Chapter Summaries

Shuichi used his finely trained consecutive Body Flicker Technique to overwhelm Tekki, impressing the shinobi watching the Chunin Exam match. Tekki recovered from Shuichi’s kick, launched a failed puppet ambush, then revealed protective armor as he prepared to counter Shuichi’s speed.

• Shuichi’s year of training let him perform consecutive Body Flicker Techniques with precise distance control and kick Tekki before he could react.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the watching Jonin recognized how difficult Shuichi’s technique was to use in real combat, while Yukari and the Sunagakure shinobi learned how exceptional it was.
• Tekki’s puppet head attacked Shuichi from behind, but Shuichi dodged it and Tekki got back to his feet.
• Tekki brought his insect puppet back in front of him, then dropped a deformed armored guard from his right forearm.
• Shuichi realized Tekki had prepared armor to protect a Puppeteer in close combat and guessed that Tekki planned to endure an attack before countering.

Shuichi tested Tekki’s puppet attacks and uncovered the Chakra-thread technique behind Puppet Technique. He left Tekki’s puppet damaged and the match ongoing, with his new understanding of Sunagakure’s secret art.

• Tekki launched smoke pellets and a barrage of hidden weapons, but his armor and puppet shield let him withstand Shuichi’s Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
• Shuichi charged Tekki, deflected the puppet’s weapons, and used the Body Flicker Technique to strike the puppet’s head and sever its Chakra threads.
• Tekki reconnected the puppet’s head, though some parts had been damaged, while Shuichi retreated to a safe distance.
• Shuichi concluded that Puppet Technique relied on Yin Release Chakra threads rather than the puppets themselves, explaining why few ninja could learn it.
• Shuichi reasoned that the threads likely transmitted Mental Energy, allowing puppeteers to control puppets through their thoughts.

Shuichi defeated Tekki in the examination match by using Shadow Clones to survive Tekki’s puppet barrage and then overwhelming him with a close-range taijutsu combo. Kamizuki Ryūun declared Shuichi the winner and summoned Medical Ninja to treat Tekki.

• Shuichi created nearly twenty clones and sent them charging at Tekki.
• Tekki unleashed a close-range attack with his dismantled puppet, but two Shadow Clones shielded the real Shuichi from the needles and Senbon.
• Shuichi evaded Tekki’s tiny beetle puppet with Shadow Leaf Dance and kicked Tekki into the air.
• Shuichi struck Tekki with a series of midair blows and a final heavy kick that left him unconscious and badly injured.
• Kamizuki Ryūun stopped Shuichi, declared Takeda Shuichi the winner, and called for Medical Ninja to treat Tekki.

Shuichi defeated Sunagakure’s Tekki while assuring Konoha officials that he had held back. Nara Rokujin then used a concealed wire to make his Shadow Imitation Technique catch an Amegakure opponent and win his preliminary match.

• Shuichi told Kamizuki Ryūun that he had held back against Tekki because he did not want to harm Konoha’s alliance with Sunagakure.
• Konoha’s Medical Ninja told Yukari that Tekki’s serious injuries were not life-threatening and that he should recover within a few months.
• Tosha warned Sunaki that Shuichi had likely held back and urged Sunagakure to prepare thoroughly for the Third Exam.
• Amagakure pressed Nara Rokujin with close-range sickle attacks, but Rokujin created distance and threw a barrage of ninja tools.
• Rokujin used a steel wire attached to a Kunai to extend his shadow and secretly ensnare Amagakure with the Shadow Imitation Technique.
• Amagakure surrendered, and Nara Rokujin was declared the winner.

The preliminary matches continued as Aburame Shihei defeated Tamon with chakra-draining insects, Saki beat Amashi, and Yao outlasted Sarutobi Kohei. The final match was announced as Akimichi Jinsei versus Suiken.

• Aburame Shihei overwhelmed Tamon with Kikaichū that drained his Chakra, winning the match without causing lasting injuries.
• Saki defeated Amashi with his sword, showing mercy by striking him with the flat of his blade instead of killing him.
• Yao patiently fought Sarutobi Kohei until he exhausted his Chakra and fell, earning her the victory.
• Kamizuki Ryūun announced Akimichi Jinsei versus Suiken as the final match.

Akimichi Jinsei defeated Suiken to finish the preliminaries, and the Third Hokage announced the Third Exam matchups and rules. Shuichi learned he would face Yukari first, then spent the following weeks training Ishikawa Tatsuki and Yūhi Kurenai in a bell-grabbing exercise.

• Akimichi Jinsei used his expansion techniques to crush Suiken against the arena wall and win the final preliminary match.
• The Third Hokage had the twelve qualifiers draw lots and revealed the Third Exam brackets, including Takeda Shuichi versus Yukari.
• Kamizuki Ryūun explained that the matches were a chance to demonstrate abilities, and the Third Hokage scheduled the tournament for August 1.
• Shuichi returned home pleased that Sunagakure would have to prepare for him and took advantage of his mission-free month to rest and train.
• At Training Ground 26, Shuichi challenged Ishikawa Tatsuki and Yūhi Kurenai to take the bells from him, but they still failed after half a month of practice.

Shuichi trained Ishikawa Tatsuki and Yūhi Kurenai for the coming Joint Chunin Exam, then spent his birthday point upgrading Flash. After testing it in the forest, he discovered its precise, Chakra-free teleportation could enable nearly unstoppable attacks, and resolved to keep it secret.

• Shuichi ended the Bell-Grabbing training and taught Ishikawa Tatsuki a movement style and swordsmanship while preparing Yūhi Kurenai for advanced Shurikenjutsu.
• Nobles and other visitors arrived in Konoha for the Joint Chunin Exam, and residents discussed the crowds, matches, and scarce tickets.
• On the day before the exam, Shuichi turned eight and allocated his new point to Flash, receiving three trial uses from the system.
• Shuichi tested Flash with a Shadow Clone and used it to teleport into a lethal attack, killing the clone before it could react.
• Shuichi tested Flash through earth and with a sword, then decided its combat power made it a secret trump card.

Shuichi tested the limits of his Flash technique, then watched the Third Chunin Exam begin in Konoha under chief examiner Namikaze Minato. The first match between Uchiha Ryouya and Sunaki was underway, with Ryouya pressing Sunaki using a wire-controlled Fuma Shuriken.

• Shuichi discovered he could take his Shadow Clone with him using Flash, but could not bring along a rabbit.
• The Third Kazekage arrived at Konoha and was escorted to the Chunin Exam arena.
• Namikaze Minato introduced himself as chief examiner, and Sarutobi Hiruzen opened the Third Exam before the spectators.
• Minato announced the first match between Sunaki and Uchiha Ryouya, and the two began fighting with taijutsu.
• Uchiha Ryouya used a Manipulated Shuriken Technique to chase Sunaki with a wire-controlled Fuma Shuriken.

Sunaki defeated Uchiha Ryouya in the Third Exam, while Shuichi entered the arena as the spectators questioned his age and potential. The chapter left Shuichi poised to begin his match, watched by Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

• Uchiha Ryouya used a fire-coated wire and Fuma Shuriken attack, but Sunaki evaded it underground and struck him with Wind Release.
• Sunaki knocked Uchiha Ryouya unconscious, and Namikaze Minato declared Sunaki the winner before calling for medical treatment.
• The Third Hokage and Third Kazekage traded veiled remarks about Sunaki's victory and remaining Chakra.
• Shuichi descended into the arena with Yukari, drawing attention from spectators, while Ishikawa Tatsuki, Yūhi Kurenai, and Yūhi Shinkō defended and supported him.
• Jiraiya asked Orochimaru about his new disciple, Shuichi, and Orochimaru mocked Jiraiya's appearance while praising Shuichi by comparison.

Takeda Shuichi defeated Yukari in the arena after overwhelming her with his Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet and a follow-up attack from his Shadow Clone. Namikaze Minato declared Shuichi the winner as the medical team came to Yukari’s aid.

• Namikaze Minato began the match while Shuichi and Yukari faced each other in the arena.
• Shuichi sent a Shadow Clone and himself at Yukari from different angles, but she used her fan and Wind Release to deflect their attacks.
• Tosha told Saki that Yukari’s training could help her endure Shuichi’s speed but could not make up for their difference in strength.
• Shuichi used Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet, and Yukari answered with Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel, which cut through only part of the earth dragon.
• The earth dragon struck Yukari and knocked her fan away, then Shuichi’s Shadow Clone kicked her unconscious before Shuichi redirected the remaining attack into the ground.
• Namikaze Minato checked Yukari, announced Shuichi as the winner, and watched as the medical team rushed to treat her.

After Shuichi’s victory, Konoha spread word of his achievements, drawing attention from the crowd and the Third Kazekage. The next match began with Nara Rokujin using a clever shadow attack against Tetsuishi, but Tetsuishi narrowly evaded it.

• A Konoha Ninja and other spectators publicized Shuichi’s identity and solo mission record, turning the stands into a chorus of praise.
• The Third Kazekage acknowledged Shuichi’s talent, while the Third Hokage feigned modesty and Orochimaru and Jiraiya discussed the danger the publicity would bring him.
• Shuichi realized the Third Hokage had used his reputation to promote Konoha and decided he would demand more ninjutsu in return.
• Namikaze Minato announced the match between Nara Rokujin and Tetsuishi, and the two began cautiously maneuvering around the arena.
• Rokujin used a tree’s shadow to extend his Shadow Imitation Technique toward Tetsuishi, who sensed the danger and dodged at the last moment.

Tetsuishi defeated Nara Rokujin with a sandstorm, a hand crossbow, and poisoned arrows, while Konoha staged Mokui and Yao’s match to impress the spectators. Hyuga Akiha then used Shuichi’s swordsmanship training and a concealed bracer to counter Saki’s attack and land a decisive Gentle Fist strike.

• Tetsuishi blinded Nara Rokujin with a sandstorm, grazed him with a poisoned arrow, and won after Nara Rokujin surrendered.
• Mokui defeated Yao in a staged battle, and a Konoha Ninja told the spectators that both were legendary Genin, boosting Konoha’s reputation.
• Hyuga Akiha used the Byakugan to read Saki’s swordsmanship, drawing on the counters Shuichi had taught her during their training.
• Saki exploited a crack in the arena floor and lunged at Hyuga Akiha, but she used a concealed metal bracer and Eight Trigrams Palms to deflect his sword.
• Hyuga Akiha struck Saki with Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms, knocking his sword away and leaving him bleeding.

After the first round ended, the contestants agreed to take extra matches, and Hyuga Akiha secretly gave Shuichi information about Tetsuishi. Shuichi then faced Tetsuishi, whose advancing sandstorm left their match at an impasse.

• Hyuga Akiha defeated Saki, while Aburame Shihei conceded to Akimichi Jinsei after a showy exchange.
• Namikaze Minato asked the remaining contestants whether they would fight an extra match, and Shuichi, Tetsuishi, Hyuga Akiha, and Akimichi Jinsei volunteered.
• Hyuga Akiha used her Byakugan to observe Tetsuishi and Sunaki, then slipped Shuichi a note about Tetsuishi's tactics.
• Shuichi faced Tetsuishi, who opened with the Sandstorm Technique as Shuichi waited outside the dust cloud.
• Tetsuishi advanced while moving the sandstorm toward Shuichi.

Shuichi defeated Tetsuishi by recognizing his sand-based genjutsu and turning the illusion against him. He exposed Tetsuishi’s methods and poison-laced crossbow bolts to the spectators as Tetsuishi collapsed unconscious.

• Shuichi used Wind Release to clear Tetsuishi’s sandstorm and wounded him with Vacuum Orbs.
• Tetsuishi used his Hand Crossbow, an Earth Clone, and a sandstorm to conceal his attack while trying to wear Shuichi down.
• Shuichi avoided revealing his full Chakra reserves and used a Shadow Clone and genjutsu to fool Tetsuishi into thinking a bolt had struck him.
• Shuichi stabbed Tetsuishi from behind and explained that Tetsuishi used specially treated sand to transmit genjutsu and poison-filled crossbow bolts to finish opponents.
• Shuichi injected Tetsuishi with poison, knocking him unconscious, while Jiraiya and Orochimaru watched from the stands.

Takeda Shuichi defeated Sunaki and Mokui in succession, while Hyuga Akiha won her match and then forfeited to advance the final round. The chapter ended with Mokui conceding after Shuichi outmaneuvered him in their staged, closely coordinated match.

• Takeda Shuichi defeated Tetsuishi by exploiting the information Hyuga Akiha had gathered about his ninjutsu.
• Hyuga Akiha defeated Akimichi Jinsei with her Byakugan and Gentle Fist.
• Takeda Shuichi beat Sunaki with Earth Release and Chidori Stream, earning praise from the spectators and the Third Kazekage.
• Hyuga Akiha forfeited against Mokui, sending Takeda Shuichi directly into the final round.
• Takeda Shuichi and Mokui exchanged attacks in a coordinated spectacle before Shuichi revealed an Earth Clone and struck Mokui from below.
• Mokui admitted defeat and acknowledged Takeda Shuichi as the strongest.

After winning the Chunin Exam finals, Shuichi joined three other Konoha ninja in receiving their Chunin promotions, then pressed the Third Hokage for compensation. Hiruzen explained the village’s rules for learning ninjutsu and the restricted access to the Scroll of Seals, leaving Shuichi to wonder whether its Forbidden Jutsu had influenced Orochimaru’s ambitions and Hiruzen’s choice of successor.

• Namikaze Minato announced Shuichi as the winner, and the Konoha crowd celebrated his victory.
• The Third Kazekage and Sarutobi Hiruzen exchanged polite remarks after Konoha’s success at the Joint Chunin Exam.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen promoted Shuichi, Hyuga Akiha, Nara Rokujin, and Akimichi Jinsei to Chunin.
• Shuichi complained to Hiruzen about the danger and attention he had attracted, then asked for several S-rank Ninjutsu and a break from missions.
• Hiruzen explained the village’s ninjutsu access rules and the strict limits on who could view or learn from the Scroll of Seals.
• Shuichi speculated that Orochimaru’s interest in Forbidden Jutsu might explain why Hiruzen had not chosen him as Hokage.

Shuichi negotiated with the Third Hokage for a valuable training scroll instead of S-rank Ninjutsu. Studying its advanced Chakra-control methods, he recognized a way to compress Chakra internally and left with a new path for strengthening his techniques.

• The Third Hokage explained the restrictions on teaching Ninjutsu, and Shuichi argued that his contribution to Konoha deserved more than an A-rank mission reward.
• After Shuichi threatened to stop taking missions, the Third Hokage gave him an excerpt from the Scroll of Seals containing methods for refining and compressing Chakra.
• Shuichi studied the scroll in the forest and reasoned that Water Severing Wave relied on high-density, rapidly rotating Chakra and precisely timed Water Nature Transformation.
• Shuichi concluded that internal Chakra compression could greatly strengthen Ninjutsu and explained why it was harder than compression during techniques such as the Rasengan.
• Shuichi connected the scroll's method to the power of Kage-level shinobi and speculated that Kakashi's Chidori had adapted White Fang's high-intensity Chakra output.

Shuichi studied how Shadow Clone Chakra returned to its original body and revised his ideas about using clones in combat. By winter of Year 44 of Konoha, his training with Orochimaru had rapidly improved his skills, and the chapter left them sparring as Orochimaru praised his progress.

• Shuichi prioritized Chakra compression training and tested how distance and Chakra affected what Shadow Clones could return to him.
• Shuichi concluded that ordinary Shadow Clone Chakra returned through Natural Energy and that clones were best used for quick attacks or intelligence gathering.
• Shuichi decided to lie low and build his strength while pursuing several new training projects.
• In winter of Year 44 of Konoha, Shuichi defended against Orochimaru's Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique with a curved Earth Flow Wall.
• Orochimaru praised Shuichi's rapid progress and discussed the 30 Million Ryo bounty on him, which Shuichi feared would make it unsafe to leave the village.

Shuichi and Orochimaru accepted a demanding escort commission from Inoue Danza, a manager of the Daimyo's Mansion, to transport valuable goods between the Land of Fire and the Land of Iron. They reached the Daimyo's Mansion to prepare for the journey, and Shuichi explored its brightly lit commercial district before the caravan's departure.

• Orochimaru warned Shuichi that the Third Hokage had taken issue with them, and they prepared to resume missions.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Orochimaru and Shuichi to Inoue Danza, who needed a team to escort valuable trade goods to the Land of Iron and precious cargo back.
• Shuichi and Orochimaru left Konoha with Inoue Danza and traveled to the Daimyo's Mansion at his pace.
• The three arrived at the Daimyo's Mansion before sunset, where Shuichi and Orochimaru received guest accommodations.
• Shuichi went out at night to explore the commercial district and look for distinctive items to buy.

Shuichi escorted Inoue Danza’s valuable caravan with Orochimaru, but after reaching the Land of Iron, the convoy was ambushed and a thief escaped with several prized goods. Inoue Danza asked Shuichi to consult Orochimaru and pursue the thief before he got away.

• Shuichi and Orochimaru departed the Daimyo's Mansion with Inoue Danza’s caravan while Nichito and Harukura plotted with the Wildfire Group to separate the escorts and attack Shuichi or rob the cargo.
• After more than twenty days of uneventful travel, Shuichi used Earth Style to repair the mountain road and speed the convoy through the difficult stretch.
• As the caravan entered a forest in the Land of Iron, a trained Green Marsh Frog poisoned a soldier, and Shuichi killed the insect before arrows and smoke bombs struck the convoy.
• Orochimaru dispersed the smoke, and a driver reported that Ryosuke had vanished with some of the cargo while several soldiers lay unconscious.
• Inoue Danza found that Ryosuke had taken the most valuable goods and asked Shuichi to consult Orochimaru and pursue him quickly.