Chapter Summaries

Taiichi began his hospital internship under Director Fujita and learned to assist with emergencies while improving his medical skills. Afterward, Hiruzen rejected Danzo’s demand to take Taiichi into Root, leaving him in the hospital’s care for now.

• Taiichi presented Tsunade’s internship certificate to Dean Biwako, who accepted him and assigned him to the Trauma Department under Fujita Sana.
• Taiichi assisted Haruno with a wounded Genin, treated a child’s burn despite Fujita’s warning to conserve chakra, and helped control a badly injured ninja’s bleeding.
• Taiichi practiced suturing and organized supplies during his first morning, gaining experience that raised his Healing Technique to LV7 and Mystical Palm Technique to Lv2.
• Hiruzen reviewed Biwako’s report and told Danzo that Taiichi needed bonds and support rather than Root’s combat training.
• Danzo left after Hiruzen refused to hand Taiichi over, knocking over Tsunade’s bonsai as he departed.

Taichi Matsushita fought a Stone Village spy disguised as a Mist ninja and helped prevent his escape, though an Anbu captain delivered the finishing blow. After recovering and reflecting on his mistakes, Taichi raised his Taijutsu and Meditation skills to level 9, while Hiruzen Sarutobi heard of his actions and considered him a lucky star.

• Danzo decided to approach Taichi Matsushita himself after Sarutobi refused to give him the boy.
• Taichi encountered three Anbu fighting a spy disguised as a Mist ninja and joined the battle after the spy attacked him.
• Taichi used ninjutsu, swordsmanship, Taijutsu, and Medical Ninjutsu against the spy, but the Anbu captain ultimately captured him.
• Taichi reviewed his combat mistakes, trained to recover, and raised Basic Taijutsu and Basic Meditation to Lv9.
• The Anbu captain reported Taichi's role in stopping the spy to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who wondered whether Taichi brought him good luck.

Taiichi’s hospital work and training continued to improve, and he treated Rin after a wildcat-type ninja beast injured her leg. After thanking him, Rin, Obito, and Kakashi invited Taiichi to train with them next week, while he kept practicing his swordsmanship.

• Taiichi’s routine of hospital work and training helped him grow stronger, especially in Medical Ninjutsu.
• A nurse asked Taiichi to treat Rin, who had been scratched by a wildcat-type ninja beast while she was with Obito and Kakashi.
• Taiichi cleaned Rin’s wound, determined it was inflamed rather than poisoned, and used the Mystical Palm Technique to heal it.
• Obito and Kakashi learned about Taiichi’s hospital internship and thanked him; Kakashi gave him fried shrimp, and Obito gave him a rare First Hokage card.
• Rin, Obito, and Kakashi shared lunch with Taiichi, then invited him to join their special training in the back mountain next week.
• After they left, Taiichi picked up Obito’s goggles and continued practicing his sword draw at the hospital.

A mass-casualty disaster pushed Taiichi to the limits of his medical skills and reminded Tsunade of her brother Nawaki. Afterward, Tsunade began training Taiichi systematically, and he rapidly learned Chakra Scalpel.

• A sudden influx of injured workers overwhelmed Konoha Hospital, and Taiichi treated casualties until chakra exhaustion left him unable to heal a critically injured girl.
• Tsunade arrived, took over the girl's treatment, and ordered Taiichi to tend to other patients despite her struggle with hemophobia.
• Taiichi continued treating casualties with basic physical methods until Tsunade ordered him to rest, then covered him with her robe as he slept.
• The next morning, Tsunade gave Taiichi an Advanced Medical Ninjutsu Compendium and began teaching him after his internship each day.
• Over the next half month, Taiichi strengthened his medical foundations and Yang Release Nature Transformation and learned the A-rank Chakra Scalpel.

Tsunade handed Taiichi’s training over to Jiraiya after deciding she could not teach him what he needed next. Jiraiya tested Taiichi’s abilities and began guiding him, while Tsunade returned to gambling.

• At an izakaya, Jiraiya confronted Tsunade and Orochimaru about teaching Taiichi, and Tsunade asked Jiraiya to take over his training.
• At the training field, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru tested Taiichi’s reactions, ninjutsu, medical skills, and chakra control.
• Taiichi revealed that he had learned the third form of the Chakra Scalpel and could cut chakra threads, drawing Orochimaru’s interest.
• Tsunade left Taiichi in Jiraiya’s care, and Jiraiya took him to Ichiraku Ramen and explained the new arrangement.
• At the casino, Tsunade continued gambling and wondered whether Taiichi was talking about her after she sneezed.

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.