Chapter Summaries

River became a Chunin and agreed to stay by Minato Namikaze’s side while taking in orphans, though Minato refused to let him form a separate team. He was assigned to teach at the Ninja Academy and advise the Hokage, leaving him with a busy weekly schedule.

• River asked Minato Namikaze to let him form a talented team, but Minato refused because it could create unrest in Konoha.
• River agreed to stay by Minato’s side and asked permission to take in orphans, and Minato approved.
• River sensed Kakashi outside and welcomed him to a family meal with Minato, Kushina, and Guy.
• Kakashi delivered River’s Chunin credentials and told him that Minato had assigned him to teach at the Ninja Academy three mornings a week.
• Kakashi added that River would advise the Hokage on government affairs on the other days.

River began his trainee advisor job in the Hokage Building and advised Minato on Konoha’s worsening conflict with the Uchiha Clan. Minato agreed to let River approach the Uchiha on his behalf.

• Kakashi gave River his Chunin uniform and told him he could start work that day.
• River joined the Administration Department as a trainee advisor and found Minato struggling with postwar affairs.
• River argued that Konoha’s ruling faction was marginalizing the Uchiha and outlined possible responses to the conflict.
• Minato rejected suppressing or expelling the Uchiha, saying he lacked the power to take such drastic action.
• River offered to extend goodwill to the Uchiha on Minato’s behalf, and Minato entrusted the task to him.

River visited the Uchiha Clan Compound on Minato's behalf as tensions in Konoha and trouble along its borders grew. He confronted Uchiha Fugaku about recent disputes between the Uchiha and other clans, leaving Fugaku visibly unsettled.

• Minato told River that Kumogakure had been probing Konoha's borders and that suspicious individuals had contacted people in the village.
• River said Minato's influence in Konoha was weak, then decided to visit the Uchiha Clan Compound with Guy instead of Kakashi.
• River introduced himself to Uchiha Fugaku as Minato's younger brother and entered the compound for a private discussion.
• River met Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, praising Itachi as a remarkable son.
• River told Fugaku he had come to discuss the recent unpleasant incidents between the Uchiha Clan and the other clans, and Fugaku's smile froze.

River met Uchiha Fugaku to propose a friendship and alliance between the Namikaze and Uchiha clans, presenting himself as distinct from Minato’s political interests. The chapter ended with River revealing his Sharingan to prove he was qualified to make the offer.

• River told Uchiha Fugaku that tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha’s leadership had become a serious concern.
• River conveyed Minato Namikaze’s goodwill and described how isolated and politically constrained the Hokage was.
• River said he valued the Namikaze Clan’s interests and appreciated the Uchiha, proposing an initial friendship between their clans.
• Uchiha Fugaku questioned whether River had the authority to make an alliance without Minato’s involvement.
• River revealed his three-tomoe Sharingan, shocking Uchiha Fugaku.

River revealed that he could awaken Sharingan-like powers and claimed to understand the origins of the major clans’ abilities, shocking Uchiha Fugaku. He demonstrated his speed against Shisui, leaving Shisui’s next attack anticipated.

• River activated and dismissed his three-tomoe Sharingan, then told Fugaku he understood the Sharingan and Mangekyō better than the Uchiha Clan Leader did.
• Fugaku ordered Shisui Uchiha to spar with River and test his eyes.
• River explained that the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Senju powers could be awakened through the energies of Indra, the Otsutsuki, and Asura, and claimed his eyes might one day become the Rinnegan.
• Shisui attacked River with his sword, but River evaded the strike and placed a kunai at Shisui’s neck before withdrawing.
• Shisui used high-speed movement to attack from different directions, but River calmly anticipated his next move.

River demonstrated his taijutsu and Sharingan to Uchiha Fugaku, then secured an alliance between the Namikaze and Uchiha clans. He also asked to take Shisui as his disciple, and Shisui agreed.

• River used Kami-e, Shave, Tempest Kick, and Geppo to overwhelm Shisui in a sparring match.
• Fugaku questioned whether River’s Sharingan had been transplanted, and River said he had grown the eyes himself using a method only he could use.
• River asked Fugaku to keep the secret and form an alliance with the Namikaze Clan, and Fugaku agreed.
• River asked to take Shisui as his disciple, and Shisui accepted.

River strengthened his alliance with Uchiha Fugaku, began teaching at the Ninja Academy, and visited Konoha’s orphanage as Danzo and Orochimaru pressured Nonō into a mission. The chapter ended with River arriving as Kabuto watched from outside.

• River told Fugaku that the Namikaze Clan could grow without relying on blood ties, and Fugaku saw him off warmly.
• River refused Guy’s request for the Sharingan but promised to teach him the Six Powers after more training.
• River began teaching at the Ninja Academy, where young Uchiha Itachi recognized him from the previous day’s spar.
• River went to the orphanage and found Danzo and Orochimaru urging Nonō to accept a mission, while Kabuto listened outside.
• Orochimaru noticed Kabuto, and Kabuto saw River enter the orphanage.

River visited Konoha Orphanage with winter supplies and interrupted Orochimaru, Shimura Danzō, and an Aburame Clan ninja pressuring Yakushi Nonō. When they threatened to silence him, River struck the Aburame ninja and held a kunai at Danzo’s throat.

• River found Kabuto Yakushi eavesdropping and reassured him before meeting the others at the orphanage door.
• River identified Orochimaru, Shimura Danzō, and the Aburame Clan ninja, then stood between them and Kabuto.
• River gave Nonō a sealing scroll containing padded winter clothes and quilts for the orphanage children.
• Danzo and Orochimaru threatened to capture River or make him join their mission to protect their secrets.
• River sent the Aburame Clan ninja crashing through a wall and appeared beside Danzo with a kunai at his throat.

River fought Danzo and Orochimaru to protect Nonō and the children, revealing extraordinary speed, strength, and the ability to use ninjutsu without hand seals. Orochimaru was deeply shaken by River’s abilities but remained eager to fight him.

• River held Danzo at kunai-point and refused to let him use Nonō and the children as tools, but Orochimaru freed Danzo by attacking River with a snake from his mouth.
• Danzo attacked River with kunai, and River rushed Orochimaru, breaking bones in his arm with a single punch.
• Danzo used Wind Release: Vacuum Wave, but River vanished with Shave and appeared beside Nonō, telling her to protect Kabuto.
• Danzo threw a kunai at Nonō, and River caught it, cutting his palm; Orochimaru then attacked him with Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.
• River unleashed a massive Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique without hand seals and drove Orochimaru back, then struck Danzo with a hand-seal-free Vacuum Wave.
• Orochimaru realized River had used both ninjutsu without hand seals and unusual taijutsu, and watched as River appeared above him with his foot raised.

River forced Orochimaru and Danzo to abandon their attempt to take Kabuto from the orphanage, then offered to train Kabuto as a shinobi. Kabuto eagerly considered the offer while Nonō encouraged him to accept.

• River used his strength and Rasengan to halt Orochimaru, who agreed to end the fight and leave with Danzo.
• Orochimaru remarked that River, whom he called Sui, was Minato's opposite and said they would meet again.
• After Orochimaru, Danzo, and the Aburame shinobi left, River spoke with Nonō and Kabuto at the orphanage.
• River asked Kabuto Yakushi to come with him and become a powerful shinobi, and Nonō urged Kabuto to accept.
• Kabuto asked whether he could learn Ninjutsu from River, who praised his talent for Medical Ninjutsu.

River took Kabuto from the orphanage and brought him to live with his family, promising to train him as a ninja. Kabuto joined River, Guy, Kakashi, Minato, and Kushina for a meal and began to feel at home.

• Kabuto agreed to leave the orphanage with River, and Nonō thanked River for supporting the orphanage.
• River promised Kabuto that he would teach him to become an outstanding ninja.
• River brought Kabuto to his courtyard, where Guy welcomed him as family and Kakashi introduced himself.
• Minato invited everyone to eat, and River said he was working on getting the Namikaze Clan a new house.
• Kushina reassured Kabuto that River had brought him home as family, and Kabuto smiled with gratitude.

River trained Guy and Kabuto while Minato and Danzo discussed the mysterious Namikaze Sui and his hidden strength. As River ran through Konoha with the boys, someone appeared in their path and watched them.

• River taught Kabuto chakra control and took him and Guy on a training run, telling Kabuto he would attend the Ninja Academy.
• Minato read reports of a mysterious group infiltrating Konoha, then watched River and the boys run through the snow.
• Danzo told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Namikaze Sui had powerful taijutsu and seal-free ninjutsu and was gathering talented orphans to establish the Namikaze Clan.
• Hiruzen dismissed Danzo’s suspicions and reminded him not to interfere in Minato’s affairs, and Danzo angrily left.
• An unknown figure appeared ahead of River, Guy, and Kabuto and watched them with a faint smile.

River met Orochimaru, and the two discovered a shared interest in research and the mysteries of life. River explained his understanding of the body and soul, leaving Orochimaru deeply shaken.

• Orochimaru stopped River, Guy, and Kabuto and asked River to talk with him.
• River sent Guy and Kabuto on to continue their training, then walked with Orochimaru through a remote forest.
• Orochimaru praised River's signless ninjutsu and powerful taijutsu, while River asked questions about life, ninjutsu, bloodlines, and human limitations.
• River expressed interest in Orochimaru's research with Danzo, and Orochimaru welcomed the prospect of future collaboration.
• River told Orochimaru that the Death God existed and explained that life depended on the union of body and soul, deeply shaking Orochimaru.

River explained to Orochimaru that strengthening the body could unlock greater power and perhaps allow humans to cultivate Sage Mode, inspiring Orochimaru with a new research direction. Orochimaru brought River to his laboratory and prepared to show him an experiment using Hashirama Senju's cells.

• River told Orochimaru that a strong body could increase strength, vitality, and possibly withstand natural energy, allowing humans to develop their own Sage Mode.
• River suggested that genjutsu, the Sharingan, the Byakugan, and Yin and Yang Release could be connected to the relationship between body and soul.
• Orochimaru admired River's ideas and took him to a secluded laboratory where he studied Hashirama Senju's active cells and Wood Release.
• River saw animals, body parts, and unconscious people on operating tables in Orochimaru's laboratory.
• Orochimaru said Hashirama's cells were a key component of an interesting experiment and prepared to show it to River.

River watched Orochimaru’s secret experiments to fuse Hashirama Senju’s cells with condemned prisoners and used a failing subject to obtain Wood Release. After leaving the laboratory, River evolved the simplified technique into the Wood Release kekkei genkai, and his eyes began transforming into patterned rings.

• Orochimaru led River into a hidden laboratory and explained that researchers were testing Hashirama Senju’s cells on condemned criminals.
• A researcher injected the cells into Subject 145, whose body sprouted branches and wood grain as the fusion failed.
• River touched Subject 145’s right leg before the test subject died, then discussed cellular rejection and the limits of reproducing Hashirama Senju’s power with Orochimaru.
• River left after agreeing to visit Orochimaru regularly and exchange ideas about research.
• River’s system let him learn simplified Wood Release, then amplify and evolve it into the Wood Release kekkei genkai.
• River felt immense vitality spread through his body as his black-and-white eyes turned red and transformed into patterned rings.

After awakening the Rinnegan, River concealed its appearance and considered seeking the Uzumaki Clan to strengthen his chakra reserves. As Konoha’s spring arrived, he began teaching Guy the Six Powers while rumors of mysterious people in the village remained unresolved.

• River awakened the Rinnegan after mastering Wood Release, discovered its abilities, and learned he could hide its appearance, though his chakra reserves limited how long he could use it.
• River returned home, where Minato warned him about Orochimaru and the risks to the Namikaze Clan’s reputation; River reassured him and reminded him that Kushina was due soon.
• Kakashi told River that mysterious, unidentified people had appeared in the village and that Minato suspected they might have ill intentions.
• As spring arrived, River began building his team and told Guy he was ready to learn the Six Powers, while Kabuto continued training.
• River demonstrated Shave for Guy and Kabuto, vanishing in a blur of movement and astonishing Kabuto.

River taught Guy the Six Powers, demonstrating their techniques and explaining how they could be combined. Guy successfully performed Shave on his first attempt and eagerly began training, while Kakashi realized he lacked the physique to learn the Namikaze Style Taijutsu yet.

• River explained Shave, and Guy vanished with the technique before falling face-first but celebrating his first attempt.
• River demonstrated Geppo, Kami-e, and Tempest Kick, then showed Guy how Shave and Geppo could combine with Finger Pistol for attacks from unexpected angles.
• Guy doubted he could use Finger Pistol, so River demonstrated Iron Body by stopping Guy's Kunai with his hardened body.
• River explained that Iron Body could strengthen attacks and warned Guy never to become arrogant, then showed him the Rasengan.
• Kakashi arrived as River invited him to learn the techniques, and Guy challenged him, leaving Kakashi frustrated that his physique was not yet strong enough.

River celebrated Guy’s mastery of the Six Powers and revealed to Minato that he had reached Kage Level strength and mastered the Rasengan. Their spar began with Minato using the Flying Thunder God Technique and River answering with hand-seal-free ninjutsu, before Minato appeared behind him with a marked kunai.

• Guy learned the Six Powers, and Kushina and the others celebrated his achievement.
• River told Minato he had reached Kage Level strength, mastered the Rasengan, and wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Minato agreed to spar with River, making the match a test of whether River could advance from Chunin to Jōnin.
• Minato vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique and attacked River with a Rasengan.
• River countered by casting the Great Fireball Technique without hand seals, shocking Minato and Kakashi.
• Minato praised River’s talent, vanished again, and appeared behind him beside a specially made kunai.

River tested his abilities against Minato, using shadow clones, the Six Powers, and five elemental techniques before the brothers clashed at close range. The chapter ended with River stopping Minato’s Rasengan inches from his face, and Minato praising his strength.

• Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique and a Rasengan to attack River, only to discover he had struck a shadow clone.
• River surrounded Minato with multiple shadow clones and attacked with the Six Powers, while Minato evaded and destroyed many clones with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
• River and Minato discussed the Flying Thunder God formula Minato had placed on River, which River had detected.
• River and four clones attacked Minato with ninjutsu of all five elements, forcing him to evade the combined technique.
• River followed Minato’s Flying Thunder God movements and stopped his Rasengan with his hand, prompting Minato to praise his strength.

After sparring with Minato, River revealed that he had developed Wood Release and declared his ambition to surpass the legendary shinobi. As Kushina’s delivery approached, Minato warned that the Nine-Tails might be targeted, and River prepared to change the coming events.

• Minato offered to teach River the Flying Thunder God Technique and asked him not to turn against Konoha, and River promised.
• Kushina scolded Minato and River for wrecking the courtyard, so they and Kakashi, Guy, and Kabuto repaired it.
• River said he would make the Namikaze Clan rival the Uchiha and Senju Clans and claimed he would surpass Hashirama and Madara.
• While repairing the roof, River demonstrated Wood Release to Minato and said he would forge a human path to immortality without relying on the Sage Regions.
• Minato warned River that Kushina’s approaching childbirth could draw people seeking the Nine-Tails, and River promised to help protect the village as he resolved to change the coming events.