Chapter Summaries

Minamoto Takuya advanced his research into Lightning Release: Chakra Mode and prepared to test the technique on his own body after mastering it through experiments on possessed bodies. He also reviewed his plans involving the orphanage, Kabuto Yakushi, and a barrier for Sage Mode research before beginning the long-awaited test.

• Minamoto Takuya used a possessed body to refine Lightning Release: Chakra Mode, learning to enhance specific body parts but not yet combining the techniques into a coordinated whole.
• Minamoto Takuya reflected on Yakushi Nonō's care for the orphans and on how Haku's connection with Zabuza Momochi had helped transform Zabuza.
• Minamoto Takuya considered luring Kabuto Yakushi into his plan, but decided to wait until his barrier for isolating Natural Energy was complete.
• Minamoto Takuya's Shadow Clones advanced the barrier framework into testing and verification, and he rested in the Laboratory.
• After waking refreshed, Minamoto Takuya began testing Lightning Release enhancement on his own body and found his chakra control far smoother than it had been in the possessed bodies.

Minamoto Takuya successfully created an early form of Lightning Release: Chakra Mode and tested its speed and strength in a snowy wilderness. He found that combining it with Wind Release let him surpass his previous speed limit, then demonstrated its destructive power by smashing a deep crater into the frozen ground.

• Minamoto Takuya awakened Lightning Release: Chakra Mode in the laboratory and resolved to keep risky experiments confined to specimens rather than endanger his own body.
• Minamoto Takuya tested his speed in the snow and found that the mode alone barely exceeded his existing Wind Release-assisted physical speed.
• Minamoto Takuya combined Lightning Release: Chakra Mode with Wind Release and reached a speed that surpassed the limit he could briefly achieve with the Eight Inner Gates.
• Minamoto Takuya assessed that perfecting Lightning Release: Chakra Mode was the best path to greater speed, while recognizing that Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique still surpassed him over long distances.
• Minamoto Takuya struck the frozen ground with his Lightning Release-enhanced fist and created a crater several meters deep.

Minamoto Takuya fused Lightning Release: Chakra Mode with Monster Strength and the Eight Inner Gates to test the limits of his destructive power. He then tested his reflexes in a trap-filled forest and discovered that his reactions could not keep up with his enhanced speed.

• Minamoto Takuya combined Lightning Release enhancement and Monster Strength, then opened the first two Gates and shattered the ground with a devastating punch that triggered an avalanche.
• Minamoto Takuya imagined adding Sage Mode to his power system and raising his strength to Super Shadow level.
• Minamoto Takuya reshaped the damaged terrain, created a forest with Wood Release, and had Shadow Clones secretly plant traps throughout it.
• Minamoto Takuya entered the forest in Lightning Release Armor and sprinted into the concealed traps.
• Minamoto Takuya saw the incoming attacks but could not dodge them in time, escaped with minor injuries, and recognized that his reflexes could not match his enhanced speed.

Minamoto Takuya used his Two-Tomoe Sharingan to compensate for the gap between his perception and extreme speed, then realized he needed to improve neural signal transmission rather than rely on eye-based prediction. Back in the Laboratory, he reviewed his future training and considered Lightning Cutter and Hell Stab as possible core offensive techniques.

• Minamoto Takuya activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and crossed the forest’s traps without damaging his Lightning Release Armor.
• Minamoto Takuya tested speed enhanced by Lightning Release and Wind Release, suffered severe injuries, and concluded that Wind Release acceleration outpaced his neural reflexes.
• Minamoto Takuya decided to isolate and strengthen Lightning Release: Chakra Mode’s neural signal enhancement to synchronize his reactions with his movement speed.
• Minamoto Takuya returned to the Laboratory and identified perfecting Lightning Release: Chakra Mode, mastering Sage Mode, and improving his body as his main development goals.
• Minamoto Takuya judged Wind Release: Rasenshuriken a poor fit for his precision-based style and considered Lightning Cutter and Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite as stronger offensive options.

Minamoto Takuya decided to make Lightning Cutter his core offensive technique and rested before taking Jugo and Haku to a secluded training ground. There, he raised his Natural Energy-isolating barrier and began testing whether Jugo could drain the energy inside without any replenishment from outside.

• Minamoto Takuya concluded that combining Lightning Cutter with Lightning Release: Chakra Mode could address his weakness of having broad but insufficiently refined ninjutsu.
• After reflecting on recovery, training, and the need for mental rest, Minamoto Takuya finished washing up and went to sleep.
• The next morning, Minamoto Takuya told Yakushi Nonō he would return Jugo and Haku unharmed, and Haku reassured her before the two boys followed him away.
• Minamoto Takuya led Jugo and Haku to a secluded training ground in Snow Ninja Village rather than his classified Experiment Base.
• Minamoto Takuya formed a dark blue barrier designed to block Natural Energy and asked Jugo to absorb energy normally so he could test whether the barrier prevented outside energy from entering.

Minamoto Takuya tested his Sage Mode barrier and attempted to fuse chakra with Natural Energy inside Jugo, hoping to uncover how to control Sage Mode. The fusion repeatedly failed, and he stopped when Jugo’s body was too exhausted to continue, reassuring him that they could try again.

• Minamoto Takuya used the Spirit Transformation Technique to study Ice Release through Haku’s body while Jugo absorbed Natural Energy inside the barrier.
• Jugo realized the barrier had stopped his uncontrollable absorption, and Minamoto Takuya recognized it could offer a path toward helping him master his Sage Body.
• Minamoto Takuya entered Jugo’s body and tried to fuse chakra with the stored Natural Energy, but the attempt triggered a destructive urge and failed, so he purged the unstable energy.
• Minamoto Takuya reopened the barrier to let Jugo absorb more Natural Energy, then repeated the fusion experiments, which continued to fail.
• When Jugo’s chakra was nearly depleted, Minamoto Takuya stopped the experiments and reassured him that success would come with time.

Jugo asked Minamoto Takuya for permission to explore controlling Natural Energy on his own, and Takuya agreed after planning safeguards. Takuya then turned to luring Kabuto Yakushi out of hiding by spreading information about Yakushi Nonō across the other four great nations.

• Jugo proposed sensing and studying Natural Energy during his ordinary activities, with Little Black alerting Minamoto Takuya to any discoveries.
• Minamoto Takuya agreed to let Jugo explore, planning to use a Shadow Clone to guard him and prepare sealing scrolls with his main body.
• Haku asked Minamoto Takuya whether he had a misunderstanding with Yakushi Nonō, and Takuya reassured him that there was no problem as long as Nonō cared for the orphanage.
• Minamoto Takuya returned to the Laboratory, accepted the risks of using Jugo's future Sage Mode to accelerate his own progress, and resolved to proceed.
• Minamoto Takuya planned to spread enticing information about Yakushi Nonō across the other four great nations so Kabuto Yakushi would follow the trail and expose himself to the Crows watching his subordinates.

Kabuto Yakushi learned that Yakushi Nonō was in the Snow Ninja Village and infiltrated it to find her, but Minamoto Takuya exposed and captured him. Minamoto Takuya offered to take Kabuto Yakushi to see Nonō, and Kabuto followed him to the Orphanage.

• Kabuto Yakushi recalled how Yakushi Nonō rescued him, gave him his name and glasses, and inspired him to join Root to protect her.
• After discovering Root had been destroyed, Kabuto Yakushi learned that Yakushi Nonō was in the Snow Ninja Village and hurried there to find her.
• Minamoto Takuya used crows to monitor the village, and Kabuto Yakushi noticed them but infiltrated anyway using a Transformation Technique.
• A crow exposed Kabuto Yakushi, and its genjutsu showed him an illusion of Yakushi Nonō before Minamoto Takuya appeared wearing a Fox Mask.
• Kabuto Yakushi recognized Minamoto Takuya as the Collector and agreed to see Yakushi Nonō, then followed him toward the Orphanage.

Kabuto Yakushi surrendered his freedom and loyalty to Minamoto Takuya to secure Yakushi Nonō’s safety, accepting a Seal and a place in the Laboratory. He reunited with Yakushi Nonō at the Orphanage, while Minamoto Takuya reflected on how his actions had avoided the tragic reunion caused by Shimura Danzō’s schemes.

• Kabuto Yakushi saw Yakushi Nonō at the Orphanage and knelt before Minamoto Takuya, pledging his talents, freedom, loyalty, and life in exchange for her peaceful life.
• Minamoto Takuya placed Seals on Kabuto Yakushi and assigned him to the Laboratory rather than undercover work.
• Minamoto Takuya allowed Kabuto Yakushi to visit Yakushi Nonō, warning him to guard what he said and did.
• Kabuto Yakushi entered the courtyard, and Yakushi Nonō recognized him; they embraced and wept with relief.
• Minamoto Takuya watched their reunion and reflected that Shimura Danzō’s forged photographs and lies had caused their tragic separation in the Original Work.

Kabuto Yakushi returned to Minamoto Takuya after a brief reunion with Yakushi Nonō, and Minamoto assigned him to study Sealing Jutsu while considering Hero Water as a research project. Minamoto then traveled to Takigakure, located the Seven-Tails’ chakra, and prepared to pursue it.

• Kabuto Yakushi left the Orphanage after only a few days, despite Yakushi Nonō’s pleas for him to stay.
• Minamoto Takuya assigned Kabuto to study Sealing Jutsu at the Orphanage, with regular assessments determining whether he could remain near Yakushi Nonō.
• Minamoto Takuya decided Kabuto could investigate whether Hero Water’s life-draining effects could be removed or suppressed, while he planned to seek the Seven-Tails in Takigakure.
• Minamoto Takuya arrived at Takigakure and considered the village’s history, Kakuzu’s betrayal, and the risks of the Earth Grudge Fear technique.
• Minamoto Takuya used Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to locate the Seven-Tails’ chakra and vanished toward it.

Minamoto Takuya infiltrated Takigakure, collected Hero Water and a sample of Seven-Tails Chakra, and left Kaede unharmed after learning Earth Grudge Fear was stolen by Kakuzu. Back at his Experiment Base in the Land of Snow, he assessed the dangers of obtaining the remaining Tailed Beast Chakras and decided to strengthen himself before pursuing them.

• Minamoto Takuya knocked out Kaede and the guards, but the Takikage interrupted him before he could extract the Seven-Tails.
• Minamoto Takuya escaped with Kaede, then used a Wood Clone and tree roots to restrain the Takikage and take the Hero Water he had retrieved.
• The Takikage revealed that Kakuzu had stolen Earth Grudge Fear, and Minamoto Takuya left Kaede unharmed with the Seven-Tails still sealed inside her.
• Minamoto Takuya departed with Hero Water and a sample of Seven-Tails Chakra, while the Takikage found Kaede safe and the Tailed Beast calmer than before.
• At his Experiment Base in the Land of Snow, Minamoto Takuya weighed the risks of taking chakra from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, then resolved to consolidate his strength during the coming calm.

Rasa’s cruel test drove Gaara’s seal to collapse, freeing One-Tails Shukaku until Rasa subdued him with Gold Dust Burial. Minamoto Takuya then intervened, broke Shukaku free, and demanded the beast’s Chakra, leaving Rasa facing a vast difference in power.

• Rasa ordered Yashamaru to betray Gaara with lies about his family, and Gaara’s despair caused One-Tails Shukaku to break free.
• Rasa blocked Shukaku’s Drilling Air Bullet and trapped him with Gold Dust Burial, preparing to seal him again.
• Minamoto Takuya arrived and shattered the gold dust with a punch, freeing the injured Shukaku.
• Rasa invoked the peace between Sunagakure and Konoha, but Minamoto Takuya denied being Konoha’s ally and revealed he wanted One-Tails Chakra.
• Rasa challenged Minamoto Takuya, but the Collector’s overwhelming pressure made Rasa hesitate.

Minamoto Takuya defeated Shukaku, sealed him, and extracted part of his chakra while Rasa abandoned any thought of attacking. After Shukaku retreated into Gaara’s seal, Takuya mocked Rasa, who demanded that he leave Sunagakure’s territory.

• Shukaku grew enraged at being ignored and began charging a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Minamoto Takuya activated Lightning Release: Chakra Mode, struck Shukaku down with a single punch, and sealed him before he could escape.
• Rasa considered a sneak attack but held back, convinced that Takuya was far beyond his power.
• Minamoto Takuya stripped away the portion of Shukaku’s chakra he wanted, causing Shukaku to retreat into Gaara’s seal.
• Minamoto Takuya mocked Rasa, who angrily demanded that the Collector leave Sunagakure’s territory.

Minamoto Takuya took Shukaku’s chakra and considered how to strengthen the Little Ten-Tails, deciding that it still needed more growth before absorbing Tailed Beast chakra. He used Gaara’s tragic memories as fuel in his Eye-Opening Device to try to break through the Mangekyo barrier, and the chapter ended with Gaara’s childhood memories unfolding.

• Minamoto Takuya mocked Rasa and vanished, leaving Rasa to reinforce Shukaku’s seal around the unconscious Gaara.
• Minamoto Takuya returned to his Experiment Base, reviewed the six kinds of Tailed Beast Chakra he had collected, and judged the Little Ten-Tails too small to begin absorbing them.
• Minamoto Takuya rejected taking more of the Demonic Statue from Nagato and Obito or sacrificing the Gelel Ore Vein, and decided the Little Ten-Tails needed to reach at least twenty percent of its ideal size.
• Minamoto Takuya inspected his Eye-Opening Device, created a Shadow Clone, and entered it to use Gaara’s suffering to stimulate his ocular power.
• The device flooded Minamoto Takuya’s spiritual world with Gaara’s memories, beginning with his mother’s dying words and continuing through his lonely childhood under Rasa’s neglect and the villagers’ fear.

Minamoto Takuya emerged from an Illusionary Realm experiment with a newly awakened Three Tomoe Sharingan, but the memory of Gaara’s final defiance breached his Memory Seal and left him with a dangerous, unfamiliar urge to seize power. After detecting that the urge returned when he approached his stored Hashirama Cells and Kimimaro Kaguya body, he postponed returning to the Snow Ninja Village to investigate its cause.

• In the Illusionary Realm, Gaara endured betrayal, isolation, and failed revenge before unleashing Shukaku and destroying Sunagakure, then defiantly warned the heavens that they would fail.
• Minamoto Takuya awoke from the experiment and discovered he remembered Gaara’s final words despite the Memory Seal; his Shadow Clone’s memories showed no sign of a machine malfunction.
• Minamoto Takuya awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan after experiencing Gaara’s intense rage, but remained far from attaining the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Minamoto Takuya felt an unfamiliar impulse to feed the Little Ten-Tails the collected Tailed Beast Chakra and seal it inside himself, then struck his temple to regain control.
• Minamoto Takuya postponed his return to the Snow Ninja Village and found that the same urge to acquire power surged near the Hashirama Cells and Kimimaro Kaguya’s body.

Minamoto Takuya realized the eye-awakening device had stirred a destructive impulse within him, forcing him to postpone mastering Sage Mode. After he sent Jugo and Haku away for their safety, he regretted using the device too soon but refused to abandon it as his route to the Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Minamoto Takuya rejected risky attempts to fuse Sharingan, Hashirama Cells, or Kimimaro Kaguya’s Shikotsumyaku while he considered how the Illusionary Realm might have left him with accumulating self-destructive urges.
• Minamoto Takuya traveled to Snow Ninja Village after concluding that Jugo had mastered Sage Mode and that the research into Cursed Seals absorbing Natural Energy had succeeded.
• Jugo arrived with Haku, excited that he had gained Sage Mode without losing his sanity, but Minamoto Takuya sensed an urge to destroy them and understood that his destructive impulse threatened everyone.
• Minamoto Takuya ordered Jugo and Haku to leave, explaining that his condition had developed problems.
• Minamoto Takuya concluded that his unstable state made the precise, dangerous Sage Mode training impossible and regretted not postponing use of the eye-awakening device, though he refused to give it up.

Minamoto Takuya decided to seek out Kumogakure’s True Waterfall to confront the memory implanted by the device, and he located Turtle Island by sensing its living chakra. Meanwhile, the Fourth Raikage ordered Kumogakure to revoke its bounties on the Collector, unaware that Takuya was approaching the village.

• Minamoto Takuya considered whether losing his future path could awaken the Mangekyo, then chose to travel to Kumogakure’s True Waterfall rather than wait for the device’s influence to fade.
• The Fourth Raikage learned that the Collector had taken Shukaku’s chakra and suspected him of causing the Nine-Tails Incident.
• Mabui warned the Raikage that Kumogakure should avoid provoking the Collector, and he ordered all bounties on him revoked.
• Minamoto Takuya flew over Kumogakure’s territorial waters and used the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to find Turtle Island.
• Minamoto Takuya landed on Turtle Island, saw its protective barrier, and considered how to enter without disrupting the stable conditions he needed at the True Waterfall.

Minamoto Takuya infiltrated Turtle Island and entered the True Waterfall, expecting to confront his dark side. Instead, he met a reflection who called Minamoto Takuya the darker self and revealed that figures shaped by his memories were also emerging from the mist.

• Minamoto Takuya used Genjutsu to control a Kumogakure ninja and followed him through Turtle Island's barrier.
• A Wood Clone used the ninja's Reverse Summoning Scroll to bring Minamoto Takuya's true body onto the island, and the puppet led him to the True Waterfall.
• Minamoto Takuya transformed into the controlled ninja and entered the waterfall's spiritual trial, where he encountered an identical version of himself.
• The reflected Minamoto Takuya explained that the waterfall revealed a person's hidden, real self, and Minamoto Takuya realized they shared the same core will.
• The reflected Minamoto Takuya pointed out figures forming in the mist, including versions of Sasuke Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Gaara, and said they were Minamoto Takuya yet not him.

Minamoto Takuya rejected reconciliation with the memory projections born from his past and chose to erase them, then fought them alongside his Memory Reflection. He exploited their limited knowledge and unstable control of their copied bodies, killing 'Obito Uchiha' with Wood Release.

• Minamoto Takuya decided to erase the projections completely rather than reconcile with them or trust them.
• 'Gaara' charged Minamoto Takuya, and their punch clash blasted waves across the pool.
• 'Sasuke Uchiha' and 'Obito Uchiha' tried to use Mangekyō Sharingan powers but failed, then joined the fight against Minamoto Takuya.
• 'Minamoto Takuya' intercepted 'Kakashi Hatake' and another memory body as the original and his reflection fought the other projections.
• Minamoto Takuya used Lightning Release: Chakra Mode to blast the projections back, and 'Gaara' and two others injured themselves trying to copy it.
• Minamoto Takuya struck 'Obito Uchiha' with Wood Release: Wood Insertion Technique, piercing and killing him.

Minamoto Takuya defeated Sasuke Uchiha and drove Gaara to unleash a catastrophic chakra explosion, which he survived. He then made the two battered memory bodies confront their weakness until they accepted his pursuit of power and ended their own lives.

• Sasuke Uchiha trapped his feet with Ice Release, but Minamoto Takuya killed him with Wood Release: Wood Insertion Technique.
• Minamoto Takuya told Gaara that he sought greater power and treated their suffering as nourishment, then claimed Gaara was part of him.
• Gaara rejected Minamoto Takuya's claim and detonated his chakra in a blast that engulfed Turtle Island and the four figures in the mental world.
• Minamoto Takuya survived the explosion with injuries, while his memory projection was less hurt and the two memory bodies were left gravely wounded.
• Minamoto Takuya explained that he pursued power to escape the despair of weakness, and the two memory bodies accepted their defeat and died by their own choice.