Chapter Summaries

Yichen and Team 18 traced a poisoner into the Land of Rain and confronted the teenage Sasori. Their coordinated attacks destroyed his traps and puppets, and Purple Lightning severed both his arms, leaving him defeated.

• Yichen sensed that more than twenty people at the outpost had been poisoned, and the Medical Chunin suppressed the toxin in three who showed symptoms.
• Miyake equipped the outpost ninja with gas masks, and the group traced the poison upwind before finding footprints leading toward the Land of Rain.
• Purple Lightning sent Team 18 after the fleeing enemy while Miyake stayed behind to collect poison samples, and Dango followed one of three trails to Sasori.
• Sasori prepared a poisoned battlefield with traps and puppets, but Yichen sensed the puppets and their Chakra threads.
• Purple Lightning's Vacuum Wave destroyed Sasori's ambush and many of his strongest puppets, forcing him to fight Team 18.
• Yichen caught Sasori in a genjutsu, and Purple Lightning struck him and severed both his arms.

Team 18 captured Sasori of the Red Sands and earned an S-rank mission reward, while Yichen arranged for Dango to stay where she could encounter Natural Energy. After valuing Sasori’s collection and surpassing ten thousand Contribution Points, Yichen went to Captain Owl for advice about learning Ninjutsu.

• Purple Lightning disarmed and captured Sasori, and Yichen sealed away his Chakra and senses before Team 18 returned to the Border Outpost with him.
• Captain Owl brought Team 18 to Ōnoki, who awarded each member an S-rank mission reward and one request; Ōnoki and the advisers noticed that Yichen had become a Quasi-Jonin.
• Shironeko asked to let Dango stay where she might absorb Natural Energy, and Yichen offered to take her to the place where he lived.
• Team 18 reviewed Sasori’s collection, copied research documents, and sold the items to the Contribution Office for 7000 Contribution Points and a free C-rank mission to make Yichen concealed weapons.
• Yichen calculated that his Contribution Points exceeded ten thousand and visited Captain Owl, who asked when he had become a Quasi-Jonin.

After Captain Owl advised Yichen to address his sword-fighting weakness, Yichen explored the village’s technique catalog and accepted that he should begin learning sword fundamentals. He prepared for training during Team 18’s next border patrol and planned a nest for Dango.

• Captain Owl advised Yichen to learn defensive sword techniques so he could cover his weaknesses as a future team leader, and Yichen decided to look into the available techniques.
• At the Exchange Office, Yichen reviewed B-rank technique descriptions, found no complete Yin Release technique and saw a defensive sword set that cost more Contribution Points than he could afford.
• Purple Lightning gave Yichen a Basic Practice Manual and explained that he should spend a year building his sword fundamentals while adjusting his physical training.
• Yichen studied the manual and learned that sword fundamentals strengthened the body parts needed to perform sword forms, though he would still need other physical training.
• With Team 18 due to resume border patrol after two days of rest, Yichen planned to gather training tools and prepare a nest and climbing structures for Dango.

Yichen continued investigating whether Dango could sense Natural Energy while Team 18 resumed border patrols and intensive training. Meanwhile, Danzo arranged a covert mission to disrupt an Iwa-Sunagakure exchange and capture Sasori, led by Hatake Sakumo.

• Shironeko brought Dango to Yichen’s home, where Dango explored inside the Sealing Jutsu but sensed no Natural Energy, and she showed no changes after several days.
• Team 18 returned to the border outpost after the poison affecting Miyake’s subordinates had been cured, while Konoha’s leaders learned Sasori had been traded back to Sunagakure.
• Danzo persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to authorize a secret operation against the Iwa-Sunagakure transaction, and Konoha dispatched ten Anbu squads and five Root squads under Hatake Sakumo.
• Yichen adjusted his physical and sword training at the border, developed his Earth Style Clone, and reached a bottleneck with the Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu.
• After more than ten days of sparring with Shironeko and Little Stone, Yichen improved his close-combat reactions and sword strikes, while continuing to develop other ninjutsu.

Yichen trained his swordsmanship and sparred with Little Stone before Team 18 joined Ōnoki’s operation to ambush Konoha and Sunagakure at a prisoner exchange. After Yichen detected hidden Aburame Clan Kikaichū near the exchange site, Ōnoki asked him to locate their handlers.

• Yichen practiced rapid spear thrusts and sword techniques, then sparred with Little Stone and was sent flying by a kick.
• Purple Lightning alerted Team 18 to an approaching group, and Owl arrived with Ōnoki and four Anbu Squads.
• Owl told Team 18 that Ōnoki had deliberately leaked information to Konoha Root, and Ōnoki gathered eight Anbu Squads for the mission involving Sasori and Sunagakure.
• Ōnoki’s group hid near the exchange site while two Anbu Squads took Sasori to the meeting area and watched for the other side.
• Yichen detected several tiny Chakra sources and suspected they belonged to Konoha’s Aburame Clan Kikaichū.
• Ōnoki learned that Yichen could sense a ninja’s Chakra up to three kilometers away and asked him to locate the Kikaichū handlers.

Yichen traced the Aburame Clan's Kikaichū to locate Konoha's forces, while Ōnoki's group waited for Sunagakure to exchange supplies for Sasori. Chiyo completed the exchange and withdrew, but Konoha's ambush attacked Sunagakure, leaving Chiyo to realize Ōnoki had maneuvered the villages into fighting each other.

• Yichen followed the Chakra signals from several Kikaichū and told Ōnoki that Konoha's forces were northeast, about six to eight kilometers away.
• Chiyo arrived with more than a dozen Anbu Squads and encircled the area, but Sunagakure exchanged supplies for Sasori as agreed.
• Chiyo explained that Ōnoki had threatened to give Konoha intelligence about Puppet Masters if Sunagakure refused the exchange, then ordered her forces to withdraw after they failed to break Sasori's seals.
• White Fang received word that the exchange had ended peacefully and ordered Konoha's hidden forces to attack the exchange site.
• Konoha's combined Fire Release and Wind Release overwhelmed Sunagakure's Wind Release, and Chiyo recognized that Ōnoki had set the two villages against each other.

Konoha and Sunagakure clashed while Ōnoki’s Iwa forces waited underground, then ambushed Konoha reinforcements. Yichen survived a deadly duel and realized his fighting style could combine swordsmanship and quick Ninjutsu as a unique form of Nintaijutsu.

• Chiyo used her stock of sealed Wind Release attacks to help Sunagakure withstand Konoha’s Ninjutsu assault, and White Fang began killing Sunagakure ninja in close combat.
• Yichen detected that the missing Iwa ninja squads had gone underground, and Owl and Ōnoki suspected Sunagakure was holding its ground for another move.
• Ōnoki led the Iwa forces in an underground ambush against four Konoha Anbu Squads, and Yichen injured a Konoha Chunin with Earth Style: Earth Rising Spear.
• Yichen fought the wounded Chunin as practice while Ōnoki and Owl let the duel continue, and the Chunin tried to kill Yichen with a kunai carrying Exploding Tags.
• Yichen used Mind Disturbance Jutsu to interrupt the Chunin and kick him into the explosion, then realized his path was a distinctive form of Nintaijutsu combining swordsmanship and quick Ninjutsu.

Ōnoki’s Iwa force ambushed Konoha’s Anbu and Root during their battle with Sunagakure, then used Dust Release to devastate the fleeing forces. White Fang returned to Konoha with only a handful of survivors, where Hiruzen removed him from his positions and Danzo used the disaster to expand Root and attack White Fang’s reputation.

• Yichen located Konoha and Sunagakure’s forces, and Ōnoki ordered Iwa ninja to focus their Earth Style attacks on Konoha.
• After the ambush trapped and exposed many Konoha ninja to Sunagakure attacks, White Fang ordered a retreat and stayed behind to cover it.
• Ōnoki used Dust Release to kill more Konoha and Root ninja, then led his group away and blasted a Sunagakure force that crossed their path.
• White Fang led the surviving Konoha ninja through a pursuit, but only five people, including him, returned to Konoha; the escaped Aburame Clan member returned later.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi removed White Fang from his positions, while Danzo called for the Hokage’s impeachment, expanded Root, and began public criticism of White Fang.
• Sasori lived in seclusion with Chiyo and Ebizo after receiving two prosthetic limbs, and Sunagakure’s accusations strengthened his resolve to betray the village.

Yichen was promoted to Special Jonin and began forming Anbu Team 7 as Konoha faced political turmoil after Konoha White Fang’s suicide and attacks from the Four Great Nations. With conflict escalating, Yichen was appointed squad leader early and worried about leading a team against Konoha.

• Yichen returned from patrol, received his Special Jonin promotion, and spent 12,000 Contribution Points on a B-rank Sword Technique.
• Purple Lightning advised Yichen on leading a squad, and Yichen arranged for Dango to keep visiting his residence even when he was away.
• Yichen received orders to form Team 7, trained at the Anbu Training Ground, and showed major improvement with his wooden spear.
• Konoha White Fang committed suicide, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo to redirect public anger toward the Uchiha Clan while the Four Great Nations tested Konoha’s borders.
• The Land of Lightning destroyed several Konoha Border Outposts, and Yichen was appointed squad leader early because the Anbu faced a manpower shortage.
• Yichen worried that his actions had nearly gotten Kakashi Hatake killed and wondered which powerful figures Konoha already had.

Yichen tested Kaede, Qingtian, and Sumire in sparring matches and earned their acceptance as their Anbu squad leader. He sent them to prepare for a long mission beginning the next morning, then gathered supplies for the team.

• Yichen introduced himself and learned that Kaede specialized in swordsmanship, Qingtian in taijutsu and traps, and Sumire in Wind Release and Earth Release.
• Yichen sparred with Kaede, endured his sword attacks, and defeated him by striking his blade with a Water Line Jutsu.
• Yichen forced Qingtian to evade repeated water and earth attacks, then used Mind Disturbance Jutsu to leave him briefly disoriented and end the spar.
• Yichen defended against Sumire's Wind Release, evaded her attack with an Earth Style Clone, and caught her from behind with his sword.
• Yichen praised the three ninjas, told them to meet at seven the next morning for a mission lasting at least half a month, and dismissed them.
• Yichen collected Sealing Scrolls and bought food and concealed weapons to prepare supplies for himself and his subordinates.

Yichen led Team 7 into the Land of Fire to harass a Konoha outpost, planning to kill seven squads and withdraw before Konoha could respond. After several successful ambushes, an alarm exposed the team near the border, and Yichen began a direct assault on the alerted squad.

• Yichen led Team 7 through the Land of Fire and scouted an outpost containing sixty-two Konoha ninja.
• Yichen, Kaede, Qingtian, and Sumire ambushed and killed three squads, collecting proof of their mission and avoiding nearby patrols.
• Yichen killed a fourth squad after it approached the sound of an earlier battle, and Team 7 continued toward the border.
• Kaede triggered a concealed alarm device, and a Konoha squad launched a warning flare.
• Yichen ordered a direct assault, killed the squad's Chunin captain and one Genin, while Wind Release struck another Genin and his Exploding Tag detonated; the last Genin was also killed.

Yichen and Team 7 fought their way toward the border, defeating two enemy squads before ambushing and killing a pursuing Konoha Anbu team. After the battle, Yichen carried the exhausted Sumire as the team hurried toward the Land of Iron.

• Yichen led Team 7 in attacking two squads near the border, using a clone and underground movement to deceive the defenders before his team killed them.
• A Konoha outpost commander identified the four infiltrators and sent an Anbu squad after them toward the Land of Iron.
• Qingtian’s traps injured and disrupted the pursuing Anbu, allowing Team 7 to eliminate one Chunin and leave another incapacitated.
• Yichen engaged the Anbu Jonin and kept him occupied while Kaede and the others killed the remaining Chunin.
• Yichen trapped the Jonin with Body Bind Technique and struck his throat with a senbon hidden in his shoe; Kaede finished him with a sword slash.
• Yichen ordered a quick battlefield cleanup, then carried the chakra-exhausted Sumire as Team 7 left the area.

After returning from the border mission, Yichen submitted a strategic report urging Iwagakure to exploit Konoha’s internal conflicts instead of fighting it head-on. Ōnoki classified the report as a top secret, ordered a shift in strategy, and marked Yichen for exceptional advancement; Yichen learned only that he had received an additional S-rank mission.

• The outpost jonin chose not to pursue Yichen’s team, and reinforcements arrived two days later as Yichen led his group into the Land of Earth.
• Yichen’s team rested at the border, sorted their spoils, and found three C-rank Ninjutsu Scrolls, including a Water Style technique suited to Yichen.
• After returning to Iwagakure, Yichen turned in the mission and spoils, gave Team 7 seven days off, and sought Owl’s advice on improving the team.
• Yichen wrote a report arguing that Iwagakure should exploit Konoha’s internal conflicts, and Owl brought it to Ōnoki and the advisors.
• Ōnoki ordered the report sealed as the village’s highest secret, shifted Iwagakure’s strategy toward Konoha’s internal divisions, and designated Yichen a key candidate for future leadership.
• Yichen learned the next day that the report had earned him an additional S-rank mission and permission to exchange for a B-rank Ninjutsu.

Yichen saved his Contribution Points and spent a month training Team 7 before testing his three subordinates in a simulated wilderness pursuit. Unable to use Sensory Ninjutsu, he carefully searched for their traps and finally found Sumire, attacking her hiding place with Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu.

• Yichen received Contribution Points for Team 7's missions and saved his points and B-rank Ninjutsu exchange for later.
• During seven days of leave, Yichen trained in the Anbu, then arranged a month of individual and teamwork training for Team 7.
• A month later, Yichen began a three-hour exercise to hunt down Kaede, Qingtian, and Sumire without using Sensory Ninjutsu.
• Yichen used sensory seals, traps, and Earth Style Clones to search the training ground, while Qingtian's group concealed themselves among decoy ambush sites.
• After finding traps in a small forest, Yichen sent out more clones, and one discovered Sumire's hiding place.
• Yichen fired multiple Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu at Sumire's location.

Yichen defeated Kaede, Sumire, and Qingtian in a sparring exercise by exploiting their positions and eliminating their strongest close-combat fighter first. After Team 7 reviewed the battle and prepared to disband, Yichen chose a mission to the Land of Rain to see how Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, and the Akatsuki Organization had developed.

• Sumire blocked Yichen’s Water Pressure Line Jutsu with an Earth Flow Wall, while Yichen used Water Line Jutsu to expose Kaede and Qingtian’s positions.
• Yichen advanced through the trio’s trap-filled ambush zone, then attacked with clones but was initially driven back.
• Yichen used exploding-tagged clones to create an opening, dazed Qingtian with Mind Disturbance Jutsu, and used Body Flicker to isolate Kaede.
• Yichen caught Kaede off balance with Body Bind Technique and struck his sword away with Water Line Jutsu, eliminating him.
• Yichen quickly defeated Sumire and Qingtian after Kaede was eliminated, and Team 7 reviewed the fight the next day.
• Yichen chose a mission to the Land of Rain to visit Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan and check on the Akatsuki Organization.

Yichen entered the Land of Rain to assess Iwagakure’s prospects for intervening, but found that Akatsuki had improved civilians’ lives and met with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. He donated money to Akatsuki, then challenged Yahiko to consider how the Land of Rain could prosper beyond merely surviving.

• Yichen observed that Akatsuki’s work had reduced displacement and restored hope among civilians in the Land of Rain.
• Yichen deliberately asked about Akatsuki to draw its leaders to him, and Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan recognized him and came to meet him.
• Yichen praised Akatsuki’s efforts and gave Yahiko more than ten million ryo to support their shared ideal.
• Yichen questioned whether Akatsuki could improve the civilians’ lives beyond the limited prospects of peace and basic survival.
• Yichen prompted Yahiko to recall how Akatsuki exchanged supplies between resettlement sites when local resources were scarce or excessive.

Yichen described a future of open trade and cooperation across the ninja world, inspiring Nagato to find his path to peace as he reached Quasi-Kage level. Yichen and the Akatsuki Organization agreed to pursue trade between the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain, while Yichen learned that Konoha’s Anbu had withdrawn and Sunagakure showed no visible activity.

• Yichen explained how a coordinating organization and more merchant caravans could make goods accessible to civilians throughout the ninja world.
• Nagato reached Quasi-Kage level, and he, Yichen, Yahiko, and Konan recognized his breakthrough.
• Nagato thanked Yichen for helping him find his ninja way and said he would work toward peace; he also revealed that he could now use the Rinnegan’s power.
• Yichen proposed safer trade routes and reduced tariffs between the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain, and he and the Akatsuki Organization agreed to pursue cooperation.
• Yahiko told Yichen that Konoha’s Anbu had withdrawn and that he had heard of no recent Sunagakure activity in the Land of Rain.

Yichen proposed using the Akatsuki Organization to establish a protected trade route between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth, then reported on the organization and Nagato’s growing strength to Ōnoki. Iwagakure’s leaders began planning how to use the conflict between Akatsuki and Hanzo, while Yichen started researching trade and visited Tana, where they prepared to spar.

• Yichen outlined a plan to protect merchant caravans and promote trade with the Land of Rain, then parted from Yahiko and the others after discussing how to stay in contact.
• Yichen reported to Ōnoki and the advisors that Nagato would soon reach the Kage level and that Akatsuki might clash with Hanzo, while Konoha’s Root could intervene.
• Ōnoki and the advisors considered Yichen’s assessment and decided to keep him hidden, assign him opportunities to train, and make the proposed trade route part of his path to promotion to Jonin.
• Yichen began researching possible goods for the trade route and sought Tana’s help because her family owned commercial businesses.
• Yichen found Tana training at home, challenged her to spar, and Tana agreed to have her father Ide referee.

Yichen sparred with Tana and Ide, confirmed he had become a Jonin, and received combat advice and two scrolls from Ide. Ide arranged a trade caravan for Yichen, who then began studying a powerful Water Style technique and saw a possible path to improving his own jutsu.

• Yichen defeated Tana in a spar, and Ide recognized that Yichen had become a Jonin.
• Yichen sparred with Ide, who taught him how Jonin conserved strength, read opponents, and concealed their fighting styles.
• Ide gave Yichen a B-rank Water Style scroll and swordsmanship training methods, then arranged a caravan to carry Yichen’s chosen goods between the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain.
• Yichen studied Water Style: Raging Waves and realized its techniques might help him develop Group Water Style: Water Line Jutsu.
• Yichen practiced Raging Waves by a river, lost control of the resulting surge, and was swept away by his own jutsu.

Yichen developed group versions of Water Style: Water Line Jutsu and Water Pressure Line Jutsu, then received a mission to scout a trade route between the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain. He left with Team 7 and Hiroteru’s merchant caravan, learning that trade between border regions could be profitable.

• Yichen mastered Group Water Style: Water Line Jutsu and later managed to cast Group Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu with thirteen lines, though it consumed 11B Chakra.
• Yichen read the training manual Ide had given him, adapted his physical training, and bought equipment for his new routine.
• Yichen learned that his Chakra reserves were insufficient for large numbers of Water Pressure Lines, but he decided to improve the technique gradually and planned to submit it to the Contribution Office.
• Yichen received a mission from Owl to scout a merchant route to the Land of Rain and assess which Ninjas the Akatsuki Organization could deploy there.
• Yichen led Team 7 and Hiroteru’s caravan toward the Land of Rain, where Hiroteru explained that border-to-border trade could earn profits comparable to other goods.