Chapter Summaries

Jueming awakened the beginnings of a Yin Attribute, allowing him to resist most illusion techniques used by his peers, and beat Kurenai Yuhi after she attacked him. He planned to study genin- and Chunin-level knowledge before taking the Early Graduation Exam and challenging Kakashi Hatake and Tekka Uchiha.

• Mito Uzumaki dismissed Jueming's memories as adolescent fantasies while Jueming realized his new Yin Attribute could help him resist the Wood Release Factor.
• Jueming resisted Kurenai Yuhi's illusion technique and unlocked her chains, telling her she could leave.
• Kurenai Yuhi punched at Jueming, who struck first and beat her until she ran away crying.
• Mito Uzumaki concluded that Jueming's shamelessness resembled Tobirama Senju's, while Jueming declared his ambition to restore the Senju Clan.
• Jueming planned to study genin- and Chunin-level material at the Konoha Library for three months, take the Early Graduation Exam, and defeat Kakashi Hatake and Tekka Uchiha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi visited the Ninja Academy and library after learning that Senju Jueming had been skipping school and behaving unusually. He tried to counsel Jueming, gave him living expenses and calming medicine, and left looking forward to the Graduation Exam.

• Kakashi Hatake and Tekka Uchiha saw Hiruzen Sarutobi at the Academy and vowed to compete with each other at the Graduation Exam.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned Funano Daikoku about Jueming's absences and then found Jueming studying at the Konoha Library.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi listed Jueming's past misdeeds and unusual behavior, then offered him a heart-to-heart talk and reassured him about his health.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Jueming living expenses and medicine developed by the Akimichi Clan, the Nara Clan, and the Medical Unit.
• Jueming resolved to place first in the Graduation Exam, criticized Hiruzen Sarutobi's kindness, and returned to studying.

Jueming developed three Grass Release techniques while preparing for the Early Graduation Exam: Grass Substitution, Grass Clone, and Grass Transformation. With half a month left before the exam, Mito Uzumaki believed his abilities would impress everyone, but Jueming bristled at her telling him what to do.

• Jueming created Grass Release: Grass Substitution, a technique that let him switch places with a prepared straw doll within five meters.
• Jueming developed Grass Release: Grass Clone and tested its movement and attacks, finding it weak in close combat but capable of improvement.
• With a month and a half until the Early Graduation Exam, Jueming created a life-sized straw clone that could follow simple orders and wield a kunai.
• Jueming developed Grass Release: Grass Transformation and disguised himself as a lifelike bamboo stalk.
• Mito Uzumaki praised Jueming's progress and predicted he would amaze everyone at the exam, while Jueming objected to her directing him.

Jueming arrived at the Graduation Exam confident he would take first place, despite having skipped class for five months. The examiners added a written test for the unusually young candidates, and the chapter left him seated among older examinees as the test began.

• Jueming prepared for the exam at home and left after dressing, while Mito Uzumaki kept their mental contact cut off.
• Jueming met Rin Nohara, Obito Uchiha, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma at the Academy, where Kurenai accused him of skipping class and he teased her about their earlier encounter.
• Funano Daikoku told Jueming that Senju Sayuri had been recruited ahead of time, and Jueming suspected Shimura Danzō was responsible.
• Jueming entered the examination hall with Kakashi Hatake and Tekka Uchiha, drawing attention as one of the youngest examinees.
• The teachers announced a written test before the practical exam, explaining that it had been added because the candidates' early graduation attempts could make history.

Senju Jueming dominated the graduation exam’s unusually difficult written round, answering every question correctly and finishing first. Funano Daikoku announced Jueming’s perfect score but recorded it as 99 to keep him from becoming arrogant, leaving the other examinees stunned.

• Natsu Hyuga used her Byakugan to inspect the written test and realized it included Genin- and Chunin-level questions.
• Senju Jueming, Kakashi Hatake, and Tekka Uchiha rapidly answered the paper, but Jueming finished in ten minutes and handed it in first.
• Jueming claimed he had already taught himself Chunin-level theory, while Natsu Hyuga accused him of bragging and Rin Nohara considered that he might be telling the truth.
• The examiners announced Tekka Uchiha’s score of 60 and Kakashi Hatake’s score of 75.
• Funano Daikoku revealed that Jueming had answered every question correctly, then gave him 99 instead of 100 because he had skipped classes and Daikoku feared he would become arrogant.

After Senju Jueming topped the written test, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived to watch the unprecedented Graduation Exam. The Second Round began with the Transformation Technique, while Jueming, Kakashi Hatake, and Tekka Uchiha were assigned additional tests.

• Classmates recognized that Jueming’s talent had justified his decision to skip five months of classes, and he went to the Second Exam Room.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the Ninja Academy, drawing students’ attention to the importance of the Graduation Exam.
• In the Second Exam Room, Funano Daikoku and the other teachers praised Jueming’s written-test performance as the examinees awaited the Hokage.
• Ebisu asked Asuma why he was not taking the exam, and Asuma’s classmates realized he wanted to graduate alongside Kurenai Yuhi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi drew the Transformation Technique for the Second Round, and Funano Daikoku announced that Jueming, Kakashi Hatake, and Tekka Uchiha would also be tested on the Substitution and Clone Techniques.
• The Transformation Technique assessment began as examinees performed before the examiners, who scored or eliminated them.

Jueming, Kakashi Hatake, and Tekka Uchiha performed the Three Body Technique in a special assessment before Hiruzen Sarutobi. After Jueming and Kakashi tried to outpredict each other with increasingly large Clone Technique displays, the examiners lowered the standard and sent everyone on to the next stage.

• Funano Daikoku called Jueming, Kakashi Hatake, and Tekka Uchiha to the stage for their assessment while Natsu Hyuga watched through the wall with her Byakugan.
• Jueming created twenty clones, and Kakashi responded by creating twenty-one after predicting Jueming's ability.
• Jueming made twenty-five clones, but Kakashi used a Ration Pill and raised his total to thirty.
• Funano Daikoku stopped Jueming and Kakashi's exchange, and all three candidates passed the Three Body Technique assessment.
• The examiners lowered the Clone Technique requirement to one perfect clone, and everyone left for the next classroom.

The third round of the Graduation Exam began as an unrestricted combat test, with Senju Jueming needing to take first place to graduate. Tekka Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake each won their matches instantly, leaving Jueming’s match against Nara Maru next.

• Funano Daikoku explained that the third round was an unrestricted battle and that Jueming had to win the exam to graduate rather than drop out.
• Tekka Uchiha defeated Anzu Senju with a shuriken ricochet technique, then left the field after signaling the match was over.
• The spectators praised Tekka’s skill, while Obito dismissed their teasing and claimed he would surpass the others once he awakened his Sharingan.
• Kakashi Hatake defeated Shido Akimichi with a swift kick after dodging his Expansion Jutsu.
• After Kakashi’s instant victory, the crowd wondered what Senju Jueming would do in his upcoming match against Nara Maru.

Senju Jueming defeated Nara Maru without leaving the ground, then faced Tekka Uchiha and survived his illusion-assisted Great Fireball Technique. The match remained unresolved as Jueming revealed he was unharmed and continued taunting Tekka.

• Nara Maru used the Shadow Imitation Technique and shuriken against Jueming, but neither could affect him, so he conceded.
• Jueming challenged Tekka Uchiha to face him alone or together, and Tekka entered the arena demanding that he stand up.
• Tekka's shuriken failed to scratch Jueming, who mocked his attacks and refused to move.
• Tekka trapped Jueming with the Hell Viewing Technique and followed it with the Great Fireball Technique.
• Jueming negated the illusion and used Grass Substitution to escape the flames unharmed, then taunted Tekka from the side of the arena.

Senju Jueming defeated Tekka Uchiha by tricking him into wasting his Chakra, then beat Kakashi Hatake with eighteen physical Grass Clones. The examiners recognized Jueming as far beyond his classmates, leaving the Graduation Exam rankings all but decided.

• Senju Jueming used an E-Rank Substitution Technique to evade Tekka Uchiha's Great Fireball, and Funano Daikoku stopped Tekka when he could no longer fight.
• Funano Daikoku declared Senju Jueming the winner, and Kakashi Hatake challenged him to prove he was the strongest in the class.
• Senju Jueming created eighteen Grass Clones that surrounded Kakashi Hatake and beat him until he passed out.
• Rin Nohara and other students began believing Jueming skipped class because lessons could not teach him anything more.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that Jueming's clones were low-level physical clones rather than Shadow Clones, and the examiners agreed that he had no real competition in the Graduation Exam.

Senju Jueming won the Graduation Exam and received his Ninja Headband, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Senju examiner speculated that he might possess a Sage Body. As the successful examinees awaited their Jonin Instructors, Mito Uzumaki decided it was time to meet Momoka Senju.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi declared Senju Jueming the top scorer, and Jueming received his Ninja Headband.
• Jueming boasted to Kurenai Yuhi and the other students, strengthening his reputation as a genius.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the teachers discussed whether Jueming's talent and durability indicated a Sage Body, and the Senju examiner hoped to report the possibility to the clan.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that the passing examinees would return in three days for their Genin briefing and Jonin Instructor assignments.
• Jueming left the academy crawling on all fours, while Mito Uzumaki resolved to meet Momoka Senju.

Jueming searched the Senju Clan archives for techniques after graduating, while Momoka Senju and Shimura Danzō discussed his unexpected first-place finish and possible Sage Body. The chapter ended with Jueming finding an Inuzuka Clan technique scroll.

• Momoka Senju heard that Jueming had topped the Graduation Exam and arranged to meet him and Sayuri in three days.
• Shimura Danzō told Senju Sayuri that Jueming had won the exam and might possess a Sage Body, but Sayuri said she would not be outmatched.
• Shimura Danzō told Sayuri that Momoka Senju would make her move in three days.
• Jueming entered the Senju Clan archives, found a Rope Escape Technique scroll with varied escape methods, and took it to study.
• Jueming found a scroll for the Inuzuka Clan's D-Rank Ninjutsu, Four Legs Technique.

Jueming rejected the Inuzuka Clan’s Four Legs Technique and learned the Thousand Years of Death, adapting it to his prone fighting style. Three days later, he headed to the Ninja Academy’s Genin briefing to find out who his Jonin Instructor was.

• Jueming read about the Four Legs Technique, decided it did not suit his Grass Release - Body, and chose to learn the Thousand Years of Death instead.
• Mito Uzumaki rebuked Jueming for choosing the technique, but he kept the scroll and gained stamina after refusing her suggestion.
• Tekka Uchiha asked Tsume Inuzuka to teach him the Four Legs Technique so he could grow stronger and surpass Jueming.
• Jueming practiced the Thousand Years of Death from a prone position and decided to keep it as a trump card, while Mito Uzumaki severed their mental connection to avoid watching him practice.
• Three days later, Jueming prepared to attend the Ninja Academy’s Genin briefing and find out who his Jonin Instructor was.

Jueming waited as his classmates were assigned Jonin instructors, then learned that he had to recruit two Genin teammates before meeting his own instructor. The Great Elder gave him a roster of unassigned Senju Genin while concealing an apparent difficulty.

• Jueming met Tekka Uchiha, who vowed to catch up by mastering the Four Legs Technique, and Kakashi Hatake, who said he had started training Lightning Release.
• Jueming, Tekka, and Kakashi arrived at the Ninja Academy, where the graduates greeted Jueming with friendly respect.
• Jonin instructors took the other graduates away, and Yashiro Uchiha personally selected Tekka Uchiha to guide him.
• Minato Namikaze arrived as Kakashi Hatake's Jonin Instructor and showed curiosity about Jueming before leaving with Kakashi.
• The Great Elder told Jueming he would take him to meet his Jonin Instructor after he recruited two Genin teammates, then handed him a list of Senju Clan Genin without instructors.

The Great Elder tried to recruit several struggling Senju clansmen to form a genin team with Jueming, but each refused. Jueming decided to carry the Senju Clan’s revival himself and asked the Great Elder to take him to his Jonin Instructor.

• Senju Tetsuya begged the Great Elder to leave him alone, explaining that his former teammates had mutated and he now earned a living washing toilets.
• The Great Elder introduced Jueming to Senju Ryohei, but Ryohei praised the Great Elder sarcastically and locked himself inside his house.
• Senju Isamu rejected the Great Elder’s team offer while washing dishes and chased him away with a kitchen knife.
• The Great Elder told Jueming they could keep searching, but Jueming said he would manage on his own.
• Jueming asked the Great Elder to take him directly to his Jonin Instructor.

Jueming entered the Senju Clan’s Forbidden Ground to face Momoka Senju’s trial, while Sayuri also arrived to take part. As Jueming cautiously explored the Illusion Barrier on his own, Sayuri sensed that someone might be watching her in the fog.

• The Great Elder led Jueming to the Forbidden Ground and told him to pass the trial to meet the person he needed to meet.
• Momoka Senju revealed her identity to Sayuri, told her to enter the trial, and noted that Danzo’s recruitment affected Sayuri’s chance to become her disciple.
• Mito warned Jueming that he had entered an Illusion Barrier, but Jueming chose to test it without her help.
• Jueming crawled through the fog, using what he considered his safest defensive posture as he scouted ahead.
• Sayuri entered the Forbidden Ground, sensed someone watching her, and used a chakra perception technique to search the area.

Sayuri faced two Mutated Monsters in Momoka Senju’s trial, while Jueming joined the fight after realizing she was in danger. Momoka watched their struggle and doubted the abilities of the two genin, leaving the trial unresolved.

• A tree-like Mutated Monster ambushed Sayuri, injured her arms, and forced her to retreat as a second monster charged from the fog.
• Momoka Senju explained that the trial tested the candidates’ talent for Yin Release and Illusion Techniques, with a scroll on a high platform offering a way to defeat the guardian.
• Jueming and Mito watched Sayuri flee, and Mito urged Jueming to help when the monster nearly struck her again.
• Sayuri used Water Style: Heavenly Cry against the monster, and Jueming rushed in to interrupt its attack.
• Jueming told Sayuri to look for openings while he fought the monster head-on, and Sayuri waited nearby to support him.
• Momoka entered, called the two genin idiots, and the Great Elder nervously hoped Jueming would make him proud.

Jueming and Sayuri fought a mutated monster during the trial, and Jueming defeated it by exploiting its weakness and binding it. Sayuri returned with scrolls for the Demonic Illusion Viewing Technique, leaving them to decide what to do with the restrained creature.

• Jueming held off the powerful Mutated Monster while Sayuri's weapons barely pierced its hide, and Sayuri sensed Chakra reactions on several high platforms.
• Sayuri left to investigate while Jueming used Thousand Years of Death to strike the monster's weak point and break through its defenses.
• Jueming summoned two Grass Clones, which used a rope to bind the weakened monster.
• Momoka Senju and Mito Uzumaki condemned Jueming's binding method, while the Great Elder celebrated his apparent success in the trial.
• Sayuri returned with two scrolls containing the D-rank Demonic Illusion Viewing Technique's training method and asked what they should do with the monster.

Jueming and Sayuri learned the Demonic Illusion Technique and passed the preliminary assessment, which tested for the Yin Attribute needed to resist Wood Release Cell erosion. The Great Elder led them into a dilapidated Senju settlement and revealed clan members whose minds had been damaged by the cells.

• A mutated Senju woman was swallowed by trees that erupted from the ground before Jueming and Sayuri could act.
• Jueming and Sayuri found a scroll containing the Demonic Illusion Technique and realized the trial tested whether they could learn it and calm the monster.
• Sayuri mastered the technique first, and Jueming soon learned it as well, using a mirror to test his theory about how illusion techniques interacted with reflected waves.
• Momoka Senju praised Jueming's sharp mind, and she dispelled the barrier to reveal the abandoned Senju settlement.
• The Great Elder told Jueming and Sayuri that strong Yin Attribute and Mental Energy could suppress Wood Release Cell erosion, then showed them clan members whose minds had been affected by it.

Jueming and Sayuri followed Momoka Senju into a heavily sealed underground cavern, where they discovered that her body had been transformed by the Wood Release Cells experiment. Momoka awakened and asked whether they were frightened, while Jueming called her Teacher Momoka and concealed his fascination.

• A Senju clansman interrupted the Great Elder with a confused claim that Madara Uchiha had returned and was standing before them.
• Momoka Senju examined Jueming and Sayuri with her Perception Chakra, then led them into the underground cavern.
• Mito Uzumaki realized that the seemingly foolish girl was Momoka Senju's clone and hid her presence from Momoka.
• The Great Elder explained that Momoka had joined Tobirama Senju's Wood Release experiment and suppressed the cells' corruption despite their mutation of her body.
• Momoka's clone merged with her true body, awakening her as Jueming and Sayuri stared at her transformed form.
• Momoka asked whether they were frightened, and Jueming replied that he was shocked and addressed her as Teacher Momoka.