Chapter Summaries

Mirai and Rock Lee stopped at Song Ziling’s teahouse, where Mirai planned to practice his patience technique and warned Rock Lee to keep a low profile. Their quiet tea break was interrupted when tea merchant He Lin arrived and confronted them over his usual booth.

• Mirai told Rock Lee that rumors about him killing Hidden Rain had spread and said he would stay in the Tea Country to practice his patience technique.
• Mirai warned Rock Lee to control his displeasure and keep a low profile as they approached the village.
• Song Ziling served Mirai and Rock Lee tea, and Mirai’s spiritual energy began recovering as he relaxed.
• He Lin arrived at the teahouse with a woman and a samurai bodyguard, then asked for his usual booth, number six.
• He Lin saw Mirai and Rock Lee occupying his booth, strode over, and slammed his palm on their table, startling them and spilling Mirai’s tea.

He Lin demanded that Mirai and Rock Lee leave a reserved seat, while Song Lingzi urged them to avoid trouble. The dispute escalated as He Lin ordered Mirai to kneel and crawl between his legs, leaving the surrounding tea drinkers watching and mocking him.

• He Lin cursed at Mirai and Rock Lee and demanded that they give up the seat reserved for him.
• Song Lingzi asked Mirai and Rock Lee to move, and Rock Lee restrained her anger to keep a low profile.
• Mirai recognized He Lin as a wealthy tea merchant he had encountered during a mission to the tea country and refused to move.
• He Lin's samurai bodyguard threatened to throw Mirai out, while Song Lingzi hesitantly advised him to let the matter go.
• He Lin demanded that Mirai kneel, apologize, and crawl between his legs, as other customers watched and criticized Mirai.

Mirai killed He Lin with a seemingly effortless sword strike, shocking Song Ziling and the onlookers. As the crowd fled in panic, Mirai and Rock Lee remained at the center of the uproar.

• Mirai summoned a sword and pointed it toward He Lin while everyone watched in confusion.
• He Lin’s samurai bodyguard found a red mark on He Lin’s chest, then watched him collapse and die.
• Song Ziling accused Mirai of killing He Lin, and the onlookers realized what had happened.
• Someone shouted “Murder,” and the crowd scrambled for the exit, afraid Mirai would target them next.

Mirai kept He Lin’s mistress and samurai bodyguard from leaving after killing He Lin and his men, while Rock Lee watched. As the mistress tried to shift blame onto the bodyguard, the bodyguard attacked her and then suddenly turned his sword on Mirai.

• Mirai warned the mistress and the others that whoever moved would die.
• Mirai teased Rock Lee and asked what he should do with the mistress and the two bodyguards.
• The mistress begged Mirai to spare her and blamed He Lin and his bodyguard for offending him.
• The samurai bodyguard cursed the mistress and charged at her with his sword.
• The samurai bodyguard turned and swung his blade at Mirai while Mirai calmly drank his tea.

Mirai killed the warrior bodyguard and the alluring woman with swift sword techniques, leaving Song Linger terrified and alone before him. He demanded that she answer him, and she tried to save herself by offering money.

• Mirai blocked the warrior bodyguard’s slash, then killed him with a swift sword strike.
• Mirai protected himself and Rock Lee from the spraying blood with a wall of wind.
• The alluring woman hoped to rely on Mirai, but he killed her with a golden sword aura.
• Mirai told Song Linger that she was the only one left and warned he would decide her fate if she stayed silent.
• Song Linger panicked and offered Mirai money.

Mirai agreed to spare Song Ziling in exchange for money after killing He Rin, while Rock Lee warned that the Tea Village guards were gathering outside. Song Ziling returned with 502,000 taels and asked for more time to pay the rest.

• Song Ziling offered Mirai one million taels to spare her, and he accepted.
• Rock Lee warned Mirai that survivors had likely summoned the Tea Village guards, who were beginning to surround the teahouse.
• Mirai decided they would leave after he received 500,000 taels from Song Ziling.
• Rock Lee asked why Mirai had killed the woman but spared Song Ziling, and Mirai said he had spared the boss because she had money.
• Song Ziling returned with 502,000 taels and asked Mirai for a few more days to pay the remainder.

Mirai left Song Ziling’s establishment after forcing her to compensate him, with Rock Lee following close behind. Before leaving, he paid Song Ziling for their tea using money from the compensation, leaving her disgusted.

• Song Ziling accepted that she had to compensate Mirai, relieved when he said he would ask for nothing more.
• Mirai walked ahead, and Rock Lee hurried after him after scolding him for not waiting.
• As Mirai reached the door, he asked Song Ziling the price of the tea.
• Mirai paid one hundred taels from the bag he had just taken from Song Ziling and told her to keep the change.
• Song Ziling was revolted that Mirai had used her own money to pay for the tea.

Mirai left the glass room and entered Tea Village, where he killed a thug who threatened him. He and Rock Lee departed, while the villagers discussed reporting Mirai to the guards.

• Song Linger collapsed after remembering Xiao Zhan calling Mirai's name from behind the glass.
• Mirai opened the door, and the people nearby fled from him as he remarked on Tea Village.
• A thug threatened Mirai, and Rock Lee urged him to act; Mirai killed the thug with a shockwave.
• Mirai and Rock Lee leaped away, leaving the villagers frightened by the corpse.
• After recovering, the villagers cursed Mirai and argued that Tea Village's guards should capture him.

Mato Xinlai entered the tea house and discovered a gruesome scene that threatened the Tea Clan’s business and his standing as squad leader. He vowed to bring the culprit to justice.

• Mato Xinlai asked where the fanatic was, then led the guards toward the tea house.
• Mato Xinlai ordered the guards to deal with the corpse identified as Qingquan Liangci and disperse the crowd.
• A guard shoved Hetian Beiyuan aside when he tried to follow Mato Xinlai inside.
• Mato Xinlai entered the tea house and found two bodies, including the tea merchant Lin He, amid scattered gore.
• Mato Xinlai resolved to capture the culprit and bring him to justice.

Mato Lessing questioned Song Ziling about the killings at her teahouse and learned that Mirai was responsible. The revelation frightened the guards and left Mato Lessing worried about confronting the killer.

• Mato Lessing ordered his team to search the teahouse, secure the corpses, and find its owner, Song Ziling.
• Mato Lessing questioned Song Ziling, who calmly recounted the events and said Nohara Rin and the others had provoked an iron wall.
• Song Ziling identified the murderer as Mirai, prompting Mato Lessing to recall Mirai’s earlier killings.
• Song Ziling pointed to a sword mark as evidence that Mirai had used the same sword aura, and Mato Lessing grew fearful.

After witnesses confirmed that Mirai killed He Lin, Tea Village’s guards reported the incident to the Feudal Lord, and its envoy demanded an explanation from the Land of Fire. Two days later, Mirai trained alone in the mountains and developed a Big Ball Rasengan 1.6 times larger than normal.

• Song Linger left after warning Mirai to stay in Tea Village while the investigation continued.
• Witnesses confirmed that Mirai was the murderer, and Mato Lesin chose to report the findings to the Feudal Lord rather than pursue him himself.
• Tea Village spread news of Mirai’s crime, and envoy Mato Lesin went to the Land of Fire to demand an explanation.
• The Hokage of Konoha Village said the matter would be discussed after Mirai and his companions returned.
• Two days after the attack on He Lin, Mirai trained in the mountains and formed a Big Ball Rasengan 1.6 times larger than the standard version.

Mirai realized that using the Big Ball Rasengan had gradually improved his control over divine spiritual power, allowing him to channel more of his vast reserves into other techniques. He concluded that the Rasengan was best for further practice, though he had not yet discovered how to train that control beyond using it.

• Mirai reflected on how studying the Big Ball Rasengan had improved his control over divine spiritual power and let him move across water with ease.
• He recognized that better control let him adjust his sword techniques and concentrate the shockwaves from Meteor to destroy gods.
• Mirai compared his 1,750 points of spiritual power with the 100 points he could currently control and considered how greater control would increase his techniques' strength.
• He recalled that controlling 100 points had let him split a massive tornado with Meteor to destroy gods, and believed that channeling 500 points could let the Divine Wind Sword cleave a Tailed Beast in half.
• Mirai judged the Great Yu Rasengan more suitable than sword techniques for practicing control, but he had only observed his control improve when using the Big Ball Rasengan.

Mirai improved his control over divine spiritual power while training with the Big Ball Rasengan and Divine Wind Sword. On the third day, he told Rock Lee they were ready to return to Konoha, hinting that he could accept whatever complaint Lee made.

• Mirai expanded the Big Ball Rasengan to 1.7 times its original size, then stopped training to rest.
• Mirai infused the Divine Wind Sword with divine spiritual power until his control reached 140.
• Rock Lee arrived with fruit and complained that Mirai had delayed their return to Konoha and made him search for food.
• Mirai said they could return, delighting Rock Lee, then hinted that he could accept Lee's complaint.

Mirai told Rock Lee not to worry about the consequences of killing a Tea Village ninja, insisting that Konoha would not dare use the Yamanaka Clan’s memory-search technique on him. The two returned to Konoha, where word of Mirai’s arrival quickly spread.

• Mirai reminded Rock Lee that he had called Mirai’s name when Mirai left, making Rock Lee realize Mirai might uncover his identity.
• Rock Lee warned Mirai that Konoha might use the Yamanaka Clan’s secret technique to search his memories, but Mirai dismissed the danger.
• Mirai declared that he would drive Tea Village out if it caused trouble, then headed down the mountain with Rock Lee following.
• News of Mirai’s return spread throughout Konoha in less than two minutes.
• Nakamura and another gate ninja recognized Rock Lee and Mirai as they arrived at Konoha’s front gate.

Mirai and Rock Lee returned to Konoha, where villagers discussed Mirai’s reported strength and the Unity Guild’s conflict with him. They headed to the Hokage’s office to turn in their mission, and Sarutobi Hiruzen received Tuan Tuan.

• Mirai and Rock Lee arrived in Konoha and went to turn in their mission.
• Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki discussed rumors about Mirai’s strength and Danzo’s hostility toward him.
• Villagers greeted Mirai and asked about his mission in Rain Village, and he modestly downplayed his accomplishments.
• Rock Lee insisted they report the mission before Mirai went home, so they headed for the Hokage Building.
• Mirai raced ahead when he remembered the mission’s 500-point reward, then entered Sarutobi Hiruzen’s office after Rock Lee.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen admitted Tuan Tuan into his office.

Mirai and Rock Lee returned to report to Sarutobi Hiruzen, while Danzo pressed Hiruzen over the dispute with Tea Village. The chapter ended with Hiruzen uncovering the sword Rock Lee had brought back.

• Danzo confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen about Mirai’s actions in Tea Village and warned that he would oppose making the village an enemy.
• Mirai and Rock Lee entered, and Hiruzen ordered Danzo to leave, promising to give him an answer about Tea Village that day.
• Mirai politely reported that he had completed the mission Hiruzen assigned.
• Rock Lee presented Thor's Sword, which Green Sunflower had stolen when he defected from Konoha.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen removed the bandages and revealed Thor's Sword.

Sarutobi Hiruzen praised Mirai for completing his mission but questioned his loyalty after hearing rumors that he and Rock Lee were Rain spies. Mirai agreed to a body inspection and asked about recording his accomplishments and promoting him, leaving Hiruzen to consider his eagerness for advancement.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen rated Rock Lee’s mission A-rank and told him to collect his bonus before dismissing him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen praised Mirai’s strength and confronted him with rumors that he and Rock Lee had pledged allegiance to Hanzo and infiltrated Konoha.
• Mirai suspected Sarutobi Hiruzen was trying to recruit him and pretended to be grateful for his trust.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Mirai and Rock Lee to have their bodies checked for Rain sealing techniques, and Mirai agreed.
• Mirai asked whether his accomplishments would be recorded and whether he could be promoted, prompting Sarutobi Hiruzen to wonder why he was so eager to advance.

Sarutobi Hiruzen questioned Mirai about the killings in Tea Village and explained the political risk of a rift between Tea Village and Konoha. Mirai refused to apologize publicly and realized that Hiruzen was hinting at a private apology as a possible solution.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Mirai that his promotion and appointment would require time and verification.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked whether Mirai had killed tea merchants and civilians at a teahouse in Tea Village, and warned that the incident could damage relations with Konoha.
• Mirai refused to apologize and said he had a plan to address Tea Village's demands.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that Tea Village's envoy wanted Mirai to apologize to the daimyo and the victims' families, but that a public apology would disgrace Konoha and the Land of Fire.
• Mirai realized that Sarutobi Hiruzen was suggesting he apologize to Tea Village privately.

Mirai proposed staging an assassination with Tea Village weapons to give Konoha leverage over Tea Village, using his grudge with Water Country to make the accusation seem plausible. Sarutobi Hiruzen considered the plan and its risks, while Mirai waited for his judgment.

• Mirai told Sarutobi Hiruzen he had agreed to accompany Tea Village’s envoy and requested three Water Style ninjas and a weapons specialist who could use Tea Village’s special weapons.
• Mirai proposed having the Konoha ninjas kill him on the way and leaving evidence that implicated Tea Village.
• Mirai argued that ties between Tea Village and Water Country could make the assassination plausible, and that Konoha could pressure Tea Village afterward.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled Mirai’s killing of Yong Zhenglang and understood that Mirai intended to use his grudge with Water Country as a bridge.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen silently weighed Mirai’s rapid growth and the scheme, and Mirai asked what he thought.

Mirai arranged to leave for Tea Village and learned that he would lead Rock Lee's team, while Shino Aburame would join Inuzuka Kiba and Hinata Hyuga. Afterward, Mirai ran into Inoue, who confronted him for not seeking out his peers.

• Mirai agreed to leave for Tea Village the next day, and Sarutobi Hiruzen arranged for his would-be assassin to meet him at Green Wood Mountain.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reassigned Mirai to Rock Lee's team as its leader and planned to place Shino Aburame with Inuzuka Kiba and Hinata Hyuga.
• Mirai left the Hokage Tower, reflected on whether fate could be changed, and wandered through Konoha with his money pouch.
• Inoue found Mirai outside a weapon shop and challenged him for failing to look for their peers after returning.
• Mirai apologized and explained that he had assumed everyone was away on missions.