Chapter Summaries

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.

Taiichi and his teammates defeated a Sunagakure squad, then Taiichi treated the injured Konoha ninja Sanae Shinkawa and reattached his severed arm. After returning to Konoha, Taiichi reviewed the gains from his battles and training.

• Taiichi and his teammates killed the remaining Sunagakure ninja and helped Captain Yamaguchi defeat Jonin Tengshan.
• Taiichi examined Sanae Shinkawa, treated him with the Mystical Palm Technique, and reattached his severed arm.
• Captain Yamaguchi carried Sanae toward Konoha while Taiichi, Yohei, and Saori followed with the recovered intelligence.
• Two Sunagakure squads arrived at the battlefield, discovered Tengshan's squad had been wiped out, and returned to report.
• Masasuke Yamaguchi took Sanae to turn in the mission and ordered Taiichi, Yohei, and Saori to rest for a week.
• Taiichi checked his status panel at home and noted his gains in levels, skills, and Nature Transformations.

Masasuke Yamaguchi reported Team 8’s mission to the Hokage, who praised Taiichi and upgraded the mission records while ordering the rescue intelligence kept secret. As Konoha’s leaders prepared for possible conflict, Taiichi returned to the village resolved to grow stronger and protect its people.

• Masasuke Yamaguchi reported Team 8’s battles, their rescue of Sanae Shinkawa, and his evaluations of Taiichi Matsushita, Yohei Uchiha, and Saori Furukawa to the Hokage.
• The Hokage upgraded the original mission and the intelligence rescue to A-rank records, then ordered Masasuke and the three children to keep the rescue confidential.
• The Hokage, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura discussed Sanae Shinkawa’s intelligence about Sunagakure and assigned Root to monitor its supply movements.
• The Hokage ordered Konoha to begin discreetly purchasing daily necessities as other villages grew increasingly active.
• Taiichi walked through Konoha after returning from the Land of Rivers and resolved to become stronger to protect the village.
• Taiichi gained a protective intent that strengthened his Blade Momentum and increased his Advanced Swordsmanship proficiency.

Taiichi reunited with his former classmates at a picnic near Death Forest, where the group caught up and shared food. The chapter ended with Obito still practicing walking on water as everyone called him over to eat.

• Taiichi found Guy training in the grove, and Guy invited him to a class reunion the next day near Death Forest.
• Taiichi practiced swordsmanship in the grove and gained one experience point in Advanced Swordsmanship.
• Taiichi and Kakashi met the classmates at the reunion, and everyone worked together to prepare a picnic.
• Obito's attempt to grill food failed, so Taiichi took over and cooked for the group.
• Obito fell into the river while trying to walk on water and catch fish, while Kakashi, Asuma, and Guy caught fish for him.
• The group grilled their catch and called Obito to come eat, but he continued practicing in the water.

At a barbecue, Taiichi encouraged Rin and Shizune to study Medical Ninjutsu and offered to share his notes with them. He then agreed to let Kakashi and him supervise their classmates on an expedition into the Death Forest, where a wild boar charged at the group.

• Obito abandoned his water-walking practice to join the others for Taiichi's barbecue, and the group discussed Genin missions.
• Rin asked Taiichi whether she could have a good future as a ninja, and Shizune listened as he recommended Medical Ninjutsu to both of them.
• Taiichi offered to write down his medical knowledge and give copies to Rin and Shizune.
• Obito and Asuma urged everyone to explore the Death Forest, and Kakashi agreed after Obito provoked him; Taiichi agreed to supervise.
• The classmates entered the Death Forest, practiced identifying herbs and tracks, and took positions when a large wild boar charged at them.

Taiichi and his former classmates killed a wild boar, shared a meal, and parted ways. After Captain Yamaguchi delivered payment for two A-rank missions and ordered Taiichi to keep the rescued intelligence ninja’s return secret, Taiichi decided to change Rin’s fate and began writing medical ninjutsu notes for her and Shizune.

• Obito, Guy, Asuma, Todō, Rin, Shizune, Kakashi, and Taiichi worked together to kill the charging wild boar, and Taiichi treated Guy’s bruised leg.
• Taiichi and his former classmates grilled the boar and other food by the stream before saying goodbye for the night.
• Taiichi found Captain Yamaguchi waiting outside his home, and Yamaguchi paid him for two A-rank missions and issued a gag order about the rescued intelligence ninja.
• Taiichi resolved to prevent future tragedies by starting with Rin’s fate.
• Taiichi wrote medical ninjutsu notes detailing his learning process and training methods for Rin and Shizune.

Yohei trained with his father, then met Fugaku Uchiha, who gave him access to the clan library and probed his friendship with Taiichi. Saori reflected on her role in the team and committed to developing her Sealing Jutsu skills.

• Xiangyou Uchiha defeated Yohei in a sparring match and warned him about the gap between his abilities and a Jonin's.
• Yohei defended his account of Taiichi's abilities, and Xiangyou urged him to value his friendship with Taiichi.
• Lin Uchiha summoned Yohei to meet Fugaku Uchiha, who gave him an authorization token for the clan library and asked about his teammates.
• Fugaku recognized Yohei's connection to Taiichi as important amid the Uchiha clan's strained relationship with the village.
• Saori told her father she felt less capable than Taiichi and Yohei, then resolved to strengthen her Sealing Jutsu knowledge.

Tsunade reviewed Taiichi’s medical scrolls, formally acknowledged him as her disciple, and announced that she was leaving Konoha with Shizune. She entrusted Taiichi with two scrolls, including the Shikkotsu Forest Summoning Scroll.

• Tsunade carefully reviewed Taiichi’s Medical Ninjutsu scroll and praised it, declaring that he could graduate.
• Tsunade gave scrolls to Shizune and Rin, then asked Taiichi to walk with her.
• At the Memorial Stone, Tsunade told Taiichi about the war, Nawaki’s death, Dan’s death, and her Hemophobia.
• Tsunade said she was leaving Konoha and planned to take Shizune with her.
• Tsunade gave Taiichi one scroll of medical knowledge and the Shikkotsu Forest Summoning Scroll.

Taiichi completed his contract with Shikkotsu Forest and summoned Katsuyu for the first time. He shared a farewell dinner with Tsunade before she left Konoha with Shizune, and he watched them disappear into the morning light.

• Taiichi signed Shikkotsu Forest's Summoning Scroll and summoned Katsuyu, who greeted him as a new contractor.
• Tsunade explained that the summoned Katsuyu were clones of the Katsuyu Sage and told Taiichi to read the remaining instructions on the scroll.
• Taiichi invited Tsunade to his home for a farewell dinner and prepared a lavish meal for her.
• Tsunade and Taiichi ate and drank together until she fell asleep at the table, and Taiichi covered her with a blanket before cleaning up.
• Tsunade quietly left Taiichi's home before dawn, and Taiichi hurried to Konoha's gates but arrived after she and Shizune had departed.
• Taiichi watched Tsunade and Shizune wave to him from afar, then jumped down from the wall and prepared to resume training.

Taiichi studied Tsunade’s medical scroll while teaching Rin, who exhausted herself during training. After treating her and warning her about the dangers of overtraining, he continued studying and training through the day.

• Rin visited Taiichi with a fruit basket and asked about Shizune, so he told her that Shizune had left to travel with her family.
• Taiichi answered Rin’s medical questions, assigned her training, and read the scroll Tsunade had left, which contained medical techniques and her ideas about other jutsu.
• Rin collapsed from exhaustion while practicing, and Taiichi treated her overstrained cells with his Yang Release and Mystical Palm Technique.
• Taiichi warned Rin that overtraining chakra refinement could damage her potential and shorten her lifespan, and she agreed to study with him each morning.
• After Rin left, Taiichi ate lunch and spent the rest of the day studying and training.

Rin studied medical ninjutsu with Taiichi during his school break, while Obito tried to join her and was sent back to class for skipping without permission. As the break ended, Taiichi prepared to resume missions and considered how his growing chakra reserves might eventually let him perform the demanding Healing Resuscitation technique alone.

• Obito anxiously asked Rin why she had missed school, then objected to her visiting Taiichi's house; Kurenai became interested in learning medical ninjutsu from Taiichi, but Asuma talked her out of it.
• Rin arrived at Taiichi's house with Obito, who had come to watch and learn without asking the school for leave, so Taiichi pointed out he could get in trouble and Obito rushed back to class.
• Rin studied at Taiichi's house through the final day of his break, while Obito's teacher reprimanded him for wanting to study medicine despite his poor theory exam results.
• Taiichi told Rin he would soon resume missions and reassured her that she could ask him questions later, calling her his first disciple.
• Taiichi reviewed his progress in medical ninjutsu and his 16,400 chakra reserves, then considered that he might eventually perform Healing Resuscitation by himself.