Recaps

Taiichi trained with Jiraiya, learned that he had Fire, Wind, and Water chakra affinities, and quickly mastered Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet. Jiraiya gave him detailed scrolls for two more techniques, leaving Taiichi grateful for his care.

• Taiichi met Jiraiya at Training Ground 3, tested his chakra, and discovered his Fire, Wind, and Water affinities.
• Jiraiya explained the traits of Taiichi's three chakra natures and noted that his young age limited his chakra quantity.
• Jiraiya taught Taiichi Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, and Taiichi performed it successfully on his first attempt before rapidly improving it.
• Jiraiya gave Taiichi scrolls for Wind Style: Air Palm and Water Style: Water Formation Wall, then joined him for a meal at home.
• After Jiraiya left, Taiichi read the carefully written scrolls and resolved to remember Jiraiya's kindness.

Taichi Matsushita completed his summer training with Jiraiya, impressing him with his improved ninjutsu and ability to adapt techniques in combat. After Jiraiya left on a mission, Taichi reviewed his progress and resolved to master chakra nature transformations to overcome his limited chakra reserves.

• Taichi Matsushita fought Jiraiya at Training Ground 11, combining enhanced swordsmanship and several nature transformations in a final sparring session.
• Taichi used a modified Water Formation Wall to trap Jiraiya, then defended himself from an explosive-tag attack despite nearing chakra exhaustion.
• Jiraiya praised Taichi's adaptability, gave him ramen coupons as a graduation gift, and left Konoha for a delayed mission.
• Taichi ate alone at Ichiraku Ramen before returning home to review his Attribute Panel and his gains over the summer.
• Taichi recognized that his chakra reserves remained limited and resolved to study nature transformations in hopes of creating his own Kekkei Genkai.

Taiichi returned to the Ninja Academy, sparred with Guy and Kakashi, and showed how much his skills had improved. On his way home, Danzo ambushed him and tried to recruit him into Root, so Taiichi agreed only if Hokage-sama approved.

• Taiichi thanked Rin, Kakashi, and Obito for discussing his hospital internship, then arranged to spar with Kakashi and Guy after school.
• Taiichi fought Guy evenly in taijutsu, then battled Kakashi with swords, Ninjutsu, and clones until they both ran out of chakra and drew.
• Taiichi and Kakashi discussed their training over the break before parting at sunset.
• Danzo ambushed Taiichi on a deserted street and tested his abilities while three Root ninja blocked the alley.
• Danzo offered Taiichi real training in Root, and Taiichi said he would join if Hokage-sama agreed.
• Danzo left Taiichi with a warning, and Taiichi decided he would try to speak with Hokage-sama the next day.

Taichi Matsushita sought Hiruzen Sarutobi’s protection after Danzo tried to recruit him into Root, then trained while Hiruzen confronted Danzo. Hiruzen ordered Danzo to leave Taichi alone, and Danzo backed down rather than risk provoking Tsunade.

• Taichi got leave from Teacher Yamada and went to the Hokage Building to speak with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Taichi told Hiruzen about Danzo’s visit, and Hiruzen told him to focus on attending the Ninja Academy.
• After Taichi left, Hiruzen blamed Danzo for openly defying his orders and went to Root to confront him.
• Hiruzen accused Danzo of targeting Ninja Academy children and warned him to stop pursuing Taichi Matsushita.
• Danzo reluctantly gave up on recruiting Taichi because he did not want to provoke Tsunade.

Taiichi intensified his training after his encounter with Danzo, then maxed out several skills and unlocked major improvements. He began learning Advanced Taijutsu while his Companions guarded him, and invited them to barbecue afterward.

• Taiichi trained harder after Danzo stopped threatening him, prompting his Companions to increase their own training.
• Taiichi told his concerned Companions that he was training to get even after losing a fight, and Rin Nohara guessed he had fought a real ninja.
• Taiichi maxed out Chakra Refinement Technique, Basic Taijutsu, Basic Meditation, and C-rank Healing Technique, gaining new traits and advanced skills.
• Taiichi discovered that Advanced Taijutsu required flawless, focused practice to earn experience, so his Companions guarded him while he trained.
• Taiichi thanked his Companions for watching over him and invited them to the Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurant.

Six-year-old Hatake Kakashi applied for early graduation and passed a ten-minute assessment against Chunin Ishikawa Ryo. After Kakashi left to complete the necessary procedures, Taiichi encouraged their friends to keep working toward graduation.

• During their second year at the Ninja Academy, Kakashi told Rin and Taiichi that he planned to graduate early, while Taiichi explained that Director Nonō had told him to wait.
• Obito declared that he would apply to graduate the next day, prompting Kakashi to tease him about being dead last.
• Teacher Yamada led Kakashi to his assessment, where Jonin Sarutobi Matsuya explained that he had to endure a Chunin examiner's attacks for at least ten minutes.
• Kakashi fought Ishikawa Ryo with shuriken, swordsmanship, Body Flicker, and ninjutsu, then passed when time ran out.
• Taiichi helped Kakashi get away from the crowd so he could complete his graduation procedures, and the friends vowed to work hard and graduate early too.

Taiichi applied for early graduation and defeated Chunin Nagashima Hikaru in his assessment, earning approval to graduate with the sixth-years. He was told to return the next day for his class assignment.

• Taiichi continued training after his classmates' enthusiasm faded, then submitted an early graduation application at the end of the second-year term.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Taiichi's application, judging him capable based on his strength and sparring with Kakashi.
• Taiichi reviewed his improved stats and prepared for his graduation assessment, where Sarutobi Matsuya examined him alongside Chunin Nagashima Hikaru.
• Taiichi overwhelmed Nagashima with a rapid Phoenix Sage Fire barrage, then used his sword and taijutsu to defeat him in under a minute.
• Sarutobi Matsuya declared Taiichi had passed and told him to return to school the next day for his class assignment.

After passing his assessment, Taiichi said goodbye to the children and Nonō at the Orphanage before registering as a Genin and receiving his Headband and Ninja ID. His class advancement gave him new attributes and the Potent talent, and he awaited his team assignment.

• Taiichi learned that Obito had been caught cheating and told Shizune that his own assessment had gone smoothly.
• Sarutobi Matsuya reported Taiichi's victory over Nagashima Hikaru to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who considered Konoha's growing strength.
• Taiichi spent his last evening at the Orphanage sharing dango with the children and promised Nonō he would protect her and the others.
• Taiichi left the Orphanage after embracing Nonō and warning her to take fewer missions.
• At the Ninja Academy, Taiichi received his Headband and Ninja ID, and his class advanced to Genin Lv1 with the Potent talent.
• Teacher Miyamoto explained that the new Genin would be assigned to teams of three led by Jonin.

Matsushita Taichi was assigned to Team 8 with Yohei Uchiha and Saori Furukawa, then met their guiding Jonin, Masasuke Yamaguchi. After testing their endurance on the way to Training Ground 10, Masasuke heard the team introduce themselves and prepared to begin another assessment.

• Teacher Miyamoto assigned Matsushita Taichi to Team 8 with Yohei Uchiha and Saori Furukawa, then told the students to wait for their guiding Jonin.
• Taichi met Yohei and Saori, and they shared their backgrounds and abilities while getting acquainted.
• Masasuke Yamaguchi arrived and led Team 8 on a rooftop run to Konoha Training Ground 10, where Taichi finished first, Yohei followed, and Saori collapsed from exhaustion.
• Masasuke introduced himself as the team's guiding Jonin, and Taichi, Yohei, and Saori each shared their skills, likes, and dreams.
• Masasuke announced that the team would move on to its next assessment.

Taiichi, Yohei Uchiha, and Saori passed Masasuke Yamaguchi’s combat assessment and officially formed Team 8. After celebrating with barbecue, Taiichi prepared for the team’s first missions and considered asking Yamaguchi to teach him the Shadow Clone Technique.

• Masasuke Yamaguchi challenged the three Genin to hit him before sunset, and Taiichi, Yohei Uchiha, and Saori coordinated their attacks to corner his Shadow Clone.
• Taiichi’s Short Sword cut through Yamaguchi’s kunai and apparently struck him down, but the body vanished in smoke, revealing it had been a Shadow Clone.
• Yamaguchi praised the trio’s coordination and determination, declared that they had passed, and officially established Team 8.
• Yamaguchi treated Team 8 to barbecue and told them to meet at the Hokage Building at nine the next morning to begin taking missions.
• Taiichi completed his daily training at home and decided he might ask Yamaguchi to teach him the Shadow Clone Technique.

Taiichi, Saori, and Yohei received their first D-Rank mission from Captain Yamaguchi: clearing trash from the Xiao Nai River while practicing Water Walking. Yohei repeatedly fell into the river, so Taiichi created a Water Clone to help with the work.

• Yohei learned from Tatsuya Kawasaki that his team had been assigned a D-Rank cat-catching mission, and Captain Yamaguchi explained that new Genin squads had to complete D-Rank missions before taking higher-ranked ones.
• Taiichi, Saori, and Yohei chose the river-clearing mission and completed the Mission Office paperwork with Captain Yamaguchi.
• Captain Yamaguchi led the team to the Xiao Nai River and instructed them to clear trash while using Water Walking without standing on the riverbed.
• Taiichi and Saori walked steadily across the water, while Yohei repeatedly fell in as he struggled to keep his balance.
• After Yohei spent half an hour practicing without success, Taiichi offered to handle his share and used the Water Clone Technique.

Taiichi and his teammates completed their river-cleaning mission after he used Water Clones to help Yohei practice water-walking. Back home, Taiichi discovered that controlling the clones had unlocked Chakra Control and Chakra Shape Transformation, but severe mental exhaustion left him unable to train.

• Taiichi created a Water Clone to help clear the river while Yohei practiced water-walking, and Saori continued picking up trash.
• After practicing all morning, Yohei managed to stand and walk unsteadily on the water, allowing him to help with the mission.
• Taiichi created a second Water Clone, and the team finished cleaning the river by evening despite their exhaustion.
• Masasuke Yamaguchi escorted the team to the Mission Hall, where they received 5,000 ryo; Yohei refused his share, so Taiichi and Saori split the remaining money.
• Taiichi returned home and found that maintaining the Water Clones had unlocked Chakra Control Lv5 and Chakra Shape Transformation Lv6.
• Taiichi examined his new skills and their benefits, but a splitting headache forced him to rest and made him wary of using clones for too long.

Taiichi used a diversion and a hidden Water Clone to ambush a Scar-faced Man who was guarding a kidnapped child, then killed him with Wind Release. After finding the unconscious girl unharmed, Taiichi faced a new voice accusing him of killing Ito.

• Taiichi noticed unusually heavy patrols in Konoha and trained by the river while sensing a Scar-faced Man hiding nearby with a sack.
• A burly Konoha ninja attacked the Scar-faced Man with Fire Release, but was revealed to be Taiichi's Water Clone.
• Taiichi intercepted the Scar-faced Man with his Short Sword, severed his right arm, and finished him with Wind Release: Pressure Damage.
• Taiichi confirmed the Scar-faced Man was dead and found an unconscious two- or three-year-old girl inside the sack.
• An unseen person asked Taiichi whether he had killed Ito.

Taiichi fought a wounded Jonin to protect a little girl, eventually trapping him in a water sphere until the pursuing ninja captured him. Afterward, Taiichi collapsed from chakra pathway damage, and the ninja leader asked whether he had any strength left.

• Taiichi confronted the wounded Masked Man and fought to keep him away from the little girl.
• Taiichi used smoke bombs and swordplay to discover that the Masked Man could not use ninjutsu, then restored his stamina and chakra with an Attribute Point.
• Taiichi alternated Wind and Fire Style attacks, forcing the Masked Man back while gaining insight into combining the elements.
• As the pursuing ninja approached, the Masked Man tried to flee, but Taiichi trapped him inside a water sphere.
• The pursuing ninja captured the Masked Man alive, and Taiichi collapsed from overusing his chakra pathways.
• The ninja leader learned that the little girl was unharmed and asked Taiichi if he had any strength left.

After Taiichi Matsushita rescued Kurama Chizuru from infiltrating enemy ninjas, Chi Xiao brought him to the Hokage's Office for a debriefing. The village awarded Taiichi an A-rank mission, Danzo renewed his attempt to recruit him into Root, and Tsunade burst in to check on his injuries.

• Chi Xiao had Taiichi's wounds bandaged, heard his account of the fight, and brought him and Kurama Chizuru back to the village.
• Kurama Teruta thanked Taiichi for saving his daughter, Kurama Chizuru, and arranged to visit him later.
• Chi Xiao reported that the abductors had infiltrated Konoha disguised as merchants, and Taiichi explained how he had fought the fleeing ninjas.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the advisors recognized Taiichi's actions as an A-rank mission, while Danzo again asked for him to join Root and Hiruzen refused.
• Tsunade burst through the Hokage's Office door and hurried to check on Taiichi, prompting Hiruzen to reprimand her recklessness.

Tsunade protected Taiichi from Danzo by claiming his Chakra pathways were dangerously injured and taking him to Konoha Hospital, where she treated him. After recovering from his wounds, Taiichi reviewed the skills and attributes he had gained in battle.

• Tsunade examined Taiichi, declared his Chakra pathways close to collapse, and hurried him to the hospital to get him away from Danzo.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders agreed to wait for the Interrogation Department’s findings before deciding how to retaliate against the village behind the attack.
• Director Fujita and Nanako removed Taiichi’s bandages, treated his numerous cuts, and stitched his larger wounds.
• Tsunade used the Mystical Palm Technique to soothe Taiichi’s injured Chakra pathways as he recounted the battle, then agreed to notify his instructor, Masasuke Yamaguchi, that he needed leave.
• Taiichi checked his battle rewards and found that his attributes and skills had improved and that he had created the A-rank Water Style: Great Water Prison Technique.

Taiichi recovered in the hospital, reflected on his fighting style, and discovered that focused practice could improve his Nature Transformation. After the Kurama family visited to thank him for rescuing Chizuru, he secured general Genjutsu materials to study while recovering.

• Taiichi's teammates visited him in the hospital, and Captain Yamaguchi warned him to rest and keep his mission confidential.
• After his teammates left, Taiichi decided to specialize in practical techniques and practiced Water Nature Transformation until his skill increased.
• The next day, Kurama Chizuru and her parents visited Taiichi to thank him for saving her.
• Taiichi declined a reward from the Kurama Clan Head at first, then asked for general Genjutsu materials, which the Clan Head agreed to provide.
• The Kurama family delivered the Genjutsu materials to Taiichi later that day.

After recovering from his injuries, Taiichi rejoined Team 8 and spent two months training and completing D-Rank Missions. The team accepted its first C-Rank mission, an escort job in the Land of Rivers, and prepared to leave Konoha the next morning.

• During his last days in the hospital, Taiichi learned two genjutsu and unlocked Yin Release Nature Transformation before Tsunade discharged him.
• Yohei Uchiha, Saori Furukawa, and Captain Yamaguchi welcomed Taiichi back, and Team 8 resumed training and D-Rank Missions.
• Taiichi learned the Shadow Clone Technique from Captain Yamaguchi and practiced with one clone each day.
• After two months of D-Rank Missions, Yohei complained at the Mission Hall, and Taiichi and Saori joined him in asking for a higher-ranked mission.
• Captain Yamaguchi agreed to take Team 8 on a C-Rank mission and chose an escort job carrying supplies to the neighboring Land of Rivers.
• Captain Yamaguchi completed the mission arrangements and told Taiichi, Yohei, and Saori to prepare for their departure from Konoha at eight the next morning.

Taiichi prepared for his first escort mission and joined Captain Yamaguchi, Yohei, and Saori as they led Masao Ishihara’s convoy toward the Land of Rivers. The first day passed peacefully, but Captain Yamaguchi warned that bandits made the later part of the journey more dangerous.

• Taiichi packed extra ninja supplies and trained ahead of the mission.
• Taiichi met Yohei and Saori at Konoha’s gates, and Captain Yamaguchi led the team through the required departure procedures.
• Masao Ishihara introduced his wife and son, who were not listed in the mission report, and Captain Yamaguchi reprimanded him for the omission.
• Captain Yamaguchi inspected the convoy and assigned Taiichi and Yohei to watch its front and rear while he and Saori stayed in the middle.
• Taiichi practiced nature transformation during the journey, then heard Captain Yamaguchi warn that they would need to stay alert in the Land of Rivers.
• Taiichi took the first night watch, and Yohei relieved him at dawn after the night passed without incident.

Taiichi advanced his taijutsu and swordsmanship, then traveled with the caravan into the Land of Rivers, where repeated bandit attacks tested the group. After the attacks helped Yohei and Saori grow accustomed to fighting, Captain Yamaguchi and Taiichi realized the unusually frequent raids suggested a more dangerous ambush was coming.

• Taiichi trained before dawn, advanced his Advanced Taijutsu and Hatake Style Kenjutsu, and learned Blade Momentum.
• Saori noticed Taiichi had changed after his breakthrough, while the caravan resumed its journey and grew closer along the road.
• The caravan entered the Land of Rivers, where bandits attacked; Yohei was shaken by seeing the dead, then joined Saori in handling the bodies.
• The caravan suffered four more attacks over the next day, and Captain Yamaguchi told Taiichi's Shadow Clone that the raids were happening too frequently.
• Yohei and Saori grew calmer in later fights, and Saori's fierce attacks surprised the others as the caravan began to relax before a more serious ambush.

Taiichi and the caravan guards were ambushed by rogue ninja and bandits at dusk, and Taiichi fought to protect Saori. The attackers retreated after Taiichi killed a Chunin, while Yohei unknowingly awakened his eyes during the battle.

• A rogue ninja leader ordered an attack on the caravan, believing it was guarded by an ordinary Genin squad.
• Five Explosive Tags detonated around the caravan, scattering the wagons as bandits charged the guards.
• Taiichi rushed to Saori's aid, shielded her from Wind Blades with Water Style: Great Water Prison Technique, and killed a Genin who tried to stop him.
• Taiichi and his Shadow Clones fought two Chunin, and Taiichi killed one before the rogue ninja leader ordered a retreat.
• Yohei joined the fight, the guards routed the bandits, and a single Tomoe appeared in each of Yohei's eyes without him noticing.

Taiichi uncovered that the convoy mission was really meant to protect Ishihara Yami and her husband’s illegitimate son from a power struggle within the Ishihara Clan. After learning that powerful hired ninjas might attack again, Taiichi and his companions weighed whether to continue and began considering a plan that would avoid a direct fight.

• Taiichi treated Saori’s superficial injuries while Masao Ishihara watched anxiously.
• Taiichi confronted Masao about the concealed mission, and Ishihara Yami admitted that the boy was the clan head’s illegitimate son and Masao was her family’s steward.
• Ishihara Yami revealed that the second branch had hired the attackers, including a rogue ninja from Sunagakure, and warned that a Special Jonin might join a future assault.
• Taiichi, Captain Yamaguchi, Saori, and Yohei considered whether to protect the Ishihara family, with Saori reluctant to abandon the boy.
• Captain Yamaguchi said he could barely hold off the Jonin and Special Jonin, while Yohei revealed that he had awakened a one-tomoe Sharingan.
• Taiichi judged that they would need careful planning to win and suggested they might avoid confronting the enemy head-on.

Fei Ishihara and Aoyama regrouped after their failed attack, while Taiichi’s team hurried the caravan toward Jinsong City. On the seventh day, the Rogue Ninja and their allies confronted them, and a hidden Chunin seized Little Ishihara during the battle.

• Fei Ishihara learned that Aoyama’s attack had failed and that two Rogue Ninja had been lost, so Aoyama said they would wait for Koji’s help.
• After counting the caravan’s casualties, Taiichi urged Masao Ishihara to rest, and Captain Yamaguchi assigned the night watch.
• The caravan traveled quickly on the sixth day, then met Aoyama, Koji, a bald Special Jonin, and a band of brigands on the seventh day.
• Taiichi trapped a Chunin and a Genin with the Great Water Prison Technique as the Konoha Ninja fought Aoyama’s group.
• While the battle remained at a standstill, a hidden Chunin took Little Ishihara from the carriage.

Taiichi’s plan to send Saori and Little Ishihara ahead to Jinsong City while decoys stayed with the caravan foiled Aoyama’s attempt to capture the child. After Aoyama’s group withdrew, the caravan reached Jinsong City safely, and Taiichi reunited with Saori and Little Ishihara.

• Aoyama’s Water Prison collapsed, and he realized Taiichi had used Shadow Clones to disguise Saori and Little Ishihara.
• The chapter revealed that five nights earlier, Taiichi had arranged for the real Saori and Little Ishihara to travel separately to Jinsong City while decoys stayed with the caravan.
• Yohei told Aoyama that the real targets were nearly at Jinsong City, and Captain Yamaguchi urged both sides to stop fighting.
• Koji persuaded Aoyama to retreat, and the caravan continued its journey without further attacks.
• The caravan arrived in Jinsong City on the eighth day, where Taiichi found Saori and Little Ishihara waiting.
• The head of the Ishihara Clan apologized and promised to request a higher mission rank and payment; Taiichi and the others later departed for Konoha.

On Team 8’s return from the Land of Rivers, Taiichi gained insight into Water Nature Transformation at the Thousand-Fold Waterfall. After the team entered the Land of Fire, they found a wounded Konoha Ninja surrounded by Sunagakure Ninja and attacked; Taiichi killed one Chunin before another enemy struck from the trees.

• Team 8 traveled home at a leisurely pace, and Taiichi gained Water Nature Transformation experience while contemplating the Thousand-Fold Waterfall.
• Saori made a River Paper Lantern at a village festival, while Yohei played flute with local musicians and copied their movements with his Sharingan.
• Captain Yamaguchi woke the team early, and they left the Land of Rivers for the Land of Fire, training as they traveled toward Konoha.
• After hearing Explosive Tags, Captain Yamaguchi led Team 8 toward a wounded Konoha Ninja surrounded by one Sunagakure Jonin and two Chunin.
• Captain Yamaguchi signaled the attack, and Taiichi used Body Flicker to cut open one Chunin’s neck with his Short Sword.
• Three kunai flew from a nearby tree as another Sunagakure Chunin charged at Taiichi, prompting someone to warn him.