Chapter Summaries

Yayoi tested the Star meteorite’s energy and successfully completed the Mysterious Peacock Method, gaining the ability to shape chakra into a dragon and fly. He left the experiment considering which Land of Night ninja could safely learn the technique and regretting the limitations of samurai.

• The Seven-Tails returned from communicating with its old friends, and Yayoi removed the Seven-Star Seal after confirming that the Tailed-Beast Drug had caused no noticeable change.
• Yayoi considered the Tailed Beasts’ distant connection and wondered whether their means of communication could help him, Irori, and Yaya communicate over long distances.
• Yayoi visited the sealed storage room and drew energy from the Star meteorite to prepare for testing the Mysterious Peacock Method.
• Yayoi formed a chakra dragon and then chakra wings, successfully controlling the manifestations and learning to fly.
• Yayoi judged that fewer than twenty Land of Night ninja could withstand the meteorite’s side effects and reflected that samurai lacked the techniques needed to master the method.

Izayoi trained in a snow-covered forest before Yukino, a summoned beast contracted to Yayoi, delivered a folder and camera. Yayoi’s messages and request for photos left Izayoi mortified, and she ended the chapter trying to forget her own flirtatious letter.

• Izayoi used her Sharingan, weapons, and Fire Release to complete a demanding battlefield-style training exercise.
• Yukino introduced herself as Yayoi’s summoned beast and gave Izayoi a folder after she checked it for traps.
• Izayoi returned to her room, opened the folder, and learned how to use the camera inside.
• Izayoi read Yayoi’s messages asking for photos of her and blushed as she remembered her own romantic words.
• Izayoi grew embarrassed, slammed her forehead against the desk, and muttered for her past self to die.

Yayoi brought Kicho, Hisana, and Oboro to watch the samurai test a new force-based swordsmanship inspired by Gentle Fist techniques. Kicho reproduced and vastly amplified the attack, leaving the samurai stunned and agreeing to guide them.

• Kicho demonstrated her early progress with the Mysterious Peacock Method, and Yayoi discussed how he might promote the flight technique.
• Yayoi asked Kicho to advise the samurai on their swordsmanship reforms because their new methods resembled the Gentle Fist.
• Yayoi took Kicho, Hisana, and Oboro to watch Kurobei strike a reinforced boulder with an experimental blast of chakra released through his blade.
• Kicho recognized the technique's similarities to the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm and identified its weaknesses, especially the hardness of the chakra.
• Kicho copied Kurobei's method with Kumokiri and destroyed the boulder and the earth beneath it, astounding the samurai.

Yayoi brought Kicho to help Kurobei and the samurai develop a new swordsmanship using principles from Gentle Fist. Shamon of Sunagakure then visited Yayoi and asked to trade for the Land of Night’s advanced Puppet Jutsu.

• Yayoi explained that Kicho’s Byakugan had let her quickly understand and master the samurai’s swordsmanship.
• Yayoi arranged for Kicho to exchange techniques with Kurobei and support the samurai’s effort to reform their swordsmanship.
• Irori informed Yayoi that Shamon of Sunagakure had arrived to discuss an important matter, and Yayoi agreed to meet him.
• Shamon told Yayoi that Sunagakure urgently needed the Land of Night’s Puppet Jutsu and asked to trade for the technique.

Yayoi and Shamon negotiated a trade involving the Land of Night’s Puppet Technique system and Sunagakure’s Wind Release Ninjutsu, with Magnet Release research added as a possible bargaining chip. Shamon left to seek Kazekage Retto’s approval, and Yayoi began preparing a version of Puppet Technique that excluded secrets involving Active Chakra.

• Yayoi explained the scope and value of his complete Puppet Technique system to Shamon, who asked informed questions about its techniques.
• Shamon offered a complete Wind Release Ninjutsu system and proposed adding Sunagakure’s ongoing Magnet Release research to the trade.
• Yayoi learned that Sunagakure had not yet developed Magnet Release and asked to assess the research materials before agreeing.
• Shamon said Kazekage Retto’s approval was required to share the top-secret research, so he left to report back.
• Yayoi told Irori to gather Puppet Technique scrolls and began sorting out the parts that could be traded without revealing Active Chakra secrets.

Nene accepted rare medicinal herbs from Yayoi’s planned trade with Sunagakure before he interrupted her experiments. Several days later, Yayoi and Shamon watched Kakuzu test his techniques against three Sunagakure Jonin, whose combined Wind Release overwhelmed his attacks.

• Yayoi offered Nene a list of medicinal ingredients supplied by Shamon, and Nene selected the rare herbs she needed.
• Yayoi explained that he was arranging a medicinal herb trade with Sunagakure, while Nene criticized his profiteering from the destruction of the Land of Medicines.
• After several days, Yayoi brought Kakuzu, Yaya, Shamon, and their forces to a snowy forest outside Nightview City for a demonstration.
• Kakuzu attacked three Sunagakure Jonin with Lightning Release: Lightning Whale Technique, but their Wind Release: Sky Net sliced through it.
• Kakuzu raised an Earth-Style Wall to block the advancing net, which shattered the wall before finally losing momentum.
• Shamon recognized Kakuzu’s impressive Lightning and Earth Release skills.

Yayoi and Shamon exchanged Sunagakure’s advanced Wind Release techniques for the Land of Night’s Puppet Technique, then agreed to establish an exchange student program. They planned to begin the program after spring the following year, with Sunagakure training Wind Release ninja for Yayoi and Yayoi teaching Puppet Technique to Sunagakure ninja.

• Ten Sunagakure Jonin used Wind Release: Great Sky Net, devastating the frozen terrain and impressing Yayoi.
• Yayoi demonstrated how he controlled a legion of 257 puppets, using them to attack and frighten a Sunagakure Jonin.
• Yayoi and Shamon began their trade, exchanging Sunagakure’s Wind Release system for Yayoi’s Puppet Technique system.
• Yayoi examined Sunagakure’s Magnet Release research materials and found extensive experimental records that could help the Land of Night develop a Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai.
• Yayoi proposed an exchange student program, and Shamon agreed that Sunagakure would send puppet apprentices while training Wind Release ninja for Yayoi.
• Yayoi and Shamon agreed to launch the program after spring the following year.

Yayoi received photographs and a report about Izayoi, prompting Yaya to jealously accuse her of trying to seduce him. Kicho and Irori accepted the idea of Izayoi joining Yayoi’s household, while Yayoi realized he had been avoiding Hisana.

• Yaya grabbed Yayoi’s report and accused it of carrying a dangerous scent before Irori froze her hands and took it back.
• Yayoi and Irori looked through photographs of Izayoi, and Irori teased Yayoi about bringing her back to work beside him.
• Yayoi reassured Yaya that she would keep her guard duties after Irori’s suggestion upset her.
• Kicho said Aoi and Rinko were doing well in their pregnancies and recognized Izayoi in the photographs.
• Kicho and Irori agreed that Izayoi could join Yayoi if he wanted her, leaving Yaya dismayed.
• Kicho asked about Hisana, and Yayoi admitted to himself that he had been avoiding her.

Yayoi reconciled with Hisana after she mistook his business with Nene for deliberate neglect, then traveled to Konoha with Hisana and Kicho on a diplomatic visit. The group arrived at their renovated guest residence, where Hisana was expected to meet Mito and Kicho planned to visit the Hyuga Clan.

• Hisana accused Yayoi of ignoring her, but he explained that he had been discussing medicinal ingredients with Nene and planned to spend his leave with her.
• Yayoi comforted Hisana until she forgave him, while Oboro left the room and found Yaya peeking through a hole in the door.
• At the end of February in Konoha Year 4, Yayoi traveled from the Land of Fire's capital to Konoha with Kicho and Hisana for a diplomatic visit.
• Kicho admired Hashirama Senju's stone face as Yayoi observed how Konoha had grown into a bustling city.
• The group settled into the renovated residence for foreign guests, and Yayoi reassured Hisana about meeting Mito before Kicho prepared to visit the Hyuga Clan.

Kurama gathered the Tailed Beasts and planned to use a meeting between the Nine-Tails’ and Seven-Tails’ vessels to break their seals, though Chōmei knew it was not sealed at all. Meanwhile, Yayoi met with Tobirama in Konoha to negotiate trade, including a purchase of Ninja Academy textbooks.

• Kurama told Chōmei that Hisana would soon visit Konoha and proposed that they release their chakra together when their vessels met to escape their seals.
• The other Tailed Beasts urged Kurama and Chōmei to rescue them, but Chōmei grew resentful at being overlooked and left the gathering.
• Yayoi arrived in Konoha with a small delegation and met Tobirama after resting for half a day.
• Yayoi asked to buy introductory Ninja Academy textbooks, and Tobirama agreed that Konoha could provide some materials while withholding its core secrets.
• Yayoi handed Tobirama lists of goods available for trade, and the two continued talking after their negotiations went smoothly.

Kicho visited the Hyuga Clan and confronted the legacy of her father’s influence while reconnecting with Xueyi. Meanwhile, Hisana arrived at the Senju Clan grounds and began a polite visit with Mito Uzumaki.

• Kicho noticed how much the Hyuga Clan’s living conditions had improved as Xueyi escorted her through the grounds.
• Kicho and Xueyi discussed their marriages and children, and Kicho suggested that Xueyi’s second daughter become engaged to her son.
• Kicho reminded Xueyi that she had originally been chosen to marry the general of the Land of Night, then asked to meet Xueyi’s daughter.
• Kicho entered the courtyard to see her father, Hyuga Hideto, while Hisana and Oboro arrived at the Senju Clan grounds.
• Mito Uzumaki welcomed Hisana and Oboro with refreshments, and Hisana gradually relaxed during their conversation.

Mito invited Hisana to discuss their shared Uzumaki background, then tried to inspect the seal she believed contained the Seven-Tails. She discovered Hisana was not the Land of Night’s Jinchūriki, and Oboro treated the beast’s whereabouts as classified information.

• Mito told Hisana she had wanted to get to know her because they were both Uzumaki women who had married outside the clan.
• The Nine-Tails planned to exploit Mito’s examination of Hisana’s seal to communicate with the Seven-Tails and escape.
• Mito lifted Hisana’s clothing to inspect her seal, but found no sign of the Seven-Tails.
• Hisana asked Mito what she was doing, and Oboro said the Seven-Tails’ circumstances were classified.
• Mito concluded the Land of Night’s Jinchūriki was someone other than Hisana, while Oboro decided to report the encounter to the General.

Kicho returned to the Hyuga Clan and easily defeated her father, Hyuga Hideto, before speaking with her younger brother Kiyoharu and deciding to stay at home. Meanwhile, Yayoi finished trade negotiations with Tobirama and went to see a puppet show in Konoha, where its title shocked him.

• Kicho overwhelmed Hyuga Hideto in a training fight and knocked him unconscious after he attacked her.
• Kiyoharu reassured Kicho that their family was well cared for and explained that Hideto had been drinking heavily since losing his council position.
• Kicho asked Kiyoharu to arrange a room so she could stay at home for a few days and look after Hideto.
• Yayoi and Tobirama finalized the trade agreement between the Land of Night and Konoha.
• Yayoi accompanied Tobirama to a puppet theater and saw that its upcoming show was titled Senju Romeo and Uchiha Juliet.

Yayoi confronted Oboro over the Uzumaki Clan’s secret attempt to inspect Hisana’s seal, then gave her a chance to prevent the Land of Night from suspending joint projects. The next morning, Oboro stayed close to Hisana as she went to study Sealing Jutsu with Mito, while Yayoi visited the Hyuga Clan and discovered the surprising state of his father-in-law’s household.

• Oboro told Yayoi how Hisana’s visit to Mito had led to misunderstandings and how the Uzumaki Clan had secretly asked Mito to inspect Hisana’s seal.
• Yayoi said he would suspend some projects with the Uzumaki Clan but offered Oboro a chance to make amends by returning to the Land of Night prepared to act.
• Oboro woke exhausted and insisted on accompanying Hisana to meet Mito, resolving to guard against any further disclosure of the Land of Night’s secrets.
• Yayoi visited Hyuga Tenjin and then met Kicho and Kiyoharu at Hyuga Hideto’s residence.
• Kicho explained that Hideto had gone back to sleep after morning training, and Yayoi saw that several of his young maids were pregnant; Kiyoharu said their future siblings would help him in the clan.

The Tailed Beasts realized Chōmei had never been sealed and had been secretly observing their gatherings, while the Seven-Tails ignored Kurama’s furious messages and napped. After spending a week meeting Konoha’s clans and leaders, Yayoi left with his group for the Land of Night.

• The Tailed Beasts concluded that Chōmei had likely never been sealed and had treated their gatherings as entertainment.
• Gyūki told Kurama to stop sending signals, but Kurama kept demanding that Chōmei show itself.
• The Seven-Tails drank honey lemon tea, ignored Kurama’s messages, and fell asleep beneath a tree.
• Yayoi met Kicho’s younger brother Kiyoharu and observed the Hyuga family’s comfortable circumstances.
• Yayoi spoke with A of Hidden Cloud Village and met several Konoha clan heads, including Sasuke Sarutobi.
• After about a week in Konoha, Yayoi notified Tobirama and departed for the Land of Night with his group.

Izayoi left the Black Mountain Mining District and headed back to Nightview City, while Hisana spent a quiet day at the General’s Residence. The chapter ended with Hisana leaving Oboro alone in her room as a strange, plaintive song began to sound.

• Convict miners worked in the Black Mountain Mining District, earning wages and resolving to turn over a new leaf after seeing how they were treated.
• Izayoi insisted on leaving the district, and Sirius signed her transfer papers before she departed for Nightview City.
• Hisana indulged in snacks at the General’s Residence and went to Kagura Hall to look for more, only to find her stash empty.
• Hisana checked on Oboro, who said she felt unwell and urged Hisana to leave her alone to rest.
• After Hisana’s footsteps faded, a faint, mournful song echoed from Oboro’s room.

Hisana met Uchiha Izayoi while buying snacks, but her vague answers to Izayoi’s questions about the Uchiha and Senju clans left Izayoi convinced that she was dangerous. After returning to the General’s Residence, Hisana confronted Oboro about what had happened between her and Hisana’s husband, and Oboro worried about Hisana inspecting her ninja tools the next day.

• Hisana bought thumbprint cookies and wandered through the commercial street, where Uchiha Izayoi approached and asked to speak with her.
• Izayoi questioned Hisana about her opinions of the Uchiha Clan, and Hisana said she knew little about either the Uchiha or Senju clans.
• Hisana’s distracted, vague replies made Izayoi suspect that she was deliberately evading the questions and held the Uchiha Clan in contempt.
• After talking for about an hour, Hisana escaped the conversation and returned to the Inner Court of the General’s Residence by evening.
• Hisana asked Oboro whether she had just been with Hisana’s husband, and Oboro admitted she had no choice while worrying about Hisana inspecting her rope ninja tools the next day.

Yayoi received Konoha’s first batch of ninja teaching materials and assigned Izayoi clerical work in Nightview City. Meanwhile, the Uchiha branch decided Izayoi should enter the general’s household and oppose Hisana, whom they mistakenly viewed as a dangerous schemer.

• Yayoi learned that Konoha’s delivery contained only the first batch of teaching materials, with more advanced volumes due next month.
• Yayoi assigned Izayoi to help with clerical work while Aoi and Rinko were on maternity leave.
• Meirou told Uchiha Hokuto that Konoha had delayed his return because he lacked a ninja identity record.
• Izayoi described her conversation with Hisana to the Uchiha clan and portrayed her as a hostile, manipulative threat.
• Hokuto decided Izayoi should become the general’s secondary wife and compete with Hisana, and Izayoi confidently accepted.

Izayoi began her new general affairs job at the Tenshu Tower, hoping to make a good impression on Yayoi. After Yaya tried to turn her away, Irori intervened and brought her to Yayoi, who assigned Irori to train her in the work.

• Izayoi dressed for her first day at the Tenshu Tower, ate breakfast, and practiced throwing ninja tools before leaving home.
• Izayoi asked Iori to clean up the training ground and promised to bring back premium dried fish.
• Yaya blocked Izayoi at the Tenshu Tower and demanded that she strip for a weapon check, then told her to go home and change.
• Irori rebuked Yaya, apologized to Izayoi, and escorted her to Yayoi's office.
• Yayoi welcomed Izayoi and asked Irori to explain her duties and show her how to handle them.

Izayoi proved highly capable at clerical work in the General's Residence, though her attempts to flirt with Yayoi left her embarrassed. The next day, Yayoi welcomed Sunagakure's exchange students and met the young Chiyo, who openly rejected Puppet Technique and demanded to learn Medical Ninjutsu instead.

• Izayoi finished the office's paperwork with exceptional speed, then awkwardly blurted out flirtatious remarks to Yayoi and heard him and Irori suppressing laughter after she left.
• Yayoi and Irori greeted Izayoi normally the next day, while she worried that her romance-book lines were not helping her mission.
• Irori told Yayoi that Sunagakure's ten exchange students had arrived, including Chiyo and Ebizo, and Yayoi went to meet them with Irori, Yaya, and Izayoi.
• At Training Ground Seven, Chiyo challenged Yayoi's decision to teach Puppet Technique, calling it a cowardly circus trick and saying she had come to study Medical Ninjutsu.
• Yayoi refused Chiyo's request because Medical Ninjutsu was not part of the exchange agreement, and Chiyo accused him of fearing that she would surpass him.