Chapter Summaries

Hoshi watched several skilled fighters before advancing through the preliminary tournament and facing Yuichiro Furukawa in the Elimination Rounds. He defeated Yuichiro with Dragon Flight Flash and remained in the arena.

• Hoshi watched an Iaido expert and a powerful Nodachi wielder earn invitations to the preliminary tournament.
• After two days of training, Hoshi defeated his first opponent in three moves and advanced.
• Hoshi faced Yuichiro Furukawa, the Iaido expert from Arena Eight, in the one-hundred-to-fifty Elimination Rounds.
• Hoshi baited Yuichiro into drawing his blade, then dodged with a sliding kick and struck his throat with Dragon Flight Flash.
• Yuichiro fell outside the arena, and Hoshi explained the name of his technique.

After advancing to the Main Tournament, Hoshi ignored offers from dojos and families and focused on gaining Sword Heart System experience. He entered his first public match without drawing Mikazuki Munechika and faced an opponent who unleashed a Chakra-enhanced sword technique.

• Several dojo representatives and a family tried to recruit Hoshi, but he slipped away with Robb and Kenshin.
• Hoshi checked the Sword Heart System and saw that his experience had reached Intermediate Swordsmanship: 311/500.
• The fifty Main Tournament contestants entered the venue before a large crowd, and Hoshi drew loud cheers when he was announced as Himura Kenshin.
• Hoshi's opponent attacked with a rapid flurry of sword strikes, but Hoshi defended with his scabbard and footwork instead of drawing his blade.
• Hoshi's opponent warned him to draw his sword and then used Crimson Sword Art: Scorching Flame, coating his blade in crimson Chakra and heat.

Hoshi drew Mikazuki Munechika and turned the match against Blaze, who unleashed his strongest Crimson Sword Art. Hoshi dodged Absolute Flame Slash and defeated Blaze with Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū techniques, winning the match.

• Blaze used Crimson Sword Art: Scorching Flame, but Hoshi drew Mikazuki Munechika and blocked his thrust.
• Hoshi countered with Full Moon Slash Second Form, cutting Blaze shallowly and forcing him to retreat.
• Blaze unleashed Crimson Sword Art: Flame Collapse, then prepared his ultimate move behind the pillars of fire.
• Hoshi heard Blaze sheath his sword and realized he was preparing an ultimate attack.
• Blaze fired Absolute Flame Slash, but Hoshi evaded it by leaping into the sky.
• Hoshi broke Blaze's hand with Dragon Hammer Flight Flash and knocked him out with a hilt strike, winning the match.

Hoshi watched Mifune defeat Ichida Taiga with a swift Shunpo and a single Iaijutsu strike, then advanced through the Kendo Tournament to the semifinals. He hoped to face Mifune in the finals and study his swordsmanship.

• Mifune explained how Hoshi had dodged Blaze's blade-light attack and praised Hoshi's talent.
• Hoshi watched Mifune defeat Ichida Taiga with Shunpo and a single Iaijutsu strike.
• Hoshi defeated his next opponent, then overcame an underground attacker using his hearing and blade instincts.
• Hoshi wore down the injured Nodachi-wielding contestant and defeated him with a Blade Stomp and Full Moon Slash Second Form, advancing to the semifinals.
• Hoshi considered Mifune a likely champion and hoped to meet him in the finals.

Hoshi prepared for the Kendo Tournament semifinals, where he was matched against Kitada Asuka while Mifune faced Kurogane Date. Mifune defeated Kurogane Date, leaving Hoshi and Asuka's semifinal match next.

• Hoshi eased up on his training before the semifinals and checked that his Intermediate Swordsmanship progress had reached 380/500.
• Hoshi arrived at the tournament venue and learned he would face Kitada Asuka, while Mifune was matched against Kurogane Date.
• Kitada Asuka silently challenged Hoshi with her Ninja Blade, then watched Mifune's match with him.
• Kurogane Date used Earth Release to form rock armor and tried to counter Mifune's Shunpo with ground-shaking attacks.
• Mifune evaded Kurogane Date's attacks, broke his rock armor with a Retreating Split Slash, and defeated him with a follow-up Iaido strike.

Hoshi and Kitada Asuka began their Kendo Tournament match despite Asuka’s terminal illness. Hoshi struggled against her rapid Wind Chakra sword attacks, then dropped the heavy weights he had been wearing, leaving Asuka and the spectators stunned.

• After Kurogane Date conceded, Hoshi and Kitada Asuka stepped into the repaired arena for their match.
• Asuka coughed blood but refused Hoshi’s offer to stop, explaining that her congenital illness left her only two or three years to live and that she wanted to prove women could reach the top of the tournament.
• Hoshi and Asuka clashed, and Hoshi recognized Shunpo in her footwork; Asuka revealed that Mifune was her senior brother.
• Asuka attacked with a Retreating Split Slash and a rapid barrage of Wind Chakra-enhanced strikes, forcing Hoshi to defend while his weights remained on.
• Hoshi used the weights on his arms to block Asuka, created distance, and cut through the suit holding his weights, sending them clattering onto the arena.

Hoshi overcame Fiona’s speed by relying on his instincts, but Kitada Asuka’s Divine Bird Triple Thrust nearly forced him to open the Sixth Gate. The Leader of the Land of Iron intervened at the last moment, disarmed Kitada Asuka, and caught her as she collapsed.

• Hoshi removed his weights and gained the strength to block Kitada Asuka’s attacks, but her Divine Bird Song let her strike him repeatedly at high speed.
• Hoshi closed his eyes and followed the wind with his instincts, blocking Kitada Asuka’s attack and hitting her with Mikazuki Munechika’s sheath.
• Despite her wounds, Kitada Asuka stood and used Divine Bird Triple Thrust, forcing Hoshi to prepare to open the Sixth Gate.
• The Leader of the Land of Iron knocked the White Egret from Kitada Asuka’s hand, stopping her technique before it could finish.
• Kitada Asuka collapsed to her knees, and the Leader of the Land of Iron lifted her into his arms without acknowledging Hoshi.

Hoshi stopped Fiona from continuing their match when her father revealed that her illness made another use of her technique potentially fatal. After Hoshi gave her medicine and suggested a healer in the Land of Fire, Fiona accepted the possibility of treatment, and Hoshi advanced to the final against Mifune.

• Fiona’s father revealed that her body could not withstand a third strike of Divine Bird Triple Thrust, and Fiona admitted she had wanted to die in the arena rather than watch her father suffer as her illness worsened.
• Hoshi gave the Leader of the Land of Iron medicine made by Tsunade and suggested Fiona visit his medical ninja friend in the Land of Fire.
• Fiona swallowed the pill, felt her internal injuries ease, and stopped insisting on continuing the match after learning that treatment might help her.
• The Leader of the Land of Iron awarded Hoshi the match and invited him to the General’s Residence after the tournament.
• Hoshi recovered for half an hour, then entered the final against Mifune, who thanked him for helping Fiona before their duel began.

Hoshi and Mifune fought an intense sword duel, with Hoshi gaining the advantage through strength and quick reactions before Mifune adapted to his attacks. The battle continued as both men leaped into the air, and Mifune prepared to resume the fight after Hoshi cut through his shoulder armor.

• Hoshi and Mifune clashed blades, and Hoshi overcame Mifune’s initial advantage through sheer strength.
• Mifune retreated with a slash, then attacked Hoshi with a fast thrust and a shifting series of strikes.
• Hoshi blocked Mifune’s slash with his dagger, threw the damaged weapon, and kicked Mifune in the chest after deflecting his hilt.
• The Leader of the Land of Iron considered taking Fiona to a medical ninja in the Land of Fire while watching her go without coughing.
• Hoshi leaped into the air and used Tornado Flash: Spiral, severing Mifune’s shoulder armor while Mifune protected himself with Chakra.
• Mifune praised Hoshi’s quick thinking, then adjusted his stance and vowed not to give Hoshi another opening.

Hoshi and Mifune fought to exhaustion before agreeing to settle their duel with Swallow Reversal and Flash. Their simultaneous attacks vanished in a flash, leaving both men standing and the victor unclear.

• Hoshi and Mifune fought an intense, evenly matched battle for nearly ten minutes as Fiona watched from the sidelines.
• Mifune proposed that they end the fight with their strongest techniques, and Hoshi agreed to answer Flash with Swallow Reversal.
• Mifune and Hoshi stood still to gather themselves while the spectators and the Leader of the Land of Iron watched in silence.
• Mifune unleashed Flash as Hoshi launched three simultaneous slashes with Swallow Reversal, and their blades collided.
• Fiona realized that watching Hoshi's technique had given her insight into how to perfect Divine Bird Triple Thrust.
• The clash ended with Mifune behind Hoshi and both still standing, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Ye Zhi announced that his second book had gone premium and asked readers to support it through subscriptions. He promised to keep writing the book to its conclusion and offered extra chapters if readership milestones were met.

• Ye Zhi reflected on the complicated feelings he had about launching his second book after two months.
• Ye Zhi announced five launch-day updates, with the first coming soon and the rest at noon.
• Ye Zhi asked readers to subscribe and set bonus chapter goals based on monthly votes and average subscriptions.
• Ye Zhi promised three daily chapters for a week if first-day subscriptions exceeded 300, and said he would continue the book until it was finished.

Hoshi defeated Mifune in the Kendo Tournament after Mifune faltered against Swallow Reversal, and the Leader of the Land of Iron declared Hoshi the champion. Afterward, Hoshi chose to remain in the Land of Iron to pursue a swordsmanship breakthrough and fully open the Sixth Gate before returning to Konoha.

• Mifune and Hoshi wounded each other, but Hoshi managed to stand while Mifune collapsed.
• The Leader of the Land of Iron explained that Mifune lost because he abandoned his convictions and evaded Hoshi’s Swallow Reversal.
• Hoshi stopped Mifune from committing seppuku, and the Leader of the Land of Iron urged Mifune to learn from his defeat.
• The Leader of the Land of Iron announced Hoshi as the tournament champion and escorted the top five to the General’s Residence.
• Hoshi checked the Sword Heart System and found his Intermediate Swordsmanship experience had reached 440/500.
• Hoshi told Robb he wanted to stay in the Land of Iron to seek a breakthrough and fully open the Sixth Gate.

Moonlight Hoshi revealed his identity to Kitada Yamajun, who offered to train him in exchange for taking Fiona to Konoha for treatment. Yamajun assessed Hoshi’s swordsmanship in the martial arts arena and found many openings in his attacks.

• Kitada Yamajun deduced that Himura Kenshin was not Hoshi’s real name, and Hoshi revealed that he was Moonlight Hoshi from Konoha.
• Hoshi showed Yamajun a personal letter from Hiruzen Sarutobi explaining that a Cursed Technique had sealed his chakra and that he planned to return to Konoha after becoming strong enough to break it.
• Yamajun asked Hoshi to take Fiona to Konoha for medical treatment and offered to train him so he could reach the required strength sooner.
• Hoshi accepted Yamajun’s offer, and the group went to the martial arts arena for an assessment.
• Hoshi attacked with Dragon’s Nest Flash and Full Moon Slash Second Form, but Yamajun blocked both techniques and pointed out Hoshi’s openings.

After Yamajun exposed the gaps in Hoshi’s sword technique, Hoshi studied the system’s Swallow Reversal and trained at the General’s Residence. About two months later, he broke through to Advanced Swordsmanship during a spar with Yamajun.

• Yamajun showed Hoshi how superior technique let him counter Hoshi’s Dragon's Nest Flash and Reverse Kesa-giri Slash despite Hoshi’s advantage in speed and strength.
• Yamajun advised Hoshi to study Swallow Reversal, and Hoshi focused on feeling the system-controlled move’s precise motions and trajectory.
• Hoshi’s injured waist reopened, so he returned to his room under Robb’s disapproving gaze and reapplied his medicine.
• After his wound healed, Hoshi trained with Yamajun, studied Swallow Reversal, learned the training method for Shunpo, and gained experience at the General’s Residence.
• During a spar with Yamajun about two months later, Hoshi’s movements suddenly became smoother, and Yamajun congratulated him on breaking through to Advanced Swordsmanship.

Hoshi broke through to Advanced Swordsmanship and obtained Heavenly Dragon Flash before leaving the Land of Iron with Fiona. After a long journey, they reached Konoha, where Hiruzen was surprised to see Hoshi return so soon.

• Hoshi thanked Yamajun for his guidance, then drew Heavenly Dragon Flash from the Sword Heart System.
• Yamajun held a family banquet for Hoshi and Fiona before they departed for Konoha the next morning.
• Hoshi told old man Shouyan that he had broken through and promised to demonstrate Wind-Breaking Slash after returning to Konoha.
• Hoshi and Robb gradually put Fiona at ease during their journey, and the three became good friends.
• Hoshi and Fiona reached Konoha, presented their credentials at the gate, and went to the Hokage's Office.
• Hiruzen recognized Hoshi and asked whether he had already advanced far in training the Eight Gates Formation.

Hoshi prepared to break through Fear Beyond Death Limit by opening the Sixth Gate, while Hiruzen arranged care for Fiona in Konoha. At the Senju Clan Compound, the breakthrough began, and Hoshi endured the curse’s spreading agony as Mito urged him to attack its weakened defenses.

• Hiruzen read Fiona’s father’s letter and arranged for her to be examined at Konoha Hospital until Tsunade returned.
• Hiruzen took Hoshi to the Senju Clan Compound, where Mito, Torikaze, and Hiruzen planned how to weaken Fear Beyond Death Limit and restrain Hoshi if needed.
• At Tobirama's Former Training Ground, Mito released the two seals on Hoshi’s back and Hiruzen weakened the curse with Cursed Technique symbols.
• Hoshi opened the Sixth Gate, causing Fear Beyond Death Limit to spread across his body and intensify his pain.
• Mito told Hoshi that the curse’s defenses were at their weakest and urged him to break through them.

Hoshi used Wind Nature Chakra to break through most of Fear Beyond Death Limit, then drove its remaining Cursed Technique symbols onto Mikazuki Munechika. He asked Uzumaki Mito to confine the symbols to the blade.

• Hoshi gathered his Chakra and shattered the seals across his body, but Fear Beyond Death Limit and the Two-Tails Chakra regrouped on his limbs.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Torikaze discussed sealing Hoshi's limbs if he could not finish removing the Cursed Technique in time.
• Hoshi activated Attribute Conversion and transformed all his Chakra into Wind Nature Chakra, which rapidly destroyed the seals on his feet.
• Hoshi drew Mikazuki Munechika and used his Wind Nature Chakra to drive the remaining seals from his hands onto the blade.
• Hoshi asked Uzumaki Mito to confine the Cursed Technique symbols to Mikazuki Munechika.

Mito sealed the remaining cursed technique symbols into Mikazuki Munechika, removing the threat of Fear Beyond Death Limit and creating a blade that burned with blue flames. After recovering from injuries caused by the Sixth Gate, Hoshi tested his newly developed Soul-Devouring Ghost Slash in the hospital garden and fled when it startled a witness.

• Mito used Adamantine Chains and a modified sealing formula to confine the cursed technique symbols to Mikazuki Munechika and nourish the remaining Two-Tails chakra with Hoshi's chakra.
• Hoshi closed the Sixth Gate, staggered from severe injuries, and received treatment from Torikaze before being sent to Konoha Hospital.
• Hoshi stayed in the hospital for two days and discovered that the system had rewarded him with 10 experience points for developing Soul-Devouring Ghost Slash.
• Hoshi sneaked into the hospital garden and let the system control his body as he tested Soul-Devouring Ghost Slash, destroying a rockery with a blue-flamed attack.
• A witness screamed and the commotion woke patients, so Hoshi sheathed Mikazuki Munechika, fled back to his ward, and pretended to know nothing about the rumored ghost.

After leaving the hospital, Hoshi visited Fiona and reunited with Jiraiya and Orochimaru, learning that Jiraiya had found Mount Myōboku and Orochimaru had contracted with Manda. Hoshi reassured himself that Orochimaru had rejected Manda’s demand for human sacrifices and urged him to confront the snake.

• After recovering, Hoshi left Konoha Hospital, bought fruit, and headed to Fiona’s home, where Tsunade was examining her.
• Orochimaru recognized Hoshi, and Jiraiya greeted his returned friend with punches and laughter.
• Jiraiya greeted Robb, who revealed that he could talk, then told Hoshi he had signed a contract with the toads of Mount Myōboku.
• Jiraiya explained that Orochimaru’s contract was with Manda, who demanded a hundred human sacrifices; Orochimaru said he had refused and would use only snakes that obeyed him.
• Hoshi suggested Manda might be lying about Ryūchi Cave or testing Orochimaru, then advised Orochimaru to beat Manda into submission and demand the truth.

Hoshi reunited with Tsunade after returning to Konoha, and she invited him, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru out to celebrate. He also visited Fiona, whom Tsunade had been treating, and Tsunade quietly reassured herself that Hoshi and Fiona seemed to have no romantic connection.

• Orochimaru agreed to confront his associate after he finished developing his Snake Ninjutsu.
• Tsunade finished explaining Fiona’s treatment and promised to restore her health within three years.
• Tsunade recognized Hoshi, embraced him, and punched his back for staying away without a word.
• Tsunade invited Hoshi, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru to celebrate his return over a meal and drinks.
• Hoshi gave Fiona a get-well gift and asked about her recovery, and Fiona said Tsunade’s treatment had helped her feel much better.
• Tsunade observed Hoshi and Fiona together, felt relieved, and invited Fiona to join their meal, but Fiona declined so she could rest.