Chapter Summaries

Ryōken created and named Heavenly Lightning Slash after studying lightning in a storm, beginning his transformation toward Jonin-level chakra. The next day, the Hokage summoned him and introduced him to Tetsuki, who was skeptical about working with someone so young.

• Ryōken refined his lightning sword technique during a thunderstorm and unleashed a powerful strike that carved a gorge.
• Ryōken named the technique Heavenly Lightning Slash and sensed that his chakra would finish transforming in about a month.
• The next day, Ryōken received a summons from the Hokage and went to the Hokage Building with an ANBU ninja.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hatake Sakumo introduced Ryōken to Tetsuki as a strong and talented ninja.
• Tetsuki agreed to work with Ryōken but privately wondered why Uncle Hatake had paired her with a teenager.

Ryōken left Konoha on a mission to the Land of Iron, with Hiwa reluctantly seeing him off and giving him a warm amulet. He joined Tetsuki and a Konoha genin squad on the journey, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hatake Sakumo watched and discussed his mission.

• Ryōken put on his mask, accepted Hiwa's amulet, and promised to return before setting off for the village entrance.
• At the carriage, Tetsuki pretended to be affectionate toward Ryōken to deter Qing Zang, then introduced him to Tian Jing as a friend and guard traveling to the Land of Iron.
• Kouichi Uchiha recognized something familiar in Ryōken, while Nai Inuzuka stopped Nawaki Senju from protesting the client's choice.
• Hiwa watched Ryōken board the carriage and prayed for his quick return.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi expressed concern about the mission, but Hatake Sakumo reassured him that Ryōken could handle the tournament and ANBU would deal with hidden threats.

Ryōken’s convoy stopped when a Rain Ninja Jonin threatened a Konoha Genin team, and Ryōken stepped in to face him. After their swords clashed, the Jonin recognized Ryōken’s Chakra Flow, and Ryōken felt eager to test himself against a true Jonin.

• Ryōken and Tetsuki traveled away from Konoha in a carriage with Qing Chuan’s convoy.
• A Rain Ninja Jonin confronted Kouichi Uchiha, Nawaki Senju, and another Konoha Genin, intending to kill them after failing to capture Asai Hane.
• Ryōken arrived, moved the Genin out of the way, and challenged the Jonin’s sword strike with his own blade.
• The Rain Ninja Jonin was forced back by Ryōken’s Chakra Flow and recognized the swordsmanship as reminiscent of Hatake Sakumo’s.
• Nawaki urged the others to help Ryōken, Kouichi considered fleeing, and Tetsuki hoped Ryōken could survive the fight.
• Ryōken focused on the Jonin and realized that battle against a true expert was the test he had been seeking.

Ryōken unleashed Heavenly Lightning Slash to destroy the Rain Ninja jonin’s Great Waterfall Technique and defeat him. Tetsuki saw Ryōken’s swordsmanship as hope for the samurai, while Nawaki wondered if Ryōken could keep Tsunade in line and continue the Senju Clan.

• Ryōken advanced on the Rain Ninja jonin, who retreated and attacked with Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
• Ryōken cleaved the water dragon apart with Fleeting Light, but the jonin followed with Great Waterfall Technique.
• Ryōken used Heavenly Lightning Slash to annihilate the torrent and strike the Rain Ninja jonin, leaving him blackened, numb, and unable to move.
• Qing Zang abandoned his jealousy and resentment toward Ryōken, feeling only reverence after witnessing his strength.
• Tetsuki saw Ryōken’s swordsmanship as a way to restore the samurai, while Nawaki wondered if Ryōken was stronger than Tsunade and could continue the Senju Clan.

Ryōken defeated a Rain Ninja jonin with his new Heavenly Lightning Slash and claimed the jonin’s blade, naming it Starry Night. When the wounded jonin poisoned him with a dark purple mist, Ryōken retreated and meditated to delay the poison while Tetsuki decided to take him back to Konoha for treatment.

• Ryōken inspected the ruined sword after using the Heavenly Lightning Slash, then picked up the Rain Ninja jonin’s blade and named it Starry Night.
• Ryōken approached the injured Rain Ninja jonin intending to capture him, but the jonin suddenly exhaled poisonous mist.
• Ryōken inhaled some poison, escaped the cloud, warned the others to retreat, and used Meditation to slow its effects.
• Tetsuki ordered the group to carry Ryōken into the carriage and return to Konoha for medical help, rejecting Qing Zang’s objection.
• Kouichi Uchiha, Nai Inuzuka, and Nawaki Senju recognized Ryōken and reacted to his rise in strength, while Nawaki expressed confidence that Tsunade could treat him.

On the journey back to Konoha, Kouichi Uchiha tried to assassinate the poisoned Ryōken, but Ryōken’s Sword Intent stopped him and Tetsuki killed him. The group continued toward the village with Kouichi’s body sealed away, while Nawaki Senju reeled from the betrayal and Qing Zang anticipated trouble for Ryōken.

• As Tetsuki tended to Ryōken in the carriage, Kouichi Uchiha entered with a vial and drew a kunai to attack him.
• Ryōken awoke when he sensed Kouichi Uchiha’s killing intent and struck him with Sword Intent, making him drop his kunai and stagger back.
• Tetsuki seized the chance to slash Kouichi Uchiha’s throat, killing him.
• When the others gathered, Tetsuki said Kouichi Uchiha had tried to assassinate Ryōken and that she had executed him.
• Nawaki Senju was shocked by Kouichi Uchiha’s betrayal, while Nai Inuzuka sealed his body in a scroll for the report to Lord Hokage.
• Qing Zang took pleasure in Kouichi Uchiha’s death and expected the Uchiha Clan to cause trouble for Ryōken.

After Ryōken returned to Konoha poisoned, Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that he had killed a Rain Ninja jonin and that Tetsuki had killed Kouichi Uchiha during an attempted assassination. Tsuki Uchiha burned Kouichi’s body and declared his view of Uchiha glory, while Ryōken woke in Konoha Hospital.

• An ANBU ninja reported that Ryōken had returned severely poisoned, and Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Tsunade had stabilized him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi heard that Ryōken had killed a Rain Ninja jonin, Tetsuki had killed Kouichi Uchiha, and the circumstances remained unclear.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried about conflict with the Uchiha and decided Ryōken should go to the Land of Iron and lie low.
• Tsuki Uchiha called Kouichi weak, burned his coffin and body with Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, and muttered about glory as the gathered clan members watched.
• Ryōken groggily opened his eyes in Konoha Hospital and reached toward what he saw beside him.

Ryōken woke in the hospital after Tsunade treated the poison in his body, and she offered to teach him medical ninjutsu. After leaving the hospital, he reflected on the Uchiha conflict before a hostile figure approached, setting up a confrontation.

• Tsunade healed Ryōken’s poisoning and teased him for staring at her, then offered to teach him medical ninjutsu while respecting White Fang as his teacher.
• Tsunade explained that Ryōken’s diluted exposure to Ibuse’s venom had aided her antidote research and warned that war in the Land of Rain was imminent.
• Ryōken left the hospital with Tsunade and confirmed that the jonin’s death had not earned him a lottery draw.
• Ryōken recalled that his sword intent had struck Kouichi Uchiha during the assassination attempt and feared Tsuki Uchiha would retaliate over Kouichi’s death.
• A figure approached Ryōken, and both of them displayed intense killing intent as Ryōken refused to back down.

Ryōken fought Tsuki Uchiha outside the hospital and overwhelmed him with swordsmanship and a powerful lightning slash. Tsunade arrived to protect Ryōken, but Tsuki began forming hand seals for an S-rank ultimate technique.

• Tsuki Uchiha demanded that Ryōken kneel and accept death, but Ryōken drew Starry Night and forced him back in a sword clash.
• Tsuki Uchiha attacked with Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, and Ryōken countered with Heavenly Lightning Slash, cutting through the flames.
• Tsuki Uchiha’s Great Fireball Technique failed to stop the remaining sword qi, which blasted him backward and left him injured.
• Tsunade arrived, praised Ryōken, and vowed to uphold Konoha’s rules while he rested.
• Tsuki Uchiha began forming hand seals for an S-rank ultimate technique, alarming Tsunade.

After stopping Tsuki Uchiha from attacking, Ryōken challenged him to a duel to the death in three months. Ryōken departed on a mission with Tetsuki while Tsunade sought help from Hiruzen Sarutobi, who said Konoha could not easily interfere with the duel.

• Tsunade and the ANBU stopped Tsuki Uchiha from using an S-Rank Technique, and Ryōken challenged him to a duel to the death in three months.
• Tsuki Uchiha accepted the challenge and left, while Tsunade urged Ryōken to reconsider and he insisted three months would be enough.
• Ryōken joined Tetsuki and the others at the village entrance, then teased Tetsuki when she apologized for the trouble caused by Kouichi Uchiha's death.
• During the journey, Ryōken began deducing sword techniques for elements beyond Lightning Release.
• Tsunade asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to intervene, but he explained that the Uchiha Clan's power and the rules for duels to the death made interference difficult.

Ryōken traveled to the Land of Iron, testing his developing fire-style sword technique while thinking about how to grow strong enough to defeat Tsuki Uchiha. After Tetsuki dismissed Qing Zang in the capital, Qing Zang turned against her and plotted revenge.

• Ryōken killed a rogue ninja with his new fire-style sword technique, Cremation, and reflected on improving his abilities to face Tsuki Uchiha.
• Tetsuki watched Ryōken refine his sword techniques and regarded him as a master capable of changing the ninja world.
• Ryōken and his group reached the snow-covered capital of the Land of Iron and checked into an inn.
• Tetsuki dismissed Qing Zang after deciding he was unsuitable as an ally, and Tian Jing voiced no objection.
• Qing Zang blamed Ryōken for his rejection and resolved to retaliate against Tetsuki.

Ryōken discovered that Qing Zang had sent a samurai squad to assassinate him and capture Tetsuki, then killed the attackers before they could wake the others. The next morning, an ANBU shinobi delivered Ryōken his mission scroll, which vanished after he read it.

• Qing Zang led an elite samurai squad into the inn to kill Ryōken and capture Tetsuki.
• Ryōken ambushed the assassins in the corridor and killed the squad, including its leader.
• Ryōken found Qing Zang below the inn and killed him with a single stroke.
• A masked ANBU shinobi watched Ryōken's killing and appeared in his room before dawn to deliver a mission scroll.
• Ryōken read the scroll, which destroyed itself, and considered its contents.

Ryōken agreed to compete in the Land of Iron’s Samurai Tournament to help Tetsuki reclaim influence and secure Konoha’s interests. At the tournament hall, he discovered that his teacher Hatake Sakumo and representatives from other nations had come to observe.

• Ryōken learned that the tournament’s victor could become General Yamamoto’s disciple and eventually succeed him, giving Tetsuki a chance to regain authority in the Land of Iron.
• Tetsuki asked Ryōken to compete, and he promised to win the tournament, which was scheduled for two days later.
• Ryōken practiced a flame-based sword technique in the inn’s courtyard, burning a large hole through the snow but remaining dissatisfied with the result.
• Ryōken and Tetsuki arrived at the tournament hall, where Ryōken saw Hatake Sakumo seated among the observers.
• Tetsuki identified the other observers as the ANBU captains from Kumogakure and Iwagakure and explained that major nations sent representatives to watch the selection of the Land of Iron’s next general.

The Samurai Tournament began, and Mifune proved his strength by defeating challengers on the left arena. With Mifune unchallenged, the samurai turned their attention to the right arena, where Ryōken and the others would compete.

• General Yamamoto opened the tournament and announced that the last samurai standing in each of the two arenas would advance to the final contest.
• Mifune leaped onto the left arena and defeated several challengers, including Rikaku, with his sword Black Night.
• Chusuke challenged Mifune with his Iai Slash, but Mifune blocked it, prompting Chusuke to concede.
• Hakuto and Hatake Sakumo praised Mifune, while Ryōken recognized that Mifune was already close to elite jonin strength.
• With no one else willing to challenge Mifune, the samurai shifted their attention to the right arena.

Ryōken entered the Land of Iron samurai tournament, intending to defeat every opponent and fully demonstrate his strength. After General Yamamoto allowed him to compete, Ryōken faced the scarred samurai Nobumura as their match began.

• Ryōken decided that defeating Mifune alone would not fulfill his mission, so he planned to sweep through the tournament.
• Ryōken appeared on the fighting platform, and the samurai and spectators mocked him for being so young.
• General Yamamoto learned that Ryōken was Hatake Sakumo’s disciple and ordered the host not to interfere.
• Nobumura leaped onto the platform, drew a serrated broadsword, and began the match against Ryōken.

Ryōken defeated Nobumura at the Samurai Tournament by cutting through his serrated greatsword with a single slash and holding Starry Night to his throat. His display of power drew the attention of the gathered ninja and samurai, while the other competitors looked to Taito as a possible match for him.

• Nobumura charged Ryōken, but Ryōken severed his greatsword with one casual swing of Starry Night.
• General Yamamoto and the ANBU captains recognized the blade’s cyan glow as possible Wind Release nature transformation, and Hakuto briefly revealed killing intent toward Ryōken.
• When Nobumura tried to raise his broken sword, Ryōken pressed Starry Night to his throat, and the host declared Ryōken the winner.
• Ryōken sheathed his sword and called for the next opponent, leaving the samurai crowd astonished.
• Mifune and Hatake Sakumo praised Ryōken’s ability, while the samurai wondered whether Taito could challenge him.

Taito challenged Ryōken to learn the principles behind his swordsmanship, but Ryōken defeated him with a sudden, blindingly fast strike. Taito accepted the loss and realized that Ryōken’s speed surpassed the techniques he had once relied on.

• Taito stepped onto the platform, introduced his sword as Black Cleaver, and asked Ryōken to enlighten him.
• Taito warned Ryōken that he was stronger than Nobumura, then rushed forward and attacked with Wind Spirit Slash.
• Ryōken parried Taito’s strike and countered with Fleeting Light, sending pale green Sword Qi toward him.
• Taito split the Sword Qi with his own attack, then charged at Ryōken as the Sword Qi dissipated.
• Ryōken used Alpha Strike to appear before Taito and cut his cheek, forcing him to drop Black Cleaver and concede defeat.
• Taito praised Ryōken’s strength and concluded that true speed made his Wind Release swordsmanship ineffective.

Ryōken used Alpha Strike to defeat Taito, leaving the Kage-level spectators alarmed by his speed and swordsmanship. With no one else willing to challenge him, he advanced to the final and faced Mifune.

• Burabi mistook Ryōken's Alpha Strike for the Flying Thunder God Technique, while Hakuto concealed his increased killing intent toward him.
• Hatake Sakumo remained calm as Hakuto praised Ryōken, and General Yamamoto admired Ryōken's potential as a samurai.
• No one dared challenge Ryōken after his battle with Taito, so the host declared him the finalist.
• The samurai crowd cheered Ryōken as a young genius, and he wondered why Hatake Sakumo had sent him on the task.
• Ryōken and Mifune arrived on a larger fighting stage for the final.

Ryōken faced Mifune in the final match to choose the next general of the Land of Iron, gradually gaining the upper hand with his speed and swordsmanship. When Mifune revealed his conviction, Ryōken’s Sword Intent overwhelmed him, leaving the match’s outcome apparent and Yamamoto wondering whether Ryōken might belong to the Land of Iron.

• The host announced the final match between Mifune and Ryōken, and the two samurai prepared to duel.
• Mifune opened with Sword One, but Ryōken met his blade and gradually suppressed him in a fast close-quarters clash.
• Mifune retreated and demonstrated a move powered by his conviction, asking Ryōken to judge it.
• Ryōken’s Sword Intent clashed with Mifune’s conviction, painfully affecting the spectators and bringing Mifune to one knee with blood at his eye.
• Yamamoto recognized Ryōken’s Sword Intent, while Hatake Sakumo showed surprise and Yamamoto reflected that Ryōken had been brought by Princess Yue.

Ryōken and Mifune continued their duel after Mifune's conviction survived Ryōken's sword intent and blazed anew. Ryōken unveiled fire-element swordsmanship against Mifune's Peace strike, leaving the spectators stunned and Yamamoto concealing his excitement.

• Ryōken realized his sword intent had instinctively struck at Mifune's conviction, and Mifune rose again with his will burning brightly.
• Mifune thanked Ryōken and charged with a sword technique called Peace.
• Ryōken abandoned plans to use Alpha Strike and unleashed Sky Scorching Flames with Starry Night.
• Mifune swung at Ryōken's flaming greatsword as their attacks collided in a violent burst of heat.
• The samurai watched in disbelief as Ryōken cut out flames, while Yamamoto stood in excitement before quickly hiding his reaction.
• Hatake Sakumo recognized the significance of Ryōken's swordsmanship and decided to leave its consequences to Lord Hokage.