Chapter Summaries

Yichen captured the Third Kazekage Puppet from Sasori of the Red Sands but was badly poisoned by Sasori’s hidden needles. After the camp’s Medical Ninja stabilized him, Yichen was sent to Iwagakure with the puppet so the Tsuchikage could decide how it should be handled.

• Yichen trapped the Third Kazekage Puppet in mud and sealed it in a scroll, while Sasori fell far below and Yichen extracted some of the poison from his foot.
• Yichen returned to East Front Camp, where the Medical Ninja treated his poisoning and Kitsuchi and Purple Lightning discovered the Third Kazekage Puppet in the scroll.
• Yichen told Kitsuchi and Purple Lightning that Sasori had made the Third Kazekage into a human puppet and had used it to attack him.
• Kitsuchi ordered Yichen to take the puppet to Iwagakure, and Yichen departed after giving instructions to Tomoko, Kajiyamari, and Kawakita.
• Yichen flew through the night and arrived in Iwagakure the following morning.

Yichen reported capturing the Third Kazekage Puppet to Ōnoki, who assigned Ikura to negotiate with Sunagakure and warned Yichen to seek help rather than handle dangerous foes alone. While recovering from Sasori's poison, Yichen reunited with Natsuki and saw how much she had settled into school and grown closer to him.

• Yichen showed Ōnoki the Third Kazekage Puppet and explained how he had defeated Sasori of the Red Sands, prompting Ōnoki to consult the advisors and Ikura.
• Yichen proposed trading the puppet to Konoha, but Ikura argued against alienating Sunagakure, so Ōnoki assigned Ikura to negotiate with Sunagakure.
• Ōnoki told Yichen to recover and seek help in future encounters, and Ikura accompanied him to the hospital before leaving to discuss negotiations with the daimyo.
• Yichen returned home, noticed Natsuki's belongings had taken up much of the small house, and went to meet her after school.
• Yichen greeted Natsuki, met her classmates Miko, Nanaka, and Hazuki, then treated the girls and Chikotake to a meal before taking Natsuki home.

After recovering, Yichen resumed training while waiting for Ikura to return from negotiations with Sunagakure. The two began scouting Ninja Academy students as potential disciples, and Yichen settled on Matsutani Shinya, whose unusual closeness to animals might help him learn Sage Jutsu, though his lack of motivation concerned Yichen.

• Yichen and Natsuki settled into the cabin, and Yichen spent more than ten days recovering while practicing Ninjutsu and keeping to a training routine.
• Ikura returned with an agreement that secured benefits for the Land of Earth, and Yichen received the record of an S-rank mission.
• Yichen and Ikura spent a day hearing teachers introduce more than a thousand students at the Ninja Academy, then agreed to observe promising candidates in person.
• Natsuki told Yichen what she had heard about the graduating class from Chikotake, giving him additional information to use when choosing disciples.
• Yichen and Ikura disguised themselves as guardian Jonin and secretly observed students; Ikura identified several candidates, including two well-rounded fighters and a student skilled in Sealing Jutsu.
• Yichen recommended Matsutani Shinya because of his affinity with small animals and possible potential for Sage Jutsu, but noted that the unmotivated student's poor grades could make training him difficult.

Yichen and Ikura observed graduating students’ theoretical lessons while searching for disciples, and Yichen reconsidered Ogura Saki after hearing her theory about breaking a ninja’s limits. Ikura chose to pursue Nakada Tatsunori for his understanding of Earth Release, while both still had disciple spots to fill and planned to assess students in afternoon combat classes.

• Yichen and Ikura listened to students answer theoretical questions as they toured the graduating classes, and Yichen was struck by Ogura Saki’s ideas about breaking a ninja’s limits.
• Yichen asked a teacher to have Ogura Saki explain her ideas in detail, then reviewed her file and considered her a potential disciple because her goals seemed aligned with his own.
• Ikura heard a Regular Class student explain Earth Release and decided to take Nakada Tatsunori as a disciple.
• Yichen and Ikura spotted Matsutani Shinya looking disengaged in class, confirmed his identity, and continued their search.
• Yichen and Ikura found the Advanced Classes’ lessons less revealing and planned to judge the students during afternoon combat classes.

Yichen and Ikura chose three disciples each after reviewing student profiles and watching practical matches. Their selections passed an early graduation assessment, and eight more Jonin followed their example by announcing they would take disciples.

• Yichen and Ikura watched the graduating students' practical matches and selected Ogura Saki, Haraguchi Hampei, Shimoyama Tamaki, and Takuya to fill their remaining disciple slots.
• Yichen and Ikura settled on three disciples each: Yichen chose Matsutani Shinya, Ogura Saki, and Takuya, while Ikura chose Nakada Tatsunori, Haraguchi Hampei, and Shimoyama Tamaki.
• At Ikura's suggestion, the six students took the graduation assessment early at the teachers' request and passed.
• The six students reacted to being selected, with Ogura Saki feeling encouraged and Takuya excited to receive guidance.
• Five or six Jonin asked Yichen how he chose disciples and planned their training, and he analyzed student profiles for them.
• Eight more Jonin announced they would each take three disciples, while Yichen and Ikura prepared to meet their own students.

Yichen trained his three new disciples while working to refine his Lightning Release Stimulation Method, then took them to the East Front Camp after his injuries healed. There, Kitsuchi told him that Sunagakure had launched a full-scale war against Konoha and forced its forces to retreat from the Land of Rivers into the Land of Fire.

• Yichen introduced himself to Ogura Saki, Matsutani Shinya, and Takuya, gave them physical-training ingredients, and took them out for a feast.
• Over the next ten days, Yichen guided Ogura Saki's Chakra control, corrected Takuya's training, and had Ogura Saki encourage Matsutani Shinya to train.
• After a month of experimentation, Yichen learned to split Lightning Release into one hundred portions but failed to reduce its power enough to stimulate small animals' cells.
• With his injuries healed, Yichen took his disciples to the East Front Camp, where Kitsuchi reported that Konoha had suffered devastating losses against Sunagakure.
• Chiyo returned to the front lines after recognizing Sasori's work in the Third Kazekage Puppet, and she, Rasa, and Ebizo helped Sunagakure overwhelm Konoha's defenses.
• Orochimaru fought Sunagakure's powerful forces and brought roughly half of Konoha's ninjas safely back to the Land of Fire.

Yichen received orders to reinforce the Southern Front after Sunagakure inflicted a devastating defeat on Konoha in the Land of Rivers. He arrived at the camp as Saka prepared the Jonin for war and explained the battle’s consequences.

• Yichen questioned Kitsuchi about Pakura and the broader response to Konoha’s defeat, then trained his three new disciples while remaining on standby.
• The village ordered Yichen to support Saka on the Southern Front and instructed the East Front Camp not to provoke Konoha or the Cloud ninja.
• Yichen reached the Southern Front, where Ikura was helping Saka organize about a thousand elite reinforcements, including many former Anbu.
• Yichen recognized Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, at the Jonin meeting and learned that his sealing abilities had helped make Han’s deployment possible.
• Saka reported that Chiyo, Rasa, and Ebizo had driven Konoha from the Land of Rivers, leaving over three thousand Konoha ninja dead and Orochimaru and Manda injured.
• Saka added that Ebizo and the Third Kazekage Puppet had also suffered severe damage, while Yichen considered how his flying abilities had countered Sasori’s puppet techniques.

Yichen joined the Iwa ninja advance into the Land of Grass, where Konoha unexpectedly launched a head-on attack led by Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze. After Yichen helped blunt their surprise fire assault, Saka ordered Han to confront Jiraiya, leaving Ikura to face Minato.

• Saka briefed the Iwa commanders on Konoha’s retreat and ordered the Southern Army to pressure Konoha in the Land of Grass.
• More than ten thousand Iwa ninja met Konoha’s forces on a plain, and both sides unexpectedly charged into battle.
• Yichen spotted Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze arriving on giant toads and warned the Iwa forces to prepare for large-scale Fire Release.
• Yichen’s Porcelain Release and Ikura’s Earth Release helped block the attacks, though Minato’s fire still burned hundreds of Iwa ninja.
• Saka ordered Han to enter Partial Tailed Beast Transformation and attack Jiraiya, while Ikura was left to face Minato Namikaze.

Yichen joined Ikura to fight Minato Namikaze, helping him attack Gamabunta and then interfere with Minato’s close-range assault. The chapter left Minato facing Ikura’s Earth Dragon Bullet barrage after Yichen’s Banshō Ten’in gave Ikura time to complete the technique.

• Yichen left Han with Jiraiya and joined Ikura, who began attacking Gamabunta with Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld.
• Yichen fired Porcelain Release spears at Gamabunta, but Minato used Wind Style: Wind Tornado to destroy the spears aimed at him and clear the swamp.
• Ikura used a clone to cast Rock Forest, then trapped Gamabunta with Earth Style: Mountain Earth Technique, forcing Minato to dismiss the summon and rush toward him.
• Minato threw four Special Kunai toward Ikura, and Yichen used Banshō Ten'in to alter their paths, leading Minato to reveal his Flying Thunder God technique.
• Yichen pulled Minato off balance with Banshō Ten'in, giving Ikura time to finish Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet and send a barrage toward him.

Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya forced the Iwa ninja vanguard to retreat, but Saka ordered the main forces to keep attacking. As the Iwa ninja began to fall behind in the large-scale battle, Saka sent the Explosive Unit to break through Konoha’s line.

• Yichen used Banshō Ten'in to thwart Minato Namikaze’s attacks and help Ikura survive, then Ikura joined the vanguard battle.
• Yichen moved to support Jiraiya’s fight with Han, and Jiraiya escaped after cutting himself off from the Iwa ninja main force.
• Yichen warned Ikura that Jiraiya was approaching, and Ikura led the retreat; only a little over a hundred Iwa ninja returned to their main force.
• Saka ordered the Iwa ninja to attack despite their losses, and Yichen conserved his strength as the armies clashed with group Ninjutsu.
• When the Iwa ninja started losing ground, Saka sent the Explosive Unit to attack, and it broke through Konoha’s defensive line.

Yichen’s advice helped Ōnoki stop the Iwa advance after Dust Release devastated Konoha’s forces, and Yichen argued that peace would better serve Iwagakure than a costly continued war. He began outlining a strategy to profit from negotiations and help Konoha end the Third Shinobi War quickly.

• Konoha’s clan forces engaged the Explosive Unit, but Ōnoki struck them with Dust Release while Minato Namikaze attacked their ranks and Jiraiya raised an Earth Flow Fortress.
• The Iwa ninja routed Konoha’s forces and pushed them back to the Land of Fire’s border before Ōnoki ordered a withdrawal to the Land of Earth.
• Yichen told Ōnoki and the commanders that the Iwa ninja had already achieved their strategic objective and that continued fighting risked costly reinforcements and a war of attrition.
• Yichen proposed negotiating peace to demand reparations, mission quotas, territory, and Ninjutsu from Konoha.
• Yichen explained that peace would let Konoha reinforce its other fronts, drawing the other villages into a prolonged fight, then announced that Iwagakure could help Konoha win the Third Shinobi War quickly.

Yichen persuaded Ōnoki to pursue peace with Konoha, arguing that a quick victory could worsen Konoha’s internal divisions over who would become Fourth Hokage. After the ceasefire treaty ended the war, Yichen left to oversee the relocation of Iwagakure’s East Front Camp and its sealing barrier.

• Yichen argued that forcing Hiruzen Sarutobi to step down after a swift Konoha victory could alienate the Uchiha Clan and possibly the Hyuga Clan, weakening Konoha in a future war.
• Ōnoki ordered Saka to contact Mei and begin peace talks, then congratulated Yichen on breaking through to the Kage level and comprehending Wind Release.
• Ikura warned that Minato Namikaze’s Flying Thunder God would be a major threat, and Ōnoki asked for details about Minato.
• After a month of negotiations, the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth signed a ceasefire treaty that gave Konoha a nominal victory but imposed reparations, alliance restrictions, and ninjutsu transfers.
• Ōnoki sent Yichen to relocate the East Front Camp and oversee its Sealing Barrier, and Yichen departed with a thousand ninja and supplies.

After Iwagakure and Konoha secretly signed a peace treaty, the other nations reacted by escalating their preparations for war, while Danzō sought an alliance with Uchiha No. Yichen arrived at the East Front Camp and spent a month balancing missions, training, and Ninjutsu study, leaving him with a broader foundation but plenty still to do.

• Sunagakure’s leaders argued over whether to withdraw or seek peace with Konoha, then continued their standoff as Rasa and Chiyo stayed silent.
• The Third Raikage mobilized Cloud ninja against Konoha, while the Mist ninja maintained their standoff with the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan.
• Danzō, angered that Hiruzen Sarutobi had excluded him from the treaty decision, sent Bing to offer Uchiha No an alliance in exchange for helping impeach Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato Namikaze.
• The Tsuchikage praised Yichen for proposing peace talks and considered him a possible successor to Ōnoki, while Yichen remained unaware of the discussion.
• Yichen reached the East Front Camp with a thousand ninja and supplies, then worked on the camp, trained his disciples, and developed his techniques.
• After a month, Yichen had learned nearly all the Ninjutsu obtained from Konoha, except for several Wind Release techniques.

Yichen reviewed the ninjutsu Konoha had exchanged with Iwa and brought his three older disciples back to the village after disbanding Team One. He chose an S-rank passive sensory technique to learn, hoping it might help him detect Obito’s intangible state, and Ōnoki agreed to let him study another S-rank technique afterward.

• Yichen examined Konoha’s genjutsu and ninjutsu exchange, noting that Iwa valued several techniques for research despite their limited combat use.
• Kajiyamari developed his first ninjutsu and broke through toward becoming a Jonin after Ogura Saki’s insights helped him understand his own training.
• Yichen disbanded Team One and returned to the village with Tomoko, Kajiyamari, and Kawakita after Purple Lightning advised him to bring them along.
• Yichen chose an S-rank passive sensory ninjutsu to help him detect chakra fluctuations and potentially identify Obito’s intangible state.
• Ōnoki warned Yichen that the technique had not helped Mu much against Flying Thunder God, but allowed him to learn it and promised him another S-rank technique afterward.
• Ōnoki showed Yichen the technique in a Sealing Scroll, confirmed he had memorized it, and placed a confidential Sealing Jutsu in his mind.

Yichen accidentally absorbed Natural Energy while extracting Chakra after exhausting his reserves, causing his body to petrify. With his Sage Chakra unstable and his movements already limited, he summoned help and searched for a way to stop the transformation.

• Yichen trained his disciples, noting Ogura Saki's progress in developing Ninjutsu, Takuya's need to rebuild his fundamentals, and Matsutani Shinya's steady completion of set goals.
• Yichen successfully performed C-rank Wind Release and exhausted all his Chakra before returning to his small house.
• Yichen extracted Chakra inside the Natural Energy Seal Barrier while his body had no Chakra, unknowingly absorbing Natural Energy as a third component.
• Natsuki saw Yichen slowly turning to stone and alerted him to the petrification.
• Yichen realized unstable Sage Chakra was causing the petrification, asked Natsuki to notify the patrolling ninja and Ōnoki, and found himself too stonebound to train taijutsu.

Yichen recovered from petrification after using the S-rank Ninjutsu Mind's Eye to consume the Sage Chakra formed from Natural Energy. The next day, Ōnoki arranged a cautious test of Natural Energy and appointed Yichen and Ikura to replace the retiring advisors, leaving them to take over their chosen departments.

• Yichen sensed those around him with Mind's Eye, discovered that his petrification had vanished, and confirmed that the ninjutsu let him sense Chakra and Natural Energy.
• Yichen told Ōnoki and Ikura that he had absorbed Natural Energy after exhausting his Chakra and consumed the resulting Sage Chakra while learning Mind's Eye.
• Ōnoki ordered Saka to find volunteers to test whether exhausting Chakra caused Natural Energy absorption, and told Yichen to avoid the Natural Energy area for two days.
• Ōnoki announced that Yichen and Ikura would fill the two retiring advisors' positions, and both accepted.
• Yichen chose the Medical Department, Intelligence Department, Interrogation Department, and Beast Taming, while Ikura chose the Mission Assignment Division, Barrier Team, and Contribution Office.

Yichen began his new work as an advisor by inspecting Iwagakure’s Medical Department and proposing reforms to improve battlefield care. After winning Nakata Hajime’s support, he arranged to bring the proposal to Ōnoki and the other advisors, then went to train his disciples.

• Yichen postponed choosing an S-rank Ninjutsu and began familiarizing himself with administrative work before his appointment was officially announced.
• Yichen visited the Medical Department, where Nakata Hajime told him about its staff, training, and funding.
• Yichen questioned an injured Chunin and learned that delayed treatment had prolonged his recovery after a battle with Konoha.
• Yichen proposed training squad members in basic first aid as a first step toward assigning a Medical Ninja to every squad, and Nakata Hajime agreed to help advocate for the plan.
• Nakata Hajime left to organize supporting data, while Yichen went to Training Ground Seven to instruct his three disciples.

Yichen helped Iwagakure begin a gradual reform to train ninja in medical care, then visited Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, to assess the village’s tailed-beast arrangements. He reached Han’s home in the guarded valley, where the Five-Tails had been quiet since Ōnoki reinforced its seal.

• Ōnoki approved Mei’s phased plan for voluntary medical training, and the village began registering squads for classes.
• Nakata Hajime organized three stages of training, and Yichen and Ikura joined the first-stage lessons with their squads.
• Yichen and Ikura discussed who might become Fourth Tsuchikage and jokingly agreed to let their disciples compete for the position.
• Yichen visited the valley where Han lived under Anbu watch and examined the barrier meant to weaken giant Ninja Beasts.
• Tajima accompanied Yichen to Han’s door after explaining that the Five-Tails had been calm since Ōnoki reinforced its seal.

Yichen took Han around the village, helping the Five-Tails Jinchuriki reconnect with the life he had lost, then visited Roshi and the Interrogation Department. His genjutsu interrogation of a Cloud ninja spy produced intelligence that did not match what Yichen was seeking.

• Yichen escorted Han into the village, where Han revisited familiar places and broke down in tears after Yichen thanked him for his sacrifices.
• Yichen examined the barrier around Han’s valley home, then visited Roshi, who refused to meet him.
• Yichen continued taking Han on outings, helping him gradually adjust to life outside the valley.
• Yichen went to the Interrogation Department and used Genjutsu Interrogation on a captured Cloud ninja spy named Doi.
• In the genjutsu, Doi’s identity was questioned after Ando’s death, and he began revealing Cloud ninja secrets that left Yichen anxious because they were not the intelligence he wanted.

Yichen extracted the key principle of the Lightning Release Stimulation Method from Doi, then helped investigate how people could absorb Natural Energy. The tests led Ōnoki to approve trying the method on unaware volunteers, while Yichen also gained permission to take Han on regular walks under strict safety conditions.

• Yichen used genjutsu to make Doi reveal that tiny electrical arcs traveling along iron wires were the key to cultivating the Lightning Release Stimulation Method.
• At Saka's Natural Energy test, Yichen noticed a brief disturbance when a Chunin began refining Chakra while distracted by his earlier guidance.
• Yichen suggested that ordinary people might absorb Natural Energy only when they did so unknowingly, and Ōnoki ordered Saka to arrange a safe test of the idea.
• Yichen tried to reproduce his earlier Natural Energy experience but failed, supporting his theory that it had depended on unconsciously absorbing the energy.
• Yichen told Ōnoki that Han needed an outlet and suggested regular walks; Ikura agreed provided Yichen was in good condition and accompanied him.
• Yichen went to the Training Ground and prepared more iron wire for practicing the Lightning Release Stimulation Method.