Recaps

After bandits killed his parents and destroyed his village, five-year-old Ueno Kei wandered through the mountains until a masked stranger carried him away. The stranger revealed himself as a kindly old man in the robes and hat of the Land of Fire, and Ueno Kei’s life began to change.

• Ueno Kei recalled his ordinary childhood and his memories of a previous life.
• Bandits attacked Ueno Kei’s village, and his parents and neighbors were killed as his mother urged him to flee.
• Ueno Kei wandered alone through the mountains, grieving and struggling to survive.
• A masked figure carried Ueno Kei away, and he pretended to be asleep while planning how to escape.
• The masked figure told Ueno Kei to stop pretending, then set him down before a kindly old man wearing red-and-white robes and a hat bearing the Fire character.

Sarutobi Hiruzen offered to take the orphan Ueno Kei to Konoha, and Kei accepted. Hiruzen’s Anbu carried Kei as they set off for the village, unaware of the future that awaited him.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that he was a shinobi from Konoha and offered to bring Ueno Kei back to the village.
• Ueno Kei recognized Konoha as a place where he could find safety and asked whether an orphan like him could join.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reassured Ueno Kei that he would be accepted into Konoha.
• Ueno Kei thanked Sarutobi Hiruzen and agreed to go with him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Ling to carry Ueno Kei, and the group set off for Konoha.

Ueno Kei arrived in Konoha, received a home and the prospect of joining the Academy, and began exploring the village. As he settled in, he mourned his lost parents and promised himself he would live well.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen brought Ueno Kei through Konoha's gate and said he could attend the Academy after turning six.
• Izumo escorted Ueno Kei to his new home and explained some of Konoha's rules.
• Ueno Kei grieved for his parents, wiped away his tears, and promised to live well.
• Ueno Kei inspected his simple house, changed into the clothes Konoha provided, and ate the meal left for him.
• Ueno Kei walked through Konoha, observed its busy streets and friendly residents, and remembered his mother's wish to live in the Land of Fire.

Ueno Kei explored Konoha and intervened when he saw three boys beating a blond child. After the bullies fled, he learned the crying girl was Hinata and decided to help the unconscious boy, whom others called the Gold Ghost.

• Ueno Kei explored Konoha, found Ichiraku Ramen, and headed back toward home.
• Ueno Kei heard a girl crying in the woods and saw three boys beating a blond child while the girl watched.
• Ueno Kei pretended an adult was approaching, scaring the three boys into fleeing, then checked the blond boy's injuries.
• A young man arrived, called the girl Hinata, and took her away while warning her to stay away from the Gold Ghost.
• Ueno Kei hesitated over helping the disliked blond boy, then reached out to him.

Ueno Kei befriended Uzumaki Naruto after finding him injured and learning that he had no parents or friends. The two began talking as Naruto offered to show Kei around Konoha, unaware that Anbu were watching him.

• Uzumaki Naruto woke on a park bench beside Ueno Kei and recalled being beaten after trying to help a girl.
• Ueno Kei introduced himself, and Naruto eagerly shook his hand and asked to call him Kei-kun.
• Naruto explained that he had tried to stop three boys from bullying a girl he did not know.
• Ueno Kei asked whether Naruto would tell his parents, and Naruto revealed that he had been alone for as long as he could remember.
• Ueno Kei decided Naruto was worth befriending despite the villagers' hostility toward him.
• Naruto changed the subject by asking why Kei had moved to Konoha, then began giving him a tour.

Ueno Kei and Naruto became close friends after discovering they were both orphans, and Kei received notice that he would begin attending the Ninja Academy. Kei looked forward to starting, while Naruto felt disappointed that he had to wait another year.

• Naruto and Ueno Kei talked until evening, and Kei told Naruto that bandits had killed his parents.
• Kei invited Naruto to Ichiraku Ramen, and the two became close friends who often spent time together.
• A middle-aged ninja delivered Kei an enrollment letter requiring him to register at the Ninja Academy the next morning.
• Kei told Naruto about his enrollment, and Naruto lamented that he was too young to join until the following year.
• Naruto stayed for dinner at Kei's house before going home, and Kei went to bed eagerly anticipating the Academy.

Ueno Kei attended his first day at the Ninja Academy, where he met Hyuga Neji and a girl whose name was not revealed. After returning home, he found Uzumaki Naruto waiting and began looking through his ninja textbooks with him.

• Ueno Kei arrived early at the Ninja Academy and noticed a girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing and a white-eyed boy he suspected belonged to the Hyuga Clan.
• Muto Masatomo introduced himself as the children's homeroom teacher, and the students registered, met their classmates, and received textbooks.
• Ueno Kei learned that the white-eyed boy was Hyuga Neji, while the girl's name was left unstated.
• Ueno Kei returned home and found Uzumaki Naruto asleep on his bed.
• Ueno Kei and Uzumaki Naruto sat together and explored his ninja textbooks.

Ueno Kei spent his first six months at the Ninja Academy training relentlessly to compensate for his average talent and build a strong foundation. He continued his demanding routine while Naruto focused on school and play.

• Ueno Kei accepted that his talent was ordinary but remained determined to become strong through effort.
• Ueno Kei devoted most of his time outside school and rest to training in the back hills, leaving Naruto with less time to play with him.
• Naruto briefly tried training alongside Ueno Kei but soon quit, and Ueno Kei did not pressure him to continue.
• Ueno Kei focused on physical conditioning, chakra, the Three Body Technique, and throwing Kunai and Shuriken.
• Ueno Kei gradually added weights to his arms and legs, adjusting his training to his growing body and pushing beyond the Academy's requirements.

Ueno Kei discovered a buried blade and scroll while fishing in the river after his morning training. He brought both home, leaving their contents and significance unknown.

• Ueno Kei finished his morning training and went to the river to catch fish for breakfast and Naruto's lunch.
• Ueno Kei noticed a glimmer beneath the water and returned with a kunai to search for its source.
• Ueno Kei realized he had blocked the sunlight and found the tip of an object protruding from the riverbed.
• Ueno Kei dug up an old greatsword with a scroll tied to its hilt, then strapped it to his back and hurried home.

Ueno Kei discovered that the scroll he brought home was a Lizard Clan Summoning Scroll and signed his name to it. He hid it beneath his bed, knowing he still needed more chakra and the Summoning Technique’s hand seals before he could use it.

• Ueno Kei returned home safely, locked the door, and unrolled the scroll he had found.
• Ueno Kei discovered the scroll’s names and read its small inscription with a magnifying glass, learning it was a Lizard Clan Summoning Scroll from the Xuanyang Clan.
• Ueno Kei wrote his name in blood on the scroll and pressed his five fingers beneath it to sign the contract.
• Ueno Kei hid the scroll beneath his bed because he lacked the chakra and hand seals needed to summon a beast.
• Ueno Kei decided to keep training and hoped his future team leader would be a Jonin who could teach him the Summoning Technique.

Ueno Kei cleaned and examined the mysterious katana, then cut his palm and sensed the sword's lingering killing intent. After his blood was absorbed and the sword flashed, he found himself in an unfamiliar space facing the words “Wind Wing Sword Technique.”

• Ueno Kei cleaned the katana and heard what he thought was a faint ring from it, but found no response when he infused it with chakra.
• Ueno Kei accidentally cut his palm on the blade and felt a bone-chilling sensation he recognized as killing intent.
• Ueno Kei concluded the sword was a spiritual treasure whose former owner had left behind a powerful imprint.
• The sword absorbed Ueno Kei's blood, shook violently, and flashed with dazzling light.
• Ueno Kei screamed, then found himself in an unfamiliar space with the words “Wind Wing Sword Technique” before him.

Ueno Kei became trapped in the inner space of the Lingyu Blade and heard the recorded words of Fengyi Zhan, who revealed the history and secrets of his clan. Fengyi Zhan began to explain the price of learning the Wind Wing Sword Technique, leaving Ueno Kei prepared to judge whether the deal was worth accepting.

• Ueno Kei found himself unable to leave the strange space or speak, though he could move his hands and hear.
• Fengyi Zhan introduced himself as the Lingyu Blade's former owner and explained that he had sealed his chakra and part of his spirit inside it.
• Fengyi Zhan described how the blade's seal drew in anyone whose blood touched it, unless they were powerful enough to resist or choose whether to enter.
• Fengyi Zhan revealed that he had left behind the Fengyi Clan's secret art, the Wind Wing Sword Technique, and explained its focus on swordsmanship and blade intent.
• Ueno Kei recognized the technique's potential to help him, then listened warily as Fengyi Zhan said learning it would come at a price.

Ueno Kei accepted the old man's request to preserve the Wind Wing clan's swordsmanship and help its descendants if he could. The old man sent a ring of light containing swordsmanship memories into Ueno Kei, leaving him to absorb them.

• The old man asked Ueno Kei to pass on the Wind Wing clan's secret art and assist any descendants he met, within his ability.
• Ueno Kei agreed by biting his finger and letting a drop of blood fall to the ground.
• The space changed, and the old man explained that a ring of light held some of his chakra and swordsmanship memories.
• Ueno Kei tensed at the thought of receiving the old man's memories but relaxed after hearing they contained only swordsmanship knowledge.
• The ring of light shot into Ueno Kei's forehead, and after a period of pain and trembling, he opened his eyes.

Ueno Kei emerged from the collapsing space with the Lingyu Blade, the Wind Wing Sword Technique, and the Fengyi Clan Head’s training insights, while his chakra grew denser and increased substantially. He revised his training plan to focus on swordsmanship fundamentals and began preparing for years of disciplined practice.

• The Fengyi Clan Head told Ueno Kei that the Lingyu Blade was his and that the elder’s chakra would vanish, and Ueno Kei bowed before the space collapsed.
• Ueno Kei awoke in his Konoha residence and sensed that the Lingyu Blade had become closely connected to him.
• Ueno Kei realized he had retained the Wind Wing Sword Technique and the Fengyi Clan Head’s training knowledge, while his chakra reserves and quality had improved.
• Ueno Kei decided to adjust his training plan, build specialized equipment, and initially focus on mastering swordsmanship fundamentals.
• Ueno Kei planned to conceal his most advanced abilities and spend six years honing the basics of the Wind Wing Sword Technique.

After three years of relentless training and study, Ueno Kei finally took his first step toward mastering the Wind Wing Mental Method. He tested the method’s effect on his chakra and headed home, ready to begin practicing the Wind Wing Sword Technique.

• Ueno Kei continued his daily physical training, sword practice, and study while memorizing the Wind Wing Sword Technique and its basic mental method.
• Ueno Kei struggled to apply what he learned, so he relied on repetition and followed the prescribed training regimen instead of attempting the sword technique prematurely.
• Ueno Kei finally made progress in mastering the Wind Wing Mental Method at his training ground in Konoha’s western outskirts.
• Ueno Kei circulated his chakra through the method, felt his chakra flow change, and noticed a faint intimidating aura around him.
• Ueno Kei gathered his belongings, strapped the Lingyu Blade across his back, and headed home through the trees.

A powerful black-robed clan leader prepared a plan to rescue Yun'er from Konoha, while his cautious relative Ye Yi warned that the mission could destroy their clan. The leader refused to change course, and the clan moved ahead with the operation.

• A black-robed figure watched Ueno Kei train, then joined more than a dozen figures gathering in the woods west of the village.
• The leader assigned some people to handle the Anbu and others to deal with everyone else in the mountains, while his own group prepared to welcome Yun'er.
• The leader explained that he had considered killing Ueno Kei but let him go after sensing a nearby Chunin and deciding not to risk attracting more Konoha Ninja.
• Ye Yi urged the leader to reconsider the plan, but Yewu mocked his caution and argued that Yun'er could make the clan powerful.
• The leader told Ye Yi that the clan had no way back and ordered everyone to proceed with the original plan.

Ye Yi's family prepared to carry out a plan to leave Konoha while Ueno Kei, unaware of the danger he had narrowly avoided, headed back to the village. He encountered two masked Anbu members, who questioned him about being out late.

• Yewu told the leader that Liu Zi had taken the family elders and children to safety and would withdraw with them according to the plan.
• The leader wished the black-robed men success, and they dispersed to begin their operation.
• Ueno Kei looked forward to cooking dinner for Naruto and reflected on how Naruto had become like family to him.
• Ueno Kei stopped when two masked Anbu appeared in his path and asked who he was and why he was out so late.
• Ueno Kei identified himself as a Ninja Academy student and said he was returning to the village after training.

Ueno Kei encountered an Anbu in the hills and persuaded him he was harmless, then wondered whether the Anbu's presence was connected to a girl he had seen before. Elsewhere, the Kurama Clan searched for Yakumo while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Yuhi Kurenai set out to resolve the crisis.

• Ueno Kei convinced the Anbu he was an ordinary student, then left the mountain after wondering whether the situation involved the girl he had seen by the river.
• Kurama Yeqiong's group discovered that Kurama Yakumo was missing and ordered a search, with plans to retreat from Konoha if they failed to find her within an hour.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned from Nara Shikaku that the Anbu were expected to have rescued Yakumo and decided to go to the western hills himself.
• Nara Shikaku went to notify Yuhi Kurenai, who headed toward her beloved student as Hiruzen Sarutobi and his Anbu departed for the cabin.

Ueno Kei was forced to carry an unconscious girl toward Konoha while an Anbu stayed behind to face four rogue Kurama Clan members. The Anbu broke free of Kurama Yewu’s genjutsu at the cost of severe damage to his mind.

• The Anbu ordered Ueno Kei to take the girl to Lord Hokage, then handed her to him when four black-robed pursuers appeared.
• Ueno Kei fled with the girl as the Anbu stayed behind to hold off the pursuers.
• The Anbu used clones to block all four Kurama Clan members but was badly wounded in the clash.
• Kurama Yewu trapped the Anbu in genjutsu, but the Anbu’s mental seal broke the illusion and caused severe brain damage.

Kurama Yewu confronted an Anbu member as the Kurama Clan’s plan to retrieve Kurama Yakumo unfolded, while Sarutobi Hiruzen rushed to prevent the conflict from becoming irreversible. Kurama Yeqiong spared the Anbu member and ordered his people to search for Yun’er without killing anyone unless necessary.

• Kurama Yewu revealed the Kurama Clan’s anger over its detained genius and slain clansmen, while the wounded Anbu member tried to buy time for the boy carrying the target away.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen hurried toward the western suburbs with several Anbu, hoping to resolve the Kurama Clan crisis peacefully and keep its actions concealed.
• As Kurama Yewu prepared to kill the Anbu member, Kurama Yeqiong appeared and incapacitated him without killing him.
• Kurama Yewu told Kurama Yeqiong that a black-clad boy with a sword had taken Kurama Yakumo away.
• Kurama Yeqiong split the search party, sending Kurama Yewu southeast, and ordered everyone to recover Kurama Yakumo without killing the boy or others unless necessary.

Kurama Yeqiong sent most of his clan toward the Land of Fire border while he and Kurama Yewu pursued Ueno Kei to rescue Yun'er. Ueno Kei changed course and missed the Third Hokage, then set Yun'er down when she awoke and called out to hidden relatives.

• Kurama Ye Yi warned Kurama Yeqiong that Yuhi Kurenai, Nara Shikaku, and other Konoha reinforcements were approaching.
• Kurama Yeqiong ordered Kurama Ye Yi to lead the clan toward the border while he and Kurama Yewu went after Yun'er.
• Ueno Kei avoided the route back to Konoha and headed northeast, unknowingly passing the Third Hokage going the other way.
• Ueno Kei noticed Yun'er had awakened, lowered her to the ground, and faced her as she called to her uncle and Third Uncle in the shadows.

Ueno Kei tried to escape while Kurama Yakumo confronted her uncles, Kurama Yeqiong and Kurama Yewu, over the clan’s failure to avenge her parents. When Yeqiong’s attempt to persuade her to leave failed, Yakumo turned on the two men and attacked.

• Kurama Yeqiong and Kurama Yewu appeared behind Ueno Kei, who prepared to fight but quietly edged toward the grass to escape.
• Kurama Yakumo accused Kurama Yewu, the Kurama Clan’s head, of failing to avenge the clan members who had died.
• Kurama Yeqiong urged Yakumo to leave with him, promising her power could eventually bring justice for the clan.
• Kurama Yakumo revealed her bloodlust and threatened to kill her uncle as her eyes turned blood-red.
• Kurama Yeqiong warned Kurama Yewu and retreated, and Kurama Yewu followed him.

Kurama Yakumo's Five Senses Genjutsu trapped Ueno Kei, Yuhi Kurenai, and others in a strange space while Hiruzen Sarutobi learned the Anbu had survived. Yuhi found Ueno Kei and explained that Yakumo could make genjutsu real, while Hiruzen sensed that something dangerous was unfolding.

• Kurama Yakumo's genjutsu pulled Ueno Kei, Yuhi Kurenai, and others into a strange space, while Nara Shikaku investigated the barrier left behind.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that the seven Anbu had survived and suspected the Kurama Clan had shown restraint, but a monstrous roar made him uneasy.
• Ueno Kei recognized that he was caught in a genjutsu and met Yuhi Kurenai inside the unfamiliar space.
• Yuhi Kurenai traced the space to Kurama Yakumo's chakra and headed toward her after finding Ueno Kei.
• Yuhi Kurenai told Ueno Kei that Yakumo could make genjutsu real and that escape required breaking a weak spot or overpowering her chakra.

Ueno Kei joined Yuhi Kurenai as she searched the sealed space for Kurama Yakumo, learning that a monster born from Yakumo’s power lurked within her. Kurenai found a weak point and began breaking the seal, but the space only trembled as she prepared Kei to strike a crack when it appeared.

• Ueno Kei agreed to accompany Yuhi Kurenai to find Kurama Yakumo, and Kurenai explained that a monster born from Yakumo’s power was hidden inside her.
• Ueno Kei told Yuhi Kurenai that Kurama Yakumo had been with two men in black robes, whom Kurenai identified as Kurama Yeqiong and Kurama Yewu.
• Yuhi Kurenai found a faint glimmer, carved the character “Ling” into the ground, and attempted to release the space’s weak point.
• When the space trembled and stopped, Yuhi Kurenai realized its strength had increased and warned Kei that Yakumo might have grown stronger.
• Yuhi Kurenai told Ueno Kei to attack the crack with all his chakra when it appeared, then used Five Elements Seal Break on the ground.

Yuhi Kurenai and Ueno Kei broke through the illusion and reached Kurama Yakumo, who accused Kurenai and Konoha of killing her parents. Yakumo began drawing as Ueno Kei sensed a terrifying threat, leaving the result of her sketch unrevealed.

• Yuhi Kurenai used a technique to crack the illusion, and Ueno Kei slashed through the opening with the Lingyu Blade.
• Yuhi Kurenai opened a door at the end of a hallway, where Kurama Yakumo greeted her with delight.
• Ueno Kei saw the wounded Kurama Yeqiong and Kurama Yewu and feared Yakumo's power.
• Yuhi Kurenai tried to stop Yakumo and explain, but Yakumo accused her and Konoha of killing her parents.
• Kurama Yakumo waved her hand, produced a pen and drawing board, and began sketching as Ueno Kei watched in horror.