Chapter Summaries

Akashi, Minato, and Ranwu joined Jiraiya to take their first mission, a C-rank assignment to catch thieves in the Flower Capital. After Akashi challenged Jiraiya’s emphasis on completing missions, the team reviewed the job and prepared to leave Konoha.

• Jiraiya led Akashi, Minato, and Ranwu to the mission hall and selected a C-rank notice.
• Jiraiya warned the team after they signed without reading the mission details, and Akashi argued that protecting comrades mattered more than missions.
• Akashi explained that the Uchiha clan taught that the village came first, prompting Ranwu to question what she had heard about the clan.
• Jiraiya showed the team their assignment to help arrest thieves in the Flower Capital, two days away from Konoha.
• Ranwu wished the thieves were bandits, while Minato and Akashi noted that the thieves might have muscle but were unlikely to include enemy ninjas.

Jiraiya left Ranwu, Akaseki, and Minato to handle their first mission alone: investigating a surge in thefts in Flower Capital. After reviewing the case files, Akaseki noticed the thefts had begun declining, leaving the team worried that they might not solve the case before their mission funds ran out.

• Jiraiya gave Akaseki money for expenses and left the three Genin to find the Government Office and meet Chief Naiku on their own.
• Naiku assigned Constable Heiji to assist Ranwu, Akaseki, and Minato with catching the thieves.
• Akaseki requested the case files before visiting Flower Street and arranged to meet Heiji there later that afternoon.
• The three reviewed reports showing that thefts had surged on Flower Street over the past two months, with pickpocketing making up most cases.
• Akaseki noticed the number of thefts had dropped seven or eight days earlier and warned that the team had only three days before their funds ran out.

Akaseki, Minato, and Ranwu searched Flower Street for a thief, but their investigation was interrupted when they helped Jiraiya escape an angry crowd by pretending he was a Sunagakure ninja. Akaseki then deduced how the thief learned about the mission, and Minato came up with an idea to catch them.

• Akaseki took Ranwu and Minato to Flower Street early to look for the thief, and they watched the street while eating at a second-floor restaurant.
• After a commotion broke out at a bathhouse, Akaseki and Minato helped Jiraiya escape by blaming him on Sunagakure, while Ranwu watched in confusion.
• Jiraiya praised Akaseki after the group lost the pursuing crowd, then admitted he had been gathering material at the bathhouse.
• Akaseki worked out that the thief had learned about the mission after Naiku returned from Konoha and passed the news along.
• Minato said he had an idea, and Jiraiya waited to see what he would do.

Minato, Ranwu, and Akaseki used a staged string of thefts to draw out the suspected culprit on Flower Street, while Minato concealed Akaseki’s absence with a Shadow Clone. After they returned to the inn, Jiraiya encountered Hiruko, and Akaseki recognized Yashiro among the Genin with him.

• Minato, Ranwu, and Akaseki patrolled Flower Street with Heiji, where several people reported stolen purses.
• Minato revealed that he had used a Shadow Clone disguised as Akaseki, while the real Akaseki stole purses to provoke the suspected inside man.
• Ranwu reminded Akaseki to keep track of the stolen purses so they could return them later.
• The three returned to the inn, where Jiraiya asked how the mission was going and warned them about their budget.
• Hiruko arrived at the inn with two Genin, and Akaseki recognized Yashiro among them.

Akaseki trained Earth Style techniques with Uchiha Yashiro, who criticized Minato Namikaze’s mission plan and suggested a more direct approach. Akaseki returned to Ranwu and Minato with a revised plan to draw out the suspects by visiting a place where stolen goods were fenced.

• Akaseki recognized Uchiha Yashiro, and Yashiro agreed to help him copy Earth Style ninjutsu after congratulating him on awakening his Sharingan.
• Akaseki and Yashiro practiced outside the Flower Capital, where Yashiro spoke proudly about the Uchiha and asked about Akaseki’s mission.
• Yashiro criticized Minato Namikaze’s plan to catch a thief as too civilian and shared his perspective on how to handle the case.
• Akaseki returned to Ranwu and Minato late that night and proposed arresting and interrogating the suspects, though he acknowledged they lacked suitable techniques and that Heiji was not a Konoha ninja.
• Akaseki suggested going to a place where stolen goods were fenced so local toughs would notice them and help the suspects find them.

Akaseki prepared to investigate the Flower Capital’s black market while the team arranged a way to share intelligence. When he could not learn the Shadow Clone Technique, the three split into two groups using Earth, Water, and Shadow Clones.

• Ranwu woke Akaseki and confirmed that he knew where the black market was, then warned him to signal for help rather than play hero.
• Minato suggested that Akaseki use a Shadow Clone to relay intelligence, and Ranwu offered to teach him the technique.
• Akaseki failed to copy the Shadow Clone Technique and proposed using an Earth Clone instead.
• Akaseki created an Earth Clone, Ranwu created a Water Clone, and Minato created a Shadow Clone, dividing the three into two groups of three.

Akaseki, Ranwu, and Minato used a pawnshop sting to expose the gang behind Flower Street’s thefts and their connection to Constable Heiji. After defeating the thugs and capturing Heiji, they left Akaseki’s Great Fireball Technique noticeably stronger than before.

• Akaseki posed as a reckless seller at a west-city pawnshop while Ranwu and Minato’s clones listened as he bargained with the proprietor.
• A brute interrupted the deal, and the proprietor sent the three outside, where more than a dozen armed men accused them of poaching on their turf.
• Ranwu and Minato questioned the gang about the thefts and the Konoha Ninja, and Minato vanished in a puff of smoke, revealing the trio’s ninja identities.
• Minato learned of the confrontation through his clone, then knocked out Constable Heiji when Heiji attacked him with a hidden blade.
• Akaseki and Ranwu returned to their original appearances, and Akaseki burned the thugs with a Great Fireball Technique that Ranwu said seemed stronger than before.

Akaseki, Ranwu, and Minato completed the Flower Capital theft-ring mission ahead of schedule and returned to Konoha with Jiraiya and Hiruko's team. Akaseki earned his first mission reward and celebrated with his teammates.

• Akaseki burned and defeated the street thugs while Minato captured the fleeing Heiji, exposing his role in the theft ring.
• Naiku confronted Heiji, who admitted to the crimes and complained about the catchers' pay; the ninjas handed the case over to the Flower Capital authorities.
• Jiraiya praised the team for finishing early, covered their food and lodging, and arranged to return to Konoha the next day with Hiruko's team.
• On the journey home, Yashiro found Akaseki secretly practicing ninjutsu, checked that his Dojutsu Power was holding up, and helped him copy Earth Style techniques.
• On March 27, Jiraiya gave Akaseki, Ranwu, and Minato 8,200 ryo each, and Ranwu chose Pine Leaf BBQ to celebrate their first mission pay.

Akaseki attended his first Uchiha Clan monthly meeting, where the clan discussed Danzo’s secret organization and the Third Hokage’s refusal to reveal its purpose or members. After the meeting, Inuzuka Claw stopped Akaseki and reminded him that he had arranged for her to come over.

• Jiancheng introduced Akaseki to the clan members at his first regular meeting.
• The clan members reported their progress and complained about Danzo’s secret organization after Jiancheng said the Third Hokage had refused to disclose its functions or roster.
• Fugaku offered to help Akaseki copy more Lightning Style ninjutsu, but Akaseki declined so he could finish watching Family Happiness.
• Akaseki left the meeting without copying any ninjutsu and prepared to begin Immersion at home.
• Inuzuka Claw rode up to Akaseki on her dog and told him not to leave because he had arranged for her to visit.

Akaseki received custom ninja tools from Inuzuka Tsume and arranged a Taijutsu spar with her at Training Ground Six. Back at home, he continued training his Fire Style Chakra Nature Transformation and assessed how difficult progress became at key thresholds.

• Akaseki guessed that Inuzuka Tsume was delivering an order from the Cat Ninja Tool Shop and agreed to spar with her that evening, with the loser paying for Ichiraku Ramen.
• Tsume delivered Akaseki's custom Kunai, Shuriken, Fuma Shuriken, and short sword, and Akaseki explained that he was training in Uchiha Clan Shurikenjutsu Manipulation.
• Akaseki returned home and used Immersion to stimulate his Fire Style Chakra Nature Transformation.
• Akaseki checked his progress, noting that Scorching Heat exceeded 10%, Incineration was at 9.56%, Overspread Burning was at 3.71%, and Swift Flame was below 1%.

After Immersion in Family Happiness ended, Akaseki’s Sharingan evolved as his emotions surged, and Liu-Liu Recycling bought the ninja tool set he had just received. The chapter left Akaseki with a Quasi-Two-Tomoe Sharingan and a theory about how Immersion had triggered its transformation.

• After enduring the finale of Family Happiness, Akaseki’s hypothalamus was freed and his emotions burst forth, sending special chakra toward his left eye.
• Clan Leader Jiancheng and Clan Elder Lanyu sensed the Sharingan’s chakra and went to check on Akaseki, keeping the other clan members outside.
• Liu-Liu Recycling offered to buy Akaseki’s items, and he selected his new ninja tool set, which vanished when the transaction completed.
• Jiancheng and Lanyu congratulated Akaseki, and Lanyu told him to look in the mirror.
• Akaseki saw that his left eye had gained two tomoe, giving him a Quasi-Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Akaseki theorized that the emotions he felt during Immersion and their release afterward had combined to trigger the transformation.

Akaseki learned the limits of his newly awakened Sharingan and considered how to spend his recycled credits, while Jiancheng and Lanyu discussed his Immersion Curse. He went to Training Ground Six for his spar with Claw, who confronted him as soon as he arrived.

• Jiancheng warned Akaseki that his one-sided Two-Tomoe Sharingan offered limited chakra and vision gains, and advised him to finish copying One-Tomoe ninjutsu before learning stronger techniques.
• Lanyu asked whether Akaseki's Immersion Curse was Genjutsu, and Jiancheng said it seemed to affect the brain and might not help Uchiha awaken their Sharingan.
• Jiancheng reassured Lanyu that the Uchiha could withstand pressure from Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, and predicted another Shinobi World War would strengthen the clan.
• Akaseki regretted forgetting to ask for money for ninja tools, examined his 150 credits, and rejected buying a membership because it offered no benefits.
• Akaseki arrived at Training Ground Six for his spar with Claw, who sprang to his feet and accused him of not daring to show up.

At Training Ground Six, Akaseki sparred with Tsume and was surprised by how much her Taijutsu had improved. Tsume called Kuromaru into the fight and used the Human-Beast Combination Technique, leaving Akaseki facing two Kuromarus.

• Akaseki revealed that his Sharingan had advanced to Two-Tomoe, surprising Tsume.
• Tsume used the Four-Legs Technique and attacked Akaseki, but he parried her strike and countered with a precise blow to her face.
• After praising Akaseki's skill, Tsume called Kuromaru to join the spar and used the Human-Beast Combination Technique.
• Tsume and Kuromaru became two Kuromarus and charged Akaseki, who dodged too early, nearly got bitten, and retreated with the Substitution Technique.
• Akaseki complained about the undignified attack, and Tsume clarified that Kuromaru had been trying to bite his hand.

After sparring with Tsume and Kuromaru, Akaseki learned that his squad would likely take the Chunin Ninja Exams in two months and continued his nighttime training. He started a new immersive drama, which opened with Hong Yan being arrested after saving a villager’s life.

• Akaseki, Tsume, and Kuromaru sparred for more than two hours, with Akaseki winning more rounds than he lost.
• Tsume told Akaseki that the Chunin Ninja Exams were two months away, and Akaseki decided his squad would probably take them.
• Akaseki went to the edge of the Forest of Death to train and chose a new immersive drama after finishing Family Happiness.
• Akaseki declined the drama’s default control settings and entered You Call Me a Quack, So I'll Become a Veterinarian, Then.
• Hong Yan shouted at villagers as he was arrested for practicing medicine without a license after saving someone’s life.

Akaseki endured Hong Yan’s drawn-out trial and opened a clinic for Ninja Beasts before discovering someone had slipped into the Forest of Death through a Cursed Seal. He formed a Warning Seal and pursued the intruder through the closing gap in the barrier.

• Akaseki endured Hong Yan’s trial, where the villagers’ lies were exposed after a patient fell ill, and Hong Yan received a hefty fine and a ban on practicing medicine.
• Akaseki received Massage Device rewards and pushed himself through strenuous weighted push-ups to vent his frustration.
• Hong Yan opened a clinic for Ninja Beasts, where villagers spent most of the hour pressuring him to return and treat them.
• Akaseki bought the Physical Examination Device with his balance and later received an Eye Protection Device that replenished his Dojutsu Power.
• Akaseki spotted a figure entering the Forest of Death and found Cursed Seal markings that had opened a gap in the barrier.
• Akaseki formed a Warning Seal, then squeezed through the closing gap to follow the intruder.

Jiancheng and Lanyu followed a warning left by Akaseki and learned that Kumogakure ninja had entered the Forest of Death, where Kushina was being tested as a possible Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Akaseki joined Minato in tracking her, and the two found a strand of Kushina’s hair as they continued after her trail.

• Jiancheng and Lanyu saw the Warning Eye above the Forest of Death and went to investigate while the other Uchiha stayed in the compound.
• Kagami told Jiancheng and Lanyu that three Kumogakure ninja had entered Konoha and were following Kushina, while the Third Hokage watched to assess her suitability as a Jinchuriki.
• Lanyu criticized the Third Hokage’s test and suggested the Uchiha could become the Jinchuriki instead.
• Akaseki tracked a trail through the Forest of Death, then confronted Minato when Minato approached him from behind.
• Minato explained that Kushina was in danger and asked Akaseki to search for her red hair, and Akaseki spotted a strand nearby with chakra still clinging to it.

Akaseki and Minato rescued Kushina from three Kumogakure ninja before they could take her beyond Konoha’s borders. As the fight continued, Sarutobi rejected Danzo’s attempt to recruit Minato, while Danzo urged him to keep watch on Akaseki.

• Akaseki and Minato found Kushina being escorted toward the edge of the Forest of Death by three Kumogakure ninja, and Minato insisted they rescue her before she was taken beyond Konoha’s borders.
• Akaseki trapped the three enemies in a Genjutsu while Minato ambushed Soku, grabbed Kushina, and moved her to safety.
• Hope and Boku broke free of the Genjutsu, but Minato wounded Boku with a powerful Wind Style: Gale Palm, and Akaseki attacked Hope with a Great Fireball Technique.
• Danzo praised Minato and tried to claim him for his own purposes, but Sarutobi said Jiraiya was already teaching him.
• Danzo warned Sarutobi to watch Akaseki, accusing him of harboring ill intentions toward Kushina.

Akaseki and Minato rescued Kushina from Cloud Ninja kidnappers, defeated their captors, and brought back a prisoner. The Anbu took custody of the prisoner and arranged Kushina’s treatment, while Akaseki and Minato faced a formal questioning about the attempted kidnapping.

• Akaseki burned Hope with his Great Fireball Technique, dodged his lightning attack, and knocked him out with an Earth Style-enhanced punch.
• Akaseki killed his defeated opponent while Minato went to Kushina, and the two helped her escape with their sole surviving prisoner.
• Minato carried the unsteady Kushina while Akaseki escorted the prisoner, and they explained that they had rescued her because she was one of Konoha’s own.
• Konoha’s elders watched the group return, while Danzo frowned at Akaseki’s remarks about the village’s clans and outsiders.
• Anbu took custody of the prisoner and arranged medical care for Kushina, then formally questioned Akaseki and Minato about the attempted kidnapping.

Akaseki, Minato, and Ranwu joined Jiraiya for a mission assigned personally by the Third Hokage. At the Hokage’s office, they discovered that Torifu Akimichi and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio would also be involved, and Hiruzen began explaining the mission.

• Akaseki and Minato went straight to the Hokage Building after leaving Anbu headquarters, and Ranwu joined them there.
• Akaseki and Ranwu traded taunts about sparring until Jiraiya offered them a B-Rank Mission, which they eagerly accepted.
• Jiraiya led Team 7 to the Hokage’s office, explaining that the Third Hokage had personally assigned the mission.
• Akaseki recognized Torifu Akimichi and the young Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi in the office.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi began outlining the mission to Jiraiya and Torifu Akimichi.

Akaseki and the others accepted a B-rank mission to protect the Land of Waves from pirates, though Sarutobi and Danzo treated it as unusually important. Jiraiya explained that the mission marked the first time a major organization from the sea islands had hired Konoha, then began recounting Kirigakure’s past leadership change.

• Danzo questioned whether Genin should join the mission, but Sarutobi approved it after Torifu Akimichi and Jiraiya vouched for the youngsters.
• Sarutobi explained that the Land of Waves’ merchant association wanted Konoha to eliminate pirates who might include Chunin or Jonin, and all eight participants agreed to take the mission.
• Torifu Akimichi set the joint squad’s departure for two o’clock, and the group discussed Minato’s early graduation and Akaseki’s awakened eyes.
• Akaseki asked Jiraiya why the mission mattered, and Jiraiya explained that the Land of Waves was an island nation with no ninja village and had never before sent a mission to Konoha.
• Jiraiya described the tensions that followed the First Hokage’s death and asked why Byakuren had chosen Hozuki Gengetsu over his intended successor, prompting Akaseki to guess that the reason was democracy.