Chapter Summaries

Ancient One took Shimizu to the artifact vault, where the magical items reacted to Shimizu’s abundant energy. Shimizu selected the Net of Zoroaster and the Eye of Myriad Phenomena, while Ancient One sensed that the future had changed again.

• Ancient One told Shimizu about the Book of Altos and offered to take him to the Altos Dimension, then reminded him he could choose at most two artifacts.
• Ancient One brought Shimizu to the artifact vault, where many artifacts stirred in response to the energy within him.
• Ancient One introduced several artifacts, but Shimizu rejected them until he saw the Net of Zoroaster and chose it for its long-range sensing, defense, and healing abilities.
• Shimizu chose the Eye of Myriad Phenomena as his second artifact because it let him see energy flows and pierce nearly all Genjutsu.
• Shimizu found that spatial seals prevented him from opening a portal inside the vault, and Ancient One watched him leave before noting that the future had changed again.

Shimizu joined Mordo, Carlisle, and Master Liu to investigate a dimensional disturbance in New York and uncovered a demon summoned by the Covenant Assembly. The group entered the Mirror Dimension to confront the creature, and Shimizu prepared to strike as it appeared.

• Shimizu used Watos to trace unnatural deaths and missing people, discovering that eight victims had joined the Covenant Assembly.
• Shimizu tracked the group to an underground dance hall, where Mordo and the other sorcerers confronted its founders, Earth Wolf and Bona.
• Earth Wolf and Bona explained that their botched sacrifice had summoned a demon, which they had sealed inside a restroom.
• Shimizu and the sorcerers opened a portal to the Mirror Dimension and planned to lure the demon inside.
• Liu and Carlisle drew the faceless demon into the Mirror Dimension, where Shimizu readied his transformed Mind Stone Scepter to attack.

Shimizu helped banish a Chaos Demon in Kamar-Taj, then returned to Sunagakure, where he checked on the Chinoike Clan’s integration and considered the final step toward becoming Kazekage. The chapter left Sunagakure stronger and more prosperous, but Shimizu still needed a chance to prove himself in battle.

• Shimizu and the mages fought a Chaos Demon, and Shimizu destroyed its manifested body after learning it had thirteen hearts.
• Shimizu and the others collected the Demon Ash left behind after the demon was banished to Hell.
• In Sunagakure, Shimizu asked Oyakuro En how he and his daughter Chiyo had adjusted to village life.
• Oyakuro En told Shimizu that the Chinoike Clan had largely adapted, and Shimizu later wrote a report on the clan’s integration.
• Shimizu considered that he still needed to lead Sunagakure’s ninjas to victory in a significant battle to secure the prestige needed to become Kazekage.

Shimizu completed two A+-rank puppets designed to improve his battlefield mobility and restrain fast opponents, then reported on the Chinoike Clan’s settlement to the Third Kazekage. The chapter ended with Shimizu reading a letter from the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, and wondering if he intended to start the Third Great Ninja War.

• Shimizu finished building Miss Qiu and Blue Jumping Mouse, two specialized puppets that could use his techniques and help counter swift enemies.
• Shimizu filled Blue Jumping Mouse with Freeze Coolant and tested his ability to control five puppets at once.
• Shimizu reported that the Chinoike Clan’s ordinary people had settled into jobs and housing in Sunagakure.
• The Third Kazekage encouraged Shimizu and Pakura to consider having children, but Shimizu said they were too young and focused on improving as ninja.
• The Third Kazekage gave Shimizu a letter from the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
• Shimizu read the letter and questioned whether Karatachi Yagura planned to start the Third Great Ninja War.

Shimizu and the Third Kazekage discussed whether Sunagakure should join Kirigakure in provoking a war, and the Third Kazekage laid out the village’s military strength. Shimizu argued that war would be too risky, leaving the Third Kazekage satisfied that Shimizu would put Sunagakure’s interests first as he considered him a future Kazekage.

• The Third Kazekage agreed that Kirigakure’s plan to start a war seemed unlike Karatachi Yagura, while Shimizu suspected Madara Uchiha was controlling Yagura.
• The Third Kazekage described Sunagakure’s forces and argued that the village was stronger than during the Second Great Ninja War and could defeat Konoha.
• Shimizu reviewed Sunagakure’s intelligence on Konoha, recognized that it underestimated Minato Namikaze, and warned that Iwagakure and other forces could turn a war against Sunagakure.
• Shimizu advised the Third Kazekage not to provoke a war, arguing that Sunagakure should keep developing rather than risk fighting multiple villages.
• The Third Kazekage approved of Shimizu’s judgment and saw it as evidence that he placed the village above his own ambition, while Shimizu believed the Kazekage position was already within his reach.

Rasa hosted Suikazan Fuguki, who tried to sway him into pursuing a war against Konoha to strengthen his claim to become Kazekage. Shimizu oversaw the Puppet Force and later met Sasori returning from a mission with an envoy from the Land of Snow.

• The Third Kazekage summoned Rasa while Rasa toured Sunagakure with Suikazan Fuguki, who urged him to gain merit by leading a war against Konoha.
• Shimizu visited the Puppet Force and supervised its research while Sasori and Miyaki were away on a mission.
• Shimizu and Pakura saw Suikazan Fuguki leave Sunagakure after the Third Kazekage rejected Kirigakure's request for a military alliance and offered supplies instead.
• Samehada reacted to Shimizu and Pakura's Chakra, but Suikazan Fuguki fed it Chakra himself and left with Sunagakure's Anbu escort.
• Sasori returned with Miyaki and two Chunin, bringing Kazahana Dōtō of the Land of Snow to discuss cooperation with Sunagakure.
• Shimizu considered recruiting the Land of Snow brothers, Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Dōtō, for their research and inventions.

Shimizu read valuable Iwagakure intelligence from Iwamichi’s preserved corpse and learned that reports of multiple Kusanagi Swords had drawn the rogue ninja toward the Land of Iron. He began considering the lead as Sunagakure’s intelligence team investigated, but the swords’ whereabouts remained unconfirmed.

• Kazahana Dōtō asked a Sunagakure Chunin about Shimizu’s strength after learning of his reputation and inventions.
• Miyaki told Shimizu that he and Sasori had defeated Iwamichi with help from Sasori’s Human Puppet, Gingyu, and brought the corpse back for its intelligence.
• Shimizu used fine Chakra-metal needles and Yin Release to read Iwamichi’s memories while Intelligence Department ninjas recorded his information.
• Shimizu stopped the reading when Iwamichi’s memories reached his encounter with Sasori and Miyaki, and Ebizo ordered the recovered intelligence organized for review.
• Shimizu revealed that Iwamichi had been headed to the Land of Iron to investigate reports that more than one legendary Kusanagi Sword had appeared there.
• Ebizo said the Intelligence Department had noticed underground figures gathering toward the Land of Iron, and Shimizu asked Sasori how long ago they had set out.

Shimizu traveled to the Land of Iron to pursue two Kusanagi Swords, which were held by General Mizukawa, and recruited local intelligence ninjas Tadashi and Yura to assist him. After learning that Kakuzu and Konoha’s secret forces might also be pursuing the swords, Shimizu prepared to act alone while Tadashi and Yura stayed to help; the chapter ended with Mizukawa examining one sword and Mifune holding the other.

• Shimizu used his blood markers to reach the Land of Iron in under two hours and found intelligence ninjas Tadashi and Yura through a coded street mark.
• Yura reported that General Mizukawa had acquired two Kusanagi Swords from an unearthed Sengoku-era tomb and kept them in Samurai City.
• Yura warned Shimizu that Kakuzu and Konoha’s secret forces might also be pursuing the swords.
• Shimizu dismissed Tadashi and Yura from their mission, but they volunteered to remain and assist him, and he accepted.
• After nightfall, Mizukawa examined one Kusanagi Sword in Samurai City while Mifune held the other.

Shimizu and Hanzo watched as Kakuzu and Orochimaru attacked the Land of Iron’s defenders to seize the Kusanagi Swords. Mizukawa was gravely wounded and Orochimaru took his sword, while Shimizu and Hanzo prepared to intervene together.

• Mizukawa warned Mifune that Kakuzu, Konoha, and Hanzo threatened their hold on the Kusanagi Swords.
• Kakuzu collected his bounty money and learned the swords were held by Mizukawa and Mifune, with a 30-million-ryo bounty on each.
• Shimizu considered how to draw the defenders away, then saw an explosion outside Samurai City and watched Mizukawa and Mifune depart with a small force.
• Kakuzu confronted Mizukawa and Mifune in the capital, and Mifune cut Kakuzu in half before Kakuzu’s threads stitched him back together.
• Orochimaru ambushed Mizukawa with venomous snakes, took Mizukawa’s Kusanagi Sword, and left him gravely wounded.
• Shimizu and Hanzo agreed to cooperate and waited for the fighters to weaken each other before making their move.

Shimizu and Hanzo turned Orochimaru and Kakuzu’s ambush against them, and Shimizu defeated Mifune badly enough to secure the Kusanagi Sword. After Shimizu offered to treat Mizukawa’s poisoning and injuries, Mifune surrendered the sword and Mizukawa made him the next general of the Land of Iron.

• Hanzo and Shimizu ambushed Orochimaru and Kakuzu, seized the advantage, and forced both men to flee while Shimizu fought Mifune for the Kusanagi Sword.
• Shimizu overwhelmed Mifune with his swordsmanship and demonstrated his rapid Medical Ninjutsu healing to Hanzo.
• Shimizu offered to cure Mizukawa’s snake venom and old injuries, warning that his physical decline could soon cost him his position.
• Mifune gave the Kusanagi Sword to Shimizu and asked him to honor his promise to help Mizukawa.
• Mizukawa accepted treatment and declared that Mifune would become the general of the Land of Iron the next day.

Shimizu treated Mizukawa’s poison and hidden injuries, then returned to the Marvel World and began forging magical artifacts from Uru metal and Vibranium. He poured the molten metals into molds to make a Mind Stone-enhancing artifact and an armor-piercing blade.

• Shimizu cleared the poison from Mizukawa and treated most of his hidden injuries, prescribing medicine for the rest.
• Mifune invited Shimizu and Hanzo to his succession ceremony in the Land of Iron and decided to pass the general’s position to Mifune.
• At Wade Manor, Shimizu asked Watos to contact Ancient One and reported that he wanted Blizzard’s former CEO Kao Dick to be paralyzed.
• Shimizu inspected the underground laboratory, where Vibranium and Uru metal had been heated for hours in a high-energy furnace.
• Shimizu ordered Watos to keep him undisturbed for three days while he forged an Uru-based artifact to channel the Mind Stone and a Vibranium blade.
• Shimizu poured the molten metals into molds and used mechanical arms and Chakra to shape the artifacts.

Shimizu forged the Eye of Wade around the Mind Stone, creating a magical artifact that let him channel its powers while reducing the strain on his body. After finishing the artifact and upgrading his sword, he checked on recent events, rewarded himself with dinner, and went to sleep.

• Shimizu forged a Vibranium-bladed longsword and opened the Mind Stone’s blue container to reveal the yellow gem inside.
• While sensing the Mind Stone’s power, Shimizu detected a trace of disharmony in his Chakra and realized he might use the stone to gradually dissolve the unknown will within it.
• Shimizu assembled the Eye of Wade from Uru metal, enchanted materials, and his own blood, then completed it on the evening of the third day.
• Shimizu tested the Eye of Wade and found it could channel the Mind Stone’s powers, including mind control, illusions, psychic attacks, and energy waves.
• The Net of Zoroaster asked to be strengthened, so Shimizu connected it to the Eye of Wade’s chain to let it absorb the stone’s energy.
• Shimizu mounted the new sword on Electric Light II, heard from Watos about recent incidents, ordered a lavish dinner, and fell asleep.

After learning that Hydra had targeted Tony Stark and was preparing Project Insight, Shimizu discussed the threat with Coulson at Wade Manor. A disguised Hydra assassin attacked them, but Shimizu exposed the infiltrator and captured him, then killed two suspicious bodyguards.

• Shimizu learned that Nick Fury had faked his death, that Project Insight would activate in three days, and that he and Tony Stark ranked highest on its target list.
• Pepper called Shimizu to say that Tony had been attacked and had gone missing.
• Shimizu asked Coulson for access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal network so Watos could investigate Hydra and Project Insight.
• A waiter brought tea to Shimizu and Coulson, but Shimizu detected the concealed pistol and kicked the assassin as he fired.
• Shimizu severed the assassin's hands with a Wind Blade, restrained him with curse markings, and revealed his Eye of Wade.
• Shimizu killed two bodyguards who made suspicious movements as George arrived with the manor's security personnel.

Shimizu used the Mind Stone to expose Hydra infiltrators in Wade Manor, defeat Rumlow’s forces, and reach Nick Fury’s hidden base. He revealed that Hydra had taken over S.H.I.E.L.D. and asked Fury, Captain America, and Black Widow to help stop the three Helicarriers, while Tony Stark remained missing.

• Shimizu scanned the minds of the people in Wade Manor and killed the three remaining infiltrators.
• Shimizu shot down the approaching Quinjets, then bound Rumlow and the S.H.I.E.L.D. force after Rumlow surrendered.
• Shimizu read Rumlow’s memories, learned the location of Fury’s backup base beneath Hoover Dam, and took Coulson there through a portal.
• Shimizu met Nick Fury, Captain America, and Black Widow, then told Fury that Hydra had effectively replaced S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Shimizu said Hydra’s three Helicarriers were already airborne and asked Fury’s group to help, explaining that Barton was away and Tony Stark had gone missing after an attack.

Shimizu helped Tony repair his armor while Captain America and his allies launched their plan to stop Project Insight. After Shimizu installed all three control chips and Watos seized the Helicarriers, their weapons turned against one another and the carriers began to fall.

• Nick Fury proposed retaking the Helicarriers with control chips, but Captain America and Egghead argued that S.H.I.E.L.D. and the carriers should be destroyed, while Shimizu remained unconcerned.
• Tony called Shimizu for help repairing his armor and warned that Killian planned to use Rhodes's War Machine to assassinate the President; Shimizu sent a Shadow Clone through a portal with an Arc Reactor and palladium.
• Captain America, Hill, Coulson, and Falcon Sam broadcast Steve's appeal to S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, while Shimizu used a spell to identify thousands of Hydra members at the Washington base.
• Captain America, Sam, and Shimizu moved to install chips on the three Helicarriers; Shimizu and Sam installed theirs without serious resistance, but Captain America was held up fighting Bucky.
• Shimizu severed Bucky's mechanical arm, knocked him unconscious, and installed the final chip; Watos took control of the Helicarriers, whose weapons fired on one another as they began to fall.

Shimizu helped defeat Hydra’s Project Insight and Killian’s Extremis forces, while Nick Fury asked him to become S.H.I.E.L.D.’s next director. Shimizu remained wary of Fury and questioned why Fury wanted him to lead the rebuilding effort.

• Shimizu reassured Steve Rogers that the Helicarrier survivors had survival equipment, but warned him that Bucky had killed Howard Stark and others while under Hydra’s control.
• Black Widow and Nick Fury exposed Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s compromised members online and arrested Alexander Pierce.
• Shimizu’s Shadow Clone met President Yvonne Stone after Shimizu stopped a Hydra and AIM plot in Chicago, while Tony Stark destroyed Killian’s Extremis army.
• Shimizu asked Nick Fury for help protecting the president and finding AIM’s Extremis research, then sent Natasha, Sharon Carter, and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to search AIM’s headquarters.
• Shimizu and Captain America helped stabilize Washington and New York as Hydra’s infiltration caused turmoil across America.
• Nick Fury proposed that Shimizu become S.H.I.E.L.D.’s next director, arguing that Shimizu’s wealth, caution, and ambition made him a better choice than Tony Stark or a secret appointee like Coulson.

Nick Fury persuaded Shimizu to become the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. while secretly planning to establish Shadow S.H.I.E.L.D. under his own leadership. Shimizu accepted and began contacting potential allies, including Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, as plans for the reorganized agency took shape.

• Nick Fury explained why Shimizu was a stronger choice for S.H.I.E.L.D. director than Coulson and said Hill, Coulson, Steve, and Natasha would support him.
• Shimizu agreed to become director after challenging Nick Fury's motives, and Nick Fury proposed creating Shadow S.H.I.E.L.D. as a secret counterpart to the reorganized agency.
• Nick Fury left Wade Manor with Coulson and said the new S.H.I.E.L.D. would likely reorganize within the year, with Shimizu as director.
• Shimizu asked Watos to contact Stark about serving as a senior advisor and spoke with Bruce Banner about the risks of the Extremis Virus.
• Shimizu offered Banner the chance to lead S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Science and Technology Department, saying the position could help protect him from the military.

Shimizu used the Eye of Wade and the Mind Stone to help Banner confront and suppress Hulk within his spiritual world, allowing Banner to transform at will. After testing his control and accidentally damaging lab equipment, Banner joined Shimizu in Antarctica to test Hulk’s strength against a Vibranium blade.

• Banner declined Shimizu’s offer of a S.H.I.E.L.D. technology position but agreed to try controlling Hulk with the Eye of Wade.
• Shimizu entered Banner’s spiritual world and showed him that Hulk was part of himself, prompting Banner to summon Hulk.
• Shimizu used the Mind Stone to strengthen Banner’s will and suppress Hulk until Banner’s spiritual world grew calm.
• Banner transformed into Hulk and back at will, then accidentally broke laboratory equipment during the test.
• Shimizu took Banner to Antarctica, where Banner tested Hulk’s healing against a Vibranium blade.

Shimizu introduced a Windows-like graphical interface to Sunagakure’s computer system, assigned Sasori and the Puppet Technique users further development work, and continued training the village’s Breathing Style practitioners. The chapter ended when Shimizu was urgently summoned to Sand Village Hospital, where Rasa was in critical condition.

• Shimizu showed Sasori and the Puppet Technique users the new graphical interface and assigned them tasks to improve the hardware and develop additional software.
• Shimizu taught at the Swordsmanship Improvement Class and trained Zisha, whose Stone Breathing and Musical Score had raised his combat strength to near Elite Jonin level.
• Shimizu advised Zisha to gain experience through more high-level missions before leaving the training ground.
• Yashamaru summoned Shimizu to Sand Village Hospital on the Third Kazekage’s urgent request.
• A Medical Ninja told Shimizu that Rasa was in critical condition, with the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and Karura beside him.

Shimizu operated on Rasa after a Tsurugani Clan insect user nearly killed him, suppressing the Exploding Worm and removing Rasa’s heart so the larvae could be dealt with safely. The operation left Rasa alive, and Shimizu vowed to kill the Tsurugani Clan ninja if they met again.

• The Third Kazekage explained that the Land of Wind’s Daimyo had recruited rogue ninja from the Land of Trees, and that Rasa alone had returned from an interception mission.
• Chiyo described how an Exploding Worm had infested Rasa’s heart and warned that removing it risked triggering larvae elsewhere in his body.
• Shimizu proposed removing Rasa’s heart and temporarily replacing it with a mechanical one, then using the Technique of Creation and Regeneration to provide a safer replacement if needed.
• Rasa chose Chiyo’s more conservative treatment, but Shimizu clarified that the mechanical heart would only support him while they treated and reinstalled his original heart.
• Shimizu sealed the Exploding Worm on Rasa’s still-beating heart during surgery, then told Chiyo he could detect and destroy the Tsurugani Clan ninja if the enemy returned.