Chapter Summaries

Ye Zi used the money Muzi sent to fund the base’s children and ordered extra guards for her, then turned his attention to preparing for the coming battle. In Konoha, Might Guy and Kurenai intensified their training, while Kakashi practiced in the Death Forest and Obito struggled to master the Rasengan.

• Ye Zi burned Muzi’s letter, ordered five additional guards for her, and directed Uchiha Jin to work with Kotoha on a ninja-tool list for Fish to purchase.
• Ye Zi left the base to spend the remaining time preparing for battle while awaiting Orochimaru’s research, the children’s growth, and the agreed-upon moment.
• Two months after the incident, Might Guy recovered from his brief depression and began an extreme training regimen, prompting Kurenai to take up taijutsu and seek special genjutsu training from Shinku Yuhi.
• Kakashi subdued seven or eight enormous bears in the Death Forest with nonlethal strikes from his short blade.
• Obito burned his palm while practicing the Rasengan and continued trying to master the new ninjutsu.

Obito’s Fire Release Rasengan exploded during training, but Rin healed him and agreed to train alongside him. At Konoha’s gates, Jiraiya departed to investigate Akatsuki and Ye Zi, while Tsunade resolved to focus on training medical ninjas.

• Obito’s attempt to infuse the Rasengan with Fire Release failed, leaving his right hand badly burned.
• Rin healed Obito, urged him to train more carefully, and agreed to stay and train with him.
• Jiraiya left Konoha to uncover the truth about Akatsuki and Ye Zi after Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade saw him off.
• Minato returned to his office using the Flying Thunder God Technique after Jiraiya departed.
• Tsunade decided to train more medical ninjas and walked with Kushina toward the hospital.

Itachi trained with Shisui while Yamanaka Genya confessed to Hiruzen why he had concealed evidence that Ye Zi was not from the Land of Rain. As Konoha and other villages searched for Ye Zi’s hidden base without success, Orochimaru told Ye Zi that the cursed seal results had arrived.

• Itachi sparred with Shisui for hours, pushing himself to continue training despite exhaustion.
• Yamanaka Genya visited Hiruzen and admitted he had hidden evidence that Ye Zi was not from the Land of Rain.
• Genya explained that a vague, happy smile in his vision had made him believe Ye Zi had an important family member and should not be eliminated.
• Hiruzen told Genya not to blame himself, while acknowledging that his own inaction had helped turn Ye Zi into an enemy of the village.
• Konoha, Jiraiya, and other villages continued intelligence operations, but none found Ye Zi’s concealed base, which Fish helped supply and a Byakugan clone guarded.
• After three months, Orochimaru told Ye Zi that the cursed seal results had arrived.

Ye Zi inspected Orochimaru’s newly developed Cursed Seal, which granted powerful transformations but carried a low survival rate and damaged the body. After learning the method and arranging further research into Hashirama Cells, Ye Zi offered the Cursed Seal to Uchiha Jin, who was still considering it.

• Orochimaru showed Ye Zi a clone using the Cursed Seal’s first and second forms, demonstrating their increased power and bodily damage.
• Orochimaru explained that Hashirama Cells could greatly improve the Cursed Seal’s survival rate and counter its side effects.
• Ye Zi learned Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal method and asked him to work with Nanako to improve Hashirama Cells implantation success.
• Ye Zi decided to offer Uchiha Jin a Cursed Seal and told him its benefits and risks; Uchiha Jin began considering the choice.

Ye Zi successfully applied the Heavenly Curse Mark to Uchiha Jin, who endured the painful transformation and discovered that his strength and Chakra capacity had increased. Meanwhile, Jiraiya continued covertly investigating Amegakure and Akatsuki, hoping to learn more about Ye Zi and the organization’s leader.

• Ye Zi used Sage Mode and his Sealing Jutsu to apply a Heavenly Curse Mark to Uchiha Jin.
• Uchiha Jin endured the painful transformation as the curse mark spread across half his body before settling into lightning-shaped patterns.
• Uchiha Jin recovered and sensed Ye Zi’s Chakra within him, along with increased strength and Chakra capacity.
• Ye Zi told Uchiha Jin to rest, then continued training outside the base while considering the upcoming children’s Hashirama Cell implantation.
• Jiraiya secretly watched Amegakure from hiding as he continued searching for information about Akatsuki, its leader, and Ye Zi.

Jiraiya continued investigating Amegakure while White Zetsu observed Killer B in Cloud-Thunder Gorge to gather intelligence for Ye Zi. White Zetsu learned the basics of Killer B’s swordsmanship and complete Eight-Tails transformation, then prepared to move on to other targets.

• Jiraiya noted that Amegakure’s traffic had declined and Akatsuki had gained a powerful new member, then sent his gathered intelligence to Konoha.
• White Zetsu watched Killer B compose rhymes and train at Cloud-Thunder Gorge, while Black Zetsu explained that a Jinchuriki who controlled a tailed beast would be powerful.
• Killer B demonstrated the Aragatsumugi Blade by controlling seven blades with different parts of his body.
• Killer B transformed into the complete Eight-Tails while keeping his sanity, allowing White Zetsu to finish assessing the basics of his abilities.

White Zetsu infiltrated Kumogakure to gather intelligence while Ye Zi remained missing. At the Land of Waterfalls base, Kimimaro collapsed from a severe illness, and Nanako began examining him as Ye Zi arrived to wait for the diagnosis.

• White Zetsu left Killer B and infiltrated Kumogakure to collect intelligence on its Jinchuriki, experts, and defenses.
• Kimimaro collapsed in the training room after intense Shikotsumyaku training aggravated his hereditary illness.
• Jugo carried Kimimaro to Uchiha Jin and Kotoha, and Uchiha Jin brought him to Nanako's laboratory while Kotoha notified Ye Zi.
• Nanako examined Kimimaro, eased his pain with an anesthetic, and told Uchiha Jin that the illness appeared serious.
• Ye Zi arrived with Kotoha, learned Kimimaro was ill, and sent Uchiha Jin and Kotoha back to the training ground while she stayed by Kimimaro.

Ye Zi and the others discovered that Kimimaro’s Shikotsumyaku had triggered a hereditary Kaguya Clan disease, which steadily paralyzed him despite Nanako and Orochimaru’s efforts. They proposed implanting Hashirama Cells as a possible treatment, leaving the choice to Kimimaro.

• Kimimaro awoke unable to move, and Nanako’s tests found no known treatment for his likely hereditary disease.
• Orochimaru explained that Kimimaro’s powerful bloodline and relentless use of his Kekkei Genkai had caused the disease to surface early.
• Ye Zi reassured Kimimaro that he would need his abilities and expected him to become the strongest shinobi of the Kaguya Clan.
• Nanako and Orochimaru failed to stop Kimimaro’s worsening paralysis, and he became completely unable to move after two or three months.
• Nanako and Orochimaru proposed implanting Hashirama Cells to cure or slow Kimimaro’s illness, and they left the decision to him.

After Kimimaro agreed to the risks of implanting Hashirama Cells, the operation cured his hereditary disease and let him recover. Ye Zi then gave him Three-Tomoe Sharingan and a Heavenly Curse Mark, and left him to adapt before testing his new strength.

• Kimimaro agreed to the Hashirama Cells operation, which Orochimaru and Nanako performed successfully despite his poor health.
• Kimimaro gradually regained his mobility, and Nanako confirmed that the Hashirama Cells had cured his hereditary disease.
• At Ye Zi's request, Nanako transplanted Three-Tomoe Sharingan into Kimimaro's eyes, and he adapted to them within a day.
• Kimimaro asked Ye Zi to place a curse mark on him, and Ye Zi planted the Heavenly Curse Mark on his chest.
• Kimimaro endured the curse mark's pain as it spread across half his body, then Ye Zi told him to adapt for three days before they fought.

Ye Zi tested Kimimaro’s strength in a training battle, using a Wood Clone so Kimimaro could fight without holding back. Kimimaro entered the battle with his Curse Mark, bone spurs, and Sharingan active, and impressed Ye Zi by matching the clone’s defense; the fight continued as Kimimaro sought to break through it.

• Ye Zi noticed Kimimaro’s nerves and gave him time to regain his composure before the battle.
• Ye Zi created a Wood Clone, handed it Blood, and told Kimimaro to use all his strength against it.
• Kimimaro activated the first form of the Heavenly Curse Mark, exposed bone spurs across his body, and charged the clone.
• Kimimaro’s three-tomoe Sharingan tracked the clone’s movements, and his bones blocked its lightning-wrapped blade.
• Kimimaro used Dance of the Larch, and the clone praised his speed and concise attacks as they clashed in a rapid exchange.
• Encouraged by Ye Zi’s praise, Kimimaro became determined to break through the clone’s defense.

Kimimaro demonstrated his Shikotsumyaku techniques against Ye Zi, who defended against his ranged and close-combat attacks. Kimimaro then activated the second form of the Heavenly Curse Mark, leaving Ye Zi eager to see how much stronger he had become.

• Kimimaro fired bone spikes at Ye Zi with Bracken Dance, and Ye Zi retreated and deflected them.
• Kimimaro used Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets and Iron Spear Dance, while Ye Zi blocked the projectiles and dodged the spears.
• Kimimaro revealed a surprise attack that thrust bone spikes from the right side of his body, but Ye Zi retreated after noticing Kimimaro's smile.
• Ye Zi warned Kimimaro not to reveal his emotions during battle, and Kimimaro resolved not to repeat the mistake.
• Kimimaro announced he would use the second form of the Heavenly Curse Mark, transformed, and unfolded bone wings as Ye Zi anticipated his increased strength.

Kimimaro demonstrated the full power of his Curse Mark against Ye Zi’s Wood Clone, defeating it with the Dance of the Dead Fern. Ye Zi recognized Kimimaro as a capable fighter and considered the approaching Hashirama Cell surgeries and tailed-beast mission, which depended on Nagato and Kushina.

• Ye Zi asked whether Kimimaro’s Curse Mark wings let him fly, and Kimimaro confirmed that they did.
• Kimimaro unleashed the Dance of the Dead Fern, filling most of the training field with bone pillars and forcing Ye Zi to protect himself inside a Wood Release sphere.
• Kimimaro controlled the bone pillars and crushed the sphere, destroying Ye Zi’s Wood Clone as spectators watched in shock.
• Kimimaro exhausted himself and nearly collapsed, so Ye Zi praised him and asked Jugo to take him to rest.
• Ye Zi used Sage Mode to clear the bone forest and restore the training field, while Orochimaru and Nanako resumed their research and Ye Zi and Uchiha Jin continued training the children.
• Ye Zi reflected that less than half a year remained before the Hashirama Cell surgeries and the tailed-beast capture mission, whose outcome depended on Nagato and Kushina.

During the year called the Age of Jade, Ye Zi’s influence helped young ninja across the shinobi world grow rapidly, while his base trained a powerful new generation. White Zetsu delivered intelligence on Kirigakure and Kumogakure to Ye Zi, who prepared for Akatsuki’s gathering and a task involving the Sharingan.

• White Zetsu returned after nearly a year away and was astonished by the strength of Ye Zi’s young ninja, including their Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• White Zetsu noticed Karin Uzumaki training at the base and learned she had been rescued from Kusagakure by Ye Zi.
• White Zetsu saw that Orochimaru had also received Hashirama Cells before leaving the laboratory area.
• Ye Zi returned to the base the next day, and White Zetsu reported his intelligence on Kirigakure and Kumogakure.
• Ye Zi memorized information about Kumogakure’s defenses and powerful ninja as he prepared for Akatsuki’s gathering and a task related to the Sharingan.

Ye Zi gathered intelligence from White Zetsu and prepared to infiltrate Konoha to steal Three-Tomoe Sharingan for the children at his base. He and White Zetsu reached a forest near Konoha at night, poised to begin the operation.

• Ye Zi tasked White Zetsu with finding spies from the major ninja villages and told him they would first go to Konoha to obtain Sharingan.
• Ye Zi checked on the children and learned that sixty-eight had survived the Hashirama Cell surgery, but the base lacked more than thirty pairs of Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Ye Zi left for Konoha with White Zetsu, planning to use the Inorganic Reincarnation Technique to infiltrate the Uchiha compound and assassinate selected targets.
• White Zetsu urged Ye Zi to cause a major disturbance, but Ye Zi stuck to his plan to obtain the Sharingan quietly before dealing with spies and pursuing the tailed beasts.
• After traveling for three days, Ye Zi and White Zetsu watched Konoha from a forest as Ye Zi’s killing intent surfaced.

Ye Zi and White Zetsu infiltrated Konoha’s Uchiha compound to assassinate clan members with Three-Tomoe Sharingan and collect their eyes. They killed four targets in succession, with Ye Zi moving on to Uchiha Kiku.

• Ye Zi and White Zetsu used the Earth Mayfly Technique to enter Konoha without triggering its defenses.
• Ye Zi infiltrated the Uchiha compound and killed Uchiha Han in his sleep; White Zetsu collected his eyes.
• Ye Zi killed Uchiha Seicho, and White Zetsu collected his eyes.
• Ye Zi killed Uchiha Fujiwara, a young Uchiha genius who had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Ye Zi headed to Uchiha Kiku’s room as White Zetsu continued collecting the victims’ eyes.

Ye Zi killed Uchiha clansmen to collect their Three-Tomoe Sharingan, then ambushed Uchiha Itachi as his final target. Itachi escaped the fatal slash with a substitution, and Ye Zi realized his attack had failed.

• Ye Zi and White Zetsu collected the eyes of eleven Uchiha targets, and Ye Zi continued killing solitary clansmen until only one pair remained.
• Ye Zi spotted Uchiha Itachi and chose to attack him instead of the sleeping Uchiha Purple Pig.
• Uchiha Itachi walked home after training with Shisui and reflected on his mistakes in their sparring match.
• A sudden cool breeze made Itachi look up and notice Ye Zi's shadow beside his own.
• Ye Zi slashed at Itachi, but Itachi's substitution turned the cut body into a broken log, and Ye Zi prepared to pursue him.

Ye Zi ambushed Itachi in the Uchiha district, but Itachi used Explosive Tags to alert Konoha and fought back until Ye Zi’s Black Lightning paralyzed him. Uchiha Fugaku arrived to protect his son, and Ye Zi faced Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Ye Zi pursued Itachi after his ambush failed, while Itachi hid and recognized Ye Zi as the attacker.
• Itachi set off three Explosive Tags to warn Konoha, drawing Minato, the village guards, and the Uchiha police toward the blasts.
• Ye Zi cornered Itachi, and Itachi blocked his slash with both hands before Black Lightning paralyzed him.
• Ye Zi sensed a dangerous genjutsu and retreated instead of striking Itachi again.
• Uchiha Fugaku appeared in front of Itachi, and Ye Zi narrowed his eyes at Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan.

Ye Zi infiltrated the Uchiha Clan compound to take Sharingan, but after seeing Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyō, he set his sights on Fugaku's eyes. Fugaku trapped Ye Zi in his Tsukuyomi genjutsu, where Ye Zi's Gotenjin began absorbing its energy as their fight continued.

• Kushina sensed Ye Zi near the Uchiha Clan compound and rushed there with other Konoha ninja.
• Ye Zi faced Uchiha Fugaku and changed his plan after seeing Fugaku's unusual Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Fugaku told Itachi to stand down, then attacked Ye Zi with the genjutsu techniques in both eyes.
• Fugaku's combined eye techniques pulled Ye Zi into a dark-red genjutsu space filled with corpses and weapons.
• Ye Zi stayed calm as Gotenjin absorbed the genjutsu energy, while Fugaku appeared in the space and claimed Ye Zi's defeat was certain.

Uchiha Fugaku used Oogami to amplify Tsukuyomi and trap Ye Zi, then repeatedly tortured him with blades in the genjutsu space. Ye Zi remained calm as Gotenjin absorbed the space’s energy and weakened the pain.

• Uchiha Fugaku used Oogami to strengthen Tsukuyomi beyond Ye Zi’s Gotenjin defense and pulled him into the genjutsu space.
• Uchiha Fugaku bound Ye Zi to a torture rack and sent hundreds of blades through him, killing him in the genjutsu before he reappeared unharmed.
• Ye Zi realized Gotenjin was absorbing the genjutsu’s energy and helping him withstand the pain.
• Uchiha Fugaku repeatedly sliced Ye Zi apart, but Ye Zi kept his composure while Gotenjin weakened the pain.
• Uchiha Fugaku continued the torture, convinced Ye Zi could not endure it.

Ye Zi absorbed the illusory energy sustaining Uchiha Fugaku’s Tsukuyomi, seized control of the space, and switched their positions. Uchiha Fugaku ended the chapter bound to the torture rack as Ye Zi prepared to make him endure the torment.

• Ye Zi endured Uchiha Fugaku’s repeated tortures while Gotenjin absorbed the illusory energy sustaining the Tsukuyomi space.
• Once Gotenjin reached saturation, Ye Zi broke free of the torture rack and shattered the illusory insects attacking him.
• Ye Zi manifested a massive sphere of Chakra wrapped in black lightning and hurled it at Uchiha Fugaku, who could not erase it.
• Ye Zi used Gotenjin’s illusory energy to refill the weakened Tsukuyomi space and take control of it.
• The space switched their positions, leaving Uchiha Fugaku bound to the torture rack while Ye Zi watched.