mist Jonin and finished Raiga with a Wind Blade.
• Shuichi examined the Thunder Swords, sealed them away, buried the Mist ANBU, and sank Raiga’s corpse in the sea.
• Shuichi decided to report that Raiga had escaped and keep the Thunder Swords for himself.

Shuichi reported Might Duy’s sacrifice and his defeat of four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who promised fair treatment for Might Guy and explained the Eight Gates. Shuichi then left the Hokage’s Office to tell Might Guy the village’s decision.

• Shuichi and Uchiha Fugaku found Might Duy’s body and the swords of the fallen Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, while Might Guy defended his father’s honor.
• Shuichi promised Might Guy that he would report Duy’s sacrifice to the Hokage.
• Shuichi told Sarutobi Hiruzen how Duy had opened the Eighth Gate and killed four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that the Eight Gates offered a brief burst of power at the cost of severe strain, and said the village would honor Duy and support his son.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen planned to reserve a Jonin position for Might Guy once his strength was sufficient and to add Duy’s name to the Memorial Stone.
• Shuichi left the Hokage’s Office to inform Might Guy of the village’s decision.

Uchiha Madara chose Uchiha Obito as someone who could help destabilize the Shinobi World, while Shuichi trained techniques for an approaching war. After Konoha assigned him to patrol the Land of Whirlpools against Kirigakure, Shuichi asked Orochimaru about the land’s destruction and the absent Uzumaki clan.

• Uchiha Madara examined White Zetsu’s intelligence about Kirigakure’s losses and chose Uchiha Obito for his plans.
• Shuichi tested Water Severing Wave and judged it best suited for ambushes rather than direct combat.
• Shuichi trained Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and found that its strain on his meridians made it risky to use without a Shadow Clone.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen warned the Konoha jonin that other major nations were growing restless and assigned defensive and reconnaissance missions.
• Shuichi received a mission to patrol the Land of Whirlpools and stop Kirigakure infiltrators, then asked Orochimaru about the land’s destruction and the missing Uzumaki ninja.

Shuichi learned from Orochimaru why the Uzumaki Clan had fallen and led Konoha squads to scout the Land of Whirlpools for signs of Kirigakure's invasion. After capturing six Kirigakure ninja and gathering with the other teams, Shuichi realized that Yūya's Squad had failed to return and suspected something had happened along its route.

• Orochimaru told Shuichi that the Uzumaki Clan had repeatedly refused to join Konoha before its destruction, and Shuichi reflected on the clan's ties to Kushina and Minato's prospects of becoming Hokage.
• A few days later, Shuichi led five Konoha teams to scout the Land of Whirlpools, assigning his squad to lead the northern investigation with Hyuga Akiha's Byakugan.
• Shuichi, Akiha, and Aburame Shihei reached the ruins of the Uzumaki Clan's main city and spotted six Kirigakure ninja hiding among the buildings.
• Shuichi used explosive ink rats to attack the Kirigakure ninja, and his squad captured all six and learned they had been assigned to support powerful Jonin already inside the country.
• At the scheduled gathering, Shuichi heard that the other teams had found no unusual activity, but Yūya's Squad failed to return; he noticed their route had crossed two rivers and suspected that was significant.

Shuichi’s squad used the Byakugan to locate Kirigakure Jonin hiding underwater and lured them into an ambush. Shuichi struck down Noyaki with Lightning Cutter, while Hozuki Oborozuki remained in the fight.

• Shuichi ordered the squads to hide and searched the waterways, where Hyuga Akiha spotted three Kirigakure Jonin underwater.
• Shuichi sent Shadow Clones to bait the Mist Ninja, and two were caught in Water Prison Techniques as the enemy attacked.
• Shuichi’s team moved closer while Akiha tracked the Jonin; a white-haired Mist Ninja named Hozuki Oborozuki exposed the deception and joined the battle.
• Aburame Shihei attacked with insects, but Hozuki Oborozuki’s Water Release and Great Waterfall Fist Technique overcame Shuichi’s Shadow Clone.
• Shuichi burst from underground and attacked Noyaki with Chidori, changed it into Lightning Cutter, and pierced Noyaki’s chest.

Shuichi killed the remaining Mist Jonin by tracking the underwater fugitive and forcing him to the surface, then returned with Hyuga Akiha. Meanwhile, Rasa secured the Wind Daimyo’s support for Sunagakure to invade the Land of Rivers, despite Tosha’s doubts.

• Shuichi dodged Hozuki Oborozuki’s Water Bullet, paralyzed him with Lightning Release, and killed him with his short sword.
• Shuichi followed Akiha’s Ink Bird to the river outlet, where he used the Great Waterfall Technique to force the last Mist Jonin out of the water and killed him with Water Wave.
• Shuichi and Akiha headed back, concluding that Yūya’s Squad had probably been wiped out after encountering the Mist Jonin.
• Rasa persuaded the Wind Daimyo to provide financial support for Sunagakure to occupy the Land of Rivers.
• Tosha questioned Rasa about pursuing revenge, but Rasa said the decision had been made and ordered preparations.

Shuichi and the Konoha teams completed their reconnaissance of the Land of Whirlpools and learned how Kirigakure could use ocean currents to move troops and supplies. The Jonin appointed Shuichi frontline commander, and he organized a defense while a ninja carried their report back to the village.

• Shuichi and Akiha returned with the bodies of three Mist Jonin, and Shuichi sent them to the Corpse Disposal Unit for study.
• Shuichi and the other Jonin gathered on the coast, reported their encounters and losses, and marked enemy activity on a strategic map.
• Shuichi explained how Kirigakure could exploit ocean currents and ships to supply troops and attack the Land of Whirlpools from multiple directions.
• Uchiha Fugaku and the other Jonin agreed that Shuichi should arrange the defense until new orders arrived.
• Shuichi became the temporary frontline commander, organized a defensive line, and sent a ninja to report their findings and decision to the village.

Shuichi organized Konoha’s sea patrols as tensions rose across several fronts, then intercepted a Kirigakure force attacking the Land of Whirlpools. He killed Kurozuka and the other Kaguya Clan attackers, while the rest of the Mist Ninja moved to engage another Konoha patrol.

• Shuichi received word that Konoha approved his defensive arrangements and learned that Sunagakure was advancing aggressively toward the Land of Fire.
• Terumi Sora’s ship approached the Land of Whirlpools, where Hyōji sensed Konoha patrols despite Kurozuka’s dismissal of the danger.
• Kurozuka and two Kaguya Clan members attacked and killed three Konoha Ninja, while the surviving patrol sent a signal for help.
• Terumi Sora ordered the Mist Ninja to use the Hidden Mist Technique and attack the remaining Konoha team as reinforcements rushed from the coast.
• Shuichi confronted Kurozuka and two other Kaguya Ninja, pierced Kurozuka’s heart with Lightning Cutter, and killed all three with Water Severing Wave.

Takeda Shuichi arrived to reinforce Sarutobi Keito’s team, drove off the Kirigakure assault, and revealed that he had already defeated the Kaguya trio. As the Mist Ninjas began retreating toward their ships, Shuichi attacked them with a Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

• Sarutobi Keito’s team endured Ice Release, Lava Release, and underwater attacks, losing Ishii and suffering serious injuries.
• Shuichi dispelled the Hidden Mist Technique with Wind Release, allowing the Konoha and Kirigakure forces to see one another.
• A Mist Ninja grabbed Shuichi’s foot underwater, but his Water Clone tricked the attacker, and Shuichi killed him with his short sword.
• Shuichi told Terumi Sora’s force that he had defeated the Kaguya trio, while Hyōji warned that another Konoha team was approaching.
• Terumi Sora ordered the Kirigakure Ninjas to retreat, and Shuichi launched a Water Dragon Bullet Technique at them.

Shuichi led Konoha to a major victory over Kirigakure’s forces at the sea defense line, though he spent most of his Chakra and Kirigakure’s Terumi Sora escaped badly wounded. After Konoha withdrew and reorganized its defenses in the Land of Whirlpools, Anbu unexpectedly arrived at the front line.

• Shuichi used the Flying Thunder God Technique to ambush and kill Hyōji while Konoha’s teams attacked the disorganized Kirigakure forces.
• Shuichi pursued Terumi Sora, killed the Mist Ninja who tried to stop him, and used Wind Release: Vacuum Wave to defeat several more enemies while Terumi Sora escaped with an arm severed.
• Shuichi returned to find Konoha victorious, with four dead and three wounded, and ordered his troops to recover their fallen comrades and notify Senior Taichi to withdraw.
• Konoha retreated to the central Land of Whirlpools and established new defensive lines, while Kirigakure sent no further forces.
• After Shuichi recovered, Anbu unexpectedly arrived at the Land of Whirlpools front line.