Chapter Summaries

Shuichi sought Tsunade’s Yin Seal for Kurenai, but learned its limits and accepted her conditions in exchange for instruction. After Tsunade gave him her White Zetsu research, Shuichi ran into Jiraiya, who confronted him about his popular adult novel.

• Shuichi introduced Karin to Tsunade and asked her to teach Kurenai the Yin Seal, offering to meet any reasonable condition.
• Tsunade demanded that Shuichi repay more than thirty million ryo in gambling debts and asked to take Karin as her pupil; Shuichi agreed to both conditions.
• Tsunade explained that the Yin Seal stored Yang Release Chakra for medical and support techniques, and Shuichi realized he could not use it as a general combat reserve.
• Tsunade privately taught Kurenai something and gave Shuichi a scroll of her White Zetsu cell research before they left the tavern.
• Jiraiya stopped Shuichi in the street and accused him of gathering inspiration for his adult novel, so Shuichi defended himself and handed Jiraiya a booklet as an apology.

Shuichi stabilized Anko after Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal activated and began researching how its soul and Sage Chakra worked. Months later, Itachi awakened his Sharingan while playing a fighting game with Shuichi.

• Shuichi settled his publishing dispute with Jiraiya by sharing a picture book, a portion of distribution fees, and news that Tsunade was at a nearby tavern.
• An Anbu told Shuichi that Anko’s squad had collapsed and that Anko was showing abnormalities, so Shuichi left Kurenai behind and went to the Anbu Base.
• Shuichi identified Anko’s condition as the result of Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal, suppressed its chakra with his Exclusive Seal, and promised the Third Hokage that she would be safe.
• Shuichi probed the seal and sensed Orochimaru’s Sage Chakra in a semi-dormant state, then began researching souls and ways to use a secondary soul to overcome Sage Mode’s limitations.
• In the spring, Shuichi played Konoha Fighter 56 with Itachi and Haku, and Itachi awakened a one-tomoe Sharingan while studying Shuichi’s button inputs.

Shuichi tested Itachi’s newly awakened Sharingan and injected him with a serum made from First Hokage cells before rushing to rescue Konoha Anbu in the Land of Forests. The Anbu squad was cornered at a cliff, but an Ice Release wall appeared to block their pursuers’ attacks.

• Shuichi sparred with Itachi to test his Sharingan, then injected him with the First Hokage Cell Transplant Serum.
• Itachi told Fugaku that he had awakened his Sharingan during extreme training with Shuichi, while Fugaku considered whether the same kind of crisis could awaken Sasuke’s eyes.
• The Third Hokage sent Shuichi and two Anbu teams to support Konoha personnel besieged in the Land of Forests.
• After Elephant explained that Homura was among the endangered Anbu, Shuichi sped ahead alone toward the rescue site.
• Sae and another injured Anbu fled with their wounded comrades but were trapped at a cliff by pursuing enemies.
• An Ice Release wall suddenly appeared between the Konoha squad and the enemies, deflecting their attacks.

Shuichi arrived to rescue Sae and the Konoha Anbu, defeating the enemy force before treating the gravely wounded Homura. He sent Homura back to Konoha for emergency care, leaving his survival to the Medical Ninja.

• Shuichi used Ice Release to attack the incoming ninja and protect Sae and the Konoha Anbu.
• Shuichi's Ice Clone wounded an enemy leader, who detonated an Explosive Tag; Shuichi used Flying Thunder God to move himself and two Anbu to safety.
• After Sae reported that Homura was seriously injured, Shuichi killed the remaining enemies with Vacuum Wave.
• Shuichi found Homura near death and placed him in an ice container filled with life-sustaining chakra.
• Shuichi summoned Kotaro to report back, and Anko brought Homura to Konoha Hospital, where the Medical Ninja began treating him.

Shuichi investigated the Land of Forests and uncovered Sunagakure’s infiltration and its role in attacks on Konoha. After ordering Konoha’s forces to eliminate every ninja in the city, he set out to personally target the Hannya Clan.

• Yamanaka Sae told Shuichi that the Forest Ninja Village had rebelled and that evidence pointed to Sunagakure’s involvement.
• Shuichi infiltrated the city, tested his Ice Release: Ice Bullet Barrage, and found the treasury empty.
• Over two days, Shuichi secretly eliminated guards and elite ninja while monitoring the city’s entrances.
• Shuichi briefed the arriving Konoha forces on Sunagakure’s long-running infiltration and the Land of Forests’ secret trade with Sunagakure.
• Shuichi ordered the Konoha forces to attack the city and eliminate every ninja there, then prepared to target the Hannya Clan himself.

Shuichi reported on the Land of Forests mission, learned that Homura had survived but was gravely injured, and warned Shisui about the dangers of joining the Anbu. Shisui remained determined to serve, and Shuichi agreed to watch over him.

• Shuichi captured the fleeing Hannya Clan Anbu and helped Konoha secure the Land of Forests.
• Shuichi briefed the Third Hokage on Sunagakure’s deployment and learned from Yamanaka Sa that Homura would likely live only a few more years as an invalid.
• Shuichi planned to celebrate Haku’s upcoming Ninja Academy graduation.
• Shuichi told Shisui he opposed his joining the Anbu and warned him that its dark missions could affect the Sharingan and lead him toward darkness.
• Shisui insisted that the Uchiha needed someone serving in the Anbu, and Shuichi agreed to watch over him.

At the Land of Whirlpools, the Masked Man ambushed Shisui’s Konoha squad and killed Okimi while capturing Uchiha Makoto. Shisui awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan to protect Hana, wounded the Masked Man and drove him away, then killed the remaining Mist Anbu in a rage.

• The Masked Man learned that Shisui’s squad was approaching and decided to ambush them.
• Shisui’s squad repelled the Mist Anbu’s opening attack, and Hana used Wood Release to bind two enemies.
• The Masked Man appeared behind Hana, killed Okimi, and used his space-time ability to capture Uchiha Makoto.
• Shisui and Uchiha Inabi recognized the Masked Man’s space-time Ninjutsu, but he moved to attack Hana before Shisui could reach her.
• Shisui awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and formed green Chakra armor around Hana, then pierced the Masked Man’s abdomen with a Spiral Thorn.
• The Masked Man escaped into his space, and Shisui killed the remaining Mist Anbu while Uchiha Inabi recognized his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Shisui’s team aborted its mission after confronting the Masked Man, who escaped and learned that Konoha knew about him. Meanwhile, Shuichi tested his new Wood Release techniques and prepared to continue practicing Sage Mode.

• Shisui ordered his team to return to Konoha, and Uchiha Inabi’s group collected the enemy corpses for examination.
• The Masked Man healed his wounds, interrogated Uchiha Makoto, and learned that the Fourth Hokage had left information about him.
• The Masked Man abandoned his plan to visit the Uchiha’s Naka Shrine and warned White Zetsu to be more careful gathering intelligence.
• Shuichi tested Wood Release techniques, including Forest Creation, Wood Golem, Wood Clone, and several practical techniques.
• Shuichi reflected on his growing Chakra reserves and used his new Cursed Seal to prepare for further Sage Mode practice.

After Shisui awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan during an attack by the Masked Man, Shuichi discussed the enemy with Konoha’s leaders and went to comfort Shisui at the Memorial Stone. The chapter ended with Shisui resolving to address the Uchiha rumors and protect his teammates.

• Kotaro interrupted Shuichi’s training to report that Shisui’s team had been attacked and Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Shuichi and Konoha’s leaders discussed the Masked Man’s activity, suspected his involvement in Kirigakure’s civil war, and planned cautious measures against him.
• Shuichi visited the Memorial Stone, where Shisui mourned his fallen teammates Hana and Okimi.
• Shisui told Shuichi that his left Mangekyō ability was Kotoamatsukami, and Shuichi warned him to keep the ability secret and be careful with Susanoo.
• Shuichi warned Shisui about rumors spreading among the Uchiha, and Shisui resolved to apologize to the fallen teammates’ families, curb the rumors, and protect his team.

Shuichi explained the limits and risks of Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami, then encouraged Itachi and Kakashi to face the burdens tied to their Sharingan. The chapter left Kakashi preparing to teach new students, with Shuichi sending him away with three supposedly romantic novels.

• Shuichi explained how Kotoamatsukami could guide or overwrite a target’s will and warned Shisui that Mangekyō Sharingan use led toward blindness.
• Shisui visited injured ninja families, helped settle village disputes, and improved the Uchiha clan’s standing among Konoha’s villagers.
• Itachi asked Shuichi to teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Shuichi urged him to accept his power without becoming fixated on awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Shuichi met Kakashi and other newly promoted Jonin at the Three-Color Dumpling Shop, where Kakashi said few of the upcoming graduates stood out.
• Kakashi revealed that his Sharingan had awakened the ability Kamui, and Shuichi explained that the First Hokage Cells had not caused it before encouraging Kakashi to honor Obito and Rin by protecting his students.
• Shuichi gave Kakashi three novels advertised as romance, and Kakashi discovered their suggestive contents and complained that Shuichi had misled him.

Shuichi led a Konoha team to investigate a valuable Molten Water resource near the Land of Water. He arrived at the deserted island to find Kumogakure and Kirigakure already facing off, and greeted both sides.

• Third Lord assigned Shuichi a mission to survey a Molten Water site near Kirigakure while avoiding unnecessary conflict.
• Shuichi learned how Molten Water could power ninja technology, received surveying equipment, and met his teammates Yamanaka Inoichi, Tenbara, and Mariko.
• After traveling by ship, Shuichi's squad left the vessel and approached the deserted island on foot across the sea.
• Tenbara sensed a large group of ninja near the island, and Shuichi's squad found Darui and Kumogakure facing Ao, Mei Terumi, and Kirigakure forces.
• Shuichi greeted the two groups with a joke about them taking a group tour.

Mei Terumi and the Cloud squad tried to drive Takeda Shuichi’s Konoha team away from a disputed island, but Shuichi used Sage Mode to withstand their combined attacks. The chapter ended with an Ice Release barrier protecting his group from Mei’s corrosive Lava Release.

• Mei Terumi recognized Shuichi as Purple Aurora, and Ao warned her about his record of defeating Mist forces.
• Mei claimed the island belonged to the Land of Water while Ao secretly offered the Cloud joint access to its Molten Water resources.
• Darui chose to feign cooperation with Kirigakure and wait for a chance to gather intelligence, while remaining ready to retreat from Shuichi.
• Shuichi argued that he was inspecting the island for a prospective buyer, and Mei ordered her forces to attack under the pretext of clearing the sea.
• Shuichi entered Sage Mode and countered the Mist and Cloud squads’ waves with a Water Formation Wall.
• Mei struck with Lava Release, but Shuichi shielded his team with an Ice Crystal Wall as Ao confirmed they remained in place.

Shuichi repelled the Mist and Cloud forces with overwhelming but carefully restrained techniques, prompting Darui to withdraw and Mei Terumi to seek diplomacy. He and Mei began negotiating cooperation between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, including resource sales and a request to study Konoha’s Ninja Academy.

• Shuichi used an Ice Wall and a massive waterfall technique to stop the Mist and Cloud forces, then battered them with a gale.
• Shuichi and his Shadow Clones surrounded the enemy with Flying Thunder God and pierced many ninja with ice needles, while Darui recognized the warning and withdrew the Cloud forces.
• Mei Terumi and Ao offered to negotiate over Molten Water, and Shuichi demonstrated his restraint by claiming the attack had only been a shot at a seagull.
• Mei proposed diplomatic relations and offered to sell Molten Water to the Land of Fire at sixty percent of market price, while Shuichi agreed to pass the offer to the Hokage.
• Mei asked Konoha to let Kirigakure inspect the Ninja Academy and learn about its training system, and Shuichi invited her to stay while he sought approval.

Shuichi demonstrated his newly trained Fire Release before Mei Terumi, and Konoha and Kirigakure signed an alliance agreement. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Kabuto discussed the Edo Tensei and Akatsuki, then began planning a way to contact the organization.

• Shuichi used powerful Fire Release techniques during his morning training, impressing Mei Terumi.
• Shuichi received Konoha’s approval of Kirigakure’s terms, and representatives of both villages signed an agreement.
• Mei Terumi chose not to tell Shuichi that an unknown party had controlled the Fourth Mizukage.
• Orochimaru returned the Edo Tensei bodies of the First and Second Hokage to their coffins and discussed their power with Kabuto.
• Kabuto gave Orochimaru intelligence about Akatsuki and its leader’s Rinnegan.
• Orochimaru planned a grand spectacle to plant uncertain information and create a way to contact Akatsuki.

After reporting on Kirigakure, Shuichi secured a three-month travel break from the Third Hokage and prepared to explore the Shinobi World. He and Kurenai discovered she was likely pregnant, and Shuichi decided to shorten his trip and return before the birth.

• Shuichi reported Mei Terumi's character and Kirigakure's condition to the Third Hokage, who welcomed closer cooperation between the villages.
• Kakashi submitted his graduating team's assessment and reported that none had passed because they lacked teamwork.
• Shuichi asked the Third Hokage for time to travel, and he was granted three months after handling urgent matters.
• Kurenai suspected she was pregnant, and Shuichi examined her and confirmed that her symptoms likely indicated a pregnancy of nearly two months.
• Shuichi offered to cancel his trip, but Kurenai encouraged him to travel and asked him to bring back flowers; they agreed he would be away for about two months.
• Shuichi and Kurenai discussed the baby and names, and Kurenai pinched him after he suggested learning the baby's sex before birth.

Shuichi traveled through several countries, studying ancient ruins and collecting flowers for Kurenai, before visiting the Land of Iron to investigate how samurai will could shape Natural Energy. After witnessing Mifune’s swordsmanship, Shuichi recognized that the Iaido technique resembled an early form of partial Sage transformation.

• Shuichi told Itachi and Haku to watch the house while he traveled, then left Konoha with supplies prepared by Kurenai.
• During more than a month of travel, Shuichi explored ancient ruins, gathered flowers for Kurenai, and found that his Fuinjutsu research benefited from the journey.
• Shuichi arrived in the Land of Iron and met its leader, Mifune, asking to learn about the connection between will and Natural Energy.
• Mifune demonstrated his Iaido Slash, and Shuichi sensed Natural Energy forming an invisible barrier guided by personal resolve.
• Mifune explained that the technique belonged to the realm called Heaven and Man as One, while Shuichi left with new insight into the samurai’s declining prospects.

Orochimaru lured Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō to an underground cave by abducting two Sarutobi Jonin. He revealed his Impure World Reincarnation forces and launched a surprise attack, leaving the battle underway.

• A poisoned Konoha team member told Sarutobi Hiruzen that Orochimaru had taken two Sarutobi Jonin for experiments and sent the survivors to deliver a warning.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu urged Hiruzen to bring more support, and Shimura Danzō joined him with a Root team and sensory scouts.
• The group tracked the captured Jonin to an underground space near the Land of Grass, where Orochimaru waited with Kabuto using a Byakugan body.
• Orochimaru revealed that Hyuga Eishi had been revived with Impure World Reincarnation, then summoned three more figures from coffins as a giant snake erupted from beneath the cave.
• Amid the collapsing cave, Orochimaru stretched his neck toward Sarutobi Hiruzen and sent a snake-spat blade stabbing at his chest.

Sarutobi Hiruzen battled Orochimaru inside the Four Violet Flames Formation as Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage through an enhanced Impure World Reincarnation. With Kabuto controlling the revived Hokage from afar, Hiruzen tried to break through the assault and reach Orochimaru before he was worn down.

• Danzo and the Konoha Ninja rescued two Sarutobi Clan Jonin while Hiruzen remained trapped in the barrier and insisted on facing Orochimaru alone.
• Orochimaru revealed the Edo Tensei Bodies and summoned the First Hokage and Second Hokage, whose revived bodies appeared more lifelike and powerful than the others.
• Danzo and Elephant deduced that Orochimaru had improved Impure World Reincarnation, while Kabuto maintained control from a hiding place one kilometer away.
• The First Hokage attacked Hiruzen with Water Release and Wood Release, and Enma helped him escape the binding branches and deflect the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God strike.
• Hiruzen sent the Second Hokage flying with Explosive Tags, then charged at Orochimaru, hoping to defeat him and find a way to seal the revived Hokage.

Orochimaru used Shikotsumyaku and his rejuvenated body to overwhelm Sarutobi Hiruzen, but Hiruzen and the Konoha forces broke the Barrier and escaped. As Danzo’s team retreated, the Six Paths of Pain ambushed and surrounded them.

• Orochimaru endured Sarutobi Hiruzen’s attacks with a rapidly healing bone defense, revealed his youthful body, and used Shikotsumyaku to wound the Third Hokage.
• Danzo and Root attacked the Four Violet Flames Formation while Hiruzen helped break it, but the Second Hokage struck Hiruzen from behind as he escaped.
• Danzo ordered the Anbu to carry the wounded Hiruzen away while he and Root held off Orochimaru’s bone attacks.
• Kabuto told Orochimaru that the Konoha team had escaped, and Orochimaru said Danzo might still serve a purpose.
• Danzo’s retreating team was attacked by missiles, a strange bird, and a giant centipede before the Six Paths of Pain surrounded them.

Pain’s group killed Danzo after he used a Four Symbols Seal in a final attempt to take them with him, then relocated their base and planned to target Takigakure. Shuichi returned to Konoha after learning Danzo was dead and Hiruzen was gravely injured, where Danzo’s final intelligence identified the Rinnegan attackers and linked one of them to Jiraiya.

• Danzo fought Pain’s group with his Sharingan, stolen Uchiha eyes, and Wind Release, but their abilities overwhelmed him and left him mortally wounded.
• Danzo sent a coded message to Konoha with a juvenile Baku, then triggered the Reverse Four Symbols Seal, killing himself and destroying the surrounding battlefield.
• Tendo and Konan concluded that Danzo’s soul had been their main target, moved the organization’s forward base to the Land of Waterfalls, and planned to deal with Hanzo later.
• Kotaro summoned Shuichi and reported that Hiruzen was unconscious with severe injuries and Danzo’s fate was unknown, so Shuichi returned to Konoha.
• Utatane Koharu accused Orochimaru of attacking, but Danzo’s decoded message identified the Rinnegan as the enemy’s power and revealed that Jiraiya had secretly taught three disciples in Amegakure, including one with the Rinnegan.
• Shuichi urged the advisors to prioritize Hiruzen’s treatment, avoid a large-scale search, find Jiraiya, and keep the news secret; Mitokado Homura agreed and told Shuichi to remain in Konoha.