Chapter Summaries

After Ryōken’s single sword strike split Kumogakure’s mountain range, the ninja villages withdrew their forces and agreed not to provoke him or anyone connected to him. In the Land of Iron, Ryōken spoke with Ashe about her strength, the War College, and the approaching Godhood Trials, leaving him contemplating whether he could cross the gap to true godhood.

• Hozuki Mangetsu received the Mizukage’s order to cancel the attack on Ashe’s city, then learned Ryōken had split Kumogakure with one sword strike and led his force into retreat.
• The ninja villages recalled their forces and adopted a rule to retreat from any incident involving Ryōken or those connected to him.
• Ryōken and Ashe walked through the thriving marketplace, where Ashe explained that she had reached the peak of high-tier Legendary rank but needed to go to Valoran to advance further.
• Ashe described the War College’s resources and said the Mount Targon Godhood Trials were about to begin, though she could not easily leave her tribe.
• Ryōken looked toward the moon and reflected that becoming a true god could bring immortality, while failure would leave him mortal.

Ryōken returned to Konoha with Hiwa after resolving to become the strongest among legends, and the villagers celebrated his survival. At home, he reunited with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, showing that he had become strong enough to stop Tsunade’s full-force punch without moving.

• Ryōken admired his powerful chakra and vowed to become the strongest among legends, while Hiwa worried that she was weak and he reassured her that no one was more important to him.
• Ryōken and Hiwa arrived in Konoha on the Wind Dragon, prompting the villagers to celebrate his return and survival.
• Ryōken and Hiwa parted ways, and he returned to his courtyard, where he cleared the fallen leaves with his soul power and set them ablaze.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru arrived, and Tsunade punched Ryōken to welcome him back.
• Ryōken stopped Tsunade’s full-strength punch with his palm, leaving everyone astonished, then deflected her questions about Ashe by praising Tsunade’s beauty.

After shutting out the stream of visitors, Ryōken worried that completing his Five Elements body forging would take more than a decade and turned his attention to strengthening his soul. He visited Orochimaru’s underground laboratory and traded a Mangekyō Sharingan for Orochimaru’s soul research and Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode cultivation method, then left without joining his immortality experiments.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Ryōken reject political probes and decided to warn Danzo against schemes of his own.
• Ryōken closed his gates to visitors and considered how long Earth Release Body Forging and completing the Five Elements might take.
• Ryōken visited Orochimaru’s laboratory and learned about his research into Living Corpse Reincarnation and a potion-created humanoid puppet.
• Ryōken offered Orochimaru a Mangekyō Sharingan in exchange for his soul research findings and Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode cultivation method, and Orochimaru accepted.
• Ryōken declined to join Orochimaru’s experiments and left after warning that every shortcut came with a price.

Ryōken considered how chakra and natural energy might strengthen the soul and give Hiwa a way to protect herself. He decided to seek Shikkotsu Forest’s cultivation method from Tsunade, whom he found gambling in a betting house.

• Hiwa moved her belongings into Ryōken’s courtyard, and he used his power to put her clothes away, embarrassing her.
• Ryōken judged that Hiwa was still too weak to protect herself and considered giving her a stronger, self-healing physique.
• He decided not to practice Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode method and instead went to find Tsunade for Shikkotsu Forest’s cultivation method.
• At the gambling table, Ryōken caught Tsunade’s hand and placed her bet on triple sixes, startling her and unnerving the dealer.

Ryōken asked Tsunade to take him to Shikkotsu Forest so he could learn about Sage Mode. Tsunade brought him to meet the Slug Sage, whose enormous true body awaited their approach.

• With Ryōken’s help, Tsunade won a large sum at a casino and offered to treat him to a meal.
• Ryōken told Tsunade he wanted to learn Sage Mode, and she offered to take him to meet the Slug Sage.
• Ryōken and Tsunade left Konoha and traveled to the mist surrounding Shikkotsu Forest.
• Tsunade guided Ryōken through the forest’s natural maze, where Katsuyu’s clones greeted her.
• Ryōken and Tsunade reached Katsuyu’s immense true body, and Ryōken faced the Slug Sage without fear.

Ryōken visited the Slug Sage with Tsunade to learn about Sage Mode, astonishing the ancient being with his power and resolve. After learning about natural energy, he left Shikkotsu Forest intent on creating a Sage Mode for humans, while Tsunade eagerly seized on its potential to slow aging.

• Tsunade brought Ryōken before the Slug Sage and said he wanted to learn Sage Mode.
• The Slug Sage sensed Ryōken’s unusual energy and declared him the most incredible human it had ever seen.
• Ryōken said he wanted to create a Sage Mode suited to humans, and the Slug Sage taught him about natural energy and offered to help with his research.
• Ryōken declined the Slug Sage’s offer, and he and Tsunade left Shikkotsu Forest.
• On the way back to Konoha, Ryōken said cultivating natural energy might slow aging, prompting Tsunade to grab him and demand confirmation.

Ryōken explained the Sage of Six Paths’ legacy to Tsunade, then struggled to develop a way to cultivate natural energy before settling into life with Hiwa. As more familiar figures were born, Ryōken felt he was watching history unfold.

• Ryōken told Tsunade that the Sage of Six Paths had founded Ninshū and left behind the Senju and Uchiha clans, shocking her.
• Ryōken recalled sensing a mysterious presence beneath Shikkotsu Forest and returned to Konoha with Tsunade.
• Ryōken pondered how to create a new energy system for cultivating natural energy, then went to sleep beside Hiwa.
• Hiwa woke up clinging to Ryōken, screamed, and argued with him after he made her blanket fly away.
• Hiwa continued living with Ryōken while Tsunade visited to gamble and Orochimaru sought alchemy books.
• Ryōken named the newborn Kakashi Hatake, and Might Guy was born soon afterward.

Ryōken and Orochimaru arranged to capture Manda so they could study the snake’s natural energy, with Kushina Uzumaki providing a sealing formation. Ryōken crushed Manda with a single blow and the seal trapped it, leaving the snake helpless.

• Ryōken reviewed Orochimaru’s research on natural energy and proposed capturing Manda for study.
• Ryōken enlisted Kushina Uzumaki to prepare a sealing formation that could prevent Manda from returning to Ryūchi Cave.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda into the prepared clearing, where Manda complained about not receiving human sacrifices.
• Ryōken struck Manda with a chakra-free air cannon, pinning the giant serpent to the ground and badly injuring it.
• The sealing formulas wrapped around Manda and immobilized it completely.

Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Ryōken had caused a disturbance and reaffirmed his resolve to protect Konoha. Days later, Orochimaru shared his findings from dissecting Manda, revealing that powerful Summoning Beasts used crystals to harness natural energy.

• An ANBU ninja reported Ryōken's disturbance to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who resolved to protect Konoha if necessary.
• Orochimaru approached the sealed Manda and threatened to dissect him, while Manda feared a fate worse than death.
• Kushina Uzumaki suggested eating Manda, and Ryōken agreed to have Akimichi Torifu cook it in a few days.
• Minato Namikaze reflected on Ryōken's speed and considered developing a space ninjutsu of his own.
• Orochimaru told Ryōken that Manda's body had not yielded complete data, but natural-energy-infused bodies seemed suited to soul reincarnation.
• Orochimaru explained that Kage-level Summoning Beasts used pale green crystals to manipulate natural energy, and Ryōken considered seeking stronger snake sages.

Ryōken and Orochimaru traveled to Ryūchi Cave to confront its powerful inhabitants, while Iwagakure learned of Ryōken’s arrival and chose not to interfere. They reached the cavern entrance, and Iwagakure resigned itself to waiting for Ryōken’s era to end.

• An Iwagakure jonin and three genin spotted Ryōken and Orochimaru, then quietly withdrew to report their discovery.
• Ryōken told Orochimaru that they did not need to eliminate the witnesses because Iwagakure would not dare confront him.
• Orochimaru warned Ryōken that the White Snake Sage might rival Hashirama Senju, but Ryōken remained unconcerned and said he could flee if necessary.
• Ryōken and Orochimaru entered the mountains, where snakes watched them from afar, and reached the entrance to Ryūchi Cave.
• Orochimaru applied a camouflage potion made with Manda’s blood, while Ryōken concealed himself with soul power and declined the potion.
• The Fourth Tsuchikage and Iwagakure’s leaders decided to ignore Ryōken’s arrival and wait for his era to pass.

Ryōken and Orochimaru reached the core of Ryūchi Cave, where the snake sages Mo Qing and Mo Yan confronted them. Ryōken killed Mo Qing with a single sword strike, leaving Mo Yan grieving and the confrontation unresolved.

• Ryōken and Orochimaru entered the core chamber of Ryūchi Cave and saw murals depicting snakes evolving into an Eastern dragon.
• Mo Qing and Mo Yan appeared and demanded to know why the intruders had entered; Mo Qing attacked Orochimaru with his tail.
• Mo Qing used Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation to send stone spikes at the intruders.
• Ryōken unleashed Sword Qi that destroyed Mo Qing’s attack and cut the green python in two, killing him.
• Mo Yan rushed to Mo Qing’s corpse, mourned his death, and wept.

After Mo Qing died, Mo Yan sacrificed her tail to forcibly awaken the White Snake Sage and seek revenge on Ryōken. The White Snake Sage punished Mo Yan for disturbing her sleep, then confronted Ryōken, who calmly assessed her immense power and showed no fear.

• Mo Yan realized she could not defeat Ryōken and decided to awaken the White Snake Sage to avenge Mo Qing.
• Mo Yan ruptured her tail and sent her blood into the cracked floor, beginning the White Snake Sage’s awakening ritual.
• The White Snake Sage arrived and struck Mo Yan for forcibly waking her, then accepted her explanation and spared her with a light punishment.
• The White Snake Sage turned to Ryōken and asked how he wanted to die.
• Ryōken judged the White Snake Sage’s sage chakra and strength while remaining unafraid.

Ryōken faced the White Snake Sage in Ryūchi Cave and endured her overwhelming natural-energy pressure. He unleashed a four-element sword technique that annihilated her barriers and completely erased her head, leaving her fate uncertain.

• The White Snake Sage appeared, and her aura forced the snakes and Orochimaru down while Ryōken remained unmoved.
• The White Snake Sage flooded Ryūchi Cave with natural energy and pressed Ryōken with her power, but he showed no fear.
• Ryōken formed a Void Sword and cut through the White Snake Sage’s gathered natural energy and will.
• The White Snake Sage dismissed Ryōken as a lowly human, and he prepared his strongest sword strike by fusing wind, fire, water, and lightning chakra.
• The White Snake Sage raised more than ten senjutsu barriers, but Ryōken’s pale beam annihilated them and erased her head before continuing into the sky.

Ryōken fought the White Snake Sage in Ryūchi Cave, shrugging off her senjutsu and overwhelming her with punches despite her immense regenerative power. Orochimaru watched in awe, then began imagining dissecting the White Snake Sage to uncover her secrets.

• Iwagakure observers saw Ryōken’s attack pierce a mountain and cloud, then nervously discussed their mission and possible reward.
• The White Snake Sage regenerated after Ryōken annihilated one of her heads and demanded three thousand human sacrifices in exchange for sparing him.
• Ryōken mocked the White Snake Sage, who attacked him with the Sage Art: White Rage Technique.
• Ryōken resisted the technique’s effects, shattered the White Snake Sage’s tail with a punch, and chased her through Ryūchi Cave with a barrage of blows.
• Mo Yan and the other high-ranking snakes watched in disbelief as Ryōken battered the White Snake Sage, while Orochimaru admired his strength and considered dissecting her.

Ryōken killed the White Snake Sage by severing the connection to the crystal that sustained her power. As Ryūchi Cave erupted in disbelief, Mo Yan attacked Ryōken and was immobilized by his Sealing God Imprint.

• Ryōken used his soul power to locate the White Snake Sage’s vital crystal while battering her with his fists.
• Ryōken struck the White Snake Sage’s crystal with sword intent, severing its connection to her and leaving her to die.
• The White Snake Sage reflected on Ryōken’s power and expressed regret that she would not live to see his clash with Hagu before she died.
• The snakes of Ryūchi Cave cried out in disbelief at the White Snake Sage’s death.
• Mo Yan charged at Ryōken, who immobilized him with the Sealing God Imprint.

After killing the White Snake Sage, Ryōken found a hidden lake of Life Source Elixir and learned that his system had upgraded into the Overlord System. He left Orochimaru to establish a research base while he considered the system’s new abilities and his own path to power.

• Ryōken examined the crystal inside the White Snake Sage and reflected on Ōtsutsuki Hagu and a future clash with the Sage of Six Paths.
• Orochimaru proposed turning the cavern into a research base, and Ryōken agreed in exchange for results before giving him the promised alchemy texts.
• Orochimaru approached the restrained Mo Yan to study her, while Ryōken continued exploring deeper into the cavern.
• Ryōken discovered a lake of Life Source Elixir whose fragrance began transforming his body and cells.
• The system finished upgrading into the Overlord System and identified the lake as Life Source Elixir, while activating an Appraisal System.

Ryōken investigated the lake of Life Source Elixir and discovered a powerful seal beneath it, which the Sage of Six Paths monitored through a Rinnegan. Realizing that disturbing the lake could expose him and provoke a fight he was not ready for, Ryōken left it untouched and departed.

• Ryōken concluded that the White Snake Sage had guarded the lake for the Sage of Six Paths without understanding the full value of the Life Source Elixir.
• Ryōken sent a thread of soul power into the lake and spotted golden sealing patterns above a hidden space, but stopped before reaching the seal.
• The golden patterns activated and a Rinnegan searched the area, but it failed to detect Ryōken, who concealed himself with soul power.
• The Rinnegan appeared a second time and scrutinized the area before vanishing again, while Ryōken remained hidden.
• Ryōken decided the Sage of Six Paths was too dangerous to confront and left the lake of Life Source Elixir undisturbed.

Ryōken left Ryūchi Cave after warning Orochimaru about the Life Source Elixir and intimidating the snakes and a group of Iwagakure shinobi. In the war-scarred Land of Rain, he heard wandering shinobi discuss Akatsuki’s growing influence and the threat posed by a powerful man.

• Ryōken warned Orochimaru not to take too much of the Life Source Elixir and asked him to send research results.
• Ryōken marked Ryūchi Cave’s entrance with a sword scar and threatened to kill any snake that crossed it.
• Ryōken’s presence terrified four Iwagakure shinobi, who felt relieved when he left without attacking them.
• Ryōken traveled through the Land of Rain and saw towns emptied and residents made numb by the aftermath of war.
• At a tavern, Ryōken overheard wandering shinobi discuss Akatsuki’s peace-seeking mission and doubt that it could survive against a powerful man.

Ryōken followed the trace of sword intent he had left in Konan and found her while she was resting in her bedroom. Konan realized her teacher had truly returned, embraced him, and fell asleep in his arms.

• Ryōken sensed the trace of sword intent within Konan and traveled to Akatsuki’s concealed valley.
• Konan worried that Amegakure would soon move against Akatsuki and wondered how Ryōken would respond.
• Konan prepared to sleep after bathing, exhausted from managing Akatsuki alongside Yahiko.
• Ryōken appeared in Konan’s bedroom, and she first mistook him for a hallucination.
• Konan recognized Ryōken, threw herself into his arms, and fell asleep while he comforted her.

Konan and Ryōken learned that Amegakure had discovered Akatsuki’s base, and Hanzo led an attack against the organization. Yahiko and Konan confronted the Rain Ninja, where Hanzo killed the traitor Gao Yi before the battle began.

• Konan woke beside Ryōken, and he warned her that enemies had arrived and Akatsuki’s internal affairs had been compromised.
• A traitorous Akatsuki member led Hanzo and the Amegakure force to the base, and Hanzo ordered the attack.
• Yahiko recognized Gao Yi and condemned him for betraying Akatsuki, while Gao Yi mocked the organization and urged its members to surrender.
• Yahiko tried to send Konan away through the valley’s rear passage, but she arrived and stood with him.
• Hanzo walked up to Gao Yi and killed him with a slash of his sickle.