Chapter Summary: "A Brutal Beating"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Yizhe is caught between Tsunade and Terumi Mei as they begin fighting in his clinic.
• To prevent the destruction of the town, Yizhe grabs Tsunade and flees with her toward the outskirts, with Terumi Mei in hot pursuit.
• Terumi Mei unleashes a water dragon that destroys what remains of the clinic, flooding the street with debris. Bystanders recognize her as a dangerous Mist ninja.
• Three Hidden Mist ninja arrive to support Terumi Mei, but she dismisses them, ordering them only to handle the cleanup—she doesn't want to escalate the conflict into a political incident with the Hyuga Clan.
• Yizhe reaches a forest clearing outside town and releases Tsunade.
• Instead of directing her anger at Terumi Mei, Tsunade punches Yizhe with full force, sending him crashing through a boulder.
• Shizune arrives worried, but Tsunade justifies the beating, claiming Yizhe deserved it for siding with Terumi Mei.
• Severely injured, Yizhe sits down and activates the Strength of a Hundred Seal to heal himself.

2. Character Developments

• Yizhe: Shows clear thinking and pragmatism—choosing to relocate the fight rather than escalate it. He is loyal to his teacher but caught between two powerful women. Despite being beaten, he doesn't retaliate, relying on his regeneration instead.
• Tsunade: Extremely jealous and hot-tempered. She beats Yizhe for restraining her, but immediately feels regret—though she hides it behind righteous anger. Reveals a possessive, emotionally conflicted side toward her disciple.
• Terumi Mei: Though furious, she is politically sharp. She rejects reinforcements, recognizing that a personal dispute shouldn't damage the recently established relations with the Hyuga Clan. She has a temper but keeps strategic awareness.
• Shizune: Observant and caring, serves as the emotional gauge, worrying about Yizhe's well-being.

3. Significant Themes

• Jealousy and Possessiveness: The conflict is driven by two women vying over Yizhe, with Tsunade's fury rooted in romantic jealousy.
• Conflict Between Duty and Personal Relationships: Yizhe must balance his loyalty to his teacher, his respect for Terumi Mei, and the desire to avoid political fallout.
• Violence and Its Consequences: The fight leads to the clinic's destruction and collateral damage in the town—actions have tangible costs.
• Teacher–Student Dynamics: Tsunade's authority is challenged by Yizhe's restraint, but she reasserts it violently, showing the complex power dynamic between them.

4. Character Interactions

• Yizhe & Tsunade: He physically restrains her to prevent violence; she fights, curses, and eventually brutalizes him, mixing anger with hidden affection.
• Yizhe & Terumi Mei: A confrontation on the rooftop where she pursues them relentlessly; their hostile dynamic is cut short by his exit with Tsunade.
• Terumi Mei & Mist Ninja Subordinates: She bluntly orders them off, underlining her authority and political caution.
• Tsunade, Shizune, & Yizhe: Shizune expresses concern while Tsunade rationalizes her overly harsh punishment, revealing her guilt beneath bravado.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points

• After being punched by Tsunade, Yizhe activates "Creation Rebirth" to heal his severe injuries, using the chakra stored in his Yin Seal
• The black striped markings (from the Strength of a Hundred Technique) appear on his face during the healing process before fading
• Terumi Mei lands in the clearing and rushes to check on Yizhe's condition, worried after witnessing Tsunade's powerful punch
• Yizhe stands up despite his injuries, which Terumi Mei misinterprets as him pretending to be fine so she won't worry
• A heated verbal confrontation erupts between Tsunade and Terumi Mei over Yizhe
• Yizhe steps in to mediate, asking if they want to continue fighting or discuss business

Character Developments

• Yizhe: Heals himself with Creation Rebirth, revealing it as his trump card. He deliberately allows the misunderstanding that he's injured to persist, rather than revealing his true capabilities
• Terumi Mei: Genuinely concerned for Yizhe's wellbeing (whether from agenda or feeling touched by his "sacrifice"), she boldly confronts Tsunade and shows intimate gestures like brushing dust off his clothes
• Tsunade: Displays intense possessiveness over her disciple, feeling her "place" is being taken by Terumi Mei. Her anger fluctuates between guilt and fury throughout the scene

Significant Themes

• Misunderstanding and Disguise: Yizhe's extraordinary healing ability creates a "beautiful misunderstanding" that he was seriously hurt defending Terumi Mei, which he deliberately maintains
• Jealousy and Possessiveness: Tsunade's jealousy stems from seeing another woman caring for her disciple—"Even if she did not want it, no one else could pick it up"
• Deception as Strategy: Yizhe's façade as a liaison between Hidden Mist and the Hyuga Clan requires maintaining appearances and keeping his trump cards secret

Character Interactions

• Yizhe & Terumi Mei: Terumi Mei is moved by his "sacrifice" and cares for him; Yizhe is confused by her sudden intimacy but hides his true healing abilities from her
• Tsunade & Terumi Mei: A rivalry forms—both verbally spar with no clear winner, though Tsunade gains satisfaction from the upper hand. Terumi Mei is left speechless because she has no legitimate claim over Yizhe
• Yizhe & Tsunade: After being beaten, Yizhe tries to defuse the situation, acting as a mediator between his teacher and the Mist kunoichi

Summary of "Girlfriend" Chapter

1. Key Plot Points / Events

• A fight between Tsunade and Terumi Mei abruptly ends after starting over trivial matters.
• Tsunade summons Yizhe; he hesitates, still fearing her past beating.
• Terumi Mei tries to stop him, worried Tsunade will hurt him again.
• Tsunade asks if Terumi Mei is Yizhe's girlfriend; he denies it.
• Yizhe reveals Terumi Mei is actually a Hidden Mist ninja sent to monitor him.
• Tsunade then confronts Yizhe about why he never returned after leaving Orochimaru.
• Yizhe declares he found his own path and wants to forge a ninja way of his own.

2. Character Developments

• Yizhe: Shows his lingering fear of Tsunade but also firm resolve about his independent choices. He is caught between obedience to his teacher and his own goals.
• Tsunade: Jealous and suspicious at first, then shifts to a concerned mentor. She questions whether Yizhe strayed into darkness like Orochimaru.
• Terumi Mei: Acts unexpectedly caring and almost meek toward Yizhe, hinting at deeper feelings or ulterior motives.
• Shizune: Acts as a voice of reason, warning Tsunade not to let anger drive Yizhe away.

3. Significant Themes

• Independence vs. Protection: Yizhe left Tsunade because her guidance would have constrained his own path.
• Teacher-Disciple Conflict: The struggle between loyalty to a master and pursuing one's own beliefs.
• Misunderstanding and Jealousy: Tsunade misreads Terumi Mei's role in Yizhe's life.
• Morality / Darkness: The possibility that Yizhe, like Orochimaru, abandoned his original ideals.

4. Character Interactions

• Tsunade and Terumi Mei's "catfight" ends unresolved, with tension still simmering.
• Terumi Mei shows concern for Yizhe, acting possessive and protective.
• Tsunade interrogates Yizhe aggressively, then softens slightly after his explanation.
• Yizhe tries to balance honesty with avoiding another beating, revealing key truths to Tsunade.

Chapter Summary: “Startling News”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yizhe tries to tell Tsunade that he has found or chosen his own path, but she repeatedly interrupts him by punching him and mocking his confidence.
• Tsunade suspects Orochimaru has manipulated or “brainwashed” Yizhe during the time they were apart. She considers taking Yizhe away and personally correcting whatever influence Orochimaru may have had on him.
• Yizhe denies that Orochimaru is directing him. He explains that he only completed an errand for Orochimaru and has since cut ties with him, choosing to cultivate independently.
• He reveals that he and Orochimaru encountered a dangerous man who attempted to recruit them into an organization. Yizhe refused, while Orochimaru accepted for his own hidden purposes, causing the two to part ways.
• Yizhe privately tells Tsunade that the mysterious man possessed the legendary Rinnegan.
• Tsunade is shocked and skeptical, since the Rinnegan is generally regarded as a mythical ocular technique. Yizhe argues that neither he nor Orochimaru could have mistaken it, especially because the man’s ripple-patterned eyes differed from every known ocular ability.
• The chapter ends with Tsunade asking what powers the Rinnegan user demonstrated and teasing Yizhe about whether he and Orochimaru merely sat around drinking tea instead of fighting. Her remark strongly implies that a battle took place, though its details are not yet revealed.

Character Developments

• Yizhe displays greater independence and confidence. He insists that he is following his own path rather than obeying Orochimaru, while still maintaining a humorous and somewhat irreverent attitude toward Tsunade.
• Tsunade reveals her strong protective attachment to Yizhe. Her aggression and suspicion stem from fear that Orochimaru has corrupted him or is trying to take him away. Her attitude softens somewhat after learning that Yizhe has rejected Orochimaru’s influence.
• Tsunade’s view of Orochimaru remains deeply distrustful, but her curiosity is rekindled when she learns that he may have joined an organization to pursue the Rinnegan.
• Shizune recognizes the seriousness of the exchange. Tsunade’s stern mood reminds her of moments when major decisions and painful consequences were at stake.
• Orochimaru does not appear directly, but his actions and motives drive the conversation. His willingness to join the mysterious organization suggests that the Rinnegan or its wielder is important enough to tempt him into cooperation.

Significant Themes

• Independence versus influence: Yizhe wants to establish his own identity and path, while Tsunade fears that Orochimaru has shaped his beliefs.
• Teacher-student bonds: Tsunade’s harsh treatment masks concern, possessiveness, and a desire to protect Yizhe.
• Trust and suspicion: Yizhe must convince Tsunade that he has not betrayed her or fallen under Orochimaru’s control.
• The unknown and forbidden power: The possible existence of the Rinnegan introduces a major mystery and hints at powers beyond ordinary ninja knowledge.
• Conflicting ambitions: Yizhe refuses the mysterious man’s recruitment, while Orochimaru accepts it for reasons that remain hidden.

Character Interactions

• Yizhe and Tsunade engage in a combative but familiar exchange, with Tsunade using physical blows and sarcasm to assert authority.
• Yizhe tries to reason with Tsunade, arguing that force cannot solve everything, but she humorously insists that force is sufficient for dealing with him.
• Tsunade’s suspicion gradually shifts from Yizhe to Orochimaru as she learns that Orochimaru joined the mysterious organization.
• Yizhe shares the Rinnegan revelation with Tsunade privately, showing that he trusts her despite their tense interaction.
• Shizune observes the confrontation and recognizes its emotional and potentially life-changing significance, while Terumi Mei remains nearby but largely uninvolved.

Summary

Yizhe recounts his battle with Pain to Tsunade and Shizune, admitting with a bitter smile that even Orochimaru and he together couldn’t lay a finger on the man.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Yizhe describes Pain’s two Rinnegan abilities: Repulsive Force and Attractive Force.
• The Repulsive Force is explained as:
  • Having 360° no-blind-spot coverage, like the Byakugan.
  • Comparable to Tsunade’s Monstrous Strength, possibly stronger if Pain had been holding back.
  • Deflecting both ninjutsu and physical attacks.
  • Having very short intervals between uses, making it nearly impossible to dodge.
• When Shizune suggests Onoki’s Particle Style could counter it, Yizhe explains that Particle Style decomposes matter, but Pain’s ability is a conceptual force, not chakra-based matter—so it cannot be decomposed.
• He still says Particle Style is worth trying because its raw power might break through by sheer force.
• Yizhe deduces that Attractive Force and Repulsive Force are actually the same ability, just reversed in direction—like flipping a magnet.
• He notes that Pain used only these two abilities, remaining very cautious.
• Yizhe suspects Orochimaru surrendered deliberately to probe Pain’s abilities and later try to steal the Rinnegan.
• Finally, he reveals a mystery: Pain had iron rods pierced through his entire body, including his head and vital organs, yet was completely alive and functional.

Character Developments

• Yizhe shows sharp analytical skill, thinking in abstract terms (“concepts” vs. matter) and deducing hidden mechanics. He is also humble about their defeat.
• Tsunade shifts from curiosity to serious concern, recognizing the threat to the ninja world’s balance. She trusts her disciple’s reasoning despite initial doubt.
• Shizune is supportive, attentive, and asks a practical counter-question about Particle Style.

Significant Themes

• Limits of conventional power: Even top-tier fighters like Orochimaru can’t touch an opponent with conceptual-level defenses.
• Knowledge as weapon: Yizhe’s analysis is more valuable than brute force in understanding the enemy.
• Mystery and hidden threats: Pain’s bizarre iron-rod body and caution hint at a deeper, unknown truth.

Character Interactions

• Tsunade repeatedly presses Yizhe for details, showing her protective concern and strategic mind.
• Shizune quietly supplies water when Yizhe’s mouth is dry, a small caring moment.
• Yizhe explains patiently, and Tsunade teases that his Particle Style suggestion “was no different from saying nothing,” to which he refines his point.

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Tsunade tracks down her disciple Yizhe in the Water Country after he vanished following an encounter with Orochimaru.
• Yizhe explains that he encountered a mysterious man named Pain (with the Rinnegan and distinctive piercings), and that Orochimaru surrendered to Pain early on, forcing Yizhe to flee.
• He reveals he escaped by using a Shadow Clone as bait, then exploited Pain’s repulsion ability to launch himself to safety.
• Tsunade asks why he is staying in the Water Country; Yizhe says he is studying Hidden Mist Water Release techniques and running a clinic to practice medical ninjutsu.
• Relieved that he hasn't sided with Orochimaru, Tsunade announces she's leaving.
• Before parting, she pretends to offer a gift, then suddenly punches Yizhe and reveals his "gift" is over twenty million in debt.
• She orders Shizune to take all his money, even planning to search his clinic, so no "vixen" can swindle him.

2. Character Developments

• Yizhe shows cleverness and resourcefulness: he anticipated Orochimaru's betrayal, planned his escape, and has been training independently while also practicing medical ninjutsu.
• Tsunade reveals a possessive, tsundere side: she genuinely worried for her disciple, but is petty and violent when expressing affection, still angry that he didn't return to her.
• Terumi Mei misinterprets Tsunade's attack, assuming Yizhe is being punished for protecting her, showing her growing admiration and concern for him.

3. Significant Themes

• Master-disciple bond: Tsunade's harsh behavior masks deep care and concern.
• Betrayal and distrust: Orochimaru's surrender contrasts with Yizhe's wariness; Tsunade also distrusts Terumi Mei's intentions.
• Independence vs. obligation: Yizhe chooses solitary training and self-improvement, while Tsunade wants him to come back.
• Humor via irony: The "gift" is actually a punch, debt, and confiscation of money.

4. Character Interactions

• Tsunade & Yizhe: Reunion is wary then warm; Tsunade interrogates him, confirms his safety, then punishes him under the guise of a gift.
• Yizhe & Terumi Mei: She rushes to help him after Tsunade's punch, showing protective concern; she misunderstands the teacher-disciple dynamic.
• Tsunade & Shizune: Their banter highlights their lack of money and Tsunade's greedy, vindictive plan; Shizune happily agrees to strip Yizhe of his earnings.
• Tsunade & Terumi Mei (indirect): Tsunade views her as a potential "vixen" and is openly hostile.

Summary of Chapter: "Ransacking"

Key Plot Points & Events

• The chapter opens with Terumi Mei helping a coughing, blood-spitting Yizhe up from a broken tree. He reveals his teacher, Tsunade, punched him again, though this time she held back because she was merely venting frustration. Yizhe decides not to heal himself with Creation Rebirth to avoid damaging his vitality, intending to recover slowly.
• Shizune, Tsunade's first disciple, arrives with a sweet smile and announces that Tsunade demands a "tribute" — all of Yizhe's money. Terumi Mei protests, but Yizhe accepts, knowing Tsunade's temper. He hands over a thick stack of bills worth nearly a million ryo. Shizune, suspecting more, threatens that Tsunade will come personally if he doesn't comply. Yizhe reluctantly gives all his remaining money, turning his pockets inside out.
• Shizune counts roughly 1.5 million ryo and prepares to leave. Yizhe asks her to relay a message to Tsunade: "the old man" (the Third Hokage) misses her and wants her to return home. Shizune promises to remember and departs.
• Earlier, Yizhe tries to convince Terumi Mei to pay for half the damage to his clinic (which Tsunade destroyed, with Terumi Mei joining in). Terumi Mei refuses, arguing Tsunade struck first. Yizhe begs pathetically, but the issue is left unresolved as Shizune leaves.

Character Developments

• Yizhe: Shows resilience and pragmatism. He endures Tsunade's abuse without resentment, understands her nature, and prioritizes saving vitality over quick healing. His financial loss is severe, yet he still cares about Tsunade's relationship with the Third Hokage, hinting at a deeper loyalty.
• Terumi Mei: Protective and indignant on Yizhe's behalf; she openly challenges Tsunade's authority and is unwilling to accept unfair treatment. Her partnership with Yizhe is close, but she refuses to take blame for damages.
• Shizune: Acts as Tsunade's enforcer but with a playful demeanor. She has been supporting Tsunade financially for two years, indicating hardship. She respects Yizhe's obedience but is firm in carrying out Tsunade's orders.
• Tsunade (off-screen): Depicted as violent, gambling-prone, financially reckless, and emotionally distant — but the message about the Third Hokage suggests unresolved ties to Konoha.

Significant Themes

• Mentor-Disciple Dynamics: Tsunade's harsh "discipline" and exploitation of her disciple contrast with Yizhe's acceptance, exploring loyalty and power imbalance.
• Financial Struggle and Survival: Money is a central focus — Yizhe's income, Tsunade's dependence on it, and the difficulty of rebuilding after destruction.
• Found Family & Longing for Home: The message to the Third Hokage hints at Tsunade's estrangement and the theme of returning to one's roots.
• Sacrifice and Self-Preservation: Yizhe chooses not to heal himself to avoid long-term harm, prioritizing future health over immediate comfort.

Character Interactions

• Yizhe & Terumi Mei: Their banter and mutual concern show a strong partnership. Terumi Mei is protective, while Yizhe is opportunistic but affectionate.
• Yizhe & Shizune: Sibling-like relationship with playful threats and teasing. Shizune holds power as Tsunade's proxy, but Yizhe complies without malice.
• Terumi Mei vs. Shizune: Terumi Mei is hostile and suspicious, while Shizune remains cheerful and unbothered.
• Yizhe & Tsunade (indirect): Even off-screen, her presence looms — her actions drive the plot, and Yizhe's fear and respect shape his decisions.

Summary: “Locusts”

Key Plot Points

• Yizhe snaps out of staring at a departing girl in black and shamelessly demands compensation from Terumi Mei, whose actions indirectly caused his clinic to be destroyed and got him beaten.
• Rather than admit guilt, Terumi Mei reframes the situation as a charitable offer: she will help rebuild the clinic, but wants something in return.
• They haggle over profit sharing — she opens at 50%, he counters at 20%, she drops to 40%, and they settle on 30%.
• Back at the ruined clinic, Kanda warns Yizhe that a blonde woman broke in earlier. Yizhe finds his safe broken, blueprints scattered, and all his savings gone.
• It is revealed that Tsunade and Shizune robbed him: Tsunade took 2 million ryo from the safe, and Shizune had already taken 1.5 million from Yizhe directly. They plan to feast that night.
• Tsunade reassures Shizune that leaving Yizhe is fine because he used hidden writing to tell her he is on a mission from the Third Hokage (the characters “three” and “fire”).

Character Developments

• Yizhe: Pragmatic and willing to swallow his pride to recover losses; he negotiates hard but still gets outplayed and robbed by Tsunade. He is also committed to a hidden village mission.
• Terumi Mei: Clever and prideful, she turns a situation of guilt into one where she is the benefactor, securing a share in the clinic while saving face.
• Tsunade/Shizune: Shown as opportunistic, gambling-loving money-takers; they strip Yizhe’s savings completely, but Tsunade recognizes his loyalty to Konoha.

Significant Themes

• Pride vs. survival: Terumi Mei chooses dignity over direct compensation; Yizhe abandons pride to get practical help.
• Exploitation and negotiation: The profit-share bargaining highlights power dynamics and clever wordplay.
• Loss and resilience: Yizhe loses his clinic and savings, yet continues forward.
• Hidden loyalty: Yizhe’s secret mission from the Third Hokage reinforces his commitment to Konoha beneath his self-serving exterior.

Character Interactions

• Yizhe & Terumi Mei: Bantering, tense negotiation; she supports him financially but on her own terms.
• Yizhe & Kanda: Kanda warns him about the break-in, serving as a local observer/helper.
• Tsunade & Shizune: Casual, complicit conversation about their robbery, revealing their disregard for Yizhe’s losses and their intention to enjoy themselves.

Chapter Summary: Debt Collection

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Yizhe returns to find his clinic wrecked: water everywhere, scattered herbs, half the building collapsed, and all his money stolen by his teacher, Tsunade.
• He is devastated and vents to Terumi Mei, who had come back to the clinic.
• Terumi Mei offers Yizhe a 5 million ryo bank note from the Water Country to help cover rebuilding costs.
• Yizhe estimates the clinic’s repairs and restocking will consume most of the money.
• Two local gambling den owners arrive to collect Tsunade’s debts, revealing she owes 18,737,500 ryo in their town alone — part of the 20 million debt she left him.
• The debt collectors, respecting Yizhe’s reputation as a physician, suggest they can negotiate the amount.

2. Character Developments

• Yizhe: Shows frustration and vulnerability after being financially wiped out, but quickly shifts to problem-solving; he accepts Terumi Mei’s help and remains calm when facing the debt collectors.
• Terumi Mei: Acts surprisingly generous and caring, offering a large sum without hesitation; her teasing hides growing affection (she is flustered by Yizhe’s compliment).
• Tsunade (off-screen): Further established as an irresponsible, gambling-addicted teacher who burdens her student with massive debts.

3. Significant Themes

• Consequences of a mentor’s actions: Tsunade’s recklessness forces Yizhe to deal with financial ruin and her debts.
• Reconstruction and responsibility: Yizhe must rebuild the clinic and take on debts not his own.
• Gambling addiction: Tsunade’s compulsive gambling is highlighted as a serious, widespread problem.
• Generosity and trust: Terumi Mei’s willingness to fund Yizhe shows budding trust and emotional investment.

4. Character Interactions

• Yizhe & Terumi Mei: Their banter mixes comedy and warmth; she teases him about Tsunade, then supports him financially. Yizhe compliments her appearance, and she internally reacts with excitement but keeps a calm exterior.
• Yizhe & Debt Collectors: The collectors address him respectfully, acknowledging his good reputation; Yizhe immediately understands the situation and prepares to negotiate, showing maturity.
• Terumi Mei & Debt Collectors: She is shocked by the sheer amount of Tsunade’s gambling debts.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points & Events

• Debt collectors visit Yizhe's damaged clinic to discuss Tsunade's gambling debts.
• All creditors have agreed to waive the massive interest, requiring only repayment of the principal.
• After removing interest, the remaining debt totals 11,328,540 taels (rounded down to 11,328,000 for Yizhe).
• Yizhe requests time to repay, noting his clinic is wrecked and needs expensive repairs.
• The creditors agree to an open-ended repayment deadline and will not actively pressure him.
• A debt record detailing the amounts owed to 14–15 gambling dens is handed to Yizhe.
• Yizhe decides to repay the debt by opening a separate, high-fee treatment channel exclusively for wealthy clients.

Character Developments

• Yizhe: Demonstrates responsibility by accepting the massive debt rather than fleeing. Shows strategic thinking by planning to exploit the rich for profit while protecting his reputation. Jokes about running away but affirms his integrity.
• Terumi Mei: Protective and concerned for Yizhe; angrily questions the debt's legitimacy and lectures him against exploiting ordinary patients.
• Tsunade (off-screen): Characterization reinforced—terrible gambler, accumulated debts at nearly every gambling den in town, likely fled to avoid her creditors.

Significant Themes

• Debt and accountability: Yizhe accepts responsibility for his teacher's actions instead of running.
• Medical ethics vs. profit: Yizhe deliberately avoids overcharging ordinary patients, aiming only to "fleece the wealthy."
• Trust and reputation: Creditors trust Yizhe's word due to his standing as a virtuous physician.

Character Interactions

• Debt collectors treat Yizhe with respect, laughing nervously at his humor and attributing his joking nature to their trust in his reputation.
• Terumi Mei scolds Yizhe but ultimately supports him; the two banter about whether running away would be acceptable.
• Yizhe's playful jab about skipping town is countered by his genuine commitment to repayment.

Chapter Summary: “Fat Sheep”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Terumi Mei’s Water Release destroyed much of his clinic and ruined his medicinal herbs, Yizhe begins rebuilding while reopening a temporary medical stall beside the damaged shop.
• Because his medicine supplies are unusable, he limits his services to writing prescriptions, treating external injuries, and offering consultations.
• Yizhe creates an exclusive consultation slot for wealthy clients, charging more than a million per appointment. He intends to exploit wealthy patients, believing the slot’s rarity will make it more desirable.
• For seven days, no one uses the special slot. Terumi Mei mocks Yizhe for boasting about finding “fat sheep” when he has attracted no customers.
• Yizhe notices a middle-aged man watching the consultation sign from across the street. By evening, the man finally approaches.
• The visitor is Koga Kengo, the town mayor and Terumi Mei’s employer in matters involving Mist Ninja law enforcement.
• Yizhe realizes the mayor is extremely wealthy and views him as the ideal “fat sheep.”
• Kengo reveals that he wants another child. His son died in the recent war against the Sky Ninja, leaving his large estate without an heir.
• Several physicians have told him that his age makes having another child impossible, but he hopes Yizhe can help. The chapter ends with Kengo asking whether Yizhe can guarantee him an heir.

Character Developments

• Yizhe remains resourceful and commercially minded. Even after losing his clinic and medicine stock, he quickly creates a temporary practice and develops a profitable business strategy.
• His confidence and greed are emphasized by his plan to charge the wealthy exorbitant fees. He carefully uses scarcity and exclusivity to make his services seem more valuable.
• Terumi Mei continues to act as Yizhe’s skeptical and teasing companion. She is bored while helping at the stall and repeatedly mocks his failed attempt to attract rich clients.
• Mei’s attitude changes when she learns that Kengo’s son died in the war. Her amusement disappears, revealing sympathy and sensitivity beneath her sarcasm.
• Koga Kengo is introduced as an influential and wealthy mayor, but his desire for another child reveals grief, anxiety over his family’s future, and concern about leaving his estate without an heir.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and exploitation: Yizhe treats medicine as a business opportunity and deliberately targets rich clients for enormous profits.
• Scarcity and perceived value: The one-patient-per-day limit is designed to make the service seem exclusive and worth an extraordinary price.
• Loss and legacy: Kengo’s wish for another child is driven by the death of his son and his fear that his family line and estate will end with him.
• War’s consequences: Although the war is not shown directly, its effects continue to shape the characters’ lives, including Kengo’s bereavement and Mei’s connection to the conflict.
• Practicality versus compassion: Yizhe views Kengo primarily as a lucrative client, while Mei responds emotionally to the tragedy behind his request.

Character Interactions

• Terumi Mei and Yizhe exchange constant sarcastic remarks, with Mei questioning his business scheme and Yizhe defending his strategy.
• Yizhe and Mei observe Kengo throughout the day, speculating about whether he will approach them.
• Mei recognizes Kengo and explains his authority to Yizhe.
• Kengo respectfully addresses both of them but directs his request to Yizhe.
• Mei initially jokes about Kengo’s age and desire for a child, then becomes serious after learning about his deceased son.
• The chapter concludes with Yizhe being asked to solve Kengo’s deeply personal problem, setting up the next conflict.

• Key Events: Yizhe examines Mayor Koga Kengo and confirms he can treat his infertility. The mayor, desperate for an heir after losing his son, hastily brings Yizhe and Terumi Mei to his estate. After checking the mayor’s wife, Yizhe pronounces her healthy and guarantees the couple a child, sending the mayor into a joyful frenzy. During fee negotiation, Yizhe starts at two million ryo, raises it to three when the mayor hesitates, then to four million, which the mayor frantically accepts to stop the price from climbing higher.
• Character Developments: Yizhe demonstrates confidence and cunning, using the mayor’s desperation to drive up his price. Terumi Mei remains skeptical of Yizhe’s claims but is shocked by his audacious bargaining. Mayor Koga Kengo is so consumed by his need for an heir that he abandons all bargaining, revealing his vulnerability. The mayor’s wife is reluctant and distrustful, but ultimately submits to her husband’s will.
• Significant Themes: The commodification of hope and desperation; the power dynamic between patient and healer; the lengths people go to for legacy and succession.
• Character Interactions: Yizhe uses calm, authoritative reassurance with the mayor while privately joking with Terumi Mei about profiting from the wealthy family. Terumi Mei questions Yizhe’s methods, and the mayor’s wife openly protests the outrageous fee. The negotiation escalates through Yizhe’s deliberate price increases until the mayor capitulates.

Chapter Summary: “Artificial”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The town mayor, Koga Kengo, agrees to pay Yizhe four million ryo for a treatment intended to help him and his wife conceive a child.
• Although the mayor’s wife objects to the high price and suggests consulting another physician, Koga insists because previous doctors have failed and he fears that waiting will reduce his chances of becoming a father again.
• Yizhe postpones payment until the treatment succeeds, earning the mayor’s trust. He explains that he will first prepare medicine, then perform a surgical procedure.
• After leaving the mayor’s residence, Yizhe reveals to Terumi Mei that his treatment will involve artificial fertilization: collecting reproductive cells from both spouses, fusing them into a fertilized egg, and surgically implanting it into the wife.
• Yizhe believes the procedure will succeed because the mayor’s reproductive cells remain viable and can be enhanced with chakra.
• Upon returning to the town’s main thoroughfare, Yizhe notices a man resembling Kisame Hoshigaki. After sensing that the man’s chakra aura is different, he pretends to have stomach trouble and enters a nearby restaurant, leaving Terumi Mei behind.

Character Developments

• Yizhe demonstrates confidence, scientific knowledge, and opportunism. He presents himself as one of the few people capable of solving the couple’s infertility problem and secures a potentially enormous payment while minimizing his own financial risk.
• Koga Kengo is portrayed as desperate to have another child. Despite the cost, he places his faith in Yizhe because of his age and repeated failures with other physicians.
• The mayor’s wife is charming and manipulative, using an affectionate manner to influence her husband. She is also skeptical of Yizhe and resents the expensive treatment.
• Terumi Mei becomes increasingly curious about Yizhe’s unfamiliar medical methods. Her irritation and jealousy are briefly shown when she pinches him after he appears affected by the mayor’s wife’s flirtatious behavior.
• Yizhe’s reaction to the possible Kisame look-alike shows his caution and heightened awareness. Rather than confronting the stranger, he chooses to investigate indirectly.

Significant Themes

• Science versus traditional knowledge: Yizhe’s reproductive techniques rely on biological principles largely unknown in a chakra-based world, where people usually depend on supernatural abilities instead of scientific study.
• The value of knowledge: Yizhe’s relatively basic understanding of embryology becomes extraordinarily valuable because the surrounding society lacks comparable education.
• Desperation and money: The mayor’s longing for a child allows Yizhe to charge an enormous fee, showing how emotional desperation can outweigh financial concerns.
• Innovation and ethics: The planned artificial fertilization procedure is groundbreaking but also described as violating the natural order, raising questions about experimentation and medical boundaries.
• Suspicion and concealment: Yizhe hides the full details of his plan and disguises his interest in the Kisame-like stranger, suggesting that secrecy and caution will remain important.

Character Interactions

• The mayor’s wife attempts to sway Koga with affection, briefly distracting both him and Yizhe; Terumi Mei reacts jealously and pinches Yizhe.
• Koga firmly rejects his wife’s objections and places his confidence in Yizhe.
• Yizhe negotiates skillfully with the couple, emphasizing the uniqueness of his abilities while offering payment only after success.
• Terumi Mei questions Yizhe about the planned procedure, but he dismisses her lack of scientific background, creating playful tension between them.
• At the end of the chapter, Yizhe deliberately abandons Terumi Mei momentarily after noticing a suspicious stranger, setting up a likely investigation or confrontation.

Chapter Summary: "First Meeting"

Key Plot Points

• Yizhe uses a Shadow Clone to distract Terumi Mei while his real body secretly leaves the tavern to track down Hoshigaki Kisame.
• The clone returns with Terumi Mei, but she senses something is off; the clone brushes it off with an excuse.
• Yizhe (original) tracks Kisame using Byakugan, follows him out of town, and deliberately lets himself be noticed.
• Kisame detects the tail, destroys a tree with a punch, and forces Yizhe out from hiding.
• Yizhe, wearing a white mask, challenges Kisame to a fight. Kisame warns that sparring with him ends in death.
• In combat, Yizhe catches Kisame’s sword strike with his bare palms and proves superior in strength.
• Kisame reveals his special ability: he begins absorbing Yizhe’s chakra through the sword.

Character Developments

• Yizhe: Shows cunning and strategic thinking (using clones), curiosity about strong opponents, immense physical strength, and a probing attitude toward Hidden Mist ninja as part of his mission.
• Hoshigaki Kisame: Depicted as arrogant, battle-hungry, and dangerous, with a unique chakra-draining ability and high raw power.

Significant Themes

• Deception and identity — clone vs. original, masks, hidden intentions.
• Strength and survival — testing oneself against deadly opponents.
• The threat of foreign ninja villages (Hidden Mist).
• Chakra as a tangible resource that can be stolen.

Character Interactions

• Yizhe and his clone: Brief but practical — the clone accepts the risky role and warns the original to be careful.
• Clone and Terumi Mei: Subtle tension — her sharp instincts nearly detect the clone’s nature, but he deflects with humor.
• Yizhe and Kisame: A tense first encounter, marked by mutual recognition of each other’s power, ending with Kisame’s surprise attack via chakra absorption.

Summary

1. Key Plot Points / Events

• Yizhe fights Hoshigaki Kisame. Kisame’s sword absorbs chakra, and in under a minute Yizhe loses nearly half his chakra.
• Yizhe breaks Kisame’s sword with a sudden burst of chakra and barely avoids Kisame’s follow-up punch.
• During the pause, Yizhe asks if the man is Hoshigaki Kisame. He explains that months ago, someone impersonated Kisame and fought him using a black rod with a hook and flower — the “Coral Rod.”
• Kisame internally recognizes the weapon as belonging to the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, but refuses to reveal anything because it concerns Hidden Mist village secrets and a Jinchūriki.
• Yizhe deduces the impostor is someone important. Kisame learns Yizhe only survived that fight because a friend saved him, so Kisame decides Yizhe is beatable.
• The fight resumes: Kisame uses Water Dragon Bullet as a feint, then follows with Four Rain Sharks. Yizhe dodges the dragon but realizes he cannot dodge all four sharks.

2. Character Developments

• Yizhe shows tactical intelligence and adaptability, but also a willingness to admit his own limits.
• Kisame reveals loyalty to Hidden Mist by protecting Yagura’s identity, and his confidence shifts after assessing Yizhe’s strength.
• Both fighters gain a degree of mutual respect after underestimating each other.

3. Significant Themes

• Chakra absorption as a lethal advantage and the danger of attrition.
• Underestimation and overconfidence in battle.
• Secrecy and village loyalty versus personal curiosity.
• Identity and deception: a Mizukage disguised as Kisame.

4. Character Interactions

• Yizhe and Kisame fight cautiously while exchanging dialogue.
• Yizhe tries to extract information about the impostor, but Kisame withholds it.
• Their interaction is a mix of combat, mutual assessment, and tense negotiation over information.

Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Yizhe fights Kisame Hoshigaki but deliberately avoids using recognizable techniques like the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven or Byakugan, fearing they would expose his identity.
• He tests Kisame’s abilities while holding back his full Monstrous Strength to avoid being connected to a known figure.
• The battle shifts between taijutsu and Water Release: Yizhe uses a Water Formation Wall to block Kisame’s Water Shark Bullet technique.
• Kisame uses a Water Clone and Water Prison Technique, successfully trapping what he believes is Yizhe.
• The trapped target turns out to be a clone; the real Yizhe ambushes Kisame from underground with a kick.
• Kisame escapes by using the Water Shark Bullet Technique to maneuver through the air.
• Yizhe decides not to pursue, recognizing Kisame is a genuinely formidable opponent.

2. Character Developments

• Yizhe: Cautious, strategic, and disciplined. He prioritizes concealment over victory, refusing to use signature techniques even in combat. He shows strong situational awareness and deception skills by using a clone trick.
• Kisame Hoshigaki: Initially underestimates Yizhe as a taijutsu specialist, then adapts quickly. He demonstrates serious combat instincts, clever use of clones, and composure even when kicked mid-air.

3. Significant Themes

• Identity and secrecy: Yizhe’s fear of exposing his origins shapes every choice in battle.
• Deception and counter-deception: Clones, misdirection, and false appearances decide the fight.
• Balance of skills: The fight emphasizes that true strength comes from combining ninjutsu and taijutsu.
• Prudence over glory: Knowing when to stop pursuing an enemy is treated as a mark of maturity.

4. Character Interactions

• Yizhe and Kisame fight as equals, exchanging rapid attacks and gauging each other’s abilities.
• Kisame mocks Yizhe as a “kid” and tries to finish him with Explosive Kunai, but is outwitted.
• Neither defeats the other; the encounter ends with mutual wariness and respect for each other’s strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kisame Hoshigaki launches a large blue shark attack from the sky, but Yizhe dodges; the shark crashes into the ground, creating a pit where water pools.
• Kisame, having detached mid-dive, lands safely. He notices a concealed burrow and deduces Yizhe's earlier trick: during the Water Formation Wall, Yizhe dug underground, left a clone on the surface, and hid inside the hole.
• Enraged, Kisame unleashes Water Release: Exploding Water Shock Wave, spitting an enormous volume of water that creates a lake roughly 100 meters wide, flooding the entire forest.
• Yizhe realizes the true purpose: Kisame's clan can breathe underwater, making the lake an environment for underwater combat. At a severe disadvantage, Yizhe attempts to retreat.
• Kisame counters with Water Release: Thousand Feeding Sharks, summoning countless shark-shaped water bullets that fill the sky and block Yizhe's escape route.
• Using Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique, Yizhe wraps himself in a blue shark construct and dives into the lake to evade the incoming swarm.

Character Developments

• Yizhe demonstrates tactical ingenuity (using a clone and a hidden burrow) and pragmatism, choosing to retreat rather than fight a losing battle. He acknowledges Kisame's monstrous chakra and the danger of underwater combat.
• Kisame shows sharp deduction, quick adaptation, and escalating aggression. His anger is triggered by being deceived, and he leverages his clan's aquatic abilities to force an unfair fight.

Significant Themes

• Terrain manipulation as a strategic tool; the advantage of an environment tailored to one's abilities (underwater combat).
• Deception vs. detection; the importance of anticipating an opponent's tricks.
• The overwhelming power of sheer chakra reserves; retreat as a survival strategy over pride.

Character Interactions

• The battle is primarily tactical: Kisame launches devastating water attacks; Yizhe outmaneuvers him early on but is forced into a defensive and evasive posture once Kisame creates the lake and floods the field.
• Their interaction shifts from a duel of skill to a predator-prey dynamic, with Kisame confident in the water and Yizhe scrambling to escape.
• The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Yizhe dives into the lake—the arena Kisame intended for him—raising the stakes for their underwater confrontation.

Key plot points/events

• Kisame launches an aerial Water Release shark swarm at Yizhe.
• Yizhe dives to the lake bottom to evade, using a shark-shaped water vessel.
• Kisame’s shark bullets are not living creatures, so they pursue underwater at high speed.
• Kisame stays on the surface, refusing to chase; he intends to exhaust Yizhe by cutting off air.
• Yizhe realizes he must surface, but Kisame intercepts with Water Release: Five Feeding Sharks—five chakra sharks that grow by absorbing water.
• Yizhe destroys two sharks and dodges three, but his own shark technique is damaged, slowing his ascent.
• The destroyed sharks regenerate underwater. Yizhe understands attrition favors Kisame, so he abandons counterattack and makes a full-speed dash toward the surface.

Character developments

• Yizhe: Quick-witted and adaptable; he reacts well under pressure but can't overcome Kisame's superior Water Release. His key trait is decisive judgment—knowing when to abandon a losing fight.
• Kisame: Cunning, experienced, and patient. He strategically uses the environment and his enemy's human limits. He silently respects Yizhe's sharp tactical decision-making.

Significant themes

• Battle of attrition and resource management (air, chakra, technique durability).
• Environmental advantage—water is Kisame's domain.
• Open schemes vs. direct counterplay; Kisame's strategy is obvious but hard to counter.
• Adaptability and recognizing when to change tactics.

Character interactions

• Kisame taunts Yizhe for diving underwater ("Sharks are aquatic creatures"), mocking his escape attempt.
• Yizhe internally analyzes Kisame's tactics, realizing he won't follow underwater.
• Kisame inwardly praises Yizhe for surfacing earlier than expected instead of wasting energy probing underwater escape routes.
• The fight is a tactical exchange rather than direct dialogue, ending with Yizhe breaking away toward the surface.

Summary of "Breaking the Surface"

Key Plot Points/Events

• Kisame, using his Water Release: Five Feeding Sharks technique, repeatedly attacks Yizhe underwater, taunting him as he struggles toward the surface.
• Yizhe’s own shark technique is torn apart, forcing him to abandon it at the last second.
• He quickly casts Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, using the dragon to shield himself and make a desperate dash upward.
• The water dragon smashes through most of the sharks, but two latch onto it and begin tearing it apart while the others recover and chase.
• Yizhe barely breaks the surface, detaches from the technique, and gasps for air, exhausted.
• Kisame dismisses the escape as meaningless, dispels the Five Feeding Sharks, and immediately casts the Hidden Mist Technique, warning that sharks don’t only hunt underwater.

Character Developments

• Yizhe: Shows desperation and resourcefulness under pressure, barely managing to escape a lethal underwater situation despite exhaustion and oxygen deprivation.
• Kisame: Remains smug and predatory, treating Yizhe’s struggle as futile while adapting his tactics to continue the hunt on the surface.

Significant Themes

• Predator vs. prey and the inescapable nature of Kisame’s relentless attacks.
• Survival and quick thinking in a hostile environment.
• The tactical advantage of water-based combat and adapting techniques to the situation.

Character Interactions

• Kisame mocks Yizhe, calls his efforts futile, and gives insincere praise for his escape attempt.
• Yizhe does not talk, focusing entirely on surviving Kisame’s attacks and escaping the water.

Summary

Key plot points and events

• Kisame realizes he cannot suppress the opponent with Water Release alone, so he switches to Hidden Mist assassination tactics, creating a dense white fog that limits visibility.
• Yizhe, unwilling to reveal his Byakugan, responds by creating two Shadow Clones and forming a back-to-back defensive triangle to cover all planar blind spots.
• Kisame tests a clone and is surprised it holds his strength, deducing they are Shadow Clones.
• Kisame uses Water Clone Technique to grab all three from underwater, dragging them into the lake; the clones dissolve on contact with water.
• Yizhe breaks free using Water Release: Water Shark Bullet, destroying the water clones, then charges directly at Kisame.
• Kisame unleashes Water Release: Thousand Feeding Sharks, a massive wave of chakra sharks, while Yizhe inexplicably rushes straight at him.

Character developments

• Kisame shows versatility beyond brute force, resorting to assassination and elaborate water clone tactics.
• Yizhe demonstrates tactical cleverness (using clones to compensate for blind spots) and strong resolve, choosing to fight on even when pressured, while stubbornly keeping his Byakugan hidden.

Significant themes

• The importance of adaptability in combat—both characters shift strategies mid-battle.
• The concept of blindness and deception: fog, underwater attacks, and field-of-vision limitations highlight how perception can be manipulated.
• Concealment of one's true abilities versus necessity.

Character interactions

• The two engage in taunting dialogue, with Kisame mocking Yizhe's clones and Yizhe retorting sarcastically.
• Their fight becomes a mutual test of skill, each acknowledging the other's capability through actions rather than words.