Chapter Summaries

Qi Shuang learned that the Dragon Transformation Pool dissolved snakes who entered it, but Ichikishimahime explained that the Seed of Sage Art could protect him while still leaving him to endure constant pain and Natural Energy erosion. Determined to cultivate Senjutsu, he entered the pool and immediately felt its restraint and torment.

• Jade told Ichikishimahime and the other snake maidens that she was answering the true dragon's call, then submerged herself in the Dragon Transformation Pool and dissolved.
• Ichikishimahime explained that the pool's dense Natural Energy would annihilate Qi Shuang without his Seed of Sage Art, while the seed would protect him only partially.
• Tagorihime warned that the seed's resonance would trap Qi Shuang in the pool until his baptism was complete or the seed's power ran out.
• Tagitsuhime explained that constant exposure to the pool's Natural Energy was necessary to prepare Qi Shuang for the daily baptism and urged him to decide before entering.
• Qi Shuang chose to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool, felt the seed restrain him, and staggered from the sudden pain as the three snake maidens laughed.

Qi Shuang endured the Dragon Transformation Pool’s corrosive water while Ichikishimahime guarded him and learned how he had summoned Manda. At noon, the Seed of Sage Art began his first Natural Energy baptism, and he struggled to resist being assimilated as Tagorihime arrived to relieve Ichikishimahime.

• Tagitsuhime arranged for herself, Ichikishimahime, and Tagorihime to take turns guarding Qi Shuang from hostile snakes while he underwent baptism.
• Ichikishimahime questioned Qi Shuang about summoning Manda, and he revealed that he had ambushed Orochimaru, torn out his heart, and used his blood to summon Manda.
• Ichikishimahime promised to bring Qi Shuang food during shift changes, then let him endure the pool’s pain as he tried to sense Natural Energy.
• At noon, the Seed of Sage Art activated and poured Natural Energy through Qi Shuang’s body, breaking through his chakra resistance.
• Qi Shuang continued resisting the baptism to avoid becoming a mindless Summoning Snake as Tagorihime arrived to take over the guard shift.

Qi Shuang endured his first baptism by Natural Energy in the Dragon Transformation Pool, but Tagorihime revealed that his body had already begun transforming into a snake. He faced the danger of worsening transformation unless he adapted to Natural Energy before it became complete.

• Ichikishimahime and Tagorihime estimated that Qi Shuang might survive the baptism for about three months, depending on his constitution, intelligence, and ability to adapt to Natural Energy.
• Qi Shuang resisted the first baptism with chakra as Natural Energy overwhelmed his defenses and painfully passed through his body.
• After the baptism ended, Qi Shuang recovered and felt relieved that the pool water's corrosion seemed mild by comparison.
• Tagorihime warned Qi Shuang that continuing to resist the baptism head-on could bring him close to death.
• Qi Shuang saw grime and scales on his arms, and Tagorihime explained that snake transformation had begun and would worsen until he adapted to Natural Energy.

The chapter explained how the Sage of Six Paths's power worked and argued that Senjutsu, rather than the label of Six Paths power alone, was crucial to harming Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. It concluded that Sage Hashirama was only slightly weaker than Naruto and Sasuke after they received the Sage's power.

• The narrator distinguished the fan-created ranks of Kage Level and Six Paths level from the actual Naruto setting and introduced an analysis of the Sage of Six Paths's power.
• The narrator explained that Ten-Tails Jinchuriki resisted ninjutsu through Kekkei Mōra, while Senjutsu or Kekkei Mōra could breach their defenses.
• The narrator argued that Naruto received Yang Power containing the Ten-Tails' Life Force and Kekkei Mōra, while Sasuke received Yin Power as Spiritual Power and gained Senjutsu that let his attacks wound Madara and Kaguya.
• The narrator explained that Naruto later lost his Truth-Seeking Orbs after using up the Sage's Ten-Tails power and could not recreate Kekkei Mōra through Nature Transformation.
• The narrator concluded that Six Paths power combined large chakra reserves with Kekkei Mōra and Senjutsu, and that Sage Hashirama was only slightly weaker than Naruto and Sasuke at that level.

Qi Shuang learned how to use his chakra more effectively to resist the Seed of Sage Art’s baptism and slow his transformation into a snake. After eating the single meal Tagorihime brought him, he decided to complete Ice Release: Chakra Mode as quickly as possible.

• Tagorihime explained that Qi Shuang had to use chakra to weaken the Natural Energy baptism rather than merely resist it.
• Tagorihime warned Qi Shuang that food would only be brought once a day, so he ate the roast chicken and asked her to bring vegetables next time.
• After Qi Shuang finished eating, Tagorihime returned the basket to shore and he began planning how to resist the baptism.
• Qi Shuang chose Ice Release: Chakra Mode, whose protective chakra coating could reduce the baptism’s damage.
• Qi Shuang resolved to overcome the ice’s solidifying property and finish developing Ice Release: Chakra Mode before his body succumbed to the transformation.

Qi Shuang spent a month developing a semiliquid version of Ice Release: Chakra Mode, hoping to resist the Seed of Sage Art’s painful baptisms and slow his snake transformation. After another baptism, Tagitsuhime revealed that she had used his dance to lure Senjutsu seekers to their deaths.

• Qi Shuang experimented with a seven-to-three ice-and-water mixture to give his ice technique fluidity, but its sluggishness and instability remained problems.
• Qi Shuang endured another Seed of Sage Art baptism and decided to finish the technique’s structure before refining the slush further.
• Tagitsuhime brought Qi Shuang food and told him that she had performed the dance he taught her for humans seeking Senjutsu.
• Tagitsuhime explained that the dance made the seekers surrender to desire, after which she ate them.

Qi Shuang completed the initial form of Ice Release: Chakra Mode but remained unable to adapt to Natural Energy as the Seed of Sage Art baptism pushed his transformation toward becoming a snake. A new female ninja arrived to undergo the same baptism, and the chapter ended with her trapped in the Dragon Transformation Pool, screaming in pain.

• Qi Shuang completed Ice Release: Chakra Mode as scales spread across nearly his entire body.
• The Seed of Sage Art baptism overwhelmed Qi Shuang again, and Ichikishimahime warned that he was running out of time to adapt to Natural Energy.
• Qi Shuang insisted he would survive and leave the pool, despite Ichikishimahime doubting his chances.
• Tagitsuhime examined a female ninja, who passed and received the Seed of Sage Art from the White Snake Sage.
• Tagorihime and Tagitsuhime explained the pool's precautions, but the newcomer entered, was overwhelmed by pain, and found herself unable to escape.

Qi Shuang learned from an Iwagakure female ninja that no major events had shaken the shinobi world, then warned her that the Dragon Transformation Pool slowly turned its visitors into snakes. He returned to the pool’s center to begin cultivating Ice Release: Chakra Mode, drawing the attention of Ichikishimahime and the White Snake Sage.

• Tagitsuhime and Tagorihime left Qi Shuang and the Iwagakure female ninja alone in the Dragon Transformation Pool.
• Qi Shuang asked the Iwagakure female ninja about recent events, and she said no powerful figures had died or disappeared.
• Qi Shuang revealed that his scales and split tongue showed his body was turning into a snake, and advised her to resist the Seed of Sage Art’s baptism more strongly.
• Qi Shuang returned to the center of the pool and used ice-natured chakra to freeze the water around him, but Natural Energy quickly shattered the ice.
• Ichikishimahime noticed Qi Shuang’s chakra fluctuations, and the White Snake Sage recognized that he had begun the next step of his plan.

Qi Shuang practiced Ice Release: Chakra Mode in the Dragon Transformation Pool, learning to control it in small sections to resist the pool’s Natural Energy. When the Iwagakure kunoichi lost consciousness after her first baptism, she transformed into a serpent, leaving Qi Shuang terrified that the same fate might await him.

• Qi Shuang’s unstable Chakra Cloak shattered under the pool’s Natural Energy, so he decided to practice Ice Release: Chakra Mode a section at a time.
• He formed thin ice-slurry gloves over his hands, but a fluctuation in his chakra caused the Natural Energy to break them apart.
• After sleeping and recovering, Qi Shuang practiced again and found that the gloves weakened the Natural Energy entering his body during the Seed of Sage Art’s baptism.
• The Iwagakure kunoichi screamed that she could endure no more and tried to climb out of the Dragon Transformation Pool.
• Tagorihime told the kunoichi she could only adapt to Natural Energy or die in the pool, and the woman collapsed into unconsciousness.
• The kunoichi transformed into a green serpent, and Qi Shuang feared he might suffer the same fate.

Qi Shuang completed the first full-body version of Ice Release: Chakra Mode, slowing the Seed of Sage Art’s forced transformation into a snake. The White Snake Sage believed he could now complete Ryūchi Cave’s baptism, while Qi Shuang continued training to master the technique before the next one.

• Tagorihime rescued the newborn snake formed from the Iwagakure kunoichi and handed her to Tagitsuhime, who planned to raise her as a member of the Summoning Snake Clan.
• Tagorihime teased Qi Shuang about becoming a snake, but he rejected the idea and returned to practicing his technique.
• Qi Shuang expanded the semiliquid ice slurry over his body and finally covered his head, initially mastering Ice Release: Chakra Mode.
• The incomplete technique had not prevented the Seed of Sage Art from transforming Qi Shuang, whose face became scaled and whose fangs grew.
• The White Snake Sage concluded that Qi Shuang’s completed technique made surviving the baptism a certainty, while the three snake princesses expected him to transform fully after one more baptism.
• Qi Shuang practiced controlling Ice Release: Chakra Mode, frosting the pool water around him as he prepared to resist the next baptism.

Qi Shuang used Ice Release: Chakra Mode to weaken the Seed of Sage Art’s Natural Energy baptism, preventing his transformation into a snake. Tagitsuhime explained that he would need to remain in the Dragon Transformation Pool until his body adapted to Natural Energy and his transformed state disappeared.

• Qi Shuang repeatedly activated and dispelled Ice Release: Chakra Mode in the Dragon Transformation Pool to practice its defenses against Natural Energy.
• As Qi Shuang’s arm began trembling, the White Snake Sage sensed that something interesting was about to happen.
• Qi Shuang used Chakra Mode to filter the Seed of Sage Art’s Natural Energy, making the baptism bearable and stopping his transformation from progressing.
• Tagitsuhime arrived without food supplies and asked Qi Shuang how he had resisted the expected transformation into a snake.
• Qi Shuang explained that his defensive technique had weakened the baptism, and Tagitsuhime said he would leave the pool only after adapting to Natural Energy and shedding the transformed state.

Qi Shuang learned that surviving Snake Transformation would permanently strengthen his body, while the White Snake Sage concluded he was likely destined to become a Ryūchi Cave sage. He continued enduring the baptism and refining Ice Release: Chakra Mode, then realized its semiliquid ice could be countered by Lightning Release.

• Tagitsuhime explained that adapting to Natural Energy permanently strengthened Qi Shuang’s physical constitution, but the benefit would end when he dispelled Snake Transformation.
• The White Snake Sage told Ichikishimahime and Tagorihime that Qi Shuang had overcome the danger of Snake Transformation and might be the person foretold by the Great Toad Sage.
• The White Snake Sage ordered the snake maidens to guide Qi Shuang’s Senjutsu training after his baptism, and Tagitsuhime returned with food for him.
• Qi Shuang asked Tagitsuhime to provide more food because Ice Release: Chakra Mode consumed a great deal of Chakra.
• During the following days, Qi Shuang endured the baptism while refining his semiliquid ice slurry and considering how Rosshi’s Lava Release: Chakra Mode worked.
• Qi Shuang concluded that his Ice Release: Chakra Mode could counter Rosshi’s Lava Release but was vulnerable to Lightning Release and the Fourth Raikage A’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

Qi Shuang completed the Seed of Sage Art baptism in the Dragon Transformation Pool, adapting fully to Natural Energy after more than two years. He left the pool as the snake princesses congratulated him and learned how long he had been there.

• Shisui Uchiha gave his remaining Mangekyō Sharingan to Itachi Uchiha and leaped from a cliff, awakening Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Qi Shuang entered the baptism's third stage as his scales began to fall and his body grew more accustomed to Natural Energy.
• Qi Shuang's final scale fell, allowing him to sense Natural Energy clearly as the Seed of Sage Art vanished from his palm.
• Qi Shuang left the Dragon Transformation Pool, and the three snake princesses congratulated him on completing the baptism.
• Tagorihime told Qi Shuang he had spent two years, seven months, and twelve days in the pool.

After completing the Seed of Sage Art baptism in Ryūchi Cave, Qi Shuang learned that Shisui had died and realized Obito’s plans might soon threaten Kirigakure. He prepared to use Obito’s arrival to weaken the Conservative Faction and reform Kirigakure, while worrying that Mei could be endangered.

• Qi Shuang learned that his Senjutsu baptism had taken nearly two and a half years and compared his progress with Naruto Uzumaki’s unusually rapid training.
• Tagitsuhime told Qi Shuang that Shisui had died a little over a year earlier, prompting him to connect the news to the approaching Uchiha massacre and Obito’s revenge.
• Qi Shuang created an ice bathtub, washed himself and his belongings, and prepared to meet the snake maidens in the main hall for the next stage of his Senjutsu training.
• While bathing, Qi Shuang decided he could use Obito’s impending intervention in Kirigakure to break the Conservative Faction’s control and provide cover for reform.
• Qi Shuang worried that Mei might suffer harm during the coming upheaval.

Qi Shuang finished cleaning up and reconsidered how long mastering Senjutsu would take by comparing Naruto Uzumaki, Yakushi Kabuto, and Jiraiya. He concluded that an ordinary practitioner might need several years and worried that his own training would delay his return to the Hidden Mist.

• Qi Shuang scrubbed himself clean with nearly eleven tubs of water, changed into undersized clothes, and headed toward the White Snake Sage’s temple.
• Qi Shuang reasoned that Naruto Uzumaki’s unusual luck and strengths made him an unreliable standard for estimating ordinary Senjutsu training.
• Qi Shuang compared Yakushi Kabuto and Jiraiya, concluding that Jiraiya was the most suitable example of a normal Senjutsu practitioner.
• Qi Shuang recalled that Jiraiya had not mastered Senjutsu by the time he and his teammates earned the Sannin title, suggesting Jiraiya’s training had taken several years.
• Qi Shuang realized his own Senjutsu cultivation would take a long time and worried that the Hidden Mist situation might worsen before he returned.

Qi Shuang began Senjutsu training under the guidance of the three Snake Princesses, learning how dangerous an imbalance between Natural Energy and chakra could be. Ichikishimahime took the first turn guiding him as the training began.

• Qi Shuang considered using Shadow Clones to accelerate his training but rejected the idea because clone feedback and uncontrolled Natural Energy could put him at risk and burden the Snake Princesses.
• Tagorihime explained that after sensing Natural Energy, Qi Shuang would need to balance it with his chakra to practice Senjutsu.
• Ichikishimahime and Tagitsuhime warned Qi Shuang that an imbalance could bring out his serpentine and draconic traits, petrify his body, or kill him.
• Tagitsuhime assigned Ichikishimahime to guide Qi Shuang, while she and Tagorihime left the temple.
• Ichikishimahime began the lesson by turning her index finger into a small blue snake and placing it on Qi Shuang.

Qi Shuang began training to absorb Natural Energy under Ichikishimahime’s supervision, repeatedly turning snake-like when he absorbed too much. In Konoha, a young Uchiha returned home to find his parents dead and learned that his older brother Itachi had killed them.

• Ichikishimahime explained that the blue snake was her clone, which would monitor Qi Shuang and drain excess Natural Energy by biting him.
• Qi Shuang absorbed Natural Energy until his body transformed, and the blue snake bit his wrist to drain the unbalanced energy.
• Ichikishimahime warned Qi Shuang to discover his absorption limit, and he repeatedly practiced absorbing Natural Energy and getting bitten when he exceeded it.
• A young Uchiha returned to the silent clan compound and found his parents lying dead in their bedroom.
• Itachi Uchiha admitted to his younger brother that he had killed their parents.

Qi Shuang preliminarily mastered Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave and left to find food, while Obito Uchiha prepared to pursue revenge on the Mist ninja. Qi Shuang emerged into the sunlight and headed toward the human world.

• Qi Shuang learned to maintain a precarious balance between Natural Energy and chakra, reaching preliminary Sage Mode while his body took on snake-like mutations.
• Tagorihime told Qi Shuang to return after refining Sage Mode, ended the Snake Princesses' care, and warned him not to eat snake meat in Ryūchi Cave.
• After his food supplies dwindled, Qi Shuang used his Sage Mode perception to follow the airflow through Ryūchi Cave toward the outside.
• Obito Uchiha visited Rin's grave, declared he would make the Mist ninja pay, and disappeared after saying farewell.
• Qi Shuang reached the maze exit, released Natural Energy to restore his human appearance, and walked out into the sunlight.

Qi Shuang returned to Ryūchi Cave to continue cultivating Senjutsu after finding little useful information in a remote village. Meanwhile, Tobi sent Itachi Uchiha and Juzo Biwa to the Land of Water to test Itachi and draw Kirigakure's attention while he planned to infiltrate the village.

• Qi Shuang paid for food and clothing with gold and silver after the villagers rejected his Land of Water banknotes, then learned that the nearest large town was two days away.
• Qi Shuang returned to Ryūchi Cave to refine his Sage Mode and reduce its physical mutations.
• Obito Uchiha sent Itachi Uchiha and Juzo Biwa on a mission to the Land of Water, and corrected Black Zetsu when he called him Obito instead of Tobi.
• Tobi admitted that he suspected Itachi was a spy but wanted the Mangekyō Sharingan user working for the organization until he achieved his goal.
• Tobi revealed that the mission would test Itachi by having him assassinate a daimyō's heir and would draw Kirigakure's attention while Tobi secretly infiltrated the village.

Qi Shuang refined his Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave and began practical Taijutsu training with Tagorihime, revealing the immense strength his transformation gave him. Meanwhile, Itachi Uchiha escaped Kirigakure after Juzo Biwa died saving him, and Tobi appeared at the battlefield, spotting an unconscious green-haired boy.

• Tagorihime explained that Qi Shuang's blue horns were permanent Dragon Horns caused by dragon nature in the Seed of Sage Art.
• Tagorihime said Qi Shuang's Sage Mode was ready for practical training and began a Taijutsu battle with him.
• Qi Shuang's punch forced Tagorihime back, but her counterattacks quickly overwhelmed him.
• Itachi Uchiha used Amaterasu Fire to severely burn Yagura, while Juzo Biwa suffered a fatal wound saving Itachi.
• Juzo Biwa urged Itachi to leave and died, so Itachi abandoned his body and fled the pursuers.
• Tobi emerged from a Void Vortex and excitedly noticed an unconscious green-haired boy on the battlefield.