Chapter Summaries

Kiyohara inherited Yotsuki Kiyohara’s Lightning Release power, defeated Darui’s Black Lightning, and killed a White Zetsu spy before returning to Konoha. He arranged for Yakushi Nonō to study the White Zetsu cells, learned of Yakushi Kabuto’s plans to join the Ninja Academy, and ended the chapter preparing to claim rewards with Tsunade.

• Yotsuki Kiyohara passed his final Lightning Release to Kiyohara, raising his chakra reserves and strengthening his Yotsuki bloodline.
• Darui attacked Kiyohara with Black Lightning, but Kiyohara blocked it without injury and left after learning the technique.
• Kiyohara killed a White Zetsu spy with Black Lightning, collected tissue samples, and prompted Uchiha Madara to regard him as a potential threat and an exceptional talent.
• Kiyohara visited Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nonō, agreed to bring Kabuto to Konoha’s Ninja Academy, and gave Nonō White Zetsu tissue to research.
• After returning to Konoha, Kiyohara learned that his killing of the Third Mizukage had earned him a special-class merit reward, and Tsunade planned to demand additional benefits for him.

Tsunade and Kiyohara secured rewards from Sarutobi Hiruzen, including permission for Kiyohara to study the Flying Thunder God Technique and funding for psychological Medical Ninjutsu research. After weeks of training, Kiyohara successfully used the Flying Thunder God Technique, while the awaited Last Words Book was due to arrive that day.

• Tsunade brought Kiyohara to Sarutobi Hiruzen and demanded recognition for his role in defeating Kirigakure, so Kiyohara requested access to the Scroll of Seals.
• Kiyohara chose the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Sarutobi Hiruzen also gave him the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique after Tsunade pressed for an additional reward.
• Kiyohara proposed a psychological Medical Ninjutsu project combining Genjutsu and medical treatment, and Sarutobi Hiruzen approved funding with Kiyohara managing the project and Tsunade supervising it.
• Tsunade asked Kiyohara for a share of the research funds, and he promised to pay her appropriate labor and consulting fees instead.
• After more than twenty days of training, Kiyohara marked a kunai with his own Flying Thunder God formula and successfully teleported to it from a wooden stake.

Kiyohara trained with the Flying Thunder God and Shuriken Shadow Clone techniques before receiving a new Last Words Book from a future self born in Ryūchi Cave. He agreed to avenge White Snake Kiyohara by killing Garaga and to obtain the Eight Branches Technique, then planned to approach Orochimaru as the war appeared close to ending.

• Kiyohara practiced consecutive Flying Thunder God teleports and later used Gold Dust with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to destroy a wooden target.
• Tsunade invited Kiyohara to the casino, but he declined so he could continue training; after she returned from gambling and admitted she had lost, he offered to accompany her the next day under their usual spending limit.
• A new Last Words Book appeared, and White Snake Kiyohara emerged from its Ash Box and described his Ryūchi Cave abilities and failed attempts to grant others senjutsu.
• White Snake Kiyohara told Kiyohara that Garaga had killed him and asked him to avenge his death and obtain the Eight Branches Technique.
• Kiyohara agreed to both wishes and planned to consult Orochimaru about the forbidden technique and his Cursed Seal; he also noted that the war was nearing its end, with Kumogakure the remaining holdout.

Kiyohara experienced Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode, trained with his teammates, and studied Sealing Jutsu with Uzumaki Kushina. After visiting Orochimaru, Kiyohara carefully praised every Hokage candidate, but Orochimaru detected a trace of snake on him.

• White Snake Kiyohara possessed Kiyohara and guided him through Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode, awakening the white-snake cells in his body.
• Kiyohara sparred with Kakashi, copied the beginnings of Lightning Release: Purple Electricity, and helped Kurenai Yuhi test her sound Genjutsu on Nohara Rin.
• Might Guy made Uchiha Itachi run laps in green training clothes while Kiyohara and Kakashi discussed Lightning Release.
• Kiyohara visited Uzumaki Kushina to learn Sealing Jutsu, then encountered Namikaze Minato as he left.
• Kiyohara stopped a summoned snake from biting Anko Mitarashi and entered Orochimaru's laboratory after learning Orochimaru had returned.
• Orochimaru asked Kiyohara about the Hokage candidates, and Kiyohara praised Orochimaru, Namikaze Minato, and Tsunade before Orochimaru noticed a snake-like scent on him.

Kiyohara obtained Orochimaru’s unfinished Eight Branches Technique, fulfilled White Snake Kiyohara’s last wish, and gained new abilities. As Konoha moved toward peace talks with Sunagakure and Kirigakure, Kiyohara realized he needed to act soon to save Pakura.

• Kiyohara concealed the source of his improved abilities, discussed Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal research, and agreed to remain his assistant in exchange for secret teachings.
• Kiyohara rejected Orochimaru’s offers of snake summons, sealing techniques, and disguise, then received the unfinished Eight Branches Technique scroll.
• White Snake Kiyohara confirmed the scroll fulfilled his last wish, and Kiyohara gained stronger Yin Release talent and the Molting Technique.
• The White Snake Sage sensed Kiyohara’s unusual bloodlines and nascent Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode, then ordered Tagitsuhime to have Orochimaru watch him.
• Nara Shikaku reported Kirigakure’s leadership struggle and possible peace talks, and Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed joint peace talks and a restored Chunin Exams.
• Kiyohara recognized that Pakura was in danger and decided to go to Sunagakure to save her and recruit her.

Kiyohara persuaded Sarutobi Hiruzen to send a delegation to Sunagakure and secured old laboratory equipment from Orochimaru for research at the orphanage. After discovering that new equipment cost a fortune, Orochimaru became determined to pursue the Hokage position to fund his research, while Kiyohara prepared for the delegation and trained with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Kiyohara proposed sending a Konoha delegation to Sunagakure to discuss peace and invite candidates to the Chunin Exams, and Sarutobi Hiruzen approved the plan with Tsunade and Kiyohara at its center.
• Tsunade and Kiyohara discussed their reasons for joining the delegation, and Tsunade warned him that Kirigakure might target him on the journey.
• Kiyohara obtained surplus laboratory equipment from Orochimaru, then sealed it into scrolls to use for research at the orphanage and on Samehada.
• Orochimaru visited a technology shop, learned that equipment developed by Amado Sannin was costly, and had to arrange missions to cover the purchase.
• Orochimaru decided that becoming Hokage would give him the resources to pursue his research, then served Anko Mitarashi cheaper meals after cutting her allowance.
• Kiyohara trained at Training Ground 3, practicing advanced applications of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kiyohara traveled with Tsunade’s delegation to Sunagakure for peace talks and to ask about Water Release Medical Ninjutsu. After discovering Kirigakure pursuers near the village, he secretly watched their camp and sensed Pakura approaching.

• Kiyohara practiced the Flying Thunder God Technique, comforted Kurenai Yuhi, and promised Nohara Rin he would ask Sunagakure about its Water Release Medical Ninjutsu research.
• Tsunade planned casino stops on the journey, and Sarutobi Hiruzen sent her and Kiyohara’s delegation off on their diplomatic mission.
• Uchiha Madara discussed Kiyohara’s growing strength with Obito, who rejected Madara’s suggestion that he learn from Kiyohara and took the Uchiha Gunbai.
• White Snake Kiyohara sensed hidden Kirigakure ninja in the Land of Wind, and Kiyohara marked a nearby rock with a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
• Maki confronted Kiyohara at Sunagakure’s entrance, then Rasa received the delegation and agreed to peace talks and limited access to Sunagakure’s medical research records.
• Kiyohara secretly investigated the Kirigakure pursuers and learned they were waiting to ambush Pakura; after monitoring them for several nights, he sensed Pakura approaching.

Pakura was ambushed by Kirigakure ninja after Rasa sent her on a supposed secret mission, but Kiyohara rescued her and offered her power in exchange for obedience. She accepted his offer and left to recover, while Kiyohara returned to Sunagakure and continued the ceasefire negotiations.

• Pakura was wounded by Kirigakure ninja who revealed that Rasa had chosen the meeting location and intended for her death to serve Sunagakure’s interests.
• Kiyohara arrived, killed the attackers, treated Pakura’s wound, and took her to a desert cave.
• Kiyohara offered Pakura power and the chance to take revenge in exchange for obeying his orders, warning her that Sunagakure would brand her a rogue ninja if she returned.
• Pakura agreed, and Kiyohara gave her a note directing her to find Yakushi Nonō after her injuries healed.
• Kiyohara returned to Sunagakure the next day, where Tsunade pressed the village’s elders during the second round of ceasefire talks.

Kiyohara rescued a girl from a trafficking gang, uncovered and destroyed a Shimura Danzō laboratory, and stole its Sharingan samples and research data. While Tsunade relaxed at a hot spring with him, Danzō learned that his base had been wiped out and vowed to investigate.

• After the delegation left, Tsunade took Kiyohara to gamble in Changce Street, where he rescued a little girl from traffickers and delivered her and the captured men to the Town Magistrate Office.
• Kiyohara traced the gang to a guarded laboratory belonging to Shimura Danzō, killed its personnel, stole two pairs of Three Tomoe Sharingan and the research data, then burned the facility down.
• Kiyohara rejoined Tsunade, who had lost her money gambling, and the two booked a hot spring inn, where Tsunade asked whether he was hiding something from her.
• A Root ninja reported the laboratory's destruction to Shimura Danzō, who learned that the Sharingan samples and data were missing and ordered an investigation.
• Back at the inn, Kiyohara burned an unsolicited escort-service advertisement, then offered to massage Tsunade after she noticed his increased height and stronger muscles.

Pakura reached Yakushi Nonō’s orphanage to recover and prepare for revenge against Sunagakure’s leadership, while Kiyohara returned to Konoha with Tsunade and reported their mission. After learning that Kiyohara had returned, Kakashi challenged him to a spar, which began with Kakashi using Kiba-maru and Kiyohara summoning Samehada.

• Pakura pressed the orphanage doorbell, and Yakushi Nonō admitted her after confirming Kiyohara’s note and secret signal.
• Yakushi Nonō treated Pakura’s injuries, warned her to avoid using much Chakra for at least two weeks, and settled her in a room at the orphanage.
• Kiyohara returned to Konoha with Tsunade after leaving Flying Thunder God Kunai along their route, and they reported to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen praised the mission, paid Tsunade an S-rank mission reward, and asked Kiyohara to teach Konoha’s medical ninja what he had learned in Sunagakure.
• Kakashi met Kiyohara at Training Ground 3 and showed him how well he had adapted to Kiba-maru before inviting him to spar.
• Kakashi and Kiyohara began their spar with Kakashi drawing on Hatake Sakumo’s swordsmanship.

Kiyohara sparred with Maruboshi Kosuke, learned sword techniques, and discussed the newly approved research project with Tsunade and Shizune. The chapter ended with White Snake Kiyohara warning that the White Snake Sage had noticed him and that he should go to Ryūchi Cave soon.

• Kiyohara and Kakashi sparred until Maruboshi Kosuke appeared and praised their swordsmanship.
• Kiyohara asked Kosuke for guidance, sparred with him, and learned Water Release sword techniques while revealing Konoha Style: Willow.
• Kiyohara returned to Tsunade’s house, where Tsunade showed him the approved project site and its initial thirty-million-ryo budget, and asked him to teach Shizune Water Release Medical Ninjutsu.
• White Snake Kiyohara appeared from the Ash Box and told Kiyohara that a Snake Princess from Ryūchi Cave had come to Konoha because the White Snake Sage seemed to have noticed him.
• White Snake Kiyohara urged Kiyohara to visit Ryūchi Cave soon to avenge Garaga and obtain the complete Senjutsu inheritance.

Kiyohara tested his Eight Branches Technique and considered using its serpent body to contain Ryūmyaku Chakra, then collected Gold Dust and sold it in Konoha. After treating Orochimaru and Anko Mitarashi to dango, he returned to Tsunade’s house and lost an Old Maid game to Tsunade, who had proposed a hug as the stake.

• Kiyohara used the Eight Branches Technique with White Snake Kiyohara’s guidance, transformed into a giant eight-headed serpent, and destroyed a boulder with a powerful beam.
• Kiyohara and White Snake Kiyohara discussed whether the serpent body could hold Ryūmyaku Chakra, and Kiyohara proposed testing it with a Shadow Clone.
• Kiyohara gathered Gold Dust in the Land of Wind and sold a high-purity batch in Konoha for 836,000 ryō.
• Kiyohara bought dango for Anko Mitarashi and Orochimaru, who reflected on his financial struggles after Kiyohara left.
• At Tsunade’s house, Kiyohara played Old Maid with Tsunade, who lost the first game; Shizune reminded them that dinner was nearly ready.

Tsunade honored her bet with Kiyohara, while Orochimaru told him that the White Snake Sage wanted to meet him in Ryūchi Cave, and Kiyohara agreed to go with Tsunade. On the Kumogakure front, Kiyohara joined his comrades for training, where Might Guy defeated Kakashi and then challenged Kiyohara to spar.

• Tsunade hugged Kiyohara to settle their bet, then lost five more card games against him.
• Tagitsuhime told Orochimaru that the White Snake Sage wanted to meet Kiyohara, and Kiyohara agreed to visit Ryūchi Cave in half a month.
• Tsunade agreed to accompany Kiyohara to Ryūchi Cave after he explained the invitation.
• The Fourth Raikage and Dodai discussed Konoha's growing pressure on Kumogakure and decided to organize a major operation.
• Kiyohara returned from investigating a Kumogakure camp and trained with Nohara Rin, Kakashi, and Might Guy.
• Might Guy opened the Sixth Gate and defeated Kakashi, then asked Kiyohara to spar.

Kiyohara sparred with Might Guy, demonstrating that he could use the Sixth and Seventh Gates and overpower Guy while carefully holding back. After treating Guy’s injuries and training with his companions, Kiyohara prepared to leave with Orochimaru when their agreed-upon day arrived.

• Kiyohara accepted Might Guy’s challenge, and Guy opened the Fifth Gate before attacking him.
• Kiyohara matched Guy’s Sixth Gate Morning Peacock and stopped his fist just short of Guy’s forehead.
• Guy opened the Seventh Gate and attacked with Daytime Tiger, but Kiyohara used Morning Peacock to defeat it while holding back.
• Kiyohara and Nohara Rin treated Guy’s injuries, and the group resumed training before returning to their tents that evening.
• Several days later, Orochimaru arrived at Kiyohara’s tent with Anko Mitarashi and said it was time to set out.

Kiyohara traveled with Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Anko to Ryūchi Cave, where he passed the trials of Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime. He entered the cave to meet the White Snake Sage, who was waiting for him.

• Kiyohara left with Orochimaru for Ryūchi Cave after telling Kurenai he would return soon, while Tsunade informed the camp and joined them.
• Orochimaru led the group through thick mist to Ryūchi Cave, where Kiyohara saw through Tagorihime’s palace illusion and passed her test.
• Ichikishimahime isolated Kiyohara and challenged him to fill holes in a cave wall; he crushed the crystals into powder and used Wind Release to fill them all.
• Tagitsuhime attacked Kiyohara, but his Earth Release: Earth Spear stopped her bite, and he revealed his Sharingan before she let him pass.
• Kiyohara entered the passage toward the White Snake Sage as Tagitsuhime wished him good luck.

Kiyohara met the White Snake Sage at Ryūchi Cave, where she explained that true Senjutsu could let a person surpass mortal limits by bearing the source of power and ascending into a dragon. She judged Kiyohara uniquely suited to this path, leaving him wary of her apparent plan to have him take on the power of the Dragon Vein.

• Kiyohara discussed with White Snake Kiyohara how to absorb excess natural energy and potentially awaken a Sage Mode like Mitsuki's.
• Orochimaru brought Kiyohara, Tsunade, and Anko Mitarashi before the White Snake Sage, who recognized Kiyohara's self-taught Senjutsu and his Mount Myoboku influence.
• The White Snake Sage described Senjutsu as Dragon Ascension and said Senju Hashirama had used it to draw out the potential of his Asura bloodline.
• The White Snake Sage revealed that the Uchiha descended from Indra and the Senju from Asura, then recounted the ancient gods, the Sage of Six Paths, and the Dragon Vein's power.
• The White Snake Sage told Kiyohara that true Dragon Ascension meant bearing the source of power and merging with it, and declared that he had the aptitude to stand at a major historical turning point.

Kiyohara endured the White Snake Sage’s natural-energy trial and mastered Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode. He then went to the Violent Snake Nest to face Garaga, intending to kill him and fulfill the final wish before choosing another summoning beast.

• The White Snake Sage explained that Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu relied on perception and injected natural energy into Kiyohara.
• With White Snake Kiyohara’s help, Kiyohara refined the natural energy, awakened his senses, and successfully entered Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode.
• The White Snake Sage recognized Kiyohara as an inheritor of Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu and agreed to let him choose a summoning beast.
• The Three Great Snake Princesses led Kiyohara to Garaga’s lair, where he confronted the violent one-eyed snake and asked to form a Summoning Contract.

Kiyohara killed Garaga in Ryūchi Cave and formed a summoning contract with Tagitsuhime, then inherited White Snake Kiyohara’s power and returned to Konoha’s camp. There, he learned that Iwagakure had launched a final offensive in the Land of Grass, and he was assigned to lead reinforcements to the front.

• Kiyohara defeated Garaga with Sage Art: Black Panther and Big Ball Rasengan, killing the violent snake in Ryūchi Cave.
• Tagitsuhime signed a summoning contract with Kiyohara after the Three Great Snake Princesses offered him another snake to contract with.
• White Snake Kiyohara passed his remaining power to Kiyohara, strengthening his senjutsu, senses, spiritual energy, and lifespan.
• Kiyohara returned from Ryūchi Cave with Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Anko Mitarashi, and Tsunade checked that he was unharmed.
• Nara Shikaku reported that Iwagakure had broken through Konoha’s first line of defense with five attacks in three days and ordered Kiyohara to lead reinforcements to the Land of Grass front, with Tsunade able to accompany him.

Kiyohara and Tsunade continued operations in the Land of Grass as Kiyohara’s team hunted Iwagakure squads and uncovered Kitsuchi’s plan to capture Konoha patrols. Kiyohara led a search to the east, shattered Kitsuchi’s ambush with Sage Art, and defeated him, leaving the Iwagakure force exposed.

• Kiyohara and Tsunade traveled to the Land of Grass, where Konoha’s teams avoided large clashes and searched for Iwagakure squads.
• Kurenai Yuhi immobilized five Iwagakure ninja with Sound Binding, Nohara Rin and Kakashi killed several, and Kiyohara interrogated a captured chunin about Kitsuchi’s plans to surround and capture Konoha patrols.
• Tsunade warned that Kitsuchi might attack if he believed Konoha’s forces were weakened, and Kiyohara set out with Hyuga reinforcements, including Hyuga Natsu, to scout the eastern route.
• Hyuga Natsu used her Byakugan to locate more than two hundred Iwagakure ninja behind a barrier, and Kitsuchi ambushed Kiyohara’s group with Earth Release: Mountain Earth Technique.
• Kiyohara entered Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode and destroyed Kitsuchi’s earthen spheres with Great Snake Lightning, then caught Kitsuchi’s Fist Rock, broke his arm, and subdued him with Genjutsu: Sharingan.

Kiyohara defeated and captured Kitsuchi, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki’s son, earning major battle merits and provoking Ōnoki to send Roshi to retrieve him. After returning to camp, Kiyohara told Tsunade about the capture, then went to fish and met Kurenai Yuhi by the river.

• Kiyohara defeated Kitsuchi, sealed his chakra, and captured him while Hyuga Natsu, Nohara Rin, Kurenai Yuhi, and Kakashi fought the Iwagakure ninja and withdrew from the battlefield.
• Kiyohara brought Kitsuchi to the prisoner camp, where Nara Shikaku recognized him and explained that capturing the Tsuchikage’s son would bring Kiyohara great battle merits.
• Ōnoki learned that Kitsuchi had been captured and ordered Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, to bring his son back.
• Kiyohara told Tsunade about Kitsuchi, and she praised him and offered to cook a celebratory meal.
• Kiyohara went to a nearby river to catch fish, met Kurenai Yuhi fetching water, and announced that he would use a cherry blossom branch as a fishing rod.