Chapter Summaries

A wallet lay forgotten in the street as a boy and a woman each left it behind for different reasons. A scavenger found only keys inside and hung the wallet and keys on a fence, leaving them for their owner.

• A boy spotted the wallet, but his mother hurried him away despite his wish to take it to the police.
• A woman found the wallet, then dropped it and ran off after reacting to what she heard on the phone.
• A scavenger picked up the wallet and found only a set of keys inside.
• The scavenger hung the wallet and keys on a fence and walked away.

The narrator remembered their grandmother’s years of silently enduring bone cancer to spare her family worry and expense. After her grandmother’s death, the narrator promised to return every year at Qingming Festival to visit her.

• The narrator recalled learning that their grandmother had advanced bone cancer, which she had concealed for more than a year while continuing to teach.
• The narrator’s grandmother refused treatment and endured worsening pain so her children would not face medical expenses or worry.
• After the family watched over her, the grandmother secretly tried to end her life, but they found her in time and she awoke.
• The narrator’s grandmother told her children she was content that they were doing well and that Chengcheng had entered college, then fell asleep and died.
• The narrator remembered her grandmother’s love and promised to visit her every year at Qingming Festival.

Uchiha Itachi reflected on how classic books, stories, and poems had taught him strength, courage, resourcefulness, and maturity. He left resolved to keep learning from the classics and drawing wisdom from them.

• Uchiha Itachi recalled a story of a worker’s son whose fortitude through illness and blindness inspired him to be strong.
• Uchiha Itachi remembered a village boy who faced a murderer and led Becky out of a cave, teaching him bravery.
• Uchiha Itachi recounted a castaway’s twenty-eight years on a deserted island and learned resourcefulness from his survival.
• Uchiha Itachi reflected on poems by Cao Cao, Li Yu, Li Bai, Lin Daiyu, Ma Zhiyuan, Xin Qiji, and Wang Wei, and dreamed of visiting places they evoked.
• Uchiha Itachi concluded that the classics would continue to nourish his spirit and strengthen his convictions.

Kyle Maynard overcame congenital tetra-amelia syndrome through persistence, learning to walk, building strength, and competing in wrestling. After winning the Georgia autumn games championship, he became a competitor and motivational speaker whose story reached a wider audience through his book, No Excuses.

• Kyle Maynard faced rejection as a child, but his family's support and Helen Keller's words helped him accept his disability and grow more cheerful.
• As a teenager, Maynard repeatedly practiced standing and walking on his residual limbs until he could move forward and later travel independently.
• Maynard joined a fitness club, chose wrestling, and trained through the astonished reactions of its members.
• In September 2008, Maynard entered Georgia's autumn games, defeated his opponent in wrestling, and won the championship.
• The governor recommended Maynard for the national team, and Maynard went on to compete around the world and publish No Excuses in August 2009.

A wallet lay forgotten on a busy street as a child, a woman, and a scavenger each encountered it. The scavenger found only keys inside and hung the wallet on a railing before leaving.

• A boy spotted the wallet and asked his mother to hand it to the police, but she hurried him away.
• A woman found the wallet, then dropped it and fled after reacting to something she heard on the phone.
• A scavenger picked up the wallet, found only keys inside, and hung it on a railing.
• The narrator was moved by the scavenger leaving the lost property untouched.

The chapter reflected on the beauty and resilience of life and urged people to live sincerely, kindly, gratefully, and diligently. In a humorous second piece, the narrator described finally driving away mosquitoes after repeatedly giving in to their demands.

• The narrator recalled being moved by newborn babies, a disabled dog crossing a road, and the resilience of plants and nature.
• The narrator argued that life’s vitality made it beautiful and urged ordinary people to cherish life and make it meaningful through good conduct and persistent effort.
• The narrator let mosquitoes feed on him several times, despite their returning for more blood.
• When the mosquitoes insulted him after he refused their late-night visit, the narrator used the Snake-Scorpion Break to kill them.
• The mosquitoes stopped coming at night, and the narrator concluded that refusing repeated demands could prevent greater losses.

Yi Xiang warned Sasuke about Orochimaru’s dangerous training, then reflected on lessons from nature and recounted stories of sacrifice and perseverance. The chapter ended with a personal anecdote about overcoming embarrassment to have a broken guitar string replaced.

• Yi Xiang told Sasuke about his future encounter with Orochimaru and urged him to choose whether to accept the dangerous training.
• The narrator described how fallen blossoms, flowing water, and bamboo taught lessons about generosity, time, and resilience.
• The narrator witnessed a Thorn Bird die while singing beautifully and heard the story of Bo Yi and Shu Qi, who died after their nation fell.
• The narrator chose to enter a river clam despite knowing the pain, seeking the beauty that would come afterward.
• After a guitar string snapped, the narrator reluctantly returned to the former guitar class and had the teacher replace it for five yuan.

Yi Xiang and his companions entered Fuma Alley, where he fought off local thugs and killed three Fuma Clan ninja who attacked them in Orochimaru’s service. After the battle, Jiraiya arrived, and Yi Xiang’s mention of Tsunade’s admirers prompted Jiraiya to take him aside and ask who they were.

• Sakura unmasked Fuma Sasame, and Yi Xiang released her after learning she was searching for her brother Arashi.
• Yi Xiang, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasame visited Fuma Alley, where Yi Xiang gave everyone money and beat a man who tried to target them.
• Three Fuma Clan ninja ambushed the group, and Yi Xiang killed Kagerō and Jigumo while Naruto helped defeat them.
• Kageno used several dangerous techniques, but Yi Xiang and Naruto escaped them and left Kageno badly injured.
• Sasame explained that the attackers had joined Orochimaru in hopes of restoring the Fuma Clan, and Yi Xiang realized she had not yet told them how to find Orochimaru.
• Jiraiya arrived on Gamachu, and after Yi Xiang brought up Tsunade’s admirers, Jiraiya whisked him away to ask for details.

Isho helped Jiraiya devise schemes to win Tsunade’s affection, then led the team into Orochimaru’s underground lair and confronted Fuma Arashi. After the mission ended with Arashi buried underground and Sasuke still missing, Tsunade assigned Isho a mission to capture escaped prisoners, and he set out with Pakkun’s help.

• Isho persuaded Jiraiya to consider faking his death to make Tsunade realize her feelings, advising him to wait until the Akatsuki revealed their strength.
• Jiraiya and Isho joined Naruto, Sakura, and Sasame in searching Orochimaru’s underground hideout, where Isho confronted Fuma Arashi, who wore Orochimaru’s face.
• Isho fought Fuma Arashi with the Rasengan and Chidori, but stopped when Sasame arrived and Arashi’s altered body revealed Jigumo and Kagerō’s heads.
• Fuma Arashi told the group that Sasuke had left with Orochimaru and that Orochimaru planned to use him as a vessel in three years, then stayed behind as the underground chamber collapsed.
• Tsunade assigned Isho to capture the escaped prisoners Mizuki, Fujin, and Raijin, while Kakashi sent Pakkun to help him track them down.

Yi Xiang outsmarted Fujin and Raijin, killed Mizuki, and let Naruto comfort Tsubaki before the group returned to Konoha. The next day, Yi Xiang and Naruto discussed mercy over lunch, then joined their friends from Team Five for training.

• Yi Xiang distracted Fujin and Raijin with grilled meat and a warning that Tsunade was coming, sending them back toward Konoha.
• Naruto fought Mizuki with Shadow Clones, but Mizuki escaped using a substitution while Yi Xiang disappeared as well.
• Yi Xiang pursued Mizuki and killed him with a Space Slash, then faced Tsubaki as she mourned Mizuki and questioned his death.
• Naruto comforted Tsubaki, who buried Mizuki beside flowers, and Yi Xiang reported the mission to Tsunade before leaving.
• Naruto asked Yi Xiang to show more mercy to enemies, and Yi Xiang warned him against sparing dangerous foes.
• Qiupu, Changyang, and Jingchuan visited Yi Xiang to ask for ninjutsu training, and Yi Xiang agreed to practice with them and Naruto.

Yi Xiang taught Qiupu, Changyang, and Jingchuan ninjutsu before an urgent mission interrupted their training. At the Mission Dispatch Center, Tanaka Rimura explained that his family sought help after a notorious predator left a letter in the Fourth Miss’s courtyard.

• Qiupu, Changyang, and Jingchuan told Yi Xiang their chakra affinities, and Yi Xiang taught them ninjutsu suited to their abilities.
• Yi Xiang advised Qiupu to practice the Water Dragon Bullet near water, while Naruto trained in the Earth-Style Wall.
• An Anbu member summoned Yi Xiang and Team Five to the mission assignment office on Lord Hokage’s orders.
• Tsunade assured Tanaka Rimura that Yi Xiang was a capable Jonin and had a one hundred percent mission completion rate.
• Tanaka Rimura explained that a letter signed 'Dancing with Flowers' had appeared in the Fourth Miss’s courtyard, and identified the sender as a notorious predator.

Yi Xiang and Team Five arrived in the Land of Vegetables to capture the ninja called Dancing with Flowers, but first they faced the Earth-Splitting Trio, who were already hired for the mission. Yi Xiang rescued Qiupu and subdued the trio’s leader, then demanded half their mission pay as compensation.

• Steward Rimura explained that a disguised ninja called Dancing with Flowers had abducted and kissed young women, and his family offered one million ryo for an A-rank mission to capture him.
• Yi Xiang and Team Five reached the Land of Vegetables and entered the merchant family’s courtyard, where the Earth-Splitting Trio mocked them for being children.
• Qiupu, Changyang, and Jingchuan fought the trio while Yi Xiang dismissed the opponents as weak troublemakers.
• Tian Yelang tricked Qiupu with his stone-covered fist and spiked club, then pursued him after Qiupu escaped with a substitution.
• Yi Xiang used the Body Flicker Technique and a spinning blue sphere to injure Tian Yelang’s fist, then held a kunai to his throat.
• Yi Xiang demanded half the trio’s mission pay, and Tian Yelang ordered his brothers to fetch three hundred thousand ryo.

Yi Xiang settled the dispute with Tian Yelang's brothers, shared their ransom money with Team Five, and questioned Tian Yelang about the lecher targeting young women. Steward Rimura then led Yi Xiang and his teammates to inspect the Fourth Miss's residence, where they met the Second Madam and the Third Young Master.

• Tian Yelang's two younger brothers hurried off to fetch ransom money, and Tian Yelang offered Yi Xiang three hundred thousand ryo in compensation.
• Rimura invited Yi Xiang and Team Five to a lavish meal, where Yi Xiang asked Tian Yelang about Dancing with Flowers and the girls he had deceived.
• Tian Yelang's brothers returned with the money, and Yi Xiang gave one hundred thousand ryo to each of his three teammates.
• Rimura led Yi Xiang and his teammates toward the Fourth Miss's residence and explained the household's family relationships.
• The Second Madam met the group with the Third Young Master and asked whether one of the Konoha ninjas was still missing.

Yi Xiang met Tanaka Aoki and his deaf younger sister, Tanaka Himari, and learned that no doctor had discovered the cause of her hearing loss. He proposed taking the family to Konoha for treatment by Lady Tsunade, then read a letter that left him worried about a rival’s eloquence.

• Yi Xiang introduced himself to the Second Madam, revealed his three-tomoe Sharingan, and met Tanaka Aoki and Tanaka Himari.
• Aoki explained that Himari had lost her hearing months earlier and that doctors had been unable to determine why.
• Yi Xiang recommended seeking treatment from Lady Tsunade in Konoha, and Aoki agreed to travel there with Himari.
• Himari spoke and asked Yi Xiang’s group to protect them on the journey, surprising him and his companions.
• Yi Xiang read a letter and grew uneasy because its writing was exceptionally good.

Yi Xiang disguised himself as Yangkui to escort her safely toward Konoha, but a masked ninja ambushed the carriage and abducted the decoy. Yi Xiang revealed himself, defeated the attacker, and ordered him to show his real face.

• Yi Xiang and the Second Madam arranged for Yangkui to travel to Konoha while the Earth-Splitting Trio and warriors stayed behind to make it seem she was still home.
• Yi Xiang disguised himself as Yangkui, while Yangkui and Aoki took other identities for the journey.
• A ninja ambushed the carriage with stone walls and pink smoke, then carried off the disguised Yangkui.
• Yi Xiang struck the attacker with a Rasengan and confronted him with Kubikiribōchō.
• The attacker claimed he had never forced anyone and that someone was impersonating him, so Yi Xiang ordered him to change back to his real appearance.

Yi Xiang captured Saji Takuya, who had disguised himself as Dancing with Flowers and attacked the group, then learned about Takuya’s ties to Aoki. As the group recovered, Yi Xiang flirted with Yangkui and carried her toward the carriage, leaving their relationship newly charged.

• Yi Xiang bound Saji Takuya after Takuya revealed his identity and admitted his skills and age.
• Yi Xiang returned to the group, where Aoki recognized Takuya as Dancing with Flowers and defended their childhood friend.
• Aoki explained his history with Takuya, including Takuya’s family background and Aoki’s affection for Takuya’s older sister.
• Yi Xiang warned Takuya to abandon his disguise and stay away from Yangkui, and Takuya promised not to rival him.
• Yangkui told Yi Xiang she was three years older, and Yi Xiang picked her up and carried her toward the carriage before putting her down at her request.

The narrator recalled how fairy tales, classics, and novels kept her company and taught her about perseverance, reasoning, and life. She ended by describing books as lifelong friends whose hands she would happily hold forever.

• The narrator said she had felt lonely as a child until she entered the world of books and promised to stay with them.
• She visited the castle of fairy tales and drew strength from the Ugly Duckling and other characters who found happiness after hardship.
• At the Hall of Classics, she met characters such as Pavel and Sherlock Holmes, who taught her perseverance and careful reasoning.
• She read novels including Girl's Diary and Cry Me a Sad River, which helped her understand relationships, emotions, and social realities.
• The narrator said fairy tales, classics, and novels had become her lifelong friends.

The page displayed an elementary-school essay about missing a friend who had promised to visit at school, along with related essays and site promotions. It ended with the narrator remembering their time together and saying, “Forget it.”

• The narrator said they were bored and unhappy after the friend left.
• The narrator said the friend had promised to visit at school but never came.
• The narrator recalled waiting every day and remembering when they used to be together.
• The page showed an essay subscription offer and other site content.

Orochimaru left the Akatsuki, founded Otogakure, and plotted to take Sasuke Uchiha’s body while attacking Konoha. He assassinated the Fourth Kazekage and infiltrated the Chunin Exams in disguise, setting the Konoha Crush Plan in motion.

• Orochimaru tried to take Itachi’s body but was defeated by Itachi’s genjutsu and lost a hand before retreating with Kabuto Yakushi’s help.
• Orochimaru left the Akatsuki and established Otogakure with a group of subordinates, including Kabuto Yakushi and the Sound Five.
• Orochimaru allied with the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and sent Kabuto Yakushi to spy on Konohagakure while he infiltrated the village as a Chunin exam candidate.
• Orochimaru encountered Sasuke Uchiha in the Forest of Death and gave him the Cursed Seal of Heaven to draw him toward seeking power.
• Orochimaru assassinated Rasa and impersonated him, then attended the Chunin Exams beside the Third Hokage as the Konoha Crush Plan began.

The narrator reflected on childhood friendships, middle school struggles, and the disappointment of failing final exams, describing how life’s setbacks forced her to grow. She ended by urging herself and others to hold on to their dreams and keep moving forward through hardship.

• The narrator remembered saying goodbye to her childhood friends after six years together, including the hardships they had endured as a class during the May 12 earthquake.
• The narrator entered middle school, weathered new trials, and grew stronger instead of losing her footing.
• The narrator failed her final exams and, while spending New Year alone at home, realized she had to start over and work harder.
• The narrator reflected on growing through failure and encouraged herself and others to pursue their dreams through life’s storms.